When we talk about the NFL Draft, the first-round picks usually grab all the attention. It’s easy to get excited about the big names and high expectations. However, history has shown us that many players picked in the later rounds can also make a big impact right away.
For example, last season, the Los Angeles Rams had two rookies who were finalists for the Rookie of the Year Awards despite being lower picks: third-round defensive tackle Kobie Turner and fifth-round wide receiver Puka Nacua.
This year, we will look at some rookies who might follow in Turner and Nacua’s footsteps. To qualify, these players were picked on Day 2 or later and weren’t the first ones chosen by their teams.
1. Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers OL
Zach Frazier from West Virginia is an offensive lineman to watch this year. Despite breaking his leg late in the college season, which caused his draft stock to drop, Frazier was still picked in the back half of Round 2. Ranked as 5th best interior offensive lineman, he was close behind top prospect Graham Barton. Frazier is known for being a smart and tough player, making him a valuable addition to any team.
This offseason, the Steelers released their starting center, Mason Cole, after a tough season. Now, Nate Herbig stands as Frazier’s main competitor for the starting job. However, Herbig has mostly played as a backup guard and lacks experience at center. This opens up a great opportunity for Frazier to step in and potentially start in Week 1. With his skill set, he could be a key player in improving Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
2. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals RB
Trey Benson is a rookie running back to keep an eye on this year. He was picked in the third round of the draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Benson stood out in college with his mix of size and impressive speed, running the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds.
While James Conner is currently the top running back for the Cardinals, he has a history of injuries and hasn’t played a full season yet. He missed four games last year because of a knee injury. This gives Benson a chance to step up. Benson will aim to claim the second running back spot during training camp.
Also, the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, has experience using two-running back systems. He’s worked with coaches who have successfully used this strategy with star players like Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt. This means Benson should get plenty of opportunities to show his skills alongside Conner this season.
3. Khyree Jackson, Minnesota Vikings CB
Khyree Jackson was quite the shocker, falling to the fourth round. Many thought he’d go higher since he was ranked 43rd overall and the sixth-best cornerback by experts. At Oregon last year, he grabbed three interceptions and defended seven passes. Jackson is known for his size and his ability to play strong man-to-man coverage. This style perfectly matches what Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, likes to run.
For the Vikings, there’s a need for a reliable cornerback. They have Byron Murphy Jr. on one side, but the other spot isn’t settled. They could go with Shaquill Griffin, a free agent who has been let go by three teams in the last two years, or Akayleb Evans, who struggled last year by allowing a high passer rating when targeted. Jackson has a real chance to secure a starting job. With training camp around the corner, he is definitely someone to keep an eye on. If Jackson performs well, he might impact the NFL standings this season.
4. Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers OL
Dominick Puni is another rookie to watch this year. Even though he was drafted much later than expected, he brings a lot to the table. Ranked 51st overall and the eighth-best interior offensive lineman on B/R’s final big board, Puni isn’t far behind some first-round talents. His strength and ability to play multiple positions make him a valuable asset.
In college, Puni played in a zone-based rushing attack with some gap principles mixed in, which is quite similar to the system used by the San Francisco 49ers under coach Kyle Shanahan. This experience will be beneficial as he transitions to the NFL. The 49ers need help on their offensive line, especially outside of left tackle Trent Williams. Their current left guards, Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford struggled early in their careers, making the position an area of concern.
Training camp will provide a good opportunity for Puni to compete for a starting spot. Given his skill set and familiarity with a similar college scheme, Puni could win the job and make an immediate impact for the 49ers.
5. Cam Hart, Los Angeles Chargers CB
Cam Hart dropping to the fifth round as the 140th pick overall was surprising. At 6’3″ and 202 pounds, Hart has good size for an NFL cornerback and showed promising athletic ability at Notre Dame. Although he doesn’t have blazing speed, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.5 seconds, his long arms and overall physicality make him a strong candidate for the pro level. Ranked 70th overall and the 10th-best cornerback in the draft, many believe Hart will perform better than his draft position suggests.
The Chargers already have Asante Samuel Jr. as their top cornerback, but their search for a solid second starter is ongoing. They signed Kristian Fulton through free agency, but his past struggles with injuries and inconsistent performance raise questions about his reliability. Additionally, Hart will be competing with fellow fifth-round pick Tarheeb Still and Deane Leonard, who, despite entering his third season, hasn’t seen much playing time yet.
Given these circumstances, Hart has a real shot to make a name for himself during training camp and could potentially secure a starting position in his rookie season. Keep an eye on Hart – he might just become one of the standout rookies to watch.
6. Johnny Wilson, Philadelphia Eagles WR
Johnny Wilson has a rare combination of size and the ability to make big plays. That’s a big reason he averaged 17.2 yards per catch in college, including 18.0 yards per catch over the last two years at Florida State. Despite being a top-100 prospect on B/R’s final big board, he lasted until the sixth round, picked 185th overall.
Wilson comes into a good situation with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have been searching for a third wide receiver to go along with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for almost two years. Last year, they tried to use Julio Jones for this role, but he didn’t perform well. This offseason, they signed DeVante Parker, but he retired after one week.
Now, Wilson has a real chance to compete for this spot during training camp. He will be going up against Parris Campbell, Joseph Ngata, and Ainias Smith. This competition makes Wilson a player to watch closely this summer. If he does well, he could become a key player for the Eagles this fall. Keep an eye on the news coming out of Philadelphia — Wilson might surprise everyone.
