Tradesports.com’s NFL Rookie Report by Tradesports Lyrics
Welcome to Tradesports.com’s NFL Rookie Report... Updated on a weekly basis, the top 5 polarizing NFL rookies will be discussed (they can change each week depending on who/what’s most interesting). Crowd data from Tradesports.com’s “NFL Rookies: Big Questions” contest will also be updated using charts, allowing for discussion about the various price movements in each stock. Genius input required!
Johnny Manziel (QB, Cleveland Browns)
If you’ve lived under a rock for the last few months, let us fill you in: Johnny Manziel is pretty 'effin popular--no matter what he does. The former Heisman Trophy Winner, who starred at Texas A&M, has made headlines already this NFL preseason— for some pretty bad reasons, and for some impressive reasons.
The No. 22 pick in the 2014 draft by the Cleveland Browns (anyone remember how shocking that was?), Manziel was almost immediately named the backup quarterback by Browns management. But, in part due to his play and in part due to Brian Hoyer’s struggles, he landed in a quarterback battle that lasted until late this past week, when Hoyer was given the rose and officially named the Week 1 starter.
How long will it last? Many predict that Hoyer, who has just four career starts as an NFL QB, will not last the entire season due to his performance or due to injury, which he has proven to be prone to.
“Johnny Manziel to have more than 14.5 total TDs (passing + rushing) in the regular season” is now trading at 46% on Tradesports.com. The stock has risen from 41%, where it sat before Week 1's loss.
Jadeveon Clowney (DE, Houston Texans)
An absolute freakish athlete out of the University of South Carolina, Clowney has made a name for himself with the ability to lay out bone-crunching hits as well as the ability to chase down the quickest opposing players with ease. The real question becomes: will his abilities translate to a productive NFL career?
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney was selected by the Houston Texans, who already feature dominant pass-rusher J.J. Watt. Many believe the pairing of the Pro Bowler Watt with Clowney will result in the best duo off the edges in the AFC South— and potentially in the entire NFL. Who knows, they might become the Batman and Robin of the NFL!
After colliding with Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme during a 9-on-7 drill in a dual-practice session, Clowney left a preseason practice with an unspecified injury. He was held out of his team’s third preseason game, most likely as a precaution. Clowney impressed during the preseason, showing bursts of stardom in the Texans’ second preseason contest, which ended in a 32-7 win over the Falcons.
However, he left Week 1's game against the Redskins with an knee injury and will be out for an extended period of time.
“Jadeveon Clowney to have more than 9.9 sacks in the regular season” is now trading at 24% on Tradesports.com.
Blake Bortles (QB, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Out of the University of Central Florida, not many people knew about Blake Bortles until the period directly before the NFL Draft. With a charismatic personality (and smoking hot model girlfriend), Bortles was selected No. 3 overall to the Jags in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Almost immediately tabbed as the backup quarterback to Chad Henne, Bortles has impressed so far this preseason, and has given Jacksonville’s coaching staff something to think about when naming a Week 1 starter. Since the Jaguars offense was absolutely atrocious under Henne last season, it will be interesting to see if Bortles stands out enough to earn a surprising opportunity to start, considering the circumstances.
Regardless of if it’s now or in Week 10, Bortles should get a chance to play this season, and it looks as though Jags fans have finally found their franchise quarterback they’ve been dreaming of for years.
UPDATE: Bortles named starter for Week 4's game against the Chargers.
“Blake Bortles to start more than 7.5 games in the regular season” is now trading at 48% on Tradesports.com! Keep an eye on this one.
Sammy Watkins (WR, Buffalo Bills)
After excelling at Clemson immediately upon arrival as a freshman, earning first team All-American honors, Watkins was one of the best wide receivers in college ball for the past three seasons.
Despite some off-field issues (which of course are all too common for football players!), pro teams still saw the upside in drafting the NFL-ready Watkins. Perhaps the most intrigued team was his Buffalo Bills, who traded up to the No. 4 spot in the draft to grab the dynamic wide receiver— which was a good move, since most people probably can’t name another receiver on their thin roster at that position.
Watkins should certainly get the opportunity to be the No. 1 option for QB E.J. Manuel.
Will Watkins be a bust or a gem? It seems to be too early to know. Bills fans are hoping it’s the latter.
“Sammy Watkins to have more than 999.5 yards receiving in regular season” is now trading at 43% on Tradesports.com!
Bishop Sankey (RB, Tennessee Titans)
Sankey, a second round pick out of the University of Washington, was drafted by the Tennessee Titans and should fill a need caused by the void that Chris Johnson left when he bolted to the New York Jets. (Remember when Chris Johnson proclaimed himself the best running back in the NFL? Yikes!)
Struggling with fumbles in the preseason, he reportedly had to run a lap every time he fumbles in practice, after fumbling in the fourth-quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Saints.
The main question remained: did Sankey have the momentum to land the starting gig or would veteran Shonn Greene land the job in Week 1? Apparently Greene won the race, as he started in Week 1. The two should be expected to split carries for most of the year.
