5 NFL rookies who will dominate immediately in 2020
Here are five NFL rookies who will dominate right out of the gate in 2020.
From No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow to “Mr. Irrelevant” Tae Crowder, 255 players were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. From the bigger name early picks to sixth and seventh rounders, plenty of those incoming rookies will make some level of instant impact for their team.
On field dominance is inherently tangible, evidenced by traditional statistics and advanced measures that are valuable and predictive. But players also need the opportunity and situation to thrive, and every NFL team will be looking to their group of rookies for some immediate dividends.
With that, these five 2020 NFL rookies are set up to dominate right away .
NFL Rookies Who Will Dominate Immediately in 2020
5. Tyler Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In any other year, Johnson would have been drafted 2-3 rounds earlier than he was. But there he was still on the board in the fifth round, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers snapped him up and got a steal.
Over his last two seasons at Minnesota, Johnson had 164 receptions for 2,487 yards and 25 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus was high on him entering the draft, and in Tampa Bay he’ll step in as a slot receiver between Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. PFF gave Johnson an 89.8 grade from the slot last year (premium subscription required), where he produced 82.5 percent of his 1,317 yards (1,086 yards)coming out of that spot.
Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders made a bold prediction for Johnson this year (h/t to Bucs Wire).
"Fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson will become Tom Brady’s new favorite slot receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He won’t put up the numbers of Julian Edelman and Wes Welker, not with all the competition for targets in Tampa Bay, but he’ll gain Brady’s trust. Johnson is a former high school quarterback who runs crisp routes with vision and toughness."
The Buccaneers’ No. 3 wide receiver will be in position to produce, and Johnson is the tentative front runner to win the job. Combined his overall reliability with the ability to win battles in the end zone, and Tom Brady will find a trusted target right out of the gate.