Detroit Lions have a hefty task ahead of them as the team’s rookie class aims to lead the club to NFC contention. These players will now have to match or outdo the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys, who stood out as the two best teams in the league last season. Both teams performed extraordinarily well even after making a tough decision to start most of their rookie players. In Super Bowl LI, the Falcons’ back seven included four rookies as well as two of their most decorated linebackers. In the previous regular season, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot also ensured the Cowboys clinched an unsurpassed record in the NFC to improve the sports betting odds for the Detroit Lions games.
After experiencing a dismally performing 2015 season, the Cowboys and Falcons used rookies to contend for the title. Rookies, quarterbacks, and injured players for the Lions arrived at their training camp yesterday, which makes it crucial for the first group of players who have already reported to build on the achievement the team this season. Predictably, Jarrad Davis of the Lions will take possession of the middle linebacker position because of his ability to call plays and rearrange the defense. The Lions have also seized Teez Tabor in a second-round pick, which makes the rookie a favorite to play smoothly with fifth-round pick Jamal Agnew and third-round pick Kenny Golladay.
Due to the position he plays, Davis will draw the most scrutiny at middle linebacker and as the leading tackler after replacing Tahir Whitehead, who was selected before pass rushers, Takk McKinley and Charles Harris. Davis became one of the most aggressive hitters in the SEC at Florida, as his teammates look up to him this season as a playmaker.
Let’s face it! Over the years, rookie linebackers have not shown a steady learning curve compared to the improvement levels of wide receivers and quarterbacks. However, it would be unfair to claim that Davis can match the success curve for Taylor Decker. Last season, the Falcons gave a face-lift to their linebacking positions by starting rookies D’’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones on Day 1. Both players used their lightning speeds in the field to ensure the Falcons midfield is fast, while Atlanta’s improved defensive abilities turned into the most explosive offense in the NFL.
Consistent with the sentiments of Pro Football Focus, Darron Lee made nine starts for the New York Jets but struggled in pass coverage to be relegated to the most horrible rookie linebacker. On the other hand, Myles Jack returns from a knee injury, but he struggled to establish a permanent playing position or make it to the starting lineup of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The entire team ended the season with just 24 tackles, with Reggie Ragland and Jaylon Smith not playing due to injury.
As Decker leads the Lions, even though he will miss half of the scheduled games this season with a torn labrum affecting his right shoulder. In 2016, Decker had a dynamic rookie class in 2016, which should offer him the opportunity to start, including Graham Glasgow and A’Shawn Robinson. In a nutshell, Davis, along with other rookies in the team will influence the outcomes of many games this season.
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