[h=1]Early-impact first-round rookies[/h][h=3]Which of the top 32 draft choices seem particularly suited to help soon?[/h]By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
Prospects don't just get drafted high because they have the polish to help right away. In fact, it can be the opposite. Look at the top three picks:
• Jadeveon Clowney is a remarkable physical talent, but his transition could involve scheme adjustments; he'll need to learn a great deal.
• Greg Robinson is a player I've compared physically to Walter Jones. But he may start at guard, not tackle, as he works on pass protection.
• Blake Bortles likely won't start. He has to work on his ability to make next-level reads and refine his ball placement.
The draft can be a lot like a free-agent contract: You pay for what you expect to get in return, not just for what's already been accomplished. High picks often have flaws. I expect Clowney to have an early impact in 2014, but Robinson and Bortles could take time.
Elsewhere, however, some players enter situations that could lead to an early impact. Let's take a look at a few on offense and defense, with notes on some others.
Remember: For this, immediate fit is the most important.
[h=3]Offense[/h]
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints moved up aggressively to get Cooks at No. 20, and I think that probably changed the plans of at least one other team. The Eagles would have taken Cooks if he had been there at No. 22, I believe, and they immediately moved down after he came off the board. (In fact, Green Bay at No. 21 was an option, too.)
With great respect to Marques Colston, Cooks immediately becomes the most talented and explosive wideout on the Saints. Lance Moore and Darren Sproles are gone, which removes 108 catches from last year's offense. Kenny Stills is around, and clearly Jimmy Graham will get his, but Cooks should catch 70-plus passes in this offense.
<OFFER></OFFER>
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
Are there enough passes to go around? In Detroit, yes. Golden Tate has arrived, but Ebron will be on the field because he's essentially a needed third wide receiver and will be split out, where he could become the more enticing jump-ball option for Matthew Stafford.
With Calvin Johnson routinely bracketed or double-teamed in some form, Ebron could benefit. Stafford likes to let his guys go up and get it. Ebron will.
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Miami Dolphins
I'm not overstating this. Ryan Tannehill got sacked 58 times last year, so the Dolphins desperately needed a steady option at right tackle. That's exactly what they get here.
This isn't a sexy pick, but James is one of the most obvious draft-and-plug picks in the entire draft.
More:
• Sammy Watkins is an immediate starter, but his impact depends on some improvement at quarterback. His presence will help.
• Mike Evans could struggle a little early as he works on his route-running, but the presence of Vincent Jackson should aid in matchups.
• Kelvin Benjamin seems like an obvious choice given the depth chart in Carolina, but he needs work as a route-runner. Will he create space? At least his size advantage will lead to Cam Newton throwing his way.
[h=3]Defense[/h]
Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams
Last year, the Jets surprised some people by drafting Sheldon Richardson onto an already decent defensive line. Richardson blew up. This year, St. Louis added Donald to a line loaded with disruptive players, namely Robert Quinn and Chris Long on the edges. It will be hard to block them all.
I expect Donald, who is physically ready and refined enough in his hand use and ability to shed and penetrate, to make waves early.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a pretty gaping void at free safety, and that made Clinton-Dix an easy call here. He will come into camp as the presumed starter.
I think he has a chance to keep the job and help as safeties such as Kenny Vaccaro and Eric Reid did last year after being drafted in a similar range.
Deone Bucannon, S, Arizona Cardinals
This was a pick that surprised some, but Arizona drafted need here, and Bucannon is the early front-runner to start as an in-the-box safety. His physical presence should help Tyrann Mathieu, who will be back healthy.
Bucannon, one of the great hitters in the draft, takes great routes to the ball but needs to improve some in coverage.
More:
• Jason Verrett will start in San Diego. Even if he goes through typical cornerback transition troubles, he's an upgrade in coverage.
• I expect Clowney to have a big impact. I can just see him being used in rotation as Houston's scheme evolves. I'd expect more late than early.
