20 recent NFL 1st-round picks on hot seat
The NFL’s proverbial hot seat is predominantly reserved for head coaches – and, occasionally, for starting quarterbacks precariously positioned ahead of a capable or enticing backup.
But it doesn’t take long for recent first-round draftees to feel the heat, either – even quarterbacks who are top-10 picks, as evidenced by the Arizona Cardinals’ divorce from Josh Rosen after just one season.
There will be obvious pressure this season on several players picked in Round 1 of the 2017 draft given 13 of them – including four of the top five selections – recently had their fifth-year contract options declined. Others, including a couple from the 2015 draft, have exhausted their rookie deals but still seek long-term commitments from their original clubs. There are even a few players taken in 2019 who might already find themselves under relatively intense scrutiny.
Here are 20 recent first-rounders – none have landed a second multi-year contract – to keep an eye on in 2020:
1. Denver Broncos LT Garett Bolles: The 20th overall pick in 2017, he’s never missed a start and played better toward the end of 2019 after rookie QB Drew Lock galvanized the club. Still, mistakes have been a thematic issue – Bolles has 45 penalties in three seasons – and have been bemoaned by GM John Elway, who chose not to pick up the fifth-year option of Lock’s blind-side bodyguard even though Bolles allowed just four sacks last year. But if he cleans up the mental aspects of his game for a team that could be sneaky dangerous, Bolles might give Elway a dilemma next offseason.
2. New Orleans Saints DE Marcus Davenport: Think back to the 2018 draft, when the Saints traded two firstround picks to select Davenport 14th overall out of Texas-San Antonio, ostensibly as one of the final pieces to a championship equation. To date, the gamble hasn’t paid off, Davenport collecting 101⁄2 sacks and 28 quarterback hits in two seasons while failing to make an impact in the playoffs. A pass rusher who benefits from playing alongside Cam Jordan really needs to ante up soon.
3. Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis: A top-five pick in 2017, he’s failed to develop into a No. 1-caliber receiver and was surpassed by rookie A.J. Brown last year. Davis, whose 2021 option was declined, still has a year to justify his No. 5 overall selection status and might benefit from rare offensive continuity in Tennessee ... assuming QB Ryan Tannehill picks up where he left off in 2019.
4. Philadelphia Eagles LT Andre Dillard: His 2019 rookie season wasn’t a true redshirt situation given Dillard started four times and served as a swing tackle, though he struggled during that limited playing time. But the Eagles have yet to re-sign likely Hall of Famer Jason Peters, apparently comfortable Dillard can safeguard oft-injured QB Carson Wentz. Quite a gamble given Dillard hasn’t had a traditional offseason to bolster his readiness for the role.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Bud Dupree: The 22nd pick in 2015, he concluded his rookie contract last season by turning in a career-high 111⁄2 sacks, nearly double his previous personal best. The Steelers placed the franchise tag on Dupree, so he stands to make $15.8 million this year barring receipt of a long-term extension. However Pittsburgh also drafted OLB Alex Highsmith – he had 15 sacks for Charlotte last year – in the third round, and his development could directly affect Dupree if an extension isn’t reached.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette: The No. 4 pick three years ago, he’s been productive, churning out a career-best 1,152 rushing yards and 76 catches in 2019. He’s also been an occasional malcontent whom the Jags attempted to trade prior to the draft before declining his option for 2021. The bestcase scenario for Fournette might be getting off to a hot start and being dealt before the deadline into a situation that better suits him personally and professionally – a scenario that worked out nicely for former teammate Dante Fowler.
7. Houston Texans WR Will Fuller: He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and needs to perform like a guy about to earn more than $10 million. When Fuller’s on the field, his deepthreat ability has a noticeable impact on this offense – and he’s now the veteran wideout here with DeAndre Hopkins now in Arizona.
8. New England Patriots WR N’Keal Harry: Tom Brady’s offensive supporting cast in 2019, one Harry joined midway through his rookie season, was largely – and deservedly – derided. He’ll have to make a lot more plays if the Patriots are to win the AFC East for a 12th consecutive season.
9. Washington Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins: It’s rare to see a firstrounder on the hot seat coming off a rookie year that featured just seven starts. But fairly or not, Haskins finds himself under a microscope amid regime change – especially now that new coach Ron Rivera has imported QB Kyle Allen, 24, from Carolina while admitting he’s open to the idea of potentially adding fellow former Panther and 2015 league MVP Cam Newton.
10. Indianapolis Colts FS Malik Hooker: Worrisome development when a draft-and-develop team turns down your fifth-year option. But it’s understandable in Hooker’s case given he’s missed 14 games in three seasons and has only picked off seven passes despite being touted as a turnover-producing center fielder coming out of Ohio State.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard: The first tight end selected in the 2017 draft (19th overall), Howard hasn’t produced in a manner befitting his copious talent – failing to crack even 35 catches in any of his three seasons.
12. Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst: He’s currently the answer to a pretty good trivia question: “Lamar Jackson was the Baltimore Ravens’ second first-round pick in 2018, but who was the first?” Yep. Another of Hurst’s draftmates, Mark Andrews, proved a far more effective tight end in Baltimore’s offense, quickly making the 25th overall pick from two years ago expendable.
13. Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield: An especially promising rookie campaign was followed by an especially disappointing sophomore season. Mayfield is currently eschewing commercials and the limelight as he hopes to rebound under new coach Kevin Stefanski. However the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft must be aware that any early season stumble could open the door to well-compensated backup Case Keenum, who thrived in this system with Stefanski’s assistance in Minnesota.
14. Las Vegas Raiders LT Kolton Miller: He was much better on the left side in 2019 than he was on the right as a rookie in 2018 – though that still qualifies as a markedly backhanded compliment. Miller allowed seven sacks last year after surrendering 16 the previous season and, at 6-8 and 325 pounds, will likely always be susceptible to edge rushers able to bend low and under him.
15. Browns TE David Njoku: His fifth-year option was activated, but – remember – it’s only guaranteed for injury. Njoku caught 56 balls for 639 yards in 2018, his second season, but a broken wrist limited him to four appearances last year.
16. Cincinnati Bengals WR John Ross: Though he was drafted ninth overall in 2017, it’s pretty much been downhill since he blazed that scouting combine record 4.22 40-yard dash.
17. San Francisco 49ers DL Solomon Thomas: He’s invariably mentioned as part of a vaunted D-line that featured five first-round picks during a 2019 run to Super Bowl LIV. But truth is, Thomas, the No. 3 pick in 2017, has been less than impactful during his career and started just three times last season.
18. Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky: So after he regressed in 2019, Chicago declined his fifth-year option and brought in veteran Nick Foles to compete for the starting job.
19. Bengals LT Jonah Williams: Shoulder surgery cost the 11th pick of the 2019 draft his rookie season. There was some debate following Williams’ career at Alabama as to whether he was better suited to be a guard in the NFL, but he’ll likely make his pro debut as No. 1 pick Joe Burrow’s blind side sentinel while effectively attempting to anchor what was arguably the league’s worst line a year ago.
20. New York Giants DL Leonard Williams: Selected sixth overall by the Jets in 2015, he made the Pro Bowl in his second season and appeared to be a cornerstone player. However he was dealt across town midway through last season, yet didn’t sign an extension with the Giants, who wound up tagging Williams in March.