The NFL Draft is an inexact science. We know that there is a much better chance for a first-round pick to become a useful NFL player, and many later-round picks don't even survive training camp. However, it usually takes years for teams to truly know what they have in a player. Yet, there seem to be a few players every year that make an instantly wrong impression.
This year is no different. There are plenty of players that are causing fans to ring the alarms. There were some others that were just flat out cut off the team. Some of these players are first rounders who have their teams sweating bullets that they chose a bust, while others are already showing injury issues that could linger for years. We go through every team's draft to find one who has their front office sweating.
Arizona Cardinals - Tip Reiman
Third Round Pick
Tip Reiman was always a risk when the Arizona Cardinals took him in the NFL Draft. We see this all the time. A team sees a player who has the physical profile that can excel in the league, but they understand they haven’t proven themselves in the NFL yet. So, they come in with low expectations with the hopes they eventually grow into a star. It’s the epitome of boom or bust.
Reiman is a superior athlete. He has rare size and speed, standing at basically 6-foot-5 while running a 4.64 40-yard dash. He’s on the Arizona Cardinals, so he’s behind Trey McBride, but he’s still getting snaps on the surprising Cards.
He hasn’t done anything so far. Even though he was playing more snaps in Week 3, he didn’t record a target. In fact, he hasn’t had a target this whole season. The Cardinals are using Reiman as a blocking tight end, and they could have gotten that from an undrafted free agent.
Atlanta Falcons - Michael Penix Jr.
First Round Pick
Yeah, it’s Michael Penix again, but this time we’re talking about just the strange way the Atlanta Falcons have dealt with this situation since the draft. When they selected Michael Penix eighth overall despite giving Kirk Cousins all of the money, it became the shock of the draft. Nobody was even paying attention to Bo Nix going a round early to the Denver Broncos because everyone was still in shock at the Falcons pick.
The Falcons only allowed Penix to make 16 attempts this preseason. He finished with just over 100 yards. And then, the Falcons shut him down like he was a starter. They said he didn’t need another preseason game, and that he would focus on his backup duties. So, the guy they spent a top-10 pick on is not only expected to sit all season, but he is going to sit for most of the preseason, as well. Are they pretending like practice reps are the same as game reps, even if they are preseason game reps?
Some assumed that the Falcons were trying to temper expectations or possibly showcase too well and pressure the Atlanta coaching staff to make a change if Cousins started slow. Cousins is clearly still feeling the effects of the Achilles tear last season. His mobility is limited. So, putting in an incredibly dynamic player could cause conversations nobody wants to answer.
But what a strange way to handle the roster. If that is the case, the Falcons don’t want to show the weapon they have at their disposal? If Penix is the better quarterback, he should play. It’s that simple. But that’s why this is a mess. It continues to be a mess, and we don’t see it getting any cleaner anytime soon.
Baltimore Ravens - Adisa Isaac
Third Round Pick
The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with a ton of injuries with the rookies. Fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker, fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa and sixth-round center Nick Samac all missed last week’s game with different injuries. Fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali was placed on injured reserve after Week 2. However, the status of Adisa Isaac has some Ravens fans worried.
He’s actually expected to be a difference-maker despite being a third-round pick. The former Penn State Nittany Lion was amazing in college and seemingly fell further than most expected. This was supposedly another great Ravens defensive choice.
Isaac was injured early in training camp, and he’s been dealing with ailments ever since. He was a full participant in practice prior to Week 3, but then he was left off the active roster for the game. Maybe the coaching staff wanted to give him another week of rest, but this is starting to be a concern. If this is how his career is going to go, that elite status isn’t going to last long.
This is very early, and players who get injured early in their careers can bounce back and avoid issues, but with so many injuries already reported amongst Ravens rookies, including one that ended a player’s season, this was one to a player who was supposed to be impactful this season.
Buffalo Bills - Edefuan Ulofoshio
Fifth Round Pick
The Buffalo Bills are actually in really good shape with their draft picks. Ignoring the fact that they handed the Kansas City Chiefs speedster Xavier Worthy, they did really well with their picks. Keon Coleman has shown flashes at receiver, and the Bills haven’t lost a step despite losing Stefon Diggs in the offseason. Cole Bishop has played well at safety. In all, the Bills made 10 draft picks, and most are doing at least something.
