Sept 17, 2016; Madison, WI; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel (47) sacks Georgia State Panthers quarterback Emiere Scaife (12) during the first half of the Wisconsin Badgers-Georgia State game at Camp Randall Stadium. Photo Credit: Rick Wood-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Spoiler alert!
The Sports Xchange polled insiders covering each NFL team to single out the one player in the 2017 draft who will be the biggest surprise.
After so many months of intensive scrutiny by NFLDraftscout.com, some of these players may not be a surprise, but that’s the goal — to predict the most surprising player before they even suit up.
So here’s a closer look at the player on each team who may be a surprise to many as the season plays out (teams are listed alphabetically with round/overall pick, name, height, weight, school):
ARIZONA
Round 5/179 – T.J. Logan, RB, 5-9, 196, North Carolina
Don’t be shocked if it’s their sixth-round pick. Logan’s freakish speed and ability to contribute right away on special teams had both head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim practically drooling after the draft. Logan is a gamer who brings energy and a never-say-die attitude to the football field, which is one of the reasons why he got the nickname “Rudy.” His real first name is Jonathan.
ATLANTA
Round 5/156 – Brian Hill, RB, 6-1, 219, Wyoming
The hard-charging Hill gives the Falcons a bigger back who can run with some power in short-yardage situations. With Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, the Falcons have been throwing the ball in short-yardage situations. Hill, who is 219 pounds, could immediately have a short-yardage and red-zone role in the offense. In 38 college game, including 28 starts, Hill rushed for 4,287 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry while scoring 35 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 403 yards.
BALTIMORE
Round 5/159 — Jermaine Eluemunor, G, 6-4, 332, Texas A&M
The fifth-round pick is capable of playing right tackle and he will get an opportunity to compete for a starting spot at that position. The Ravens’ offensive line took a hit when former right tackle Rick Wagner signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions. Eluemunor had nine starts at right tackle and three at right guard at Texas A&M. That versatility should bode well in Baltimore, which has been forced to juggle players on the offensive line because of injuries.
BUFFALO
Round 5/171 — Nathan Peterman, QB, 6-2, 225, Pittsburgh
The Bills may have stolen him in the fifth round. It’s unlikely he will play much in 2017, but he has the kind of skill set that can be built upon, and perhaps he could get into the mix to be the starter in 2018. Peterman transferred from Tennessee and started his final two years at Pitt where he completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 5,142 yards and 47 touchdowns. He set a career high in passing yards with 308 in Pitt’s upset of eventual national champion Clemson last year. He doesn’t have elite arm talent, but he played in a pro-style offense and should be able to quickly adapt to the Bills’ playbook.
CAROLINA
Round 7/233 — Harrison Butker, K, 6-4, 199, Georgia Tech
Graham Gano, who was solid if not spectacular during his first four seasons in Carolina, sputtered throughout 2016. Using a draft pick on a possible replacement may be more than just a shot across the bow. The Yellow Jackets’ all-time leading scorer will at least push Gano this summer.
CHICAGO
Round 4/119 – Tarik Cohen, RB, 5-6, 179, North Carolina A&T
He can fit well into the Bears’ overall scheme on offense. With excellent hands, speed and cutting ability, he will be a niche player. Some instantly compared this pick to Garrett Wolfe, the former undersized Northern Illinois back who played some special teams and backup running back for a few years with the Bears. While they are similar in height and weight, Cohen has a much stronger lower body and runs through tackles with greater burst, while also possessing better open-field moves. He has large hands that make him a good target for screens. This selection obviously puts running back Jeremy Langford under the microscope. He has no special teams ability, and after showing promise as a rookie back, Langford took a huge step backward in 2016 with nagging injuries and lack of production. Cohen is more of a classic third-down back than Langford, with better receiving abilities. He might be a good complement to hard-running Jordan Howard, who last year struggled to hang onto screen passes.
CINCINNATI
Round 5/176 – J.J. Dielman, C, 6-5, 309, Utah
He is considered to be among the most underrated players in this year’s draft, possibly because of a leg injury that cost him most of his senior season. But with starting center Russell Bodine entering the final year of his contract, the Bengals might have gotten Bodine’s replacement with the 176th overall pick. Dielman started every game for the Utes in 2014 and 2016. He’s a talented work-up blocker with quick feet.
CLEVELAND
Round 5/160 -Roderick Johnson, T, 6-7, 311, Florida State
The Browns are hunting for a right tackle. Johnson played left tackle the last 2 1/2 years at Florida State. Coincidentally, he’ll compete at right tackle with Cameron Erving, whom Johnson replaced at left tackle with the Seminoles. If he proves the reputation of being lazy was undeserved he could win the starting job.
DALLAS
Round 6/191 – Xavier Woods, S, 5-11, 197, Louisiana Tech
This sixth-round pick had a fourth-round grade from the Cowboys. He is a ball hawk and heavy hitter who will come in and compete for a starting job immediately.
DENVER
Round 5/172 — Isaiah McKenzie, WR, 5-7, 173, Georgia
The 5-foot-7, 173-pounder should be an immediate factor on punt returns after a college career in which he scored five touchdowns off punts. He could also provide some dynamic moments on offense with occasional use as a slot receiver running end arounds, jet sweeps and fly sweeps.
