Which 2nd-year players will bounce back after struggling as rookies?

Life as an NFL rookie can be difficult. As even the most casual fans know, not every first- and second-round pick creates instant impact for the teams that select them.

This was no different during the 2017 season, as a number of high-profile rookies had campaigns to forget. Luckily for most, however, their talent is evident and they'll have every opportunity to rebound as sophomores.

Here are five second-year players that will turn their careers around in 2018 after struggling out of the gate:

Solomon Thomas, San Francisco 49ers

We begin with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Thomas was a force in in his final season at Stanford, dominating against the run and rushing the passer. His success did not translate to the pros as a rookie, however. Playing primarily at defensive end, the 49ers defender accumulated just three sacks in his first NFL campaign, including just one in San Francisco's final eight contests.

Part of the issue was that Thomas was playing out of position. The majority of his collegiate production came as an interior defender. While his 280-lb. frame isn't ideal for full-time life at defensive tackle, the former First team All-Pac-12 lineman can be a dangerous interior rusher on passing downs. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh just didn't ask Thomas to do enough of this in 2017. A slight schematic alteration would do wonders for the talented defender, as he already possesses a number of traits to be a successful NFLer.

Cam Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville made Robinson the 34th-overall pick in 2017 and immediately anointed him as their starting left tackle. The results were uninspiring. Although the former Crimson Tide lineman surrendered just two sacks as a rookie (per Pro Football Focus), he allowed a number of pressures and was flagged 15 times. Perhaps most surprisingly, Robinson also struggled in the run blocking department, an area which he dominated at Alabama.

Despite his first-year struggles, Robinson is ready to bounce back in his second campaign. The addition of left guard Andrew Norwell to the Jaguars' blocking unit - an upgrade over Patrick Omameh - will provide stability on the left side, allowing Robinson to focus on his individual assignments. The former All-American also battled multiple injuries in 2017. A clean bill of health combined with the improved supporting cast and a year of NFL experience will result in a more comfortable season for Robinson. This could mean trouble for opposing edge-rushers.

Haason Reddick, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals had high hopes for Reddick after selecting the versatile defender No. 13 overall. Similar to Solomon Thomas, the former Temple edge-rusher played out of position in 2017, struggling as a result. Reddick started at inside linebacker for Arizona's first three games, but shifted to outside linebacker after Markus Golden tore his ACL in Week 4. Profiling as an off-ball linebacker in the draft - despite playing defensive end in college - the rookie was overwhelmed on the edge due in part to his 235-lb. frame.

With Golden returning to the fold in 2018, Reddick will return to a more comfortable position. Under new head coach Steve Wilks, the Cardinals will utilize a 4-3 defense, with the young defender featuring at strong-side linebacker. This is a perfect position for the second-year pro, as he'll be able to attack running lanes (Reddick was a solid run defender as a rookie), cover tight ends, and rush the quarterback on occasional blitzes. Reddick is an incredible athlete who is still fairly new to the position, so expect him to break out in his second season playing a position where the action will primarily be in front of him.

Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans

Of the three first-round receivers from last year's draft, Davis is the safest bet to explode in 2018. Selected No. 5 overall by the Titans, Davis' rookie campaign was a huge disappointment, as he battled injuries and struggled with route running. Tennessee's offense had difficulty scoring points in 2017, leading to head coach Mike Mularkey's firing in January.

Expect the Titans' offense to improve this season under new coordinator Mat LaFleur, and with it their talented receiver. LaFleur was one of the architects behind the Los Angeles Rams' offensive turnaround under Sean McVay, due in large part to simplicity and aggressive play-calling. Easily the most explosive and talented receiver on Tennessee's roster, Davis is the FBS' all-time leader in receiving yards for a reason. His intriguing combination of size, speed, and strong hands will be difficult for opposing cornerbacks to defend in 2018. Davis is also as healthy as he's been in well over a year and his sophomore production should illustrate this.

Jarrad Davis, Detroit Lions

In truth, the second Davis on our list had a stronger rookie campaign than his four peers; he was just a victim of having too much on his plate as a first-year defender. The No. 21 overall pick in 2017, Davis was stout in run defense, but struggled mightily in coverage under former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

New head coach Matt Patricia's hiring will be a breath of fresh air for the second-year linebacker. Davis was one of college football's highest-impact defenders while at Florida, displaying efficient tackling skills and fluidity in space. Patricia could deploy him in a similar fashion to that of Dont'a Hightower with the New England Patriots, allowing Davis to revert back to an attacking brand of football he thrived in.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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