NFL Rookies Who Already Look Like Draft-Day Steals

adbutcher

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717515-nfl-rookies-who-already-look-like-draft-day-steals
WR Ryan Switzer, Dallas Cowboys, 133rd Pick

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    Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
    Move over, Cole Beasley. Ryan Switzer is going to find a way on the field as rookie for the Dallas Cowboys.

    "Switz has been a baller in OTAs," Beasley said, per the Dallas Morning News. "He's really good getting off the press and beating man coverage. That's the hardest thing to teach. If you don't have that coming in, it's kind of hard to make it in the NFL."

    North Carolina's all-time leading receiver had the lowest drop rate of any draft prospect operating out of the slot last season, per Pro Football Focus.

    And his short-area quickness allows him to get open in the first place. Switzer tied for first at the NFL combine with a 4.00-second short shuttle.

    Cowboys faithful should expect both Beasley and the rookie to be on the field together.

    "[Switzer's] role is significant," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said, per the Morning News' Jon Machota. "...He complements Beasley and also gives us some big-time needed depth at that position."

    Switzer also brings a rare skill set to special teams. He set an ACC record with seven career punts returns for touchdowns. The Cowboys averaged 7.1 yards per punt return in 2016, which ranked 23rd overall.

    "I love little Switz," Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant said, via the Morning News' Jori Epstein. "He comes in, he works hard and he focuses on what can get him better."

    CB Chidobe Awuzie, Dallas Cowboys, 60th Pick

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      Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
      The Dallas Cowboys have made a habit of smart picks. Whether it was Ezekiel Elliott or Zack Martin in the first round, Jaylon Smith in the second or Dak Prescott later, the team's recent success can be attributed to its drafting.

      After obtaining Michigan's Taco Charlton in the first round, the Cowboys doubled down on defensive backs. Chidobe Awuzie's combination of versatility, coverage skills and NFL-ready physicality land him on this list.

      "We've got to find ways to put speed on the field," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said, per the Dallas Morning News' Kate Hairopoulous. "...[Awuzie is] going to be an asset. He can cover."

      There were rumblings that Awuzie's would be selected in the first round. But he eventually went 60th.

      "He's got all those factors that say, 'Hey, this guy could go do it [at safety],'" secondary coach Joe Baker said, per Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams. "Right now, we'd like to see what he can do at corner first."

      Dallas required a major overhaul among its defensive backs with the losses of Barry Church, Brandon Carr, J.J. Wilcox and Morris Claiborne in free agency. Awuzie will be one of the defense's key components as the team revamps its secondary.
 
Them

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...."Potential!"...a four letter word if I eve....?.....nevermind!o_O
 

rynochop

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I always love the giddiness over the draft pics going into training camp. I kind of get an idea of what they could do during the actual season, then cut that in half.ha
 
DoctorChicken

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PJTHEDOORS said:
"It's amazing to realize the Oakland Raiders selected Derek Carr (the league's highest-paid player) in the second round."

That's amazing? No, it would be if he was picked in the 4th like Dak or in the 6th like Tom Brady. Just because the Raiders paid Carr to be the highest paid player in the league isn't amazing. It's not like his stats back it up that he's been amazing. A career 60.;9 passing %, and 87.9 qb rating.
Click to expand...

Do you gink dak is going to be the league's best player one day? Because if he keeps up his level of current play, he's going to be paid just as much as Carr or more.
 
RJ_MacReady

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DFWJC said:
Has only been in the league 3 years.
Therefore, im sure his most recent season is what is considered the current player.

That would be 28 tds, 6 ints (so huge 22 differential) , and a 97 rating.

Really though, his second year with 32 and 13 (19 differencial) and 91 rating is very strong too.

I'm on team Dak, but just a reminder that his differencial was 18.
Click to expand...

How about rookie year to rookie year since Dak only has one year to sample?

Carr: 348/599 attempts (58.1%), 3,270 yds, 5.46 YPA, 21 TD/12 INT (9 differential)

Dak: 311/459 attempts (67.8%), 3,667 yds, 7.99 YPA, 23 TD/4 INT (19 differential)

Bonus, Dak had 6 rushing TDs. He also had 3 passing TD's in the post season. Carr has yet to have any of that in 3 years.

I liked Carr coming out and still do, but there is a reason he wasn't hyped his first two years. He got rattled in games and his accuracy went to crap. He looks good in year 3, though. If he performs like that or better, then the AFCW is going to have a problem for years to come.

Extra Bonus: Dak doesn't wear eyeliner.
 
fishspill

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DoctorChicken said:
Do you gink dak is going to be the league's best player one day? Because if he keeps up his level of current play, he's going to be paid just as much as Carr or more.
Click to expand...
If Dak keeps improving and being a model pro his next contract will dwarf Carr's.

Unless he takes a friendly deal. Then his legend would only compound.
 
DFWJC

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mcompact said:
How about rookie year to rookie year since Dak only has one year to sample?

Carr: 348/599 attempts (58.1%), 3,270 yds, 5.46 YPA, 21 TD/12 INT (9 differential)

Dak: 311/459 attempts (67.8%), 3,667 yds, 7.99 YPA, 23 TD/4 INT (19 differential)

Bonus, Dak had 6 rushing TDs. He also had 3 passing TD's in the post season. Carr has yet to have any of that in 3 years.

I liked Carr coming out and still do, but there is a reason he wasn't hyped his first two years. He got rattled in games and his accuracy went to crap. He looks good in year 3, though. If he performs like that or better, then the AFCW is going to have a problem for years to come.

Extra Bonus: Dak doesn't wear eyeliner.
Click to expand...
I'm not remotely here to turn this into another Dak vs Carr thing.
I AM a Dak fan.

But in any case, the discussion was about now
Carr NOW...not his rookie year.
His rookie year is about as relevant now as RG3s.
It can go either way, and in Carr's case, it just keeps getting better.

Was just saying that Carr now--which is what is important--is very good.

My guess is that Dak's differential of 19 was the best ever for a rookie. It would have already been the 4th best in Romo's whole career...and right from the start.
:flagwave:
 
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