7. Marcus Cooper, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Cooper was drafted 252nd overall (3rd to last) by the 49ers in the 2013 NFL draft. However, he was waived by the 49ers and picked up by the Chiefs. Cooper responded by earning a starting job, recording 3 INTs (tied for 4th among rookies) and making 21 passes defended (tied for the 2nd most of any rookie since deflections were made a statistic). Cooper’s coverage skills helped the Chiefs go from the 25th ranked defense to the 5th in just one season. And he is probably the best cover corner among among sophomore defenders.
6. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR, Minnesota Vikings
After trading up in the end of the 1st round to draft Cordarrelle Patterson, it took a while for him to find his niche. So the Vikings used him everywhere. As a receiver, rusher and kick returner Patterson became the first player in NFL history to have a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, a 75-yard touchdown catch, and a 50-yard rushing touchdown in the same season. After leading the league in KR TDs and yards/kick return, as well as an NFL record 109-yard kick return, Patterson was named the kick returner of the 2014 Pro Bowl.
He may be the all-around scoring threat in the NFL among sophomores right now.
5. Eric Reid, S, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers drafted safety Eric Reid with the 18th overall pick and were immediately rewarded with a Pro Bowl talent. In his first season Reid recorded over 90 tackles, 4 INTs, and 2 fumble recoveries while helping the 49ers maintain one of the top defenses in the league and reach the NFC Championship game for its third straight year.
If there was one sophomore that seemed like a lock to be one of the top players at his position again in 2014, it would have to be Reid.
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