Ahead of the big kick-off, we’ve taken the time to point out a few young players you may have overlooked, or maybe some who simply got lost in the shuffle.
Here are your surprising rookies for the 2018 NFL season:
SURPRISING ROOKIES TO WATCH IN 2018
Justin Reid, safety, Houston Texans
The brother of free-agent safety Eric Reid, Justin is just as physical as his sibling but he never quite got the attention because he played on the West Coast at Stanford. He is more than capable of being an impact player with the Texans, though, as he will be part of a safety group that includes Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson. Houston say all three will play and at some point they could all be on the field at the same time. Reid will get playing time, and he could be a highlight reel in his first season with the Texans.
Michael Gallup, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys
Gallup is another player you may have overlooked because he took a less traditional path to the NFL, going the junior college route to Butler Community College and then the way of the Mountain West at Colorado State. This doesn’t make him less of a player, though, as he is a good route-runner with a big body, good hands and deceptive speed. Also, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is already raving about the connection between Gallup and quarterback Dak Prescott. A 55-catch, 800-yard season isn’t out of the question.
Derwin James, safety, San Diego Chargers
OK, if you pay attention to the draft at all then you know James, but he may be the most talented player to go after the 15th pick in a long time. He could easily have gone in the top five and was possibly the most talented defensive player in the draft after Bradley Chubb, who went to the Denver Broncos. James not only has a chance to be an impact player, but he could even be a Pro Bowl player as a rookie, too.
Josh Jackson/Jaire Alexander, cornerbacks, Green Bay Packers
We put two players here because they’ll always be connected. The Packers were 20th and 23rd, respectively, last year in interceptions and passing yards allowed, and so they decided to immediately patch up their secondary. Jackson and Alexander are good cover guys and ball hawks and could change Green Bay’s pass defense quickly. Alexander especially has got rave reviews with some looking at him as the preseason Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Lorenzo Carter, outside linebacker, New York Giants
Don’t get it twisted, the Giants were awful on defense last year. They had to make changes and get new bodies in the rotation, and Carter is a good one to plug in. He’s big and fast and comes out of the SEC, the toughest conference to play defense in the box in college football. He has also got a lot of attention this preseason. He could be the Giants’ second best pass-rusher as a rookie behind only Olivier Vernon.
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