“Bishop Sankey to have more than 799.5 rushing yards in the regular season” is now trading at 48% on Tradesports.com!Sports Genius PredictionsWeek 1 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins, Sankey
Week 2 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins,Sankey
Week 3 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins, Sankey
Week 4 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins, Sankey
Week 1 (SG): MrXercules, Brock,, ChrisSweatshirt, FanaHOVA, macmillerstan, Heisenferg, WatchDaThrone, xKylan
Week 2 (SG): FanaHOVA, ChrisSweatshirt,
Week 4 (SG): MrXercules,
Johnny Manziel (QB, Cleveland Browns)
If you’ve lived under a rock for the last few months, let us fill you in: Johnny Manziel is pretty 'effin popular--no matter what he does. The former Heisman Trophy Winner, who starred at Texas A&M, has made headlines already this NFL preseason— for some pretty bad reasons, and for some impressive reasons.
The No. 22 pick in the 2014 draft by the Cleveland Browns (anyone remember how shocking that was?), Manziel was almost immediately named the backup quarterback by Browns management. But, in part due to his play and in part due to Brian Hoyer’s struggles, he landed in a quarterback battle that lasted until late this past week, when Hoyer was given the rose and officially named the Week 1 starter.
How long will it last? Many predict that Hoyer, who has just four career starts as an NFL QB, will not last the entire season due to his performance or due to injury, which he has proven to be prone to.
“Johnny Manziel to have more than 14.5 total TDs (passing + rushing) in the regular season” is now trading at 46% on Tradesports.com. The stock has risen from 41%, where it sat before Week 1's loss.
Jadeveon Clowney (DE, Houston Texans)
An absolute freakish athlete out of the University of South Carolina, Clowney has made a name for himself with the ability to lay out bone-crunching hits as well as the ability to chase down the quickest opposing players with ease. The real question becomes: will his abilities translate to a productive NFL career?
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney was selected by the Houston Texans, who already feature dominant pass-rusher J.J. Watt. Many believe the pairing of the Pro Bowler Watt with Clowney will result in the best duo off the edges in the AFC South— and potentially in the entire NFL. Who knows, they might become the Batman and Robin of the NFL!
After colliding with Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme during a 9-on-7 drill in a dual-practice session, Clowney left a preseason practice with an unspecified injury. He was held out of his team’s third preseason game, most likely as a precaution. Clowney impressed during the preseason, showing bursts of stardom in the Texans’ second preseason contest, which ended in a 32-7 win over the Falcons.
However, he left Week 1's game against the Redskins with an knee injury and will be out for an extended period of time.
“Jadeveon Clowney to have more than 9.9 sacks in the regular season” is now trading at 24% on Tradesports.com.
Blake Bortles (QB, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Out of the University of Central Florida, not many people knew about Blake Bortles until the period directly before the NFL Draft. With a charismatic personality (and smoking hot model girlfriend), Bortles was selected No. 3 overall to the Jags in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Almost immediately tabbed as the backup quarterback to Chad Henne, Bortles has impressed so far this preseason, and has given Jacksonville’s coaching staff something to think about when naming a Week 1 starter. Since the Jaguars offense was absolutely atrocious under Henne last season, it will be interesting to see if Bortles stands out enough to earn a surprising opportunity to start, considering the circumstances.
Regardless of if it’s now or in Week 10, Bortles should get a chance to play this season, and it looks as though Jags fans have finally found their franchise quarterback they’ve been dreaming of for years.
UPDATE: Bortles named starter for Week 4's game against the Chargers.
“Blake Bortles to start more than 7.5 games in the regular season” is now trading at 48% on Tradesports.com! Keep an eye on this one.
Sammy Watkins (WR, Buffalo Bills)
After excelling at Clemson immediately upon arrival as a freshman, earning first team All-American honors, Watkins was one of the best wide receivers in college ball for the past three seasons.
Despite some off-field issues (which of course are all too common for football players!), pro teams still saw the upside in drafting the NFL-ready Watkins. Perhaps the most intrigued team was his Buffalo Bills, who traded up to the No. 4 spot in the draft to grab the dynamic wide receiver— which was a good move, since most people probably can’t name another receiver on their thin roster at that position.
Watkins should certainly get the opportunity to be the No. 1 option for QB E.J. Manuel.
Will Watkins be a bust or a gem? It seems to be too early to know. Bills fans are hoping it’s the latter.
“Sammy Watkins to have more than 999.5 yards receiving in regular season” is now trading at 43% on Tradesports.com!
Bishop Sankey (RB, Tennessee Titans)
Sankey, a second round pick out of the University of Washington, was drafted by the Tennessee Titans and should fill a need caused by the void that Chris Johnson left when he bolted to the New York Jets. (Remember when Chris Johnson proclaimed himself the best running back in the NFL? Yikes!)
Struggling with fumbles in the preseason, he reportedly had to run a lap every time he fumbles in practice, after fumbling in the fourth-quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Saints.
The main question remained: did Sankey have the momentum to land the starting gig or would veteran Shonn Greene land the job in Week 1? Apparently Greene won the race, as he started in Week 1. The two should be expected to split carries for most of the year.
“Bishop Sankey to have more than 799.5 rushing yards in the regular season” is now trading at 48% on Tradesports.com!Sports Genius PredictionsWeek 1 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins, Sankey
Week 2 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins,Sankey
Week 3 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins, Sankey
Week 4 (Tradesports): Manziel, Clowney, Bortles, Watkins, Sankey
Week 1 (SG): MrXercules, Brock,, ChrisSweatshirt, FanaHOVA, macmillerstan, Heisenferg, WatchDaThrone, xKylan
Week 2 (SG): FanaHOVA, ChrisSweatshirt,
Week 4 (SG): MrXercules,