3 players who have transformed their roles this season
Sometimes, all it takes for an NFL player to get back on track is a new role. Whether it's a position change or a coaching staff properly utilizing its weapons, one small adjustment can reap instant rewards.
Here are three players who have transformed their roles during the 2018 season:
Eric Ebron, TE - Indianapolis Colts
Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyEbron is the quintessential example of a player benefiting from a change of scenery. Indianapolis signed the tight end to a two-year contract in March after he disappointed as a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions. The result has been one of this year's more surprising breakouts.
The Colts are utilizing Ebron in a way the Lions never did. His 6-foot-4, 253-pound frame is an ideal weapon in the red zone, and that's exactly where he has thrived.
Over his final two seasons in Detroit combined, Ebron was targeted 18 times inside the 20-yard line, catching nine passes for three touchdowns. Nearly through his first campaign with the Colts, he has 20 red-zone targets, totaling 11 receptions and 10 touchdowns. Under head coach Frank Reich, the former No. 10 overall pick has been targeted on 23.5 percent of his team's red-zone pass attempts. He was thrown to on just 6.9 percent of these passes in 2016, and 15.4 percent in 2017.
Indianapolis' roster also featured Jack Doyle - before he was placed on injured reserve - so Ebron was able to focus primarily on catching the football. This led to his first Pro Bowl nod and a career-high 12 touchdowns through 15 games. He accumulated 11 in his first four years in the league. Hats off to general manager Chris Ballard.
Damarious Randall, S - Cleveland Browns
Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyAnother player thriving in a new city, Randall has transformed nearly everything about his game this season. Not long ago, the talented defensive back was seeing his role diminish on the Green Bay Packers. The No. 30 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft was shipped to the Browns in March following three inconsistent campaigns.
Randall is a totally different player under Greg Williams, whose scheme contrasts that of Dom Capers - Green Bay's defensive coordinator from 2009-17. Here's where the young defender has lined up over the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus:
| 2018 (with Browns) | 2017 (with Packers) | |
|---|---|---|
| Box safety | 7.25% | 8.09% |
| Slot CB | 4.66% | 34.31% |
| Wide CB | 9.21% | 52.58% |
| Free safety | 78.16% | 2.23% |
| Defensive line | 0.72% | 2.79% |
Viewed as a somewhat raw draft prospect that offered a high ceiling and ideal athleticism, Randall was primarily a safety at Arizona State. He was clearly playing out of position in Green Bay, often looking lost at cornerback when matched up against the NFL's top receivers. The Browns, however, are utilizing Randall at his preferred position - specifically as a deep-lying free safety - which better fits his skill set. It's led to his best campaign as a pro.
Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhat a difference a year makes. A number of evaluators thought the Panthers wasted the No. 8 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on the running back after a lackluster rookie campaign. McCaffrey is silencing his doubters as a sophomore.
The former Stanford Cardinal was always ripe with talent but simply wasn't featured enough in his first year under then-offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Norv Turner made sure that wasn't the case in 2018. McCaffrey is the focal point of Carolina's offense under Turner, which is all the versatile running back needed to elevate his game.
After playing 70 percent of his team's snaps and receiving 34 percent of its carries last year, McCaffrey has played nearly 98 percent of the Panthers' offensive snaps in 2018, receiving 88.6 percent of carries out of the backfield. He's also being targeted in the passing game with simple routes that allow for mismatches against opposing defenders. That's increased his production by 645 rushing yards, 25 catches, 194 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.
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