By Sean Gannon and Jack McNicholas

March 30, 2020

In our first ever combined article both of us examine four players from the 2019 Draft now entering their second year in the NFL. We have chosen one offensive and defensive player from both the NFC and AFC that we are most excited about. We are examining the rookies we feel will build on their solid production in year one and the exceptions in year two we have for them. Here are our year two players to watch in 2020.

Jack’s Picks

Drew Lock, Denver Broncos, Quarterback, 2019 Draft Pick Round 2, Pick 42 overall: 30.12% of snaps played. 5 games played 4-1 Record. 64.1% 1020 Yards 7-3 TD -INT. 1 comeback, 2 game-winning drives.

Drew Lock is now the starting Quarterback in Denver. Last year Denver traded for long-time Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and Drew Lock earned the starting job. This year Drew Lock will have the full offseason to get in tune with the offense and know that he will not be in competition going into the season. I am excited to see the steps that Drew Lock takes in his second year having a full running back field with Melvin Gordon joining the pair of Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. He will have the pleasure of managing this run heavy offense as he gets acquired week by week to the NFL in his second season. Showing flashes of big play ability and chemistry with receiver Courtland Sutton and first round rookie tight end Noah Fant. I believe that Denver will add a receiver in the draft to further emphasize supporting their young quarterback with receiving weapons. In a division with Patrick Mahomes I do not believe that Drew Lock will take home the AFC West title for the Broncos this season. It is not out of the question Denver could return to their ways as a playoff team. 

Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars, Edge Rusher, 2019 Draft Pick Round 1, Pick 7 overall: 60.32% of snaps played. Starting 4 games, 44 Tackles, 10.5 Sacks, 14 QB knockdowns.

Josh Allen was apart of a crowded Jacksonville defensive line that has now cleared so much space they will need him to produce next season. Starting 4 games, 44 Tackles, 10.5 Sacks as well as 14 QB knockdowns. Allen did not get the chance to play as many snaps as he would have liked. With the defense featuring Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus at the same defensive end position now gone from the Jaguars, its time for Allen to shine. I believe he can do it all. There was evidence he can drop back and play outside linebacker in coverage as well as pass rush off the edge. It is time for him to up his snap percentage from 60.32% of defensive snaps. The Jaguars cleared house and I expect their defense as a whole to have lower production. Josh Allen will be a stud and will only get better with his power moves after spending a year behind larger body lineman he will use his versatility and size to a strength. I am excited to see Josh Allen take the leap in year two!

DK Metcalf, Seattle Sehawks, Wide Receiver, 2019 Draft Pick Round 2, Pick 64 overall: 83.59% of snaps played. Playing all 16 games after missing most of his last season Ole Miss. 58 catches for 900 yards. 15.5 yards per catch. 7 TD’s

Most teams draft a receiver in the late second round to a complement to the offense or possibly get a small sample of snaps their rookie year. That was not the case for DK in his rookie season as he played 83% of the snaps for Seattle. In the past Seattle have found success in building their team through the draft. Although the team has recently acquired Tight End Greg Olsen and Receiver Phillip Dorsett. I do not believe he will be impacted in fact I believe more weapons is beneficial to Metcalf in targets. He had 58 catches for 900 yards, 15.5 yards per catch and 7 TD’s. I believe he has 1000 yard potential and will receive more targets in 2020. DK is young, fast and has the frame of a typical NFL receiver. Labeled as a receiver that could only beat people running in a straight line. Metcalf showed flashes of his quick cuts and route running ability in 2019. Russell Wilson has found his new redone threat and the leap in year two in what should be a competitive NFC West. Metcalf is on my radar for second year breakout players.

Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Linebacker 2019 Draft Round 1, Pick 5 overall: 73.10% of Snaps played. 91 total tackles, 58 solo, 2.5 sacks. 3 pass defended, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 touchdowns.

Tom Brady coming to town is without a doubt the top story in Tampa. On their offense of course all eyes will be on Brady. On the defensive side of the ball the eyes of Tampa fans will be on second year linebacker Devin White. Picked 5th overall last season the Buc’s have found their linebacker of the future. Still 21 years old. Devin Whites rookie season was one for the books. After losing Kwon Alexander to the San Fransisco 49ers in free agency Devin White too his place as the premier middle linebacker for Tampa. Starting 13 games this season White finished with one interception, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns, two and a half sacks and 91 total tackles. These statistics show he was all over the field, in tackling from sideline to sideline, dropping into coverage and pressuring the quarterback. His talents are not to be overlooked next season as he will have used last season to grow. It will be exciting to see him once again paired with outside linebacker Levonte David who is a tackling machine as well. They will create a feared linebacker core this year. I believe Devin White will even come up with more interceptions as he has a full season under his belt and understands the speed of the game well. Do not forget about Devin White in 2020.

Sean’s Picks

Maxx Crosby, Lav Vegas Raiders, Defensive End 2019 Draft Round 4, Pick 106 overall: 71.84% of snaps played. Played all 16 games, started 10. 4 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 14 QB Hits, 10 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 47 total tackles.

