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5 NFL rookies poised to shine in 2017 regular season

By Zach Goodall

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corey Davis (Western Michigan) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 5 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corey Davis (Western Michigan) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 5 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that the 2017 NFL Draft is a thing of the past, which rookies will stand out in their first season?

It’s projection season: That time in between the excitement of the NFL Draft and football season that has fans clinging for content and any excitement that revolves around their football team.

With that being said, it’s time to start making projections. Will Player X have a breakout year? Will Team Y finally sweep Team Z in their divisional matchups?

While we have some time before we know the answers to those questions, I have projections for five rookies I believe will stand out in their rookie season.

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Chikwe Obasih (34) and Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Chikwe Obasih (34) and Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Corey Davis, WR – Tennessee Titans

Davis and former Clemson standout Mike Williams were neck and neck for the title of best wide receiver prospect in this past draft. However, I believe Davis found a much better home in terms of projecting immediate success.

Tennessee’s offense is one true No. 1 receiver away from potentially being elite. This could be seen last year, as the Titans saw poise at the quarterback position from Marcus Mariota, hosted one of the best offensive lines in football, and had DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry rush for a combined 1777 yards and 14 touchdowns.

However, the Titans leading receiver was Rishard Matthews, who caught 65 passes for 945 yards and nine touchdowns on 14.5 yards per catch. This sounds nice and all, but on an offense that is young, growing, and talented all around, these aren’t No. 1 receiver numbers. The next two leading receivers were tight end Delanie Walker and DeMarco Murray, who combined for 1177 receiving yards. Yes, a running back was one of the Titans top three receivers last year.

Enter Corey Davis. The former Western Michigan Bronco totaled 331 receptions for 5278 yards and 52 touchdowns over four years, averaging 15.9 yards per catch. His ability to go-get the ball in the air is impressive.

The Titans landed their No. 1 receiver in Davis with the fifth overall pick. Already a tier above all other receivers on the Titans roster, Davis has a chance to shine from his first NFL snap on.

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