Predictions for First Round Rookies

espn.go.com

1. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers drafted Winston with the hopes of him leading their team throughout the foreseeable future. Winston is incredibly gifted, but he also seems to have problems with his decision making both on and off the field. I expect Winston to step up to the challenge of being a professional and stay out of trouble off the field. However, it is reasonable to expect that there will be some problems with Winston’s on the field decision making. When you look at similar gun-slinging quarterbacks, you will see that they generally struggle with interceptions through at least their first year. Winston will show flashes of what will one day make him a starting caliber NFL quarterback. Though at the same time, it will be obvious that he is not yet a finished product.

2015 stat predictions: 3,700 yards, 22 touchdowns, 19 interceptions

2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

Much like the Buccaneers, the Titans believe that they have drafted their quarterback of the future. Mariota isn’t as NFL ready as Winston seems to be, and the Titans should know that. Mariota’s college scheme was incredibly simple, so transitioning to the NFL could prove to be difficult for him. The Titans have minimal weapons for him to work with, but they did end up drafting potential future pro bowl receiver Dorial Green-Beckham in the 2nd round. Mariota has the potential to be great, but also has the potential to be a huge bust if he can’t figure out the Titans playbook.

2015 stat predictions: 3,150 yards, 18 touchdowns, nine interceptions

3. Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Dante Fowler is an incredibly athletic edge rusher that will be asked to step in to the Jaguars defense right away. Fowler is still incredibly raw in a lot of areas and will need to refine his skills before he can be a double digit sack guy for the Jags. However, his instincts and pure ability will allow him to contribute in run defense as well as allowing him to get the occasional sack.  It should be noted that on Friday afternoon, Fowler was carted off the field after an apparent injury took him out of practice.  Although Fowler already has started off the off season training with an injury, I believe he will certainly live up to the hype of being a #3 pick.

2015 stat predictions: 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

4. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

Amari Cooper has been considered the top receiver in his class for a long while now.  While Derek Carr continues to evolve as a quarterback, he now has an elite receiver like Cooper who could really move his production along. Cooper will be forced to go against opposing team’s best cornerbacks, which could hurt his production a bit as a rookie. However, due to his all around NFL ready skill set, he should be up to the task. I wouldn’t expect production equivalent to Odell Beckham out of Cooper, but he could end up being the NFL’s next pro bowl receiver in the near future.

2015 stat predictions: 79 receptions, 1,020 yards, seven touchdowns

5. Brandon Scherff, OL, Washington Redskins

This article isn’t here to talk about how good or bad a pick is, or whether or not you liked this pick.  None of these opinions will change how well Scherff performs in the upcoming season. Scherff was drafted as a guard, but it is believed that he will most likely take over the right tackle spot on the Redskins offensive line. Scherff’s versatile skill set will help him as he tries to adjust at the NFL level, however if he does move to tackle, his pass protecting deficiencies could be exposed. Scherff will likely end up being viewed as a big reach, but I would be willing to bet that he will be a solid mainstay on the Redskins line this season.

2015 stat predictions: N/A

6. Leonard Williams, DL, New York Jets

Picking Leonard Williams created a bit of a log jam on the Jets’ defensive line. Williams will join Damon Harrison, Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson on what was already a star studded defensive line. There is no doubt that the Jets will want to give their first round draft pick a great amount of playing time. However, with the rest of the players that will also need playing time, Williams could be cut a bit short of what he deserves. When Leonard Williams does reach an opportunity to play, I’m sure he will terrorize the opposing team’s quarterback whether he’s lined up inside the tackles or as an edge rusher.

2015 stat predictions: 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks

7. Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears

I believe Kevin White will not produce as well as the Bears expect him to. There is no doubt in my mind that White was drafted to take pressure off of Alshon Jeffery. The problem with that theory is that Kevin White is a very similar receiver to Jeffery. Yes, Kevin White ran a blazing 40 yard dash, but when watching his tape, I can’t find anything to show me that he is anything more than another jump ball receiver. The lack of a dynamic receiving corps as a whole, plus the fact that the majority of targets will likely go towards Jeffery leads me to believe that Kevin White will have an underwhelming rookie campaign.

2015 stat predictions: 55 receptions, 690 yards, five touchdowns