NFL 2018: 10 Rookie sleepers primed to shine

Who are the rookie sleepers that are primed to shine in the 2018 NFL season?

Day 1 picks from the 2018 NFL Draft will get plenty of chances to dominate early on in their respective rookie seasons. There are players like Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb, Sony Michel, Jaire Alexander and plenty more early-round picks who will shine, as expected.

But there are some players picked on Day 2 and later who are positioned to contribute earlier than expected.

Here, we’ll look at 10 sleepers who will shine in their rookie seasons. 

10. Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Green Bay Packers 

Marquez Valdez-Scantling had a coming out party in Week 1 of the preseason, but it’s St. Brown who’s the sleeper that will excel in his rookie season. If the Packers keep him on the roster, Aaron Rodgers will figure out a way to get the 6-5, 215-pound receiver the ball.

St. Brown has really good downfield speed that showed in their opening preseason game. He can run routes as well as anyone and he’s an excellent, big target down the field. St. Brown understands how to get open and it starts with his ability to get off the line of scrimmage. While he won’t put the best numbers up (J’Mon Moore will), St. Brown can dominate in the red zone. 

9. Tim Settle, DT, Washington Redskins 

The Washington Redskins drafted two defensive tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft. Da’Ron Payne was a stud at Alabama who deserved the hype that led to him being selected in the first round. But it’s Tim Settle who’ll have a chance to prove who he should have been selected higher than he was.

Settle looks the part, as he’s built like an old school nose tackle. He posses raw power and girth, making him almost impossible to move. Additionally, he possesses the quickness and punch off the line that makes him a dangerous pass rusher. When he’s used in spots, his presence is going to be felt. He could end the season as one of the best tackles stuffing the run and could shock some with a handful of sacks.