NFL Thread

I was thinking, what are the determining factors for rookies to succeed in the NFL?

Compared to the NBA for example where players often are a bit younger when they enter the league, there have been a number of prolific rookies on both sides of the ball in the NFL in the last couple of years - especially at skills positions, since a lot of rookie QBs struggle in their first year. What's the reason for that? I think college football employs different systems than the NFL teams do but shouldn't that also have an impact for CBs, RBs and WRs for example?

CB: Ward/James this year, Lattimore last year, Ramsey two years ago
RB: Barkley, Hunt/Fournette last year, Zeke two years ago

All rookies which were immediately top 10 players in their position imo, something I haven't seen an NBA rookie do in a long time for example. Yet, as for QBs, very little have an immediate impact or play on an elite level. I get that they face more pressure and a new playbook and stuff, but their receivers should also be better at running routes and creating seperation, I guess? Of course the pool is a lot bigger in the NFL draft than NBA draft, but still, I thought it was a bit remarkable, and also a genuine question as to why rookie QBs struggle so much compared to rookie RBs who seem to get on immediately.
 
RobinLFC said:
I was thinking, what are the determining factors for rookies to succeed in the NFL?

Compared to the NBA for example where players often are a bit younger when they enter the league, there have been a number of prolific rookies on both sides of the ball in the NFL in the last couple of years - especially at skills positions, since a lot of rookie QBs struggle in their first year. What's the reason for that? I think college football employs different systems than the NFL teams do but shouldn't that also have an impact for CBs, RBs and WRs for example?

CB: Ward/James this year, Lattimore last year, Ramsey two years ago
RB: Barkley, Hunt/Fournette last year, Zeke two years ago

All rookies which were immediately top 10 players in their position imo, something I haven't seen an NBA rookie do in a long time for example. Yet, as for QBs, very little have an immediate impact or play on an elite level. I get that they face more pressure and a new playbook and stuff, but their receivers should also be better at running routes and creating seperation, I guess? Of course the pool is a lot bigger in the NFL draft than NBA draft, but still, I thought it was a bit remarkable, and also a genuine question as to why rookie QBs struggle so much compared to rookie RBs who seem to get on immediately.
Click to expand...

Doesn't it heavily depend on the O line the franchise in question has? Bills and Cardinals have shockingly bad O lines and their Rookie QBs look even worse because of it. When Dallas drafted Zeke and Dak a few years ago, both were taking the league by storm because their O line was outstanding. Now that the O line is weaker, Dak looks much more average compared to his first year.
 
RobinLFC said:
I was thinking, what are the determining factors for rookies to succeed in the NFL?

Compared to the NBA for example where players often are a bit younger when they enter the league, there have been a number of prolific rookies on both sides of the ball in the NFL in the last couple of years - especially at skills positions, since a lot of rookie QBs struggle in their first year. What's the reason for that? I think college football employs different systems than the NFL teams do but shouldn't that also have an impact for CBs, RBs and WRs for example?

CB: Ward/James this year, Lattimore last year, Ramsey two years ago
RB: Barkley, Hunt/Fournette last year, Zeke two years ago

All rookies which were immediately top 10 players in their position imo, something I haven't seen an NBA rookie do in a long time for example. Yet, as for QBs, very little have an immediate impact or play on an elite level. I get that they face more pressure and a new playbook and stuff, but their receivers should also be better at running routes and creating seperation, I guess? Of course the pool is a lot bigger in the NFL draft than NBA draft, but still, I thought it was a bit remarkable, and also a genuine question as to why rookie QBs struggle so much compared to rookie RBs who seem to get on immediately.
Click to expand...

Interesting.

Firstly think QBs struggle because what they’re asked to do in the NFL is tough and different to college. Also they play better players then they’re used to and frankly they are involved on every offensive down broadly so it’s easier to see their mistakes. Their mistakes also are usually far more costly and their success depends on so many things, probably moreso than other positions.

Secondly I can’t really speak relatively to the NBA as I don’t watch that. But the guys who do well in the NFL are usually because they are genuinely talented players and we’ve just had a good crop. Usually they’re in teams who suit their game too.
 
Don Alfredo said:
Doesn't it heavily depend on the O line the franchise in question has? Bills and Cardinals have shockingly bad O lines and their Rookie QBs look even worse because of it. When Dallas drafted Zeke and Dak a few years ago, both were taking the league by storm because their O line was outstanding. Now that the O line is weaker, Dak looks much more average compared to his first year.
Click to expand...
I think that could be a valid point (although I think Dallas just isn't playing to Dak's strength anymore), but Barkley is having a great start to his career behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL at the moment...?

Zeke's O-line definitely helped him yeah, but Hunt did pretty much the same last year without a spectular O-line.
 
Just watched the highlights, what a game by the Defence! I know the Cards are shit but that was still a really good performance.

Phillip Lindsay is ridiculous at RB too.

Oh and Sanders for QB :lol:
 
Cardinals have fired Mike McCoy, personally I'd have fired him after the first offensive series yesterday.
 
Hyde traded to the Jags... the only thing that was saving me on my Fournette pick was also having Yeldon. Now both will be useless (after this week most likely).
 
Why the Jags gotta do TJ like that?
Fantasy Football life just ain't fair :(
 


Just seen this, not entirely sure what to think.

On the one hand: :eek: holy shit

On the other, he's not done much this year and had some seriously poor drops early on.

He's 2nd all time in receiving yards for the Broncos though. Trading him away is pretty brutal.
 
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