NFL Draft: Five rookies who had quietly strong seasons in 2017

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars

Drafted: Undrafted
Position: Wide Receiver
Season Statistics: 16 games played, 42 receptions, 748 yards, 3 touchdowns, 32 first downs
Pro Football Focus Grade: 78.4

The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2017 NFL regular season. The primary reason for interest and intrigue was the emergence of the Jaguars’ defense as legitimately dominant on multiple levels.

One of the quiet driving forces behind the run to the postseason, however, was the emergence of Keelan Cole as an explosive threat in the receiving game.

Cole ranked No. 10 amongst rookies in both receptions (42) and receiving yards (748) during the 2017 regular season. He was also No. 8 in receiving touchdowns (3), No. 3 in receptions of both 20-plus (11) and 40-plus (4) yards, and No. 6 in first downs (32).

Amongst players—not just rookies—who recorded at least 40 receptions in 2017, only Marvin Jones (18.0) averaged more yards per reception than Cole (17.8).

Cole closed out 2017 in borderline superstar form, recording at least 99 yards in three of the final four weeks of the season. That was preceded by the 49 receiving yards and one touchdown that he picked up during Week 13.

For what it’s worth: The former Kentucky Wesleyan star also proved to be solid in run protection, thus proving that he’s an undrafted gem.