Rookies Under the Radar
Each year rookies are selected or signed during the
off-season. These rookies had solid careers at their respected universities and
may take some time to develop. Some are household names that hold promising
futures, while others are considered enigmas or under performers. Rookies have
a small margin for error because coaches and veterans are always looking to
provide them with knowledge and ways to make them tougher. These methods can
help a rookie survive in a league that can be cruel. Some of these first year
players can withstand the pressure while others wither. Despite these things
there is always optimism for a rookie heading into the season.
1.Johnthan Banks
Johnthan Banks did not play for a powerhouse
team while in college. Instead, Banks stayed home and played for Mississippi
State where he played for four years. He is a big physical corner with a high
motor and good awareness on the field. In addition, he is 6’2 and has a nose
for making a play. Banks finished his senior year with four interceptions and
seven pass deflections, which led to him receiving the Jim Thorpe Award, Best
DB in college. Banks went on to the draft where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
selected him with the 43rd overall pick. Although Banks lacks the speed needed
at corner, the Bucs believe he can be a formidable corner opposite of newly
acquired corner Darrelle Revis. As of now, Banks is in a position battle with
the incumbent Leonard Johnson. Johnson showed flashes of his potential as a
rookie, but he did things that made Coach Greg Schiano lose his composure. If
Banks can beat Johnson for the starting job he will likely be the DB that is
consistently thrown at. This can spell success or failure for the first year
player.
2. Darius Slay
Darius Slay was the “other”
cornerback at Mississippi State. Slay was no pushover himself playing opposite
of Banks as he racked up five interceptions during his senior year. He was
considered the faster and more fluid corner between the two. Although Slay had
a knee problem heading into the combine, he still ran a blazing 4.3 in his
40-yard dash. Teams were still scared off because of the knee; as a result, he
fell to the Detroit Lions where they drafted him with the 36th pick.
Detroit has high hopes for Slay because they have a secondary that is
completely dilapidated. This means the rookie has no time to ease his way into
the league. Things do not get any easier for Slay because he is in a division
that is pass happy. He will face the Packers and Bears twice; in addition, the
Vikings are looking to pass the ball more as well. It is safe to say that Slay
will be tested, but it does not hurt to go up against Calvin Johnson every day
in practice.
3.Stedman Bailey
Stedman Bailey is not the
all-around receiver like Tavon Austin, but he poses as much of a threat. In
fact, Bailey set school records at West Virginia with 1,622 receiving yards and
25 touchdowns. He chose to enter the draft early and attended the combine where
he did not have a great day. The wideout ran a 4.52, which made teams scratch
their head because he played fast during games. Bailey was not highly touted
during the draft anyway; as a result, he went to the Rams in the third round.
Bailey is in a prime position to be successful with the St. Louis Rams. Bailey
is on the same team as Tavon Austin again as the duo looks to wreak havoc in
the NFL. The duo is expected to energize a franchise that has not made it to
the playoffs since the 2004 season. In addition, they are expected to revive
Sam Bradford’s career who is excited about his new receivers. Once home to the
“greatest show on turf”, the Rams might be worthy of that phrase soon enough.
4.Johnathan Cyprien
Johnathan Cyprien was one of the
unknown players in the draft. He had a great week at the annual Senior Bowl
down in Mobile, Alabama, which allowed him to skyrocket up the draft board. On
the contrary, NFL teams had concerns about Cyprien because he did not play
against top-notch competition at Florida International. Nevertheless, the
Jacksonville Jaguars selected him early in the second round. Jags head coach
Gus Bradley likes the rookie’s leadership approach, which they desperately
need. Cyprien is a physical, aggressive, ball-hawking safety who can,
potentially, be one of the most feared DBs in the NFL. The rookie will not be
asked to turn the franchise around immediately because the Jags are still
rebuilding. The franchise will expect him to be a leader and provide a winning
attitude.
5. Xavier Rhodes
Xavier Rhodes was considered as one
of the best cornerbacks heading into the draft. The adjectives used to describe
the rookie out of Florida State are: long, athletic, and physical. Rhodes was
forced to start at FSU once the university dismissed star corner Greg Reid.
Rhodes did not post the stats that made scouts drool, but he is considered a
consistent player with a tremendous amount of upside. The Minnesota Vikings
selected Rhodes in the first round. The Vikings cut veteran Antoine Winfield
and were looking for someone to replace him. Rhodes is expected to start
immediately in a thin secondary. The rookie is going to be a part of one of the
best defenses in the NFL, which includes Jared Allen and Everson Griffen. This
is a good thing for Rhodes because Allen and Griffen create a lot of pressure
on quarterbacks and pressure is the greatest asset for any DB.
6. Robert Woods and Da’Rick Rogers
Robert Woods finished his junior year with disappointing stats, just 74 catches and 849 yards. Woods chose to enter the draft despite the under whelming season. Woods is not a receiver that is considered a speedster, but he is fluid in his ability to run routes. The Buffalo Bills with the 41st pick selected the wideout from the University of Southern California. Woods is expected to come in and start for the Bills as a complementary receiver to star receiver Steve Johnson. The Bills brought in another rookie via free agency. Da’Rick Rogers is a receiver who got in trouble in college and was dismissed by Tennessee. As a result, Rogers enrolled into a local college Tennessee Tech where he played for a year. Although Rogers is a physical specimen with unique athletic ability, he still went undrafted. He immediately received a call from Buffalo and chose to sign with them. Together Rogers and Woods are expected to contribute to the Bills offense and help rookie quarterback EJ Manuel establish himself in the league. The rookie WRs have the potential to form a fearsome combo along with Steve Johnson in the years to come.