Maxx Crosby jumped out on the scene during Hard Knocks in 2019 where he instantly became a fan favorite of many football fans. Whether it was rooting for him to finish his full sleeve or realizing “this guy could play” when he broke his hand, came back in and continued to make plays in week two of the preseason. After making the team, Crosby didn’t stop there, finishing second in voting for the defensive rookie of the year. Fact of the matter is, he balled out for a rookie. Whats even more impressive is he did this as a fourth round pick coming from the Mac conference where some of the biggest teams include, Miami Ohio, Umass and Western Michigan. Crosby absolutely dominated in the NFL; 10 sacks, 14 QB hits, 16 tackles for loss all speak for themselves and his ability to get after the quarterback and control the point of contact against an offensive lineman. Since he put on the silver and black he has completely embodied the Raider way and what Gruden is all about. High flying, hard hitting, play to the whistle smash mouth football, that is exactly what they got in Crosby. Year two should be big for Crosby, I expect him to build on his rookie season, have another double digit sack season, possibly make a pro-bowl and above all put on a show in Las Vegas. The Raiders found themselves a gem in the 4th round and what appears to be one of the pillars of this John Gruden team.

Marquise Hollywood Brown, Baltimore Ravens, Wide Receiver 2019 Draft Round 1, Pick 25 overall: 50.95% of snaps played. 14 Games played, started 11. 46 catches, 584 yards, 7 touchdowns. 41 yards per game. Postseason (1 game) 7 Catches for 126 yards vs Tennessee.

Coach Harbaugh conceded that Marquise Brown was never 100% this season due to a foot injury that had happened in the tail end of his collegiate career. Brown was second on the Ravens team in receiving yards behind Marc Andrews and showed not only to be the wide receiver one for Baltimore but also had a good rapport with Lamar Jackson in his rookie campaign. Aside from that Brown showed us that he can stretch the field deep with his blazing speed, create big plays out of nothing with his ability to make a defender miss. What impressed me the most was Browns ability to track the ball even when a defender is about to lay the big hit, look at the catch against the Titans with three defenders around him. I don’t expect him to have a thousand yard season in 2020, not because Jackson can’t throw, but because his loves throwing it to the tight-end position especially Andrews. However, I do expect Brown to surpass 750 yards and be a touchdown machine this year hitting 10 in 2020. His offseason foot surgery should help bring him to 100% healthy come OTA’s and voluntary training camp. A full offseason healthy and building with Jackson, this passing offense is going to be just as dangerous as their running.

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia, Running Back 2019 Draft Round 2, Pick 53 overall: 52.66% of snaps. 179 rush, 818 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns. 82 avg. yards from scrimmage a game. 50 catches for 509 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. Postseason (1 game) 14 Carries for 69 yards. 3 Catches 8 yards.

Miles Sanders was incredibly productive in his rookie campaign sharing the backfield with Jordan Howard in year one. He was behind Saquon Barkley at Penn State and was able to find success there so this comes as no surprise that he was able to translate that into the NFL. Sanders showed the NFL that he is a “do it all” back whether it is running between the tackles or catching the ball out of the backfield, he was an absolute monster for the Eagles and at times the only part of the offense working. Having to share the backfield almost half the time he found ways to make plays. Look at Minnesota where he blew past Anthony Barr and All-Pro Eric Kendricks for deep gains and a touchdown. Against Buffalo he showed his homerun speed blowing past the entire secondary en route for a 65 yard touchdown. He is easily a three down back for the Eagles and should provide a nice outlet for Wentz if the pass rush gets to him. The backfield is now all his and I expect a thousand rushing yard season out of Sanders with anohter 500 in the air and more touchdowns as well with the increase in snaps he is about to see.

Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers, Edge Rusher 2019 Draft Round 1, Pick 16 overall: 43.30% of snaps played. Started five games, played in all 16. 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery for a 56- yard touchdown. 25 tackles, 5 TFL. 16 QB Hits, 7.5 sacks.

Burns did not get a lot of media attention in the draft or during his college career in Florida State, and many were surprised when he went off the board at 16. But in year one and playing under 50% of snaps he was an absolute beast for the Panthers in 2019. As a rotation guy he was able to notch 7.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits which is a good season even for someone who isn’t a rotation player. There is no way that they are going to let him continue at only 43% of snaps, that will defiantly be increased in 2020. The season is right around the corner and the high motor of Burns I expect him to build on this season. With Luke Kuechley retired and Shaq Thompson under contract, I expect them to move Thompson to the inside linebacking position and allow Burns to rush off the edge either as an outside linebacker or in the defensive end position. Unleashing Burns from the edge rushing position for almost 70%-80% of snaps will really help the defense now that it no longer has its leader in Kuechley. At 21 years old this guy is an absolute stud, he’s easily set for 12 plus sacks this upcoming season, as well as 20 quarterback hits and 30 tackles. I’m telling you, similar to Danielle Hunter, do not sleep on Burns going forward he is a force in the NFL.