7 NFL Rookies To Watch This Season
You smell that? No, it’s not a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. It’s chicken wings, beer and, umm.. beer! That means the NFL season is approaching and we’ve got to get you on the right track to make your office fantasy league picks. You know all about the Cleveland Browns new QB Johnny Manziel, thanks to Drake. But there are plenty of new players you should know about who could have major impacts this year.
Read along and get familiar.
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Jadeveon Clowney — Houston Texans
In order to understand why Jadeveon Clowney was the number one pick this year, you have to watch this hit he made back when he was in college. Did you flinch? Now just imagine the 6-foot-6, 250 lb. linebacker coming for you. That’s what every NFL quarterback has to try to avoid for however long Clowney keeps playing. He’s big, he’s fast and he hits hard. Essentially, he’s the NFL defensive prototype.
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Jordan Matthews — Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lost their star wide receiver DeSean Jackson. How ever will they replace him? Maybe by drafting a rookie who’s left the University of Vanderbilt as the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, who happens to be Jerry Rice’s cousin. That’s a good start, huh? Matthews is going to be a big part of Philly’s offense this season and if he’s even an ounce like his cousin, he’ll be the goods.
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Eric Ebron — Detroit Lions
It’s one thing to be a rookie tight end drafted in the first round. It’s an entirely different thing to be considered the next Vernon Davis, arguably the greatest TE of this generation. Look at it this way, if Davis is LeBron, than Ebron is A-Wiggins. The kid could totally reshape the Lions landscape in the future. Or he could be bust, but we’d bet he makes it happen.
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Andre Williams — New York Giants
Andre Williams might be in the best position of any rookie on this list. He’s good enough that he’ll get some major burn this season. However, he’s still playing behind veteran running back Rashad Jennings. So he’ll get to experience the NFL in doses instead of a straight baptism by fire.
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Sammy Watkins — Buffalo Bills
If you’re a Bills fan, we’ve got good news and bad news. The good news: Sammy Watkins is largely regarded as the most pro ready player in this draft and since the Bills are pretty much starving for an offensive leader, he’ll be a big part of the program right away. The bad news: you’re a Buffalo Bills fan.
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Kelvin Benjamin — Carolina Panthers
So which rookie would you guess has the most pressure on him? Johnny Manziel? The openly gay Michael Sam? Nah, not even close. Believe it or not, it’s Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers hand picked him to be Cam Newton’s new favorite target. Now, he’ll have everyone watching to see if he can really produce.
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Mike Evans — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Long term, Mike Evans might turn out to be the star of the 2014 NFL draft. At 6-foot-5, 225 lbs., he’s big and plays physical enough to make an impact on every play. And if he’s nearly as aggressive on the field as he was against nightclub bouncers back in March, the Buccaneers have nothing to worry about.
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