NFL News and Previews
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- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Best rookies of the 2017-18 NFL Football Season
1. Christian McCaffrey
The Carolina Panthers didn’t quite use the momentum of a Super Bowl appearance in 2016, as they wallowed in the bottom of NFC South with a 6-10 record. A return to relevance could be in the offing this year though with Cam Newton healthy and getting help from the rookie McCaffrey. McCaffrey is an all-around weapon that Carolina needs in order to ease the burden off of the shoulders of Newton. In college, McCaffrey broke several records including Barry Sanders’ single-season all-purpose yards in 2016. Whether McCaffrey’s skill would translate into NFL success remains to be seen but for now, expectations are high that he would, as he’s priced +300 to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year plum.
2. Deshaun Watson
Watson became a household name when he led the Clemson Tigers in the Alabama Crimson Tide takedown in the national championship game. He could also take down Tom Savage as the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback once the season starts. Savage doesn’t radiate with franchise quarterback qualities, so Watson has a legitimate shot at taking over the role anytime in the season. The Texans are set on defense and if the offense cooperating might depend mostly on the play of Watson.
3. Myles Garrett
The Cleveland Browns could have played blind darts to determine which player they’re going to select number one overall in the recent draft and they’d still be assured that a weakness would be addressed. That’s how tattered with holes Cleveland was last season. With Garrett, though, the Browns get immediate help on their punching bag defense, particularly on their pass rush that generated a pathetic total of 26 sacks in 2016—good only for 30th in the NFL.
4. Jamal Adams
Similar to the Browns, the New York Jets were shining examples of ineptitude last season. Their defense in particular was routinely molested and that sourcing reinforcements from the draft became a no-brainer. The Jets’ front office did just that, using their brains to arrive at the decision to take Adams out of LSU. Adams provides the Jets a promising talent at the safety position, one who could play a pivotal role in reinvigorating the Jets’ pass defense that surrendered 243.6 passing yards per contest.
5. Leonard Fournette
Can Fournette truck grown men like he did when he was in college? He could sure, but perhaps not that often and not with the same kind of ease. Fournette is expected to play a major role on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense that was anemic on the ground last season, averaging just 101.9 rushing yards per game.
6. Dalvin Cook
Cook has the gargantuan goal of trying to cover the void left by Adrian Peterson on the Minnesota Vikings. If his college career was any indication, Cook has the potential to at least convince the Vikings he’s a serviceable replacement for the future Hall of Famer. Cook rushed for 4,464 yards with 46 rushing touchdowns through his junior season in Tallahassee.
7. Haason Reddick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M0Ad8Lnxko
Reddick’s Madden ratings aren’t something that would make him smile, but he could use the low grade to inspire him become a significant figure on the Cardinals’ defense. The rookie outside linebacker should get a prominent role right out of the gate with key defensive pieces for Arizona from last season gone. Moreover, Deone Bucannon’s recovery process from an ankle injury is a sign that Reddick could win a starting gig.
8. T.J. Watt
Apparently, all the football talent in the Watt family isn’t concentrated on J.J. Watt, as his younger brother T.J. impressed so much in college and in the NFL combine that he was drafted 30th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. James Harrison isn’t going to be throwing opposing linemen like ragdolls forever and Watt gives the Steelers someone they could develop as Harrison’s replacement. He should be able to assist the team’s pass rush that was inconsistent a year ago.
9. O.J. Howard
The Tampa Bay Bucs’ offense got quarterback Jameis Winston a new toy in tight end O.J. Howard. Winston threw a bunch at wide receiver Mike Evans last year, while Cameron Brate was also a fixture in the passing game. But those two targets aren’t enough for the Bucs so by adding arguably the best TE in college football last season, the Bucs are hoping to see further elevation on their offense.
10. Corey Davis
Selected fifth overall in the draft, Davis comes into the Tennessee Titans’ fold with a tailor-made role, as he’s expected to become one of Marcus Mariota’s favorite targets this coming season. Davis was an explosive receiver in college, one who burned opposing defenses for 1,500 yards on 97 receptions with 19 touchdowns caught. Davis is +1,000 to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
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