Go Joe Bruin takes a look at five former UCLA Football players that will make an impact on the NFL in 2016.
As we work towards the 2016 season the real work has already begun. Rookies looking to make a name for themselves have reported to rookie minicamps in hopes of getting into their playbooks and catching the coaches eyes.
RELATED: 5 Bruins That Could Get Drafted in 2016
NFL veterans who maybe didn’t have the best season last year are looking for a bounce back year or are looking to earn a new contract will also began reporting to camp on Monday. The Bruins are represented in the NFL by a number of both rookie and veteran players alike. This is a list of five former Bruins that are in line for a big 2016.
Honorable Mention
Here’s a couple of Bruins that just missed the list
Jordan Payton WR, Cleveland Browns
The young rookie receiver landed in an ideal spot with the Cleveland Browns.Their depth at receiver wasn’t great before the draft and despite selecting three pass wideouts in this year’s past draft, no one has the physicality he brings to the position. Add into the equation the Browns just cut solid all around receiver Brian Hartline, and Payton should have plenty of opportunities to rack up stats. The biggest question for him now is who will he catch passes from?
Eric Kendricks LB, Minnesota Vikings
It took Vikings fans a little longer to realize what Bruin fans already knew, Kendricks is a beast of a linebacker. A smart, instinctive young player with tons of athletic ability and underrated pass coverage skills, Kendricks is a stud inside. Entering his second season and more importantly, second season with outstanding defensive mind Mike Zimmer, I expect Kendricks to become a wrecking ball in the NFC North.
Next: A change of scenery
5. Rahim Moore S, Cleveland Browns
After being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Denver Broncos, fans in the Mile High City were teased when he laid out Bills receiver Donald Jones. However that was just one in a handful of highlight plays that Moore made during his Denver career.
His greatest moment in Denver turned out to be his greatest blunder when he allowed a 70 yard TD pass in the 2012 AFC Championship game. Fans never really let him forget it and despite getting a change of scenery in 2015 by playing for the Texans, Moore never really got back on track and was benched for a chunk of the season.
Now he’s heading to the AFC North where the hitting is bigger and the temperatures are colder. He will be coached by defensive backs coach, Louie Cioffi who turned Tashaun Gipson from under the radar player into a highly prized free agent saftey.
Moore gets to replace Gipson’s shoes and do some of the things Gipson did last year which was playing the middle of field and creating turnovers. If there’s one thing Moore knows how to do, it’s make interceptions.
Next: The Swiss army knife
4. Thomas Duarte TE, Miami Dolphins
When the Dolphins selected Duarte, all I could think was “they’re finally going to replace Charles Clay“. Neither Clay or Duarte fit the mold of traditional TE, but they create mismatches, have outstanding athleticism and most importantly, they are quarterback friendly.
Jordan Cameron hasn’t impacted the offense quite how the front office imagined it and is owed a lot of money. While I don’t expect him to be cut, he’s on a very short leash and has struggled to stay healthy.
The only real competition for Duarte will be Cameron or Jake Stoneburner but neither have done much in their time in Miami. Dion Sims the other TE is much more of a blocking TE than a pass catcher. At the end of the day, quarterback Ryan Tannehill needs weapons and Durate can be a big one.
Next: The elephant in the room
3. Datone Jones DE, Green Bay Packers
Here’s the case of a guy who has been miscast, and under performed. I’m not saying Jones is a bad player or even undeserving of a first round selection. In the right scheme and fit he is a game wrecker. Unfortunately, Jones has been moved around the defensive line quite a bit just to find a spot for him and has been outplayed by lower draft selections, namely Mike Daniels.
The Packers declined to pick up his rookie option and after this season, Jones will be a free agent. If he wants to stay in Green Bay he’s going to have to step up his game but if he wants to play at all in 2016 it’s important he shows what he is capable of.
This year he will play in the “elephant” position which has been made famous by Julius Peppers and I believe that should actually work wonders for him. Jones should have a big 2016 because he needs to. He’s getting a position change, he has the motivating factor and he has all the physical tools.
Next: AB All Day
2. Anthony Barr LB, Minnesota Vikings
Of course I had to return to the great NFC North to talk about a guy who is every bit the athletic freak that Myles Jack is. In his time in the NFL, Barr has made some incredible plays but has also been exceptionally solid in his play.
By exceptional plays I mean like the time he striped the ball carrier, recovered the fumble and ran it back to win the game in OT against Tampa Bay. He has however struggled to stay healthy and has yet to play a full 16 games. Finally healthy, he is primed for a huge year. The Vikings as a whole have a ton of defensive talent.
Combine that with the aggressive coaching style of both head coach Mike Zimmer and defensive coordinator George Edwards, and opposing offenses will have to pick their poison. It won’t matter which poison opposing teams choose though, Barr is going to be on a mission.
Next: He will Jack you up
1. Myles Jack LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s hard to not put this guy at the top of any list regarding potentially big years. Injured at UCLA, and dogged by NFL teams, Jack has already stated he’s going to make the league pay for letting him fall so far in the draft.
He’s going to be teamed up with perhaps two of the best defensive minds in football in his head coach Gus Bradley and Todd Walsh who coached together in Seattle at the height of the Legion of Boom. Any casual fan knows the Legion of Boom was exciting but it was the linebackers that really made that defense go.
These coaches know how they want to use Jack and he’s going to show them he can do more than they ever imagined. I expect this team to field one of the better defenses in the league this year and it all starts with Jack.
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Next: Ranking The 2016 UCLA Football Schedule By Difficulty
Go Bruins!