Which NFL Year Two Players Will See Sophomore Slumps?
By Erik Lambert
Sep 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Falcons 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
A lot of big names will have bigger expectations going into their second NFL seasons. Which of them are likeliest to suffer through a sophomore slump?
Aaron Donald
He couldn’t have dropped into a better situation with the St. Louis Rams and Aaron Donald proved why when he terrorized quarterbacks as an interior pass rusher with nine sacks on the season. However, two factors will contribute to his regression this season. The first will be injury of some kind and the other will be the presence of free agent addition Nick Fairley, who will steal some of his precious snaps.
Teddy Bridgewater
Everybody is expecting big things from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and they should. The kid has a bright future. However, it may take another year as 2015 will prove to be a bit of a letdown. A big reason why will be a tendency to get too aggressive with the football. While he’ll throw for more yards and touchdowns, he’ll end up doubling his interception total from last season.
Mike Evans
It’s almost a certainty that a rookie quarterback is going to be under center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Provided it’s Jameis Winston as many expect, that should be good for Mike Evans, right? Not necessarily. A rookie is a rookie. Besides, Lovie Smith wants to run the football and play defense first. That could mean asking Winston or whoever to throw less, thus fewer catches and production for Evans.
Jeremy Hill
Every year it seems like something else helps drive the Cincinnati Bengals to the playoffs. Last season it was a power running game headlined by rookie Jeremy Hill who out for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately any number of things can derail him in year two: injury, less blocking up front or simply the team wanting to throw the ball more with Andy Dalton to get him go earlier. That is why Hill may slip a bit from what he managed as a rookie.