We’re are starting December football and we are getting a feel for overall rookie draft class. So, let’s rank my favorite rookies based on drafting value.
There was some question whether Zabel would be up for the challenge of the NFL after being the 18th overall pick by the Seahawks out of small-school North Dakota State. There has been no worries since the season started. Zabel, who excels as a run blocker, has quickly become a standout at guard and has shown smarts and toughness. He is playing with the confidence of an All-Pro and that honor may be in his future sooner rather than later.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have no regrets about making the wide receiver the No. 19 overall player taken. The Ohio State product was considered one of the safest prospects in the draft because of his combination of skills, college production, NFL readiness and high character. He has not disappointed. Egbuka has been a consistent presence for Tampa Bay with 52 catches for 791 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He is a favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and he looks like he will be a top-level receiver for the next decade.
The linebacker from UCLA was considered a scout’s favorite leading up to the draft and he is living up to those expectations. Schwesinger, who was taken with the first pick of the second round by the Cleveland Browns, is a NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite. The instinctive Schwesinger has become a key part of the Browns’ top-flight defense. Schwesinger has 106 tackles, which is tied for the eighth most in the league. He has registered double-digit tackles in six games this season, including the past four contests. He will be the real deal for a long time.
The safety from South Carolina has become an instant star for the Seattle Seahawks and has been a vital part of the defense. Emmanwori (a second-round pick who was the No. 35 overall pick) has been well worth a trade up with the Tennessee Titans for Seattle. Emmanwori is a freakish athlete with sub 4.4 speed at 6-3, 220 pounds. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald moves all around the field and he’s even played some defensive end. He is a smart player who is going to have a huge impact on the league.
The tight end has flashed for the Los Angeles Chargers who took him in the fifth round out of Syracuse. He has 38 catches for 534 yards in 10 games. The Chargers have to be thrilled with the 6-5, 236-pound Gadsden. Fifth-round skill-position picks usually don’t have a fast impact on an offense. But it seems like Gadsden will be a huge find for Jim Harbaugh’s offense and will be a long-term weapon for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Speaking of late-round skill-position picks who are flourishing, get a load of Monangai. He was a seventh-round pick (No. 233 overall) out of Rutgers. This was considered one of the deepest running back draft classes in recent memory. Monangai, the 22nd running back selected, is trending toward the top of the class already. He is part of Ben Johnson’s dynamic tandem with veteran D’Andre Swift. They became the first par of Bears running backs in 40 years to each rush for 100-plus yards in a game on a Black Friday win at the Philadelphia Eagles. It put Monangai in the national spotlight. He has 591 yards (and averaging 4.9 yards a carry) and has five touchdowns. Monangai, who surpassed the 1,200 yards rushing mark in his final two years of college, is looking like a steal for the upstart Bears.
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