AFC Rookie Wrap-Up: Part One
During the season, the weekly Rookie Focus installment followed the progress of the 2012 rookie class as they attempted to carve out roles for themselves on their respective teams. The Rookie Wrap-Up will summarize the progress made for these players over the course of the season and determine where they stand entering the 2013 off-season. Team members entering free agency, the current competition and depth chart layout and any public future plans will factor into their outlook in addition to their play throughout the season.
The quarterbacks of the 2012 rookie class were covered in great detail in A New Class of Quarterback, so I will focus on the other offensive positional players. If a player wasn’t a factor during the 2012 campaign, it’s quite possible they are one of my stashes. Without further ado, here is the Rookie Wrap-Up for the AFC East and AFC West divisions.
AFC East
Brandon Bolden, RB NE
The undrafted free agent joined a backfield with many unanswered questions once last year’s starter, BenJarvis Green-Ellis, departed for Cincinnati. After coach Bill Belichick spent two high draft picks on running backs in last year’s draft, someone had to step up in New England’s backfield. Although Stevan Ridley emerged as the clear cut starter this year, Bolden was used in moderation (and even had substantial workloads in weeks four and five). He did well given his limited opportunities and finished with 248 yards on 50 carries, coming just shy of five yards per carry. Any momentum he picked up mid-season was cut short when he was suspended for four games after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. Bolden could be worth hanging onto given Belichick’s fickle nature with his backfield. While Ridley is the primary ball carrier and Shane Vereen made a strong case for himself in Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the Texans, Belichick tends to use all his backs. Danny Woodhead is a free agent this off-season, and there is no guarantee he will be back.
Lamar Miller, RB MIA
This season Miller had a relatively limited role with Reggie Bush as the lead back. Sophomore second round pick Daniel Thomas was used more consistently throughout the year, though Miller finished as the change of pace back in the final games when Thomas landed on the season ending injured reserve. Miller always seemed to make the best of his opportunities this season, and the Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland stated it is possible he would gain a larger role next season. Reggie Bush is a free agent heading into the off-season, and although the Dolphins want to retain him, it is far from a done deal. This could potentially be Bush’s last shot at a big payday, so it would be no surprise for him to follow the money out of Miami. If this were to happen, Miller and Thomas could be left battling for the job, and Thomas has never been able to stay healthy. Miller is one guy you could target early in the off-season whose role and value has the potential to rise exponentially.
T.J. Graham, WR BUF
Talk about a guy with consistency. Essentially every game this season Graham recorded two or three receptions for about 20 or so yards. He finished the season with just a single touchdown, but was second on the team in receiver snaps played (behind only Stevie Johnson). With both David Nelson and Donald Jones entering restricted free agency, the 2013 receiving crew is uncertain in Buffalo. Bills GM Buddy Nix said they will most likely be targeting a “prominent wide receiver” in the 2013 NFL draft and possibly move Johnson to the slot position. While it is possible for there to be a chance in Buffalo, Graham did not seem to overly impress with his opportunity this year. It is likely the Bills will be able to inexpensively retain Nelson and Jones, and it is unclear whether Graham really fits into the long term plans in Buffalo. In deeper leagues he’s worth holding onto as he will likely be given a shot to fight for playing time in camp.
Stephen Hill, WR NYJ
This season was really no surprise for the rookie, though 21 receptions for 352 yards isn’t quite as good as his owners were hoping for following his week one performance. It was hard to reasonably expect much when his raw abilities were paired with an inept quarterback in Mark Sanchez. Some injuries throughout the season made him miss some time as well and he finished the season on the injured reserve after sustaining an LCL sprain. The good news is the most recent injury is said to be relatively minor and he should be back in time for the off-season program. As for his situation, as long as Sanchez remains behind center, Hill’s value remains stifled. Coach Rex Ryan said there will be an open quarterback competition, but with Sanchez guaranteed a substantial amount of money next season, it would be difficult to bring in legitimate outside options. Perhaps Hill will have to wait until the 2014 season to see some real growth, when they can more easily part with Sanchez.
AFC West
Ronnie Hillman, RB DEN
After Willis McGahee was put on the season ending injured reserve, it was Knowshon Moreno who was asked to take on a full workload after being inactive in most previous games. Hillman continued to work as a change of pace back, but his role was extremely limited until the Broncos’ divisional round playoff game against the Ravens. After Moreno was forced to leave the game with a knee injury, Coach John Fox left it up to Hillman to be the primary back. He finished with 22 carries for 83 yards and added another 20 yards on receptions. He definitely managed the role well enough, showing good quickness and taking what was given. My concern was every time when he was met at the line he showed a very limited ability to fight for extra yardage. With his smaller stature he seemed to be taken down relatively easily, rather than falling forwards and fighting through tackles. Both McGahee and Moreno will be back next year and are signed through the 2014 season, but it is worth noting Hillman showed considerable progress throughout this season. He began the season with Fox unwilling to activate him because of pass protection concerns and finished with a full workload, showing the Broncos do have faith he can handle it. We all know Fox loves veterans, so with a full year of experience, maybe Hillman can continue to expand his role in the Denver offense.
Rod Streater, WR OAK
After going undrafted, Streater has emerged as the third wide receiver for the Raiders, beating out Derek Hagan and fifth round pick, Juron Criner, for playing time. He finished the 2012 season with 39 receptions for 584 yards and three touchdowns. Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore are still under contract next season, however, there has been some speculation Heyward-Bey will be asked to restructure his contract or be sent packing given his steep salary and not having fulfilled the expectations of his high draft pick. It’s hard to imagine the Raiders letting Heyward-Bey walk away, but if this were the case it would give Streater the opportunity to fill a large role in the Raiders’ offense. Regardless, he still should have the chance to prove himself.
Juron Criner, WR OAK
Towards the end of the season, Criner had been gaining some more playing time before sustaining a minor hip injury, which prematurely ended his season. It is nothing to be concerned about going forward, but there was just no reason to risk it with the season well out of reach. It wasn’t a lost season for him, but he is currently buried on the depth chart. He will be entering the 2013 draft fighting Derek Hagan for the fourth wide receiver job.
Cyrus Gray, RB KC
He was basically invisible this year, totaling just five carries in the entire season. Jamaal Charles wasn’t limited in his carries as he had been in the past, and Gray was buried down in the depth chart regardless. Peyton Hillis was only on a one year deal, and even if he signs elsewhere, Shaun Draughn was still in front of Gray for touches. I wouldn’t use a roster spot on him unless he proves something in camp next year or if you’re in a very deep league.
