Rookie watch
SAQUON BARKLEY RB New York Giants
Here’s your odds-on favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Could be an instant smash success out of Penn State after being the No. 2 overall pick. Don’t be surprised if he approaches 1,400 yards and helps the Giants go from 3-13 to somewhere near .500.
BRADLEY CHUBB DE Denver Broncos
Just what the Broncos needed, another pass rusher to go along with Von Miller. Still to be determined whether he’s an outside linebacker or defensive end at 275 pounds. Either way, Miller’s presence could set up the No. 5 pick out of North Carolina State for a double-digit sack season. He’s your favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
RASHAAD PENNY RB Seattle Seahawks
Penny, taken No. 27 in the first round out of San Diego State, comes to a team that has been desperate to find a lead runner since Marshawn Lynch left and is also looking to take some pressure off quarterback Russell Wilson. Penny will get plenty of chances to prove he’s that player.
BAKER MAYFIELD QB Cleveland Browns
Let’s face it. If Mayfield sits behind Tyrod Taylor for any length of time, he’s been a disappointment. A team as bad as the Browns doesn’t sit the first pick in the draft unless they’ve made a mistake. The Oklahoma product is a big-time boom or bust pick. He could be too small and not athletic enough or a quarterback savant that thrives immediately.
MIKE MCGLINCHY RT 49ers
McGlinchy has stepped in immediately at right tackle and seized the position. The No. 9 pick out of Notre Dame, McGlinchy looks good enough to provide right side protection for Jimmy Garoppolo and athletic enough to execute the stretch-and-cut runs that are the 49ers’ bread and butter. Plus he’s got Joe Staley to learn from.
DERWIN JAMES S Los Angeles Chargers
A wide-ranging player that Raiders fans were pining for to man the back end of the secondary. Instead, the Raiders took tackle Kolton Miller, and James fell to the Chargers. One thing to watch — James, who looks like a playmaker on some plays, vanished from the film on others, which caused some teams to shy away from him.
CALVIN RIDLEY WR Atlanta Falcons
Ridley performed at Alabama in much the same way that Amari Cooper did. He’s smooth, explosive and appears prepared to contribute immediately at a position where rookies often struggle. Even better, Ridley joins a polished passing offense with a top-flight quarterback in Matt Ryan and a big-time receiver in fellow Alabama product Julio Jones on the other side. Baker Mayfield is a big-time boom or bust pick. He could be too small and not athletic enough or a quarterback savant that thrives immediately.