Over the next several days, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Randy Lange and Ethan Greenberg will each give their predictions to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.
Today's question: Which rookie will make an immediate impact for the Jets?
EA: Nathan Shepherd, the team's third-round pick from Fort Hays State, is the safe answer. He will join the defensive line rotation immediately and the Jets like his heavy hands. Tight end Chris Herndon has a versatile skill set and the Green & White's fourth-rounder got better each season at Miami. Â The pick here, though, is Sam Darnold. Great demeanor, doesn't make the same mistake twice, confident in the huddle and under center. The Jets haven't placed a timetable on him and it would be foolish for me to do so. But this is a play-making league and this 21-year-old can make plays. The Oxford Dictionary describes impact as a marked effect or influence and Darnold is already doing that.
RL: My heart says Sam but in case he doesn't start right away, I'll say Nate Shepherd.
EG: I want to say Nathan Shepherd, but I feel like that would be the safe route. I'm rolling with Chris Herndon. With the departure of Austin Seferian-Jenkins to Jacksonville, the tight end spot is wide open. Jordan Leggett is essentially a rookie as he spent almost the entirety of last season on injured reserve, Eric Tomlinson is primarily an in-line blocker and Neal Sterling flashed at times throughout the spring. Herndon was slotted to be a Day 2 selection, but fell to the fourth round because of a midseason knee injury. It's all about The U.