Following the 2014 NFL Draft's first round, Around The League identified six selections that could alter the course of their new franchises.
Now that the second and third rounds have wrapped up, let's turn our attention to 10 impact draft picks with plug-and-play potential as rookies:
1. Derek Carr, QB, Raiders: The team's brass has billed Matt Schaub as a franchise savioron par with AFC West iconsPeyton Manning and Philip Rivers. The contract suggests the Raiderscan bail on the experiment this season. The film from Schaub's last 20 games shows a rapidly regressing quarterback broken beyond repair. Oakland views Carr as the field general of the future. By Halloween, it should be obvious that he's the best option in the present.
2. Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars: General manager David Caldwell signaled his intention to move on from suspended wideout Justin Blackmon by nabbing a pair of prospects with first-round ability. Lee would have been a top-10 pick had he entered the draft in 2013. Robinson can beat defenses deep, win jump-balls and make tacklers miss after the catch. Both should play heavy snaps along with Cecil Shorts in three-wide sets.
3. Bishop Sankey, RB, Titans: The 54th spot is the farthest the top running back in the draft has ever fallen, but that won't stop the Titans from pairing Sankey with Shonn Greene in a tandem attack. Expect a role similar to that of Giovani Bernard with the Bengals last season.
4. Jace Amaro, TE, Jets: The Jets have been without a mismatch at tight end since Dustin Keller generated 815 yards in a career season three years ago. As a move tight end lacking blocking chops, Amaro essentially is a rocked-up slot receiver. He'll contribute in the passing game from Day 1.
5. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers: After watching Josh McCown wildly succeed beyond expectation in Chicago last season, the Bucs have decided to duplicate the Bears' offensive blueprint. Seferian-Jenkins has the size and athleticism to fill Martellus Bennett's role in the three towers' passing attack.
6. Morgan Moses, RT, Redskins: Incumbent right tackle Tyler Polumbus has been a swinging gate the past few seasons. Moses projects as an immediate upgrade after allowing just two sacks as Virginia's left tackle in 2013.
7. Marcus Martin, C, 49ers: Last year's starter, Jonathan Goodwin, remains an unsigned free agent. As NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock's top-ranked center in the draft, Martin should have the edge on Daniel Kilgore for the starting job on the NFL's most stout offensive line.
8. Stephon Tuitt, DE, Steelers: Pittsburgh never bothered to re-sign Brett Keisel, which leaves a vacancy easily filled by the monstrous Tuitt. Along with speedy first-round linebacker Ryan Shazier, Tuitt adds a much-needed infusion of youth to Dick LeBeau's front seven.
9. Kyle Van Noy, LB, Lions: The 2013 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year profiles as the strong-side linebacker opposite DeAndre Levy. He has the pass-rushing skills lacking in holdover starter Ashlee Palmer.
10. Dezmen Southward, S, Falcons: Atlanta never adequately replaced discarded free safety Thomas DeCoud. An intriguing prospect who blazed a 4.38 40-yard dash and posted a 42-inch vertical leap during Wisconsin's pro day, Southward adds much-needed size and athleticism to Mike Nolan's secondary.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" provides instant reaction to all the wild happenings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
