I was reading this article over on ESPN Most impactful draft class for 2018 and started to give some thought to really how much the rookies really could play this year.
I definitely see Vea as starting along side McCoy for most if not all season. Having two guys in the middle that both can command double teams is going to really free up the ends to seek and destroy, not to mention having the occasional linebacker blitz.
Another new starter will be Ronald Jones at running back. Barring a training camp injury, he'll be in the starting lineup week one and even if he shares carries with Barber, he'll still see plenty of action during the season.
I'm not as high on MJ Stewart, but I'm even less high on Hargreaves turning his career around. Hargreaves may start the season as our nickel corner, but I'm betting that Stewart will finish it. I've really been disappointed with Hargreaves over the last two years.
I am high on Cory Davis starting opposite of Grimes in the defensive backfield. I'm not sure how well he'll do, but I'm pretty confident that he'll play outside corner better than Hargreaves or Ryan Smith which are both career backups IMO.
I also think there is a reasonable chance we will see some starts from Alex Cappa this season. I'm not sure he can win the starting guard position, but I do think he'll get rotational time at both right guard and right tackle and with Dotson not playing a full season for several years now, the odds are pretty decent Cappa will start one or more games this season. I'm thinking this kid could surprise.
I've no idea about Jordan Whitehead, but safety is one of the weakest positions on the team and he has at least a chance of starting some games this season. I hope he can show something in training camp and come on like Evans did last season, but not expecting it.
I like the measurable's of Justin Watson and I think he will also get some playing time this season, but will not start any games (at least I hope not because that would mean we have a lot of injuries to the wide receiver position). I think he will make the opening day roster, but be inactive most game days, but probably will see some game time. Not expecting much, but I see him more as a development pick.
Finally, I really like Jack Cichy. He's not likely to start any games this season, but I can see him as a core special teams guy. However, if he's healthy and does have to start, I think the guy will do pretty well.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. Overall, I think this could be a pretty productive class. Will they all be solid players, well that's another matter, but I think at least some of these guys, especially Stewart, Davis and RoJo are better than the guys that are currently on the roster, so that makes us better (I guess).
