6 NFL rookies who will contribute the most in the 2020 season
Which NFL rookies will have the biggest instant impact in the 2020 season?
Prospects are selected in the NFL Draft with a simple premise in mind on the part of the franchise: This player can help the team get better. For the most part, the round in which these players are taken determines how quickly and largely they are expected to make that type of impact but the general truth is that every newcomer to the league is at least somewhat expected to do something positive for the team that drafted them.
Not all impacts are created equal, however. While Josh Jacobs played a huge role for the Raiders last season and improved their success, the same of which can be said with Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, Nick Bosa landing with the 49ers helped San Francisco pave the way to a Super Bowl appearance. Even second-round picks like A.J. Brown, Erik McCoy, Miles Sanders and D.K. Metcalf helped bolster the rosters of eventual playoff teams.
So as we look at the incoming rookies from the 2020 NFL Draft, guys like Tua Tagovailoa and Chase Young will have incredible impacts on the futures of their respective teams. However, they won’t drastically change the fortunes of those teams this season. And that begs the question, who will have the biggest impact in terms of leading their teams to the most success?
That’s what we’re looking at today, the six NFL rookies who will have the biggest immediate positive effects on their teams in the 2020 season. But first, let’s look at some players who were in consideration but just missed the cut.
Honorable Mention NFL rookies who will contribute big in year one
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys – Talent and supporting cast are there but perhaps too much as Lamb’s place in an elite trio might keep him from making as big of an impact as he otherwise could.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions – If it was certain that Swift was going to be the RB1 in Detroit, he might’ve cracked the top six. The same can be said of Colts rookie runner Jonathan Taylor.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers – With Deebo Samuel’s injury, Aiyuk will play a huge role early in this offense. My questions about his overall talent, however, leave me wanting.
Kristian Fulton, CB, Tennessee Titans – Fulton could start in Nashville as the Titans need to replace the departed Logan Ryan.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos – Many people might have Jeudy on this list but concerns about the line and Drew Lock keep him outside of the top six.
Cesar Ruiz, IOL, New Orleans Saints – New Orleans drafted him to start right away and there’s a case to be made that’s enough to land him on this list.
Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – By virtue of the lack of weapons in Philadelphia, Reagor could see a sizeable number of targets. How he plays and holds up are questions I still have, however.
Jeff Gladney and Justin Jefferson, CB/WR, Minnesota Vikings – The pair of first-rounders in Minnesota both have paths to big roles but the fact that you never know with Mike Zimmer and rookies keeps him off.
Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams – Akers is the most talented running back on the roster but it depends on if the Rams are dead-set on utilizing a committee or letting the rookie lead the charge.