Predicting the best NFL rookie on every team - Rams - Cooper Kupp

[Prime Time]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x170509/predicting-best-2017-rookie-all-32-nfl-teams

Predicting the best NFL rookie on every team

Rams - WR - Cooper Kupp

Gerald Everett, a pass-catching tight end out of South Alabama who was selected 44th overall, is the most talented rookie on the Rams' roster. But by the end of the year, Kupp, a third-rounder out of Eastern Washington, might end up with the best numbers.

Kupp is a more polished receiver who operates best out of the slot and is primed to establish himself as something of a security blanket for Jared Goff. Kupp joins the Rams after a record-breaking collegiate career in finishing with 6,464 yards. He knows how to put up numbers. -- Alden Gonzalez

Cardinals - S - Budda Baker

If the Cardinals' second-round pick can pick up the multiple defenses that coordinator James Bettcher likes to call, Baker should find himself on the field early and often this season. According to Bettcher, the Cardinals run sub-packages on 79 percent of their defensive snaps, which will give Baker plenty of opportunities to play either slot corner or safety. Baker has the size and quickness to be impactful, but the biggest question is whether his ball skills can translate to the NFL. -- Josh Weinfuss

49ers - LB - Reuben Foster

Operating under the assumption that his shoulder holds up for the full season, Foster will start from the get-go and should instantly improve the league's worst run defense. Foster will probably begin at weakside linebacker next to NaVorro Bowman in the middle, but he'll eventually become the middle linebacker and center of the defense (though maybe not this year). Foster's ability to stay on the field for all three downs gives him a slight edge over fellow first-round pick Solomon Thomas. -- Nick Wagoner

Seahawks - OL - Ethan Pocic

He certainly isn't the most prominent name on this list, but the Seahawks drafted Pocic in the second round with the expectation that he'll compete for a starting job at right guard or right tackle. The Seahawks' struggles up front have been well-documented, and the outcome of the 2017 season rests largely on the team's ability to improve along the offensive line. Pocic's providing an immediate upgrade will be critical. -- Sheil Kapadia
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To read about all the teams click the link below.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x170509/predicting-best-2017-rookie-all-32-nfl-teams

 

[Merlin]

Kupp's the smart choice for year one. He's incredibly polished and will stand out among this WR corps and get plenty of snaps and targets in this offense.

Next year, though, I hope that Everett is in that mix. Wasn't a great fan of that choice by any means, but I am now officially behind it and in that mode of hoping it works out.

 

[Merlin]

49ers - LB - Reuben Foster

Operating under the assumption that his shoulder holds up for the full season, Foster will start from the get-go and should instantly improve the league's worst run defense. Foster will probably begin at weakside linebacker next to NaVorro Bowman in the middle, but he'll eventually become the middle linebacker and center of the defense (though maybe not this year). Foster's ability to stay on the field for all three downs gives him a slight edge over fellow first-round pick Solomon Thomas. -- Nick Wagoner

Wagoner is an idjit. Choosing a LB with medical flags over a stud top choice like Thomas is idiotic. I loved the Foster pick but he's not necessarily a "right out the gate" impact guy. He has to get the medical issues behind him. And Thomas is going to be an impact defender from day one for them.