Of the four major American sports, the NFL has the fastest rate of player turnover. Many rookies from the 2013 draft emerged as first-year difference-makers. Let’s take a look at the best rookie from each round of last year’s draft:
The Best Rookie from Each Round of the 2013 NFL Draft
1st Round: DE Sheldon Richardson (#13 overall)
Stats: 42 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Richardson earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors because of his elite run-stopping ability. The Missouri product is as confident as he is talented; he said that in a hypothetical re-do of the 2013 draft, the Chiefs would choose him first overall, not the Jets at 13. You have a valid argument, Mr. Richardson.
Honorable mention: WR Tavon Austin, S Eric Reid, TE Tyler Eifert, WR DeAndre Hopkins
2nd Round: RB Eddie Lacy (#61 overall)
Stats: 1,178 yards, 4.1 yards/carry, 11 touchdowns
Lacy is the latest Alabama running back to be drafted in the first two rounds, but unlike fellow alums Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, he has already produced. If it weren’t for the emergence of Lacy, the Packers probably wouldn’t have overcame the absence of Aaron Rodgers. It will be interesting to see how the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year follows up his outstanding debut season.
Honorable mention: LB Kiko Alonso, WR Aaron Dobson, TE Zach Ertz, RB Giovani Bernard
3rd Round: WR Keenan Allen (#76 overall)
Stats: 71 receptions, 1,046 stats, 8 touchdowns
Allen, a runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year, was a main reason for the Chargers’ miraculous playoff surge in 2013. He had his best day as a pro in the AFC Divisional Round against the Broncos, pulling in six catches for 142 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns that kept the Chargers in the game. Allen will be a star in the league for years to come.
Honorable mention: QB Mike Glennon, CB Logan Ryan, G Larry Warford, S Tyrann Mathieu
4th Round: WR Ace Sanders (#101 overall)
Stats: 51 receptions, 484 yards, 1 touchdown
Jags’ general manager Dave Caldwell hopes that Sanders will become Darren Sproles 2.0, and the former Gamecock is well on his way. He was Jacksonville’s second-leading receiver, and shares many physical characteristics with Sproles. If he can get consistent play at quarterback, he should blossom into a star.
Honorable mention: WR Josh Boyce, RB Johnathan Franklin, DE William Gholston
5th Round: RB Zac Stacy (160th overall)
Stats: 973 yards, 3.9 yards/carry, 7 touchdowns
When long-time Ram Steven Jackson departed in the 2013 offseason, there was concern about who would step up at the running back position. Those worries were settled with the emergence of Stacy. St. Louis showed a lot of trust in the rookie, giving him the ball at least 12 times in each game after Week 1.
Honorable mention: TE Luke Wilson
6th Round: RB Andre Ellington (#187 overall)
Stats: 652 yards, 5.5 yards/carry, 3 touchdowns
What a steal. Among rushers with at least 100 carries, Ellington led the league in yards per attempt. It’s likely that the Cardinals will give him more touches in 2014, as he holds much more value and playmaking ability than veteran Rashard Mendenhall.
Honorable mention: RB Kenjon Barner
7th Round: CB Marcus Cooper (#252 overall by the 49ers)
Stats: 44 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 received fumble
Cooper had a tumultuous offseason after being picked third-to-last in the draft by San Francisco. He signed a four-year contract with the 49ers in May, but was a casualty of final roster cuts right before the start of the regular season. Kansas City then swept in and nabbed the Rutgers corner, and he became a main fixture in the Chiefs secondary as the season progressed.
Honorable mention: DE Desmond Bryant
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