Most of the players taken in last week’s NFL Draft will never amount to much in the league. Several dozen will become role players, a few dozen more will become quality starters, a couple dozen others will become stars and about a handful will immediately become Pro Bowlers.
Four did so last year, with Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Tyreek Hill and Jordan Howard all receiving Pro Bowl nods as rookies. Five rookies became Pro Bowlers in 2014 and 2015, four in 2013 and six in 2011 and 2012.
Who might receive those honors despite having no prior NFL experience in 2017? Here are 10 prime candidates.
Browns DE Myles Garrett: Shocking, right? You know the beast-like No. 1 overall pick is going to play a huge role from the get-go in Cleveland.
Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette: Like Garrett, Fournette is a monster who is ready to rock from Day 1. He’ll need support in that Jacksonville offense, though.
Titans WR Corey Davis: The Western Michigan product put up insane numbers in college and is probably the most polished pass-catcher in this draft class. He also joins a barren receiving corps, which means he might be quarterback Marcus Mariota’s favorite target right off the bat.
https://youtu.be/oUftNWEghUE
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey: You don’t use a top-10 pick on a back unless you plan on using him early and often, and McCaffrey joins an offense that has been hinting at big changes in order to keep quarterback Cam Newton healthy and happy. It seems inevitable they’ll be using McCaffrey often as both a rusher and a receiver.
Colts S Malik Hooker: The ball-hawking safety will have a shot at a starting job and if he wins it, he could put up some flashy numbers. Hooker recorded 74 tackles and seven interceptions while scoring three touchdowns last year as a redshirt sophomore at Ohio State.
Redskins DE Jonathan Allen: The concern about his shoulders is long term. Short term, he’ll step into the departed Chris Baker’s role and have a chance to rock out early. The man has 22.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss the last two years at Ala-freakin’-bama. He’s ready.
https://youtu.be/iOjRzOjsDg8
Falcons DE Takkarist McKinley: Coming off a double-digit sack season in the Pac-12, the high-motor rusher could benefit greatly from playing with 2016 NFL sack leader Vic Beasley. The only question is whether he earns enough snaps to put up big numbers. I think he’s better right now than Brooks Reed or Ra’Shede Hageman, so they might have trouble keeping him off the field.
Cardinals S Budda Baker: You know the Cards will find a way to get the fast, instinctive rookie on the field, even if Tyrann Mathieu is out there. Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger are gone and Antoine Bethea is just a body at this point. Baker can do everything, and he’d be well-protected in that secondary.
Chargers G Forrest Lamp: A four-year college starter, the second-round pick will almost certainly play a major role right away as part of a Los Angeles line that needs him badly. He’s versatile enough to play multiple spots, so we’ll see if they test him in several before he finds his groove.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook: A steal in the second round, many viewed Cook as the best back in a back-rich draft. He rushed for 3,456 yards, averaged 6.7 yards per carry and scored 40 touchdowns from scrimmage during his two full seasons as a starter at Florida State, and he should be the lead dog right away in Minnesota.
