oldhawkfan
Well-known member
A lot depends on the individual player, but there are certain positions in the NFL that take players longer to provide impact. The learning curve on some positions is just steeper than others. Obviously punter and kicker are positions of immediate impact for rookies. I believe there is only really one other position that by nature allows a rookie to have a potential immediate impact on their team, and that is RB. A RB that is an instinctual runner can use that to his strength as a rookie to help his team.
Because of the higher learning curve for most positions, it’s why we don’t often see players contributing to their potential until their 2nd or 3rd years. Hence the number of “first round busts”. If a guy is picked in the first round, regardless of position, he is expected to be an impact player right out of the gate. If he’s not, fans label him as a bust or wasted pick. Once that label is attached, the players psyche may never be the same and what was once a great deal of potential has now regressed into a lost cause.
Players that contribute at a high level right from the start are much rarer than the guys who take a year or two to get up to speed. I think this might have a little to do with Pete and Johns philosophy of trading out of the first round for additional picks. There truly are no can’t miss prospects in the draft. I can name dozens who were labeled can’t miss and just ended as a miss. With the draft a couple weeks away, I’m not looking for any saviors to add to the team, but just getting ready to sit back and dream about the potential they might bring to the team. It’s the last two rookie classes that I’m really looking forward to seeing how they progress.
Because of the higher learning curve for most positions, it’s why we don’t often see players contributing to their potential until their 2nd or 3rd years. Hence the number of “first round busts”. If a guy is picked in the first round, regardless of position, he is expected to be an impact player right out of the gate. If he’s not, fans label him as a bust or wasted pick. Once that label is attached, the players psyche may never be the same and what was once a great deal of potential has now regressed into a lost cause.
Players that contribute at a high level right from the start are much rarer than the guys who take a year or two to get up to speed. I think this might have a little to do with Pete and Johns philosophy of trading out of the first round for additional picks. There truly are no can’t miss prospects in the draft. I can name dozens who were labeled can’t miss and just ended as a miss. With the draft a couple weeks away, I’m not looking for any saviors to add to the team, but just getting ready to sit back and dream about the potential they might bring to the team. It’s the last two rookie classes that I’m really looking forward to seeing how they progress.