One player who hasn’t lived up to his draft hype is Edefuan Ulofoshio. While a fifth-round pick isn’t expected to be a huge contributor in year one, most expect them to at least help on special teams. Ulofoshio hasn’t even suited up, as he’s been a healthy scratch to start the year.
The former Washington linebacker was a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in college football. Yet, he hasn’t even shown enough to make it on the gameday roster.
There’s not much to analyze. The Bills don’t see him as a contributor. He’s still taking up a roster spot on the 53-man, but that’s all he’s doing (outside of practice). This is a player with a pedigree, but the Bills have to be worried about his initial output, even if that output hasn’t been given a chance to showcase itself on gameday.
Carolina Panthers - Jonathon Brooks
Second Round Pick
Because of the Bryce Young trade, the Panthers were really hurting for top picks despite being the worst team in the league. They really needed an infusion of talent and quickly. So what did they do? They took a running back with their 46th-overall pick despite already having former college great Chuba Hubbard and veteran Miles Sanders on the roster. Jonathon Brooks is a superstar talent, so some understood the appeal, but it was a pick that did seem to be devoid of logic.
After the first two weeks, it seemed like detractors were right and the Panthers should have focused on other positions. There are major issues on defensive line, the offensive line is expensive but worrisome, and the secondary is not good. However, Andy Dalton came and saved the day, at least for now.
That’s beyond the point for Brooks, who hasn’t played an NFL down yet. He’s still dealing with the repercussions from his torn ACL in college. That makes the pick even more of a head scratcher. The Panthers are desperate to show something on offense, but they spent assets on someone who likely wouldn’t be ready off the jump.
Did the Panthers expect this? Maybe, and they might not be worried at this point if that’s the case, but many fantasy owners are keen on knowing what Jonathan Brooks brings to the table. Panthers fans are in the same boat.
Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze
First Round Pick
This is completely unfair, but it still has to be addressed. The Chicago Bears had a chance to upgrade with the top quarterback in the class AND protect him as their biggest asset. Instead, the Bears went and got him a weapon. That’s all well and good, and maybe that will work out in the end, but the team can’t block for the QB. Caleb Williams has been harassed through three weeks this season.
The Bears took Rome Odunze in the draft. Yes, Joe Alt and JC Latham were off the board, so the very best tackles were not available, but Olu Fashanu and Taliese Fuaga were. The Bears also could have traded down to a team that wanted Odunze and still gotten a tackle. We’re talking about a possible franchise tackle for a team that’s been known to have blocking issues.
We aren’t usually proponents for drafting for need, but looking at Odunze with a second top-10 pick when the team already had DJ Moore and just traded for Keenan Allen seems like the wrong move. It’s fine to have depth and allow a young quarterback to excel with a three-WR formation, but it’s impossible to do that when he’s on the turf.
Odunze should be a good player. Nobody is worried about him in the NFL, but we are worried about Caleb Williams staying vertical. They could have helped him do that.
Cincinnati Bengals - Kris Jenkins
Second Round Pick
The Cincinnati Bengals have so many problems right now, losing to the Washington Commanders on Monday night to fall to 0-3. The original pick here was Amarius Mims because they drafted him to play backup when they had so many other needs. Then, the Bengals lost Trent Brown for the season, and now it looks like a smart pick. However, there’s something about their second-round pick that might have them feeling some regrets.
It’s not good when a player reveals that they can’t see. That was the revelation Kris Jenkins Jr. made recently, saying an injury to his eye last year is still impacting his vision now. That sounds like a gnarly injury, and it’s not something that can be taken lightly.
We can’t say enough just how early this list is, but that’s the one thing that can impact a rookie’s career. An injury that impacts a player’s ability is always going to mess with their head, which can have long-term impacts.
Jenkins also had surgery on his thumb right before the season and had to miss his first two NFL games. He made his debut last week just in time for the Bengals to fall to 0-3. It’s a rough time in Cincy, but the hope is everyone, including Jenkins, can help with the turnaround.
Cleveland Browns - Nathaniel Watson
Sixth Round Pick
The Cleveland Browns made one of the strangest moves in the first month of the season. After initially bringing Nathaniel Watson on the 53-man roster, they cut him after just two games and no snaps outside of some special teams contributions. It is still a very strange situation, as Watson was known as a key leaders who could grow into a contributor with time. Everyone spoke very highly of him, and it seemed like he was keen to play whatever role the Browns had for him.
