2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact?

by | Sep 11, 2017 | Football, Hobby News, Sports, Sports News

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2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact? – The first week of the NFL season saw several rookies make an immediate impact for their respective teams. This was particularly true of the running back position which saw three freshman finish in the Top 5 for rushing yards and an additional rookie crack the Top 10. Other high-profile players also fared well in their professional debut. Find their NFL licensed rookie cards and autographs in 2017 Panini NFL football card products.

Here is a look at the 2017 NFL Rookies who made the biggest hobby impact in Week #1.

2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact? – Quarterbacks

DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns (2nd Round, 52nd Overall – Notre Dame) – Kizer was the only rookie quarterback named as a team’s starter heading into the regular season. He showed remarkable poise and and proved he was up to the challenge. Despite losing a close game to division rival, Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18, Kizer posted  admirable numbers in his first start. He connected on 20 of his 30 pass attempts for a completion rate of 66.7%, throwing 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kizer finished the game with a quarterback rating of 85.7. He also rushed for 17 yards, scoring an additional touchdown.

DeShone Kizer NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (1st Round, 12th Overall, Clemson) – Although he didn’t get the start, the former, two-time Heisman finalist and reigning BCS National Champion, was quickly called on in the Houston Texans’ home opener. The Watson-era began after starter Tom Savage was benched at halftime after being sacked six times during a 29-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson, looked confident at times and rattled at others. He finished with a 60.4 passer rating with 12 completions on 23 attempts for 102 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Texans’ offensive line saw their first round pick sacked four times.

Deshaun Watson NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact? – Running Backs

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (3rd Round, 86th Overall – Toledo) – Under the radar of many fans but at the top of the list of savvy scouts, the Kansas City Chiefs may have caught lightning in a bottle with third round pick Kareem Hunt. The two-time All-MAC player is powerfully built at 5’11”, 212 pounds with blazing speed. He put all of his skills on display during the Chiefs 42-27 rout of the New England Patriots. Hunt rushed for 148 yards on 17 carries (8.7 average) with one touchdown. He also caught five passes for 98 yards and two additional touchdowns. By the end of the game, Hunt compiled 246 total yards, setting an NFL record for the most yards from scrimmage in a players’ first career game. Impressive to say the least.

Kareem Hunt NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars (1st Round, 4th Overall – LSU) – Despite not playing in the pre-season, it didn’t take long for the Jaguars first round draft pick to return to form on the gridiron. Considered one of the most “NFL-ready” players of this year’s draft, Fournette, ever the workhorse in college, continued that display in the team’s opener against the Houston Texans, winning 29-7. Fournette rushed for 100 yards on 26 carries (3.8 yard average), scoring one touchdown. He also chipped in with three receptions out of the backfield for 24 yards.

Leonard Fournette NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears (4th Round, 119th Overall – North Carolina A&T) – It’s not often a fourth round pick gets to see as much action in a home opener as Tarik Cohen did for the Chicago Bears this weekend. However, with the departure of Jeremy Langford this season, the Bears were looking for a solid number two to take the ball when Jordan Howard isn’t on the field. Suffice it to say, they found their man in Cohen. Showing-off his all-around ability, he rushed for 66 yards on 5 carries including a 46-yard sprint. He also snagged eight receptions for 47 yards including a 19-yard touchdown reception. Unfortunately, the Bears fell short, losing to the Atlanta Falcons 23-17.

Cohen was one of the most productive running backs at the FCS level the past four seasons. The MEAC’s all-time leading rusher (5,619 yards) and first three-time conference Offensive Player of the Year was an All-American in 2016, setting a school record with 1,588 yards and 19 touchdowns on 212 carries. Cohen’s only autographed cards, to date, can be found in 2017 Panini Unparalleled, however, after his debut, that should soon change.

Tarik Cohen NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (1st Round, 8th Overall – Stanford) – Few were surprised that McCaffrey went so high in the draft. However, not all experts are on the Christian McCaffrey bandwagon, yet. His tepid start to the season only reinforced those feelings. He rushed for 47 yards on 13 carries and coughed up the ball for a fumble. He also tallied five receptions for 38 yards in the Carolina Panther’s 23-3 drubbing of the San Francisco 49ers. What cannot be denied is his past performance and strong football pedigree. He is the son of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey.

However, don’t let the a name recognition alone fool you. Christian is his own man with a remarkable list of NCAA accomplishments. He was a consensus All-American, Heisman Trophy finalist, Associated Press and Pac-12 Player of the Year. He set a NCAA record with 3,864 all-purpose yards, ranking second in the FBS with 2,019 rushing yards, along with 645 receiving and 1,070 on kickoff returns. McCaffrey was the only FBS player to lead his team in rushing and receiving yards, and won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.

Christian McCaffrey NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (2nd Round, 41st Overall – Florida State) – Injury concerns, from a recurring hamstring injury, caused Cook’s draft stock to drop significantly. However, the Minnesota Vikings, looking to replace a past his prime Adrian Peterson, were willing to take a gamble on the former All-American and All-ACC running back who finished his NCAA career as FSU’s all-time leading rusher.

Cook went about his business with workman-like precision in the Vikings 29-19 win over the New Orleans Saints. He finished his NFL debut with 127 yards on 22 carries (5.8 yard average).

Dalvin Cook NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact? – Wide Receivers

Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (1st Round, 5th Overall – Western Michigan) – Don’t let the fact that this wideout “only” played in the MAC keep you from believing that Davis is the real deal. The 2016 Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year is the all-time leader in major college football in receiving yards (5,285). He is going to make the perfect target for Marcus Mariotta. The two teamed up for 6 receptions and 69 yards in the Tennessee Titans 26-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Corey Davis NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact? – Defensive Standout

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers (1st Round, 30th Overall – Wisconsin) – He may be the “little” brother of the Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt but his opening day performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers showed the world that he is his own man. The outside linebacker recorded six tackles, two sacks and an interception in the team’s 21-18 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

T.J. Watt NFL Rookie Cards Image Gallery

2017 NFL Rookie Tracker: Week 1 – Who made biggest hobby impact?

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