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Eight sneaky NFL playmakers set to explode in 2017

Corey Coleman Cleveland Browns

Every season produces a new batch of explosive NFL playmakers that wow us with their special talents.

Some players are clearly poised for success right out of the gate such as newly drafted running backs Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey.

However, some playmakers come out of nowhere. We didn’t expect New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas to play so well last year that he made his former teammate Brandin Cooks a replaceable part. Plus, nobody foresaw running back LeGarrette Blount topping the league with 18 rushing touchdowns as a member of the New England Patriots.

Entering 2017, there are bound to be more surprises. From a couple of later-round rookies poised to unseat veterans to a second-year quarterback on the brink of stardom, the following eight playmakers are set to explode this year.

Corey Coleman, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Coleman was drafted 15th overall by the Browns in 2016 after he recorded 74 catches for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final season at Baylor.

Things unfortunately quieted down a lot for Coleman in his rookie year. He managed to tally just 413 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, Coleman broke his hand early in the season. He played in just 10 games and the injury opened the door for Terrelle Pryor to steal all of the attention.

Pryor is now out of the picture, which should open up more opportunities for Coleman to become the top dog. He should hardly feel threatened by newly signed wideout Kenny Britt, who finally recorded his first 1,000-plus yard season after eight years in the league.

Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Sashi Brown, sees Coleman making a big impact for the club over the long haul.

“He’s a young player that I think will be good for us for a long time,” Brown said, per Josh Edwards of