2014 NFL Rookies: More or Less
By Andrew Long
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sammy Watkins (Clemson) poses with commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number four overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2014 NFL Draft officially in the books, I thought that it might be fun to do a “more or less” article. Basically, it’s exactly what it sounds like. I’ll grab some statistics from last year’s draft class and predict whether or not the 2014 NFL rookies will have more or less than that particular statistic.
All of my statistics will come from nfl.com
If you like the article, feel free to post some questions in the comments section below (or use #SpinZoneMOL on Twitter). Just make sure it’s a more or less type of question (it doesn’t have to be draft related, that is just the theme for the article this week). I’d love to answer some of your questions. It’d make for some fresh and fun content!
This is the first week, though. So i’ll be creating all of the questions this time around.
Let’s get things going.
Last season, rookie quarterback, Geno Smith threw 21 interceptions for the New York Jets. Will Johnny Manziel throw more or less than that total in his rookie season?
As of right now, Johnny Manziel isn’t even the starter for the Cleveland Browns. I don’t think that will be the case come seasons end, though. He already has the best selling rookie jersey. So we know his popularity is still booming at the next level. I think that it will be awfully hard for the coaching staff in Cleveland to ignore the noise from the fans if they lose 4 out of their first 6 games without Manziel under center.
So, pretty much what i’m saying is this: I think that Johnny Manziel will be the starter in Cleveland by week 5 or 6 (if not earlier). Giving him 11 games as the starter in his rookie season (at least).
I have a hard time believing that Manziel will throw 2 interceptions per game. For that reason, I’m going to go with less for this one.
Johnny Manziel throws less than 21 interceptions.
Last year, the San Diego Chargers struck gold when they drafted wide receiver Keenan Allen. The third round pick recorded 8 receiving touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Will Sammy Watkins, who was the first wide receiver selected this year, have more or less than that total?
This is a tough one, mainly because EJ Manuel isn’t on quite the same level as Philip Rivers. I consider Rivers to be a top 10 quarterback. I cannot say the same thing for Manuel.
Manuel threw 11 touchdowns in 10 games last season and the Buffalo Bills as a team threw 16 total. You would expect that number to go up with Watkins in the mix, though. I don’t think that it’s farfetched to believe that Manuel will throw between 20-22 touchdowns next season.
It’d be a tough task for Watkins to haul in 9 of those. So i’m going with less for this one, too.
Sammy Watkins has less than 8 receiving touchdowns.
The Detroit Lions made Ezekiel Ansah the 5th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Ansah lead all rookies in sacks in 2013 with 8. In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Khalil Mack, who is also a pass-rusher, at 5th overall. Will Mack have more or less than 8 sacks as a rookie?
Khalil Mack is a supremely talented pass-rusher and I firmly believe that he has the ability to become a top-tier player in the NFL. But I don’t think that he’ll be able to surpass what Ansah did as a rookie.
Ansah benefited from playing on the same defensive line as Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Mack won’t be afforded that luxury. I think that Mack is capable of doing it, but I don’t think that he will.With that being said, i’m saying he gets less than 8 sacks. I still think he’ll have a great rookie year, though.
Khalil Mack will have less than 8 sacks as a rookie.
Well that’s all for now. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my predictions?
And like I said earlier, feel free to submit your own more or less questions in the comment section below. Or use #SpinZoneMOL on Twitter!