Every year in the NFL, the lion’s share of fan optimism and media hype goes toward the incoming rookie class, the various selections gleaned over NFL Draft weekend as fans look forward to seeing how each and every new import fares against not only internal competition but the upcoming regular season slate.
What’s lost in the buzz over new rookies is the reality that, first, most of them will not amount to anything on the field because of the steep learning curve and, second, last year’s rookies are the ones ready to make the leap. Every year, the NFL is filled with sophomores who make a tremendous leap forward.