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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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Deatrich Wise, Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Deatrich Wise, Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. Deatrich Wise Jr., New England Patriots

Drafted: Round 4, Pick 131
Position: Defensive End
2017 Season Statistics: 16 games played, 26 tackles, 5.0 sacks
2017 Pro Football Focus Grade: 52.0

The New England Patriots selected Deatrich Wise Jr. in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. It was a generally unheralded selection, but Wise has become a valuable situational pass rusher who can help apply pressure to the quarterback.

A Pro Football Focus Grade of 52.0 may leave one underwhelmed, but Wise is a better player than the numbers show—something the Tennessee Titans can attest to.

Wise recorded 5.0 sacks as a rookie, which ranked fifth amongst rookies during the 2017 regular season. He recorded 2.0 sacks during the final three weeks of the regular season, and hasn’t slowed down during the playoffs.

Wise picked up 2.0 sacks during the Patriots’ 35-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round, thus proving that he’s ready for the big moments.

For the Philadelphia Eagles, little will matter more on Sunday than alleviating pressure from quarterback Nick Foles. Wise is the type of player who can throw a wrench in those plans, as he provides depth to the Patriots’ underrated pass rush.

Wise may not be as hyped or heralded as some of the other players on this list, but he’s a dark horse to emerge as the unexpected impact player of Super Bowl LII.

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