With The First Pick
Fansided

NFL Draft: Five best rookies playing in Super Bowl LII

By Maxwell Ogden

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles picks up a fumble and runs past Jamize Olawale #49 of the Oakland Raiders to score a touchdown as time expired at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles picks up a fumble and runs past Jamize Olawale #49 of the Oakland Raiders to score a touchdown as time expired at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 31: Cornerback Rasul Douglas #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles covers the ball after thinking wide receiver Ryan Switzer #10 (not picture) of the Dallas Cowboys touched it on a punt return during the first half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 31: Cornerback Rasul Douglas #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles covers the ball after thinking wide receiver Ryan Switzer #10 (not picture) of the Dallas Cowboys touched it on a punt return during the first half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

5. Rasul Douglas, Philadelphia Eagles

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 99
Position: Cornerback
2017 Season Statistics: 14 games played, 25 tackles, 13 passes defended, 2 interceptions
2017 Pro Football Focus Grade: 61.2

The Philadelphia Eagles invested their third-round selection in Rasul Douglas in 2017. The former West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back had flashed intriguing potential in college as a big-bodied ball hawk who pulled down eight interceptions in 2016.

Douglas is still in the process of figuring his game out in the NFL, but against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, he’ll need to be ready to step up.

Douglas was one of 11 rookies to record multiple interceptions in 2017, which is certainly a feather in his cap. He was fourth amongst rookies in passes defended at 13, trailing just Marshon Lattimore, Tre’Davious White, and Shaquill Griffin.

That establishes who Douglas is as a defender: Willing to take chances, and capable of getting his hands on the throws that come his way.

Against the Patriots, Douglas will need to be disciplined. Tom Brady has proven time and time again that he can make overzealous defensive backs pay, and Douglas could be the latest addition to the list if he doesn’t proceed with caution.

Philadelphia will ask him to be the player he’s most comfortably being, but one bad decision and he could be the goat in all the wrong ways. One big play and he could be hero.

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