DETROIT
Round 4/127 – Michael Roberts, TE, 6-4, 270, Toledo
Roberts may not catch 17 passes this fall let alone 17 touchdowns like he did for Toledo last year, but he should see plenty of action as a complement to Eric Ebron at tight end. Roberts is a big, physical presence who can contribute as an inline blocker, and at a minimum he’ll help as a receiver in the red zone. Even if free-agent addition Darren Fells wins the No. 2 job, the Lions view Roberts as a versatile addition to their offense who can eventually be a three-down player.
GREEN BAY
Round 4/108 – Vince Biegel, OLB, 6-3, 246, Wisconsin
The start of the final day of the draft Saturday began with a thunderous roar across Wisconsin with the Packers’ fourth-round selection of Biegel at 108 overall. Biegel played opposite T.J. Watt as Wisconsin’s outside linebackers. Though Watt had a breakthrough 2016 season with 11.5 sacks and 63 tackles, Biegel has the potential to be the more complete player at the next level. “He played next to T.J. Watt, who’s an excellent football player, but I think he had his own identity,” Alonzo Highsmith, the Packers’ senior personnel executive, said of Biegel. “I thought he made a name for himself. He’s been a very durable player. He’s played a lot of football.” The high-intensity, try-hard, do-everything Biegel bolsters the depth at outside linebacker behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry after the Packers allowed future Hall of Famer Julius Peppers and former first-round draft pick Datone Jones to leave in free agency.
HOUSTON
Round 4/142 — Carlos Watkins, DT, 6-3, 309, Clemson
This fourth-round pick from the national champions should fit into the Texans’ defensive line as a rotational defensive lineman who could line up at nose tackle and defensive end in 3-4 scheme. He collected 10.5 sacks last season for the national champs.
INDIANAPOLIS
Round 4/143 – Marlon Mack, RB, 6-0, 210, South Florida
Indianapolis went into the 2017 draft hoping to find the eventual long-term replacement for veteran Frank Gore. Mack will begin his NFL career primarily as a change-of-pace running back and on special teams. He will play behind Gore and top backup Robert Turbin this season, but should get plenty of opportunity to show what he could do with the football in his hands.
JACKSONVILLE
Round 5/148 – Blair Brown, LB, 5-11, 238, Ohio
Even as a fifth-round draft pick, Brown might have jumped to the No. 4 spot on the Jaguars’ linebacker depth chart. The three starters are solid and have locked in their starting role. But the fall off after the starting trio is dramatic which is why the Jaguars went for the best available linebacker in the fifth round. Brown will need to develop in a hurry at both the Will and Mike spots because an injury to one of the starters could thrust him into a starting role. He led the Bobcats with 128 tackles last season and was named first team All-Mid-American Conference. Had 15 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with a forced fumble.
KANSAS CITY
Round 6/218 — Leon McQuay III, S, 6-1, 192, Southern Cal
At 6-foot-1, 192 pounds with 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash, McQuay is built more like a cornerback than safety. But those physical skills may find him playing both positions in the NFL, where teams are always searching for help in coverage for their sub-packages on defense. There’s no doubt Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton will have a place for McQuay if he can make the transition from the college game. With the Trojans, he played a lot of nickel and worked in slot coverage along with playing safety. His grandfather was a running back/returner in the NFL and CFL in the 1970s, known as Leon “All The Way” McQuay and allegedly ran 40 yards in 4.2-something seconds. He died in 1995 when LMcQIII was a year old.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Round 5/151 — Desmond King, CB, 5-10, 201, Iowa
This might be a late-round gem as King was the Jim Thorpe Award winner his junior year and he continued to show his durability and production in his final season. King also flashed skills as a returner, something the Chargers seem to be constantly in search for. His high football IQ is going to make the Chargers’ personnel folks look smart.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Round: 4/117 – Josh Reynolds, 6-3, 194, WR, Texas A&M
He has all the physical skills to make an early impact as a downfield threat. Even at an early stage, his size and athletic ability should enable him to be a factor in a specific red-zone or stretch-the-field role. Reynolds averaged 17 yards per catch at Texas A&M, is a big-time leaper and explosive after the catch.
MIAMI
Round 5/164 – Isaac Asiata, G, 6-3, 323, Utah
Asiata seems to have the right attitude and skill set to be a breakthrough player. The best bet is on the left side where veteran Ted Larsen is the starter for now. But just in case Miami wants to look at Asiata in other places, he said he also plays right guard as well as center.
MINNESOTA
Round 3/70 – Pat Elflein, C, 6-3, 300, Ohio State
Look for him to win the starting center job, allowing the Vikings to move versatile veteran Joe Berger to the open spot at right guard. Elflein is a more natural and experienced guard, but head coach Mike Zimmer said he’ll start out at center. General manager Rick Spielman said Elflein is a “tone-setter” who plays “nasty.” The Vikings need more of that, so if Elflein is physically strong enough to make the jump, he could start right away.