Watson even looked great in the preseason, putting up fantastic grades when given an opportunity. Yet, the Browns felt he wasn’t even worth a roster spot.
Some rumors say the Browns did bring him back after he cleared waivers, but this whole situation is odd. What caused the Browns to make this move? Why did they take a fifth-round pick and risk losing him for nothing? Better question: why didn’t anyone else claim him?
There’s a lot going on with this transaction, and it could be as simple as the Browns felt they needed the roster spots for other players, but for this to happen to a fifth-round pick and not someone at the end of the draft is problematic.
Dallas Cowboys - Marshawn Kneeland
Second Round Pick
The Dallas Cowboys rookie class is having a rough start to the season, just like the team itself is looking in the mirror after a 1-2 start. Tyler Guyton has been an issue, as the first-round tackle was completely awful in the Cowboys' Week 3 loss. Cooper Beebe also looked out of place as the Cowboys' O-line has been a weak link this year. Caelen Carson has had a missed tackle problem, which is a problem for a cornerback. However, all of these players aren’t seeing their usage plummet. That’s the real concern, and that’s the reality that defensive tackle Marshawn Kneeland is facing.
Kneeland had 44 snaps in Week 1, a big win for the Boys. Then, he saw his snaps drop to just 18 in Week 2, and it was just 10 in Week 3. Kneeland did pretty well at setting the edge in Week 1, but something hasn’t clicked since then.
This also seems like an overreaction from a desperate coaching staff. Everyone in Dallas is on the hot seat, so they might not want to rely on a rookie in a huge situation, even if that “huge” situation is still in September.
It’s still very early, and this snap issue could turn around this week, but the Cowboys aren’t seeing what they need from Kneeland to keep him in the lineup. That’s not a good sign when it was clear they came into the season thinking he was a starter.
Denver Broncos - Bo Nix
First Round Pick
This seems mean after Bo Nix was perfectly fine in the Denver Broncos big win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his first two games were incredibly scary. Not only did the Broncos lose and Nix failed to avoid a disaster, but he three two interceptions in each of his first two games. Against the Seattle Seahawks, his defense and special teams were really driving the day, posting three field goals and two safeties in the first half. However, Nix’s inability to drive the offense kept the Broncos from staying in the game.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nix looked better we suppose. He had more yards at least, but the Broncos offense was anemic. The rushing game is non-existent and he threw two more interceptions. The Steelers defense is great, but this was a bad performance.
Nix did beat out both Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham in the preseason to secure the job, but we know how much Broncos head coach Sean Payton loves the Oregon Ducks alum. He felt like he tricked the entire draft when Nix fell to him (despite everyone expecting Nix to likely fall to the second round). The Broncos are going to give him every chance to succeed, and if he can repeat his Week 3 performance in Week 4, his placement on this list won’t look so great.
Detroit Lions - Giovanni Manu
Fourth Round Pick
Giovanni Manu might not be a bad player by any means. Many even believe he’s a scheme fit for the Detroit Lions. The issue is the Lions took him three rounds too early and traded extra assets just to do it.
The Detroit Lions have been known to beat by their own drum. Dan Campbell does what he wants when he wants, whether it’s with his players or with his play calling. He’ll go for it on fourth down near his own end zone if he has the right feeling. He’ll also ask to grab a certain player way higher in the draft if he has that same “feeling.” It worked with running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Who are we to deny this man his right to push for who he wants?
The issue with Manu is he’s a long, long term project, and many will believe that he might run out of time before he makes an impact on the Lions. The Lions could have used some players who impacted the team more this year.
Manu probably won’t really be ready to show who he truly is for another two seasons. By that time, he’ll be on the other side of 25. We’re not saying that’s old, but it’s old for a player who is getting their first real snaps. Many wanted the Lions, who gave up a 2025 third-round pick to take Manu, to take a wide receiver to add to the depth behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Green Bay Packers - Jordan Morgan
First Round Pick
Ah, another injury story, but this time it hits the Green Bay Packers who are already surviving without Jordan Love. The other Jordan, offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, has been dealing with shoulder injuries throughout training camp and now in the regular season. This most recent injury is more concerning, as this one has a chance to keep him out for a while.
Head coach Matt LaFleur is giving no real updates to Morgan’s status, but it’s good that he Packers haven’t placed him on IR yet. There’s at least a chance he can come back sooner than four weeks. Truly, it’s hard to tell unless the Packers give more details.
