2017 NFL predictions: Who will be the Lions’ rookie of the year?

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn had nine selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. Although only seven made the team’s 53-man roster, three additional undrafted rookies managed to find their way onto the team.

That means Lions rookies take up nearly 19 percent of the roster. Though many of them will assume backup roles in 2017, others will be relied upon heavily. And if the Lions want to succeed this season, they’ll need contributions from these rookies, whether in a minor or major role.

So to continue our 2017 Lions predictions, today’s question is:

Who will be the Lions’ rookie of the year in 2017?

Kyle Yost: Jarrad Davis

There will be a lot of responsibility placed on the shoulders of Jarrad Davis, which means there will be plenty of rookie moments and shortcomings. However, Davis has the talent to contribute right away, and he will easily justify his first-round selection. One player cannot save the entire defense, but Davis fills a much needed void for the Lions.

Andrew Kato: Jarrad Davis

Jarrad Davis is the boring pick, but also the right one. I sure hope Jeremy is right about gifted jerseys not counting for the curse.

Kent Lee Platte: Jarrad Davis

Jarrad Davis will be starting at MLB all year and should top 100 tackles as long as he remains healthy.

Chris Perfett: Jarrad Davis

It's going to be Jarrad Davis, no matter how much coal and bear fat we throw into the Kenny Golladay engine.

Ryan Mathews: Jarrad Davis

Jarrad Davis has to be the Lions' rookie of the year. If he isn't, it's a cause for concern.

Similar to Taylor Decker earning the left tackle job from the jump last season, no other rookie on the team has the role or responsibility of Davis this year. If he can live up to what he showed on tape while at Florida, one of the team's most glaring issues from a year ago becomes a strength, and it will go a long way towards deciding how successful the team is on defense in 2017.

Jeremy Reisman: Jarrad Davis

It wouldn’t make much sense for me to pick Davis as the defensive MVP and not the rookie of the year, now would it? That was a rhetorical question, don’t talk to your computer.

Davis will be asked to do more than any other rookie, and although I think he’s going to struggle early, he’ll be one of the defenses best players by December.

Alex Reno: Kenny Golladay

This one's a toss-up between Jarrad Davis and Kenny Golladay. You could argue that the defense is essentially screwed without Davis, and that's fine, but I think Golladay having a big year would finally get this Lions offense over the hump. They have been missing a deep threat on offense and that's exactly what Golladay brings to the table.

Mike Payton: Jarrad Davis

Jarad Davis will be the Lions rookie of the year. The Lions linebacking corps has been hole in the wall since 2015. Jarrad is tasked with starting to fix that, and he can.

Justin Simon: Jarrad Davis

If Jarrad Davis isn't the rookie of the year, the Lions are in trouble. They need the rookie linebacker to take hold of the defense and become an instant playmaker. A sleeper (or not-so-sleeper) is Kenny Golladay. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had around 8-10 touchdowns this season.