NEW ENGLAND
Round 3/85 – Antonio Garcia, T, 6-6, 302, Troy
This young tackle would seem to be road-blocked by starters left tackle Nate Solder and right tackle Marcus Cannon. But he has the athleticism and nasty playing style to potentially vie for the swing-tackle backup spot as a rookie that would include some likely work as an extra blocker in jumbo packages. That early playing time would be a nice step toward a potential larger role in the not-too-distant future.
NEW ORLEANS
Round 3/103 — Trey Hendrickson, DE, 6-4, 266, Florida Atlantic
A converted high school tight end who ran the 40 in 4.65 seconds at the Combine, Hendrickson could be the speedy pass rusher the Saints were looking for when the draft started. After having just 30 sacks a year ago, they have to disrupt the passer with more than just two-time Pro Bowl end Cameron Jordan, who has been consistent despite the lack of help from the other side.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Round 4/140 – Wayne Gallman, RB, 6-0, 214, Clemson
The Giants’ running back unit is in the midst of a massive overall after ranking 29th last season. Gallman offers tremendous value and is a player who could begin contributing toward restoring the unit to respectability right out of the chute. A power runner who drags would-be tacklers with him, Gallman’s ball security and his downhill running style appear to be the perfect complement to the smaller, more quick-twitched Paul Perkins.
NEW YORK JETS
Round 4/141 – Chad Hansen, WR, 6-2, 202, California
A nice value pick in the fourth round by the Jets, who needed a long- (and possibly short-) term replacement for the injured Eric Decker. Hansen shouldn’t have much trouble finding playing time, but production may be an issue with the Jets possessing the league’s worst quarterback situation. In his lone season at Cal, Hansen racked up 92 catches for 1,249 yards and 11 touchdowns.
OAKLAND
Round 3/88 — Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, 6-3, 325, UCLA
Vanderdoes already underwent significant weight loss and is motivated to prove he can be the kind of player who can thrive in a rotational system. He is now another year removed from an ACL tear and impressed during Senior Bowl week in a way he never did during his last year at UCLA. He could provide an inside push that the Raiders desperately need. Should fit in immediately as a rotational player.
PHILADELPHIA
Round 4/132 – Donnel Pumphrey, RB, 5-8, 176, San Diego State
Pumphrey is a mere 5-foot-8 and 176 pounds, but rushed for 6,400 yards at San Diego State. Player personnel chief Joe Douglas said he’s a little dog who thinks he’s a big dog. With Ryan Mathews not expected back (although the Eagles won’t confirm it), playing time at running back is going to be wide open.
PITTSBURGH
Round 4/135 – Joshua Dobbs, QB, 6-3, 216, Tennessee
It’s impossible to say when he will surprise because Dobbs likely will be buried on the depth chart behind Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones as a rookie and perhaps for two seasons. But Dobbs has enough talent as a passer and runner that at the very least he should develop into a quality backup for the Steelers. And who knows? If they are lucky, Dobbs might turn into another Dak Prescott, a fourth-round pick one year ago who led Dallas to the best record in the NFC.
SAN FRANCISCO
Round 4/121 — Joe Williams, RB, 5-11, 205, Utah
The 49ers managed only 20 starts from Carlos Hyde and 811 yards from scrap-heap pick-ups the past two seasons. So there is an opportunity for a newcomer to step in and play. Williams had his issues and slipped a long way in the draft, but he will get an opportunity here nonetheless. His last college game was played at the 49ers’ own Levi’s Stadium, where Williams rushed for a record 222 yards in the Foster Farms Bowl.
SEATTLE
Round 3/90 — Shaquill Griffin, CB, 6-0, 198, Central Florida
Griffin ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and has long arms at 32 3/8th inches. That fits exactly into Seattle’s cornerback prototype. Griffin has a chance to earn significant playing time with the Seahawks a bit thin at cornerback as DeShawn Shead recovers from an ACL tear in January.
TAMPA BAY
Round 3/84 – Chris Godwin, WR, 6-1, 209, Penn State
The Bucs had no depth at receiver and Godwin can spell Jackson or Evans at times and even work some in the slot with Adam Humphries. He is big and fast and catches the ball extremely well. The Bucs will find creative ways to get him on the field.
TENNESSEE
Round 3/100 – Jonnu Smith, TE, 6-3, 248, Florida International
The third-round draftee could have a chance to be the team’s No. 2 tight end this year. And that is a pretty big role, given that the two-tight end set is Tennessee’s base offensive scheme. Smith has the speed and athleticism to make plays down the seam, and the Titans are also encouraged by his potential as an on-the-line blocker.
WASHINGTON
Round 4/114 – Samaje Perine, RB, 5-11, 233, Oklahoma
Perine put up good numbers at Oklahoma for three years even as he was overshadowed by Joe Mixon, a second-round pick. Perine is a tough runner and could be a good complement to Rob Kelley and third-down back Chris Thompson. Doesn’t have the home-run ability of Thompson or some of the bigger-name backs who went earlier in the draft. But he is a downhill runner who would rather run over a defender than around them, a style that helped him go over 1,000 rushing yards three years in a row for the Sooners.
