Impact Rookies
by Josh Gaier
Josh Gaier takes a look at some of the rookies drafted outside of the first round who have the potential to make big impacts this season.
Every year in the NFL, rookies come in and make quite a splash. Last year, Adrian Peterson rejuvenated a Vikings offense and struck fear into his opponents. However, it’s not just the players who are drafted in the first round that make substantial impacts as rookies. Below are the top six sleeper players that could make a large impact on their new teams from the opening kickoff:
Kevin Smith, Running Back, Detroit Lions
The Lions fired pass-happy offensive coordinator Mike Martz as an effort to become more balanced on offense. After leading the NCAA in rushing yards last year and posting the second most rushing yards in a single season all-time, Smith enters the league as a polished, patient runner who knows how to hit the hole and explode through it. With Kevin Jones out of town, Tatum Bell remains the only viable option, so the job should be Smith’s to take. Due to his intelligence and patience in reading blocks, Smith should have little trouble adjusting to the NFL game. He might not make an Adrian Peterson-like impact because he doesn’t possess the eye-boggling skills, but he knows how to get the job done. Look for Smith to supply a once uneven Lions offense with a sense of equality.
James Hardy, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills
The speedy Lee Evans is the Bills no. 1 receiver and a legitimate deep threat. However, they have lacked a tall, possession receiver that can wreak havoc in the red zone. With Evans stretching the field on the outside, Hardy will provide young sophomore quarterback Trent Edwards with a safety blanket over the middle. Although he needs to improve his route running, the 6’6” Hardy has deceptive speed for his size and has incredible hands. He’s shown the ability to make the tough catches through traffic and use his frame to shed away from the defenders. Hardy and Evans could potentially team up to be one of the most dynamic receiving duos in the NFL.
Brandon Flowers, Cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs enter the 2008 season in a pure rebuilding mode. After letting the aging Ty Law depart, the Chiefs were left with a hole at the corner position opposite Patrick Surtain, but Flowers fills that void. Flowers is a physical corner that fills hard against the run and has tremendous intelligence. He lacks elite speed, but he is not too slow to play in man coverage. With the Chiefs playing a Cover-2, Flowers’ intelligent and physical play bode well for Herm Edwards’ scheme. Look for Flowers to start from day one and make quite an impact on the Chiefs defense.
Steve Slaton, Running Back, Houston Texans
Ahman Green is constantly injured and Chris Brown isn’t an every-down NFL back. Thus, the Texans needed a speedy, elusive back to spell Brown and add some zing to their offense. Drafting Steve Slaton in the third round has provided the Texans with that spark plug. Slaton is elusive, has incredible acceleration, and excellent straight line speed. He’s a perfect fit in Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme that requires quick, one-cut-and-go runners. With the Texans already having legitimate weapons on the outside, including all-pro receiver Andre Johnson, they have found the lighting to their thunder. Brown, Slaton, and a healthy Green compose a Texan’s backfield that is versatile: they can hit the homerun, but also have the ability to churn out the tough yards.
Pat Sims, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals
Since the Marvin Lewis era began, the Bengals haven’t been able to stop the run. Although they have Domata Peko and John Thronton starting on the interior line, Sims is the perfect rotation man to clog up run lines and contain blockers. In addition, Sims does an excellent job shedding blocks and collapsing the pocket to slow down the quarterback or the running back. With the linebacking corps revamped with rookie first-rounder Keith Rivers, Sims adds a wide body that’s able to control the line of scrimmage for a much-improved Bengals’ defense on paper. Sims will make an immediate upgrade in the Bengals’ lackluster run defense.
Early Doucet, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
After Bryant Johnson had departed via free agency, the Cardinals needed to fill his presence in the slot. In order to do so, the Cardinals drafted LSU product Early Doucet. Doucet does an excellent job catching the ball over the middle and has the vision, awareness, and quickness to separate from man coverage. With the defensive backs primarily focused on the best receiving duo in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, Doucet is sure to see plenty of one-on-one matchups. Johnson put up huge numbers despite being in the slot for the Cardinals, and we should expect Doucet to follow a similar path.