What’s concerning is this is the same shoulder that the Packers original starter hurt in training camp. Does that mean he never let it fully heal, or could this be something chronic? This is wild speculation, but that’s what we discuss with rookies. We have a laundry list of examples of first-round offensive linemen who were taken down by chronic injuries.
A shoulder is especially scary for that position. There’s so much force going into shoulders. Mobility in the rotator cuff is essential to deal with ripping and cutting EDGE rushers. Hopefully, this injury is a small one and Morgan can come back quick, but this is by far the Packers’ biggest concern amongst draft picks.
Houston Texans - LaDarius Henderson
Seventh Round Pick
We really like everything the Houston Texans did at the NFL Draft. So, we’re reserved to putting their last pick on this list. It’s what happens when a team truly hits the nail on the head, even though the Texans didn’t have their first-round pick (they lost it in the previous year’s Will Anderson deal, which looks like a major win today).
LaDarius Henderson was placed on the NFL’s non-football injury list back in July. He suffered a foot injury and needed surgery. And just like that, his career may be over. The injury isn’t career-ending, per se, but he was already fighting for his career, and he didn’t even make it to training camp.
Henderson wasn’t a well-regarded prospect despite playing on the National Championship Michigan Wolverines. He was widely regarded as the weak link on that unit. However, he had a few bright spots earlier in the season. Still, there’s no way to say this pick isn’t in trouble because he isn’t there anymore, and he may never see an NFL snap.
It’s very possible we hear Henderson’s name one day, but we expect it will be a long journey back to the NFL. He might get a roster invite next year, but it’s just as likely he’s playing in Canada or just retires.
Indianapolis Colts - Jaylin Simpson
Fifth Round Pick
The Indianapolis Colts had a very strange offseason, and how they dealt with their lower-round draft picks might be the most bizarre moves they made. Chris Ballard cut three of his picks from April’s draft before the season even started. Jaylin Simpson was the team’s fifth-round pick, the highest among the team’s three cuts.
The Colts did the same exact thing last season, cutting a fifth-round cornerback in Darius Rush, who caught on with Pittsburgh and is contributing. The Colts got lucky and Simpson wasn’t claimed on waivers and is now on the practice squad, but a fifth-round getting cut is the opposite of what fans want to hear, especially when it just happened a year ago.
This is a team with very little cornerback depth, so it’s interesting to think they found someone better than their fifth-round pick who went to an SEC school (Auburn). Nobody expected him to fail like this.
This is just how the Colts operate. They don’t see the draft as this key build session to address all areas of the roster. Chris Ballard seems to see this as a boom-or-bust process, and if boom doesn’t come immediately, it’s time to shed the fat.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Maason Smith
Second Round Pick
There was a lot of hype around Jacksonville Jaguars second-round pick Maason Smith. Many said he had a great training camp, and analysts expected him to make an impact right away. He was given a role in Week 1, playing 20 snaps on defense in his first-ever game. He showed power and physicality in that matchup with the Miami Dolphins, and he was useful against an opponent’s run game.
Then, he was a healthy scratch in Week 2. Wait, what? The Jaguars decided to take a promising second-round pick after a decent game that could build his confidence, and they benched him. How does that make sense?
The coaching staff said this move was to “get better” and that Smith had a “good practice” before he was scratched. So, he has a good game, a good practice, the team is desperate after blowing a big lead, and they bench said player with good game and good practice.
This is just an odd coaching move. Smith was back in the lineup in Week 3 and recorded the team’s only QB hit. Maybe that will convince Ryan Nielsen to keep him on the field. If they do, then he will no longer be a concern except to opposing defenses.
Kansas City Chiefs - Kingsley Suamataia
Second Round Pick
It is not good when the left tackle for the best quarterback in the NFL can’t last a month at the position when injuries aren’t a factor. It’s even worse when Andy Reid gave a rookie that opportunity, and he squandered it in two weeks. Kingsley Suamataia was benched ahead of the Chiefs' tilt with the Atlanta Falcons.
Suamataia’s technique seems to be the major issue. His feet aren’t moving at the right pace, and his hands aren’t initiating contact with the defender in the right spot. It’s causing him to start his blocking scheme at a disadvantage. This leaves the Chiefs trying to pick up the slack, and since Suamataia is covering Patrick Mahomes’ blindside, it becomes much more important.
