The 2013 NFL Draft set a record for running backs, one any athlete playing the demanding position wished was not true, when we waited until the 37th-overall pick to hear Giovani Bernard’s name called – the lowest selection ever for the first ball carrier to come off the draft board. Undeterred, Eddie Lacy, chosen 61st-overall by the Green Bay Packers, went on to win the AP Offensive Rookie of The Year award after a 1,178-yard, 11 rushing touchdown season.
Anybody who caught merely a quarter of Alabama football in 2012 knew Lacy was a very good player, but, it still surprised many when, especially with the lack of value currently held against the position, a running back had such a strong season to scoop the gong.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at who can surprise the masses and make a name for himself as an offensive NFL rookie.
Bishop Sankey, Running Back, Tennessee Titans
Sankey smashed Bernard’s record when he was taken with the 54th-overall pick and walks into a good situation at Tennessee. Okay, there are quarterback uncertainties and the young receiving corps needs to prove itself, however, the offensive line is very, very good. This is an offensive line that saw the Titans rank 14th in the league for rushing yards per-game even with Chris Johnson having a sub-par season by his standards.
Sankey, who is a good combination of size and speed, does have flaws that must be worked on if the Titans are to lean on him throughout the season. Nevertheless, he is NFL-ready and will comfortably topple 1,000 yards on the ground if given the chance.
Jarvis Landry, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
After a 4.77 40-yard dash and 28.5 inch vertical at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis back in February, Landry was the forgotten man as his former LSU teammate Odell Beckham Jr. grabbed the spotlight. As any good analyst knows, the tape never lies and Landry is magnificent on film. His 10.25 inch mitts catch everything over the middle as he bails his quarterback out with savvy, tough route running.
The Dolphins, providing they do not trade him, have an outside threat in Mike Wallace as well as a great no.2 wide-out in Brian Hartline. Furthermore, Charles Clay showed potential at tight end which will leave Landry to ply his trade with minimal fuss from the slot. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still developing and will love his new ‘get-out-of-jail’ receiver. Landry will challenge the 71 receptions rookie Keenan Allen caught for the Chargers this past season.
Devin Street, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
I simply love Street’s game and the Cowboys quite possibly got the steal of the draft in the fifth round. The former Pittsburgh Panther is a sudden route runner who has a brilliant understanding of how to play the position and makes up for his lack of deep speed by utilising his prototypical height and 33.5 inch arms.
Dez Bryant is the star in Dallas – pardon the pun – while 2013 rookie Terrance Williams exceeded expectations by catching 44 balls for over 700 yards and five touchdowns. Not only will Street learn a lot from the two aforementioned starters and tight end Jason Witten, but he will see a lot of single coverage which should mean Tony Romo targets him regularly.
Colt Lyerla, Tight End, Green Bay Packers
Lyerla (here is my scouting report on him) went undrafted and it was not through lack of talent. The former Oregon Duck was first suspended and then chose to leave the college program early last season for reasons unknown. All 32 teams stuck to their guns for approximately a week after the draft as the 6’4” athlete remained without a club. However, the Packers decided to roll the dice on the troublemaker by bringing him in for a try-out, which basically means they have signed him - raw, unproven prospect are given try-outs, not stud tight ends.
Should the Packers sign Lyerla, which is a formality, he will immediately become a rookie of the year candidate playing with Aaron Rodgers. Andrew Quarless is a solid player but his 33 receptions in 2013 did not move any mountains and Jermichael Finley regularly got open but had drop issues and eventually lost the trust of Rodgers. Providing he has got his head straight, Lyerla has the potential to be a big-time NFL star from day one.
Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby