Earlier, we looked at the five rookies who have most exceeded expectations this season. Now, we flip the script to the rookies who have struggled to make an impact in their first season. Here are the rookies who have not met expectations:
Cardinals OT D.J. Humphries
Pick: Round 1, pick 24
College: Florida
Much was expected of Humphries when the Cardinals selected him in the first round of the NFL draft. I thought he was the most gifted offensive lineman in the entire draft. However, he's been a healthy scratch for the entire season. Humphries struggled big time in training camp and in preseason contests, which led the Cardinals to eliminate him from their plan for the 2015 campaign. This could end up being a good thing for his overall development. He's been afforded time to sit and learn the nuisances of the position without the scars of getting beat on Sundays.
Browns OL Cameron Erving
Pick: Round 1, pick 19
College: Florida State
Erving struggled mightily when inserted into the lineup in the middle of the season. He played tackle and center at Florida State, but his opportunity came at guard this season. He was clearly uncomfortable with the assignment and he struggled ... mightily. He played way too high and struggled to anchor down in pass protection. After two games in the starting lineup, the Browns pulled him and it looks as though he won't see any more significant action until 2016.
Chargers RB Melvin Gordon
Pick: Round 1, pick 15
College: Wisconsin
Gordon was considered a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate before the season launched. He put up monster numbers at Wisconsin, and he's a very explosive talent. However, he has yet to get comfortable playing in the Chargers' offense. He's only averaging 3.6 yards per carry and he's yet to score a touchdown. He's also had issues with ball security, fumbling six times (four lost).
Browns DL Danny Shelton
Pick: Round 1, pick 12
College: Washington
Shelton hasn't played terribly, but he's failed to make a big impact on a woeful Cleveland defense. He can stack and hold blocks at the line of scrimmage, but he hasn't been nearly as productive as I expected. Through 13 games, he's only notched 26 combined tackles and he's yet to record a sack. I believe he'd be best served to drop some weight in the offseason and recover some of the quickness he showed at the University of Washington.
All of the injured guys
Jaguars DE Dante Fowler
Pick: Round 1, pick 3
College: Florida
Bears WR Kevin White
Pick: Round 1, pick 7
College: West Virginia
Ravens WR Breshad Perriman
Pick: Round 1, pick2 26
College: Central Florida
The first round of the 2015 NFL Draft featured several players who missed their rookie campaign due to injury. Obviously, this wasn't something they could control but it was disappointing nonetheless. I expect several of these players to have a big impact in 2016.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