The Chiefs offense hasn’t been very good despite their 3-0 record. Suamataia is losing to his opponents, and it’s usually on the first move. That’s a disaster, even when Mahomes is in the pocket. Maybe some time on the bench will allow him to see the field in a different aspect, and hours and hours of tape will show him the technique that’s failing him and his quarterback. He’s a second-round pick, so maybe he has time to develop more, but it hasn’t been a good start.
Las Vegas Raiders - Decamerion Richardson
Fourth Round Pick
At one point, there was a report that Decamerion Richardson was “ahead of schedule” when it comes to his growth and ability as a player. The fourth-round pick looked quite good in training camp, but then he suffered a hamstring injury. Now, he’s perpetually on the injury list, but he hasn’t been able to come off of it. He’s already been ruled out for Week 4, and we expect it to at least linger for the entire season.
As a cornerback, a lingering hamstring injury can be a killer. It really impacts the ability to quickly accelerate and decelerate. That’s basically how all offenses operate today, using trickery to change direction and speeds. So, Richardson comes into his NFL career with this soft-tissue injury that hampers the exact thing he is supposed to do.
Most didn’t expect Richardson to be a Day 1 starter until they saw him play. He’s a fantastic tackler, as he proved at Mississippi State. That will help him continue to compete for a job in this rotation, but going from a starter as a fourth-round pick to a player who can’t get healthy is a major concern. Richardson could be one of the steals of the draft, or he could be another example of a player who had all the possibilities in the world.
Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Eboigbe
Fourth Round Pick
Justin Eboigbe is another player who had a legit shot at being a starter despite being a fourth-round pick. With new head coach Jim Harbaugh at the helm, all players have a chance to impress. That includes a gigantic defensive tackle who was incredibly powerful on the Alabama defensive line.
He comes into the league with great movement at the point of attack, and he’s found positive ways to use his body mass to impact the defensive line. That method of attack is something Harbaugh covets. It’s surprising he didn’t publicly recruit him when he was at Michigan, but it’s possible Eboigbe wanted to stay in the South (he mostly visited countries below the Mason-Dixon line).
Unfortunately, the Chargers have not activated Eboigbe for a game this season. Despite his preseason hype, with some saying there’s a chance that he could start, he can’t even get in uniform, let alone on the field.
It’s been a rough start for Justin Eboigbe, but the issue is there’s no real conversation around him at all. Is he disappointing? The only way we can say is because he’s not on the field. As of now, it’s worrisome that he is where he is every week.
Los Angeles Rams - Brennan Jackson
Fifth Round Pick
This feels like we’re talking about the same church different pew here. It’s another mid-round pick that had a chance to really make noise, but now they can’t even make the gameday roster. Brennan Jackson was a fifth-round pick for the Rams (so really stretching that “mid-round pick” mantra), but he hasn’t really made any leeway on the coaching staff.
Jackson is a physical freak who has the mold to be a really good outside linebacker who does a little bit of everything. NFL teams love that “jack of all trades” linebacker who can make sure to do different roles that give coaches the option to do different things in different moments.
Clearly, Jackson hasn’t proven he can do it with the Rams. This isn’t a normal team. The Rams defense is being led by two rookies in Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. That means Jackson’s lack of impact can’t be blamed on a lack of opportunity. Sean McVay has shown in the past and the present that he’s willing to trust the young guy.
Jackson’s career is still very early, but this isn’t a good start. Maybe the Rams just think they have veterans who can provide better depth and special teams play. It can be as simple as Jackson’s inability to impact on kickoff or punt block. However, that is a concern for a player with his supposed skillset.
Miami Dolphins - Mo Kamara
Fifth Round Pick
The Miami Dolphins have so many problems this season. This is a team with a laundry list of issues. A fifth-round rookie is not a top priority when the quarterback is some guy who came off the street and their normal starter might have his last concussion, their high-powered offense now can’t score, and a very important season might be down the tubes before September.
Yet, the list is about rookies. So let’s talk about Mohamed Kamara, the Dolphins fifth-round pick out of Colorado State. He played in the Mountain West, so his competition was low, but he showed out when it mattered. He recorded 13 sacks and 17 tackles for loss last season, and he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. It’s not bad to get a guy who is that highly regarded that late in the draft, even if he was from a lesser conference.
Kamara has been a healthy scratch to start the season. It is what it is. It’s possible the Dolphins just don’t have room for him on the roster. He’s currently listed as the seventh linebacker on the depth chart. The Dolphins have time to find the right moves, and if this season continues to go down the tubes, they could start playing the rookies after the trade deadline. Maybe Kamara’s time is coming.
