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UCLA Football: Bruins in the NFL – Rookies Roundup

By Ashley Tellier

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defender Kenny Clark celebrates after recovering a fumble by the New York Giants in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defender Kenny Clark celebrates after recovering a fumble by the New York Giants in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

OG Caleb Benenoch – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offensive Guard Caleb Benenoch was drafted in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unlike some of the other UCLA Football players who were drafted this year, Benenoch saw very little playing time. He played in 5 games this season, and started in 1 in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears.

Although Benenoch may not have seen much playing time this year, he has plenty of talent to develop in years to come. Also, the Bucs are a relatively young team that will continue to call on players like Benenoch to build a franchise around quarterback Jameis Winston.

RB Paul Perkins – New York Giants

It took all the way until pick 149 (fifth round) before UCLA running back Paul Perkins was drafted by the New York Giants. Outrageous, if you ask me, that this back wasn’t selected earlier in the draft.

Perkins started the season as the Giants’ fourth running back on the depth chart. In fact, Perkins did not see any action until Week 3. It only took all season for the Giants coaching staff to see what the entire UCLA Football community already knew: Perkins was the best running back on the Giants’ roster.

Throughout the season, Perkins’ number of snaps increased, and the rookie RB was named the starter in the Giants’ last game of the season against the Washington Redskins. In his first start with the team, Perkins rushed for 102 yards, making him the first Giants back to record a 100-yard game this season.

Although Perkins rushed for a total of 456 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per run, the rookie never made it to the end zone. This is partially because every time Perkins got the Giants close to the end zone, he was benched.

The good news is that Perkins will have at least one more chance to score his first NFL touchdown this year when the Giants face the Green Bay Packers (FOX at 1:40 PM PT).

Related Story: UCLA Football: Moving Forward with the Running Backs

WR Jordan Payton – Cleveland Browns

The all-time leader in receptions for UCLA Football, Jordan Payton, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. To say that Payton’s season was a disappointment would be an understatement.

Payton only saw action in four games, and he only recorded 1 reception against the New York Jets in Week 8 for a meager three yards. To be fair to Payton did play for a team that only won one game in the entire regular season.

But what truly blemished Payton’s season was the fact that he was suspended without pay in early December for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Payton was eligible to return to the team on January 2, 2017.

We can only hope that the young wide receiver will move past this incident and return next season ready for a breakthrough year.