Top 5 first-round 2019 Impact NFL rookies
Top 5 first-round 2019 Impact NFL rookies
The NFL is a scavenger hunt. You have a map of players you think might help your team and then you go get them anyway you can. Throughout the years the NFL draft has had its fair share of great players and great busts. the 2019 NFL Draft was mostly dominated by defensive players but there were definitely some offensive gems in there as well. In this list, I will tell you based on my research and opinion on which 5 first-round rookies will make the biggest impact for their team.
1, Devin Bush (LB) Pittsburgh Steelers
Ryan Shazier was the heart of the Steelers defense almost from the point he was drafted. When he went down with a spinal contusion on December 7th, 2017 the team lost something, and the Defense had a hole in it missing Shazier’s speed and ball tracking ability. After drafting Devin Bush out of Michigan, you could almost feel the hole filling. Racking up 172 tackles and 10 sacks during his time in college Devin Bush will give this defense the speed, heart, and ferocity that they have been lacking in the inside linebacking core. Look out for Devin Bush to make a name for himself immediately and become a leader on that defense for years and years to come.
2, N’Keal Harry (WR) New England Patriots
N’Keal Harry made a name for himself at Arizona State with his acrobatic and playmaking ability. With Athleticism on his side, he was able to secure 213 receptions for 2889 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 3 rushing touchdowns. This is a two-dimensional player who can make every catch. Julian Edelman is the only constant on that team since Rob Gronkowski retired leaving plenty of room for the young man to step in and make an immediate impact and with the ageless wonder Tom Brady still at the helm, I believe N’Keal harry will integrate nicely with Bill Belichick offense.
3, Andre Dillard (OT) Philadelphia Eagles
I know that Andre Dillard probably won’t start the season for the Eagles due mostly in part to them resigning Jason Peters but that doesn’t mean he won’t make an impact as the season goes on. It is clear that Andre Dillard has a lot to learn, especially about proper hand placement, but he has great awareness and some of the quickest feet in this draft class. The Eagles already have a decent offensive line and with this young man’s high mental capacity and toughness I believe somewhere in the middle of the season he will fit right in.
Quinnen Williams (DT) New York Jets
The Jets are one of my sleeper teams in the AFC East and that has a lot to do with Quinnen Williams. Alabama has produced some very good linemen over the years and this young man is no exception. Raking up a total of 91 tackles 26 of them going for a loss and 10 sacks in 2 years Quinnen Williams clearly has what it takes to get it done in the NFL and with him joining a New York Jets team that is coming together with a blossoming young quarterback in Sam Darnold and one the league's premier rushers in Le’Veon Bell this young man could be the last piece this team needs to put the franchise back on the map.
Ed Oliver (DT) Buffalo Bills
Ed Oliver was nothing short of a defensive force in college racking up 192 tackles 53 of them being for a loss that goes along with 11 passes defended and 5 forced fumbles. This young man did that in 3 years of playing at Houston. Those kinds of numbers from a Defensive Tackle do not come without laser-sharp focus and hard work. I believe that Ed Oliver will make a huge impact on a blossoming Bills team bringing a huge pass rush and tremendous run-stopping ability, in turn, helping the team truly compete once again.
-By: Ryan Johnson