Minnesota Vikings - JJ McCarthy
First Round Pick
Regret is such a strong word, but one has to wonder how the Minnesota Vikings feel right now. They are playing incredibly well with Sam Darnold at quarterback. He just had a four-touchdown game, and he’s helped the Vikings remain undefeated after the first three weeks of the season. The Vikings might be the surprise of the league so far, and some are considering a Sam Darnold extension in Minnesota.
That would be enough to make the J.J. McCarthy pick regrettable, but it’s the fact that Darnold was unimpeded to the starting job because McCarthy suffered a major injury in preseason that has him firmly on this list. He suffered a knee injury in his first preseason game, and that’s opened the door for Darnold to thrive with Justin Jefferson and Company.
The Vikings defense is doing some heavy lifting here, too. They are a major reason the team is 3-0 at the time of this writing, but the fact that Darnold has avoided mistakes and has been hitting the end zone with consistency is huge.
The Vikings could have had tight end Brock Bowers, defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, edge rusher Jared Verse, or one of the many offensive tackles who went outside the top 10. Instead, at least for this season, they have nothing to show for the 10th-overall pick.
New England Patriots - Javon Baker
Fourth Round Pick
The New England Patriots took a very strange approach to their 2024 NFL Draft. They had incredibly high picks in each round, and they even had some extra picks to play around with. They had insane needs at quarterback and wide receiver. So, they took two of each in the draft. It’s an interesting strategy to put it nicely. They took Drake Maye and Ja’Lynn Polk in the first and second round. Then, they took Javon Baker and Joe Milton III in the fourth and sixth round. Milton showed flashes in the preseason and he’s always been expected to be the backup. However, Baker was expected to show something.
Baker had himself a rough training camp and preseason, even saying it wasn’t up to his standard. He had a chance to make a splash on a roster without any real star receivers. With Kendrick Bourne injured, the Patriots are going with K.J. Osborn as their number one. They took two wide receivers in the draft, and K.J. Osborn is their number one. Demario Douglas is the number two, and Tyquan Thornton is the number four. It’s a rough room, but Baker hasn’t done anything to stand out and get playing time.
Baker was a healthy scratch in Week 1, and he’s been active in the last two weeks. That’s better than scratched, but it’s not good when he hasn’t played a snap.
New Orleans Saints - Josiah Ezirim
Seventh Round Pick
We really liked the New Orleans Saints draft. There really are no complaints, so we have to go with the player that was relegated to the practice squad. It happens all the time with seventh-round offensive linemen, so this is what it is, but there was some hype around Josiah Ezirim after he was drafted. Some think that the Saints got themselves a steal, and that very well could come to fruition, but for now, he’s out of sight, out of mind.
Ezirim can play as the scout team in his practice squad role, or he can spend his season learning at the NFL level. Did you know that Ezirim has only been playing offensive tackle at this level for two seasons? He only had two seasons to impress scouts to the point that he was going to get drafted into the NFL.
He also did it while on Eastern Kentucky. It’s a miracle that he’s even in the NFL right now, but he clearly has an insane amount of growing to do. It’s not a surprise, but it does put him behind the eight-ball. Is that something that’s going to push Ezirim to keep learning and growing? It does make it a lot easier to cut him one day.
New York Giants - Tyrone Tracy
FIfth Round Pick
This is the one team where we have Week 4 to discuss, and it’s not good for Tyrone Tracy Jr. The New York Giants rookie running back out of Iowa had a chance to perform, as Devin Singletary has been inconsistent and the Giants are trying to live life after Saquon Barkley. Tracy could take over the role eventually, but not with performances like he had on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys.
Tracy rushed four times for two yards. Yikes. He did have a 19-yard catch and run, but he also had a fumble. Sure, the Giants got the ball back, but it doesn’t take away the fact that he let the ball hit the dirt. Tracy is averaging 2.4 yards per carry this season. He hasn’t had a ton of opportunities, with just 12 carries this season, but he hasn’t proven he deserves more. He needs to do something with the ball in his arms if he’s going to get more playing time.
To be fair, no running back is playing well who was taken after the fourth round (or really any rookie outside Bucky Irvin). So this does feel like an overreaction, but Tracy is one of the few backs who was given a chance, and it hasn’t gone well.