• C.J. Mosley could be an immediate starter in Baltimore at linebacker.
Prospects don't just get drafted high because they have the polish to help right away. In fact, it can be the opposite. Look at the top three picks:
• Jadeveon Clowney is a remarkable physical talent, but his transition could involve scheme adjustments; he'll need to learn a great deal.
• Greg Robinson is a player I've compared physically to Walter Jones. But he may start at guard, not tackle, as he works on pass protection.
• Blake Bortles likely won't start. He has to work on his ability to make next-level reads and refine his ball placement.
The draft can be a lot like a free-agent contract: You pay for what you expect to get in return, not just for what's already been accomplished. High picks often have flaws. I expect Clowney to have an early impact in 2014, but Robinson and Bortles could take time.
Elsewhere, however, some players enter situations that could lead to an early impact. Let's take a look at a few on offense and defense, with notes on some others.
Remember: For this, immediate fit is the most important.
[h=3]Offense[/h]
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints moved up aggressively to get Cooks at No. 20, and I think that probably changed the plans of at least one other team. The Eagles would have taken Cooks if he had been there at No. 22, I believe, and they immediately moved down after he came off the board. (In fact, Green Bay at No. 21 was an option, too.)
With great respect to Marques Colston, Cooks immediately becomes the most talented and explosive wideout on the Saints. Lance Moore and Darren Sproles are gone, which removes 108 catches from last year's offense. Kenny Stills is around, and clearly Jimmy Graham will get his, but Cooks should catch 70-plus passes in this offense.
<OFFER></OFFER>
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
Are there enough passes to go around? In Detroit, yes. Golden Tate has arrived, but Ebron will be on the field because he's essentially a needed third wide receiver and will be split out, where he could become the more enticing jump-ball option for Matthew Stafford.
With Calvin Johnson routinely bracketed or double-teamed in some form, Ebron could benefit. Stafford likes to let his guys go up and get it. Ebron will.
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Miami Dolphins
I'm not overstating this. Ryan Tannehill got sacked 58 times last year, so the Dolphins desperately needed a steady option at right tackle. That's exactly what they get here.
This isn't a sexy pick, but James is one of the most obvious draft-and-plug picks in the entire draft.
More:
• Sammy Watkins is an immediate starter, but his impact depends on some improvement at quarterback. His presence will help.
• Mike Evans could struggle a little early as he works on his route-running, but the presence of Vincent Jackson should aid in matchups.
• Kelvin Benjamin seems like an obvious choice given the depth chart in Carolina, but he needs work as a route-runner. Will he create space? At least his size advantage will lead to Cam Newton throwing his way.
[h=3]Defense[/h]
Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams
Last year, the Jets surprised some people by drafting Sheldon Richardson onto an already decent defensive line. Richardson blew up. This year, St. Louis added Donald to a line loaded with disruptive players, namely Robert Quinn and Chris Long on the edges. It will be hard to block them all.
I expect Donald, who is physically ready and refined enough in his hand use and ability to shed and penetrate, to make waves early.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a pretty gaping void at free safety, and that made Clinton-Dix an easy call here. He will come into camp as the presumed starter.
I think he has a chance to keep the job and help as safeties such as Kenny Vaccaro and Eric Reid did last year after being drafted in a similar range.
Deone Bucannon, S, Arizona Cardinals
This was a pick that surprised some, but Arizona drafted need here, and Bucannon is the early front-runner to start as an in-the-box safety. His physical presence should help Tyrann Mathieu, who will be back healthy.
Bucannon, one of the great hitters in the draft, takes great routes to the ball but needs to improve some in coverage.
More:
• Jason Verrett will start in San Diego. Even if he goes through typical cornerback transition troubles, he's an upgrade in coverage.
• I expect Clowney to have a big impact. I can just see him being used in rotation as Houston's scheme evolves. I'd expect more late than early.
• C.J. Mosley could be an immediate starter in Baltimore at linebacker.
