NFL Preseason: Low-Profile NFL Rookies To Watch As Things Kick Off

August 12, 2010   ·   Charles Conrad   ·   Jump to comments


Every year in the NFL, a handful of relatively unknown rookies emerge from the shadows of training camp obscurity. These are players who come into the league with no real public expectation to start or make an immediate impact, but often times outperform their more highly drafted peers on the field.
In 2009, the best example of exceeding expectations was Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie, who maximized his opportunity after slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez went down with an injury. Considered a mere product of Brigham Young's high octane spread offense, Collie was drafted in round four despite leading the FBS with 105 receptions in 2008.
All that Collie did was produce 60 receptions and seven touchdowns in the regular season, while adding six receptions in the Super Bowl. Compare Collie's stats with those of Oakland first-rounder Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall selection, who amassed a whopping nine catches with bad hands and...

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