New York Jets - Jordan Travis
Fifth Round Pick
Jordan Travis was looking like he could play his way into a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft after a really good season with Florida State. Then, he suffered a major injury that knocked FSU out of the College Football Playoff. Imagine if Travis was able to beat J.J. McCarthy in the National Championship? Is it possible they would have switched places and Travis would be the surprise hype candidate?
Instead, Travis got hurt at the end of his season, and he fell to the fifth round. The New York Jets took him to develop behind Tyrod Taylor and Aaron Rodgers. It didn’t work with Zach Wilson last season, but hopefully, it could work with a player with less hype coming into the league.
Unfortunately, the Jets had to place Travis on injured reserve, as he was not fully recovered from the injury that ended the Seminoles’ season. Now, he’s unable to take a snap and grow under this veteran group.
What’s even worse is the hype that’s causing some Jets fans to spiral. Some are saying that the Jets should avoid a quarterback in the first round because they have Jordan Travis. Others are saying that he should be the starter if Aaron Rodgers retires. This is an insane hype train for a fifth-round pick, and it won’t end unless he shows he can fail. It’s hard to have hope.
Philadelphia Eagles - Ainias Smith
Fifth Round Pick
The Philadelphia Eagles had high hopes for fifth-round rookie Ainias Smith. He showed flashes of greatness in the preseason, but he also had a few instances where he failed to gain separation. At one point, it looked like he might not even make the roster. Johnny Wilson came in and played incredibly well during training camp, and keeping him became the priority.
However, the Eagles still kept Smith by stashing him on injured reserve with injuries to his ankle and hamstring. Those injuries didn’t seem too serious, as he played all three preseason games, but it’s possible he tweaked something at the end of training camp or right before cut-down day.
However, it seems like a roster move and an easy “out” to keep Smith in. Yet, it seems like a lot of effort to keep a player that didn’t seem like he was fitting in with the Eagles.
Let’s say Smith is healthy, where is he on this roster? Spots 1-3 are taken by A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson. The aforementioned Wilson worked his way to fourth on the depth chart, where many thought Smith would be originally. Veteran Parris Campbell is fifth. Maybe Smith could take his spot, but what’s the point? Very quickly, the Eagles can’t really do anything with the talented Smith, healthy or not.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Roman Wilson
Third Round Pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a ton of questions behind George Pickens. Their wide receiver two has been a bigger question than QB1, which is a huge surprise since the Steelers are riding with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. However, the wide receivers have not been the best.
Some fans were hoping that players just needed to keep the seat warm for Roman Wilson. Right now, Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson are holding that number two spot on the depth chart. Wilson has a direct route to serious playing time, but he hasn’t been able to grab it.
This is a Steelers fanbase that has seen rookie wide receivers thrive. Beyond just Pickens, they’ve seen Juju Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson excel in their rookie seasons. They even saw some decent contributions from the likes of Mike Williams and James Washington.
So, seeing Wilson (at the time of this writing) putting up nothing after three weeks is concerning, to say the least. In fact, he’s going in the wrong direction. He was a healthy scratch in Week 3, as the Steelers dressed just four receivers. Still, Wilson needs to be better, and he has to show something this season. A rough start hasn’t ruined careers. Emmanuel Sanders had a bad rookie season but bounced back in a big way. We just need to see something from Wilson this year.
San Francisco 49ers - Jacob Cowling
Fourth Round Pick
This was a pretty strange draft pick at the time. The San Francisco 49ers don’t have a ton of needs, and in hindsight with a fully re-signed Brandon Aiyuk is 20-20, but Jacob Cowling is nowhere near a need and it looks like he has no opportunity here. The fourth-round pick is the speed pick that we see every year. His frame is slight, and he’s not very thick, but he can sprint through the lower bowl if that’s what the route calls for.
He’s also consistent in college, putting up at least one catch in 57 straight games to end his career. That’s the second-longest streak of all time. Cowling came into the league with a little hype, but the hype would have been so much bigger if the Niners hadn’t taken Ricky Pearsall in the first round.
But then, Pearsall got shot, and he’s been out ever since. This should be a prime opportunity for Cowling. Yet, the 49ers have him sixth on the depth chart. He’s basically an after thought for the 49ers offense. Seeing what Jauan Jennings did last week, this could have been Cowling and built up a serious case to keep his starting spot. Now, it seems like when Pearsall is ready, he should at least have a role.
