A look at five players who could potentially come out of nowhere to become stars in the NFL for their performance during the 2017 season
Every year in the NFL a star comes out of nowhere and takes the league by storm. In 2016 that happened in a couple of instances like when quarterback-turned-receiver Terrelle Pryor became the number one wide out for the Cleveland Browns. Pryor ended the year with 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. The big year for him wound up netting him an $8 million contract from the Washington Redskins.
There was also Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter. A third round pick the previous season, Hunter became an outstanding pass rusher last year. He wound up with 12.5 sacks and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown as well for Minnesota.
Another instance was of course Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The fourth-round pick took over for an injured Tony Romo and was able to orchestrate a 13-3 season after completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 3,667 yards with 23 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His performance earned him the honor of being named the 2016 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
So who is most likely to be the out-of-nowhere star in the NFL during the 2017 season? Here are the top five candidates to do just that.
Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) scrambles out of the pocket as Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) chases during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 19-12. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
5. John Simon, OLB — Indianapolis Colts
A rotational pass rusher for the Houston Texans the past three seasons, outside linebacker John Simon was an underrated offseason addition for the Indianapolis Colts. He provided a consistent tackler who recorded 104 tackles and 8.5 sacks the past two seasons and was more than capable as a fill-in whenever called upon.
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Simon not only replaced Jadeveon Clowney during his issues with injuries, but then also was a big reason they managed to stay atop the NFL defensive ranks when three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt went down for the season with a back injury in 2016.
With their line missing a star, they moved Clowney from outside linebacker to defensive end where he was able to finally step up his game after a couple injury filled seasons of disappointments. Moving Clowney didn't cause much of a stir at the linebacker spot as Simon just stepped up and performed at a high level.
Now in Indianapolis he looks to be a more featured pass rusher, and fits really well in their 3-4 system. Journeyman Erik Walden was able to record 11 sacks last year for Indy, but was not retained. Don't be shocked if Simon can pick up the slack and have similar production.
Dec 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) catches a touchdown pass against San Francisco 49ers free safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) in the first quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
4. Austin Hooper, TE — Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons proved they are ready to turn their tight end job over to second year player Austin Hooper by allowing Jacob Tamme to walk in free agency. Hooper will now be their primary pass catcher at the position after performing well as a rookie for them in 2016 as he starts opposite Levine Toilolo who serves as an extra blocker for the Dirty Birds.
Hooper was selected in the third round out of Stanford, but was considered rather raw after playing just two seasons for the Cardinals. He was able to get on the field more than expected when Tamme was lost to injury and he wound up with 19 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He then added six receptions for 65 yards in the postseason and had a touchdown in the Super Bowl as well for the Falcons to display his big play ability.
Hooper is a clean route runner that was able to convert the reception on an impressive 70.4 percent of his targets during his first year. With his rate of targets going up in his sophomore season it would only stand to reason that his numbers will increase as well. And with a new offense under Steve Sarkisian, perhaps we could see Matt Ryan get Hooper and the tight ends a little more involved in Atlanta.
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end David Irving (95) on the sidelines during the game against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
3. David Irving, DE — Dallas Cowboys
Undrafted out of Iowa State in 2015, defensive end/tackle David Irving originally signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. After missing the final cuts Irving was placed on the practice squad by Kansas City. Eventually during his rookie season the Dallas Cowboys decided to give Irving a spot on a 53-man roster and took him away from the Chiefs.
Irving immediately showed why they believed in him. The rookie recorded 14 quarterback pressures and had a blocked field goal as well. He was used in mainly a rotational role, which continued to be the case in 2016 although he did have two starts for the Cowboys.
Irving finished with 17 tackles and four sacks on the season but showed his potential in the team's mid-October contest against the Green Bay Packers. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week when he had a sack, deflected pass and three forced fumbles in less than 20 snaps.
Entering his third season there's a belief that Irving is finally shaking the inconsistent label that's kept him playing limited snaps to this point in his career. Should he be able to win the starting spot on the weak side of the line opposite first-round pick Taco Charlton, Irving could have a breakout season.
Aug 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (13) warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2. Braxton Miller, WR — Houston Texans
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller was a phenomenal athlete and won the Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 2012 and 2013. He then made a smart move by switching to wide receiver in 2015 after realizing that his future in the NFL wasn't at quarterback. Playing the position in college gave him a one-year jumpstart on other athletic quarterbacks who tried to make the adjustment to a new role.
It also gave the Houston Texans enough film on him to make Miller a second day selection as they spent the 85th overall pick on him. In his rookie year the returns on that investment was minimal as Miller had just 6.6 yards per reception on 15 catches and one touchdown. Injuries played a part in his issues as a groin injury kept him off the field early on in his rookie season and an AC joint problem ended his year.
Then there was also the problem with the team's quarterback. Brock Osweiler started at the position for them and his play was awful. It was so bad that the team traded a second round pick to the Browns for them to take on his bad contract. They then moved up in the draft for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who will battle with Tom Savage for the starting job. Either should be able to get the shifty Miller the ball with much more ease than Osweiler did.
Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Doctson (18) makes a reception as Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) looks on during the second half at FedEx Field. The Dallas Cowboys won 27 – 23. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
1. Josh Doctson, WR — Washington Redskins
Lost in the discussion of the Washington Redskins losing both Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson has been the presence of 2016 first-round pick Josh Doctson. While one starter will be free agent addition Terrelle Pryor, the former TCU standout should be able to win the other spot. If he does, there's no reason to believe he would do anything other than excel.
Doctson has excellent size at 6-4 and 195 pounds, but only managed to play in two games as a rookie. He wound up with two receptions for 66 yards in those games including an impressive 57-yard grab.
With Washington being a pass-happy offense featuring quarterback Kirk Cousins, fresh off a 4,900-yard passing season, there will be plenty of yards to go around. While playing in the NCAA, Doctson proved to be able to rack the yards up when they were available.
As a junior he had 65 catches for 1,018 yards and followed that up with another 78 receptions for 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns. For his collegiate career — which included spending his freshman season at Wyoming — Doctson had 214 receptions for 3,177 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has all the tools to help Washington's offense have a seamless transition following the departure of two stars this past offseason.