Will Cowling even make the roster when Pearsall returns? When the latter returns, Cowling will be this team’s seventh receiver. Do the 49ers want to carry seven receivers every week?
Seattle Seahawks - Byron Murphy II
First Round Pick
We’re back to the first round. The Seattle Seahawks couldn’t be happier that so many teams took offensive players in the first round, giving them many talented defense players when their number was called at 16 overall. They chose defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. He’s a beefy lineman who could destroy offensive lines in the right situation. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to stay on the field.
Murphy is dealing with another injury, suffering a hamstring injury ahead of the Seahawks Week 4 tilt. He’s expected to miss a few weeks with the injury, especially since the Seahawks are playing three games in 10 days. Most expect Murphy to return after this stretch at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks division rival chose a player 19th overall, three choices after the Seahawks. That was Jared Verse, who is the frontrunner right now for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Verse is one of the best defensive players in the league to start the season, getting in the backfield with great consistency. Even if Murphy was average, this would look like a bad pick. With Murphy being injured, it’s even worse.
Of course, Murphy doesn’t sound like he’s too injured, so he should return to full health. So, that’s some good news.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jalen McMillan
Third Round Pick
Doubtful is the worst injury designation in football. Yes, out and injured reserve means it’s worse of an injury, but doubtful just have this understanding that an injury is not progressing like coaches hoped. If he was out, then he was always going to be out. We are of course talking about Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jalen McMillan. He tweaked a hamstring, which now has him likely out at least for now.
And this all happened in practice ahead of the Bucs Week 4 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. McMillan showed up on the injury report, and head coach Todd Bowles revealed the injured hamstring happened during a practice rep.
It is disappointing, as he’s been pretty good to start the season. He’s had two big plays already this season, including a 32-yard touchdown in the first game of his career against the Washington Commanders. With Chris Godwin starting the season on fire, and Mike Evans playing on the other side, the third receiver only needs to do so much. Being available for those big plays is huge.
Now the Bucs have to find an alternative. It’s disappointing all around, but this is incredibly early to have this conversation. Still, of all the Bucs rookies, this is the one were worried about, and it all has to do with that injury. If he’s fine, then the Bucs and this pick are fine.
Tennessee Titans - Cedric Gray
Third Round Pick
Coming out of the draft, many Tennessee Titans fans were talking about the steal they got in the third round. Linebacker Cedric Gray out of North Carolina had the skill set to really excel at the position in this league. Part of the excitement came with the major hole the Titans left for head coach Brian Callahan at linebacker. They signed nobody to replace their losses. So, Gray was expected to at least compete for a spot to start. (Since these conversations, the Titans traded for Ernest Jones IV.)
Then, Gray suffered a shoulder injury that doesn’t sound great. It’s not a simple separation or a labrum injury. The Titans say Gray is dealing with a nerve issue. Is that something that will have long-term impacts on his game? Only time will tell.
The Titans put Gray on injured reserve, saying they wanted to give him time to get healthy. The coaching staff went on to say they wanted to protect Gray from himself. That’s worrisome, as it sounds like this is the type of injury that could have a risk of making things worse. Again, it just has you questioning whether this will be a long-term issue.
Washington Commanders - Ben Sinnott
Second Round Pick
The Washington Commanders might be relying on more rookies than anyone in the league. Their second-overall pick Jayden Daniels was given the ball from Day 1, and he’s played well for the situation. The Commanders are 3-1, but he’s looked good and there’s hope in the DMV. Jer'zhan Newton missed a little time after offseason foot surgery, but he’s looked explosive in his limited snaps on the defensive line. Even left tackle Brandon Coleman, wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, and cornerback Mike Sainristil have played roles very early in their careers. The Commanders look to have a good first draft class.
One rookie who isn’t really discussed but was expected to make a huge impact is tight end Ben Sinnott. Through three games, the 53rd-overall pick had zero catches. In fact, he has zero targets.
Sinnott was the second tight end taken in the NFL Draft, the first after Brock Bowers to the Raiders in the top 15. His stats haven’t been anything, but some say he might have shown some things away from the ball. His snap share proves that may be true. He went from 22 percent of offensive snaps in Week 1 to 44 percent in Week 3. Maybe a breakout is coming.
For now, Commanders fans desperately wish the Commanders took a receiver instead. Their depth chart is hurting, and Sinnott is currently rotating in with starter Zach Ertz. It seems like they could have had a better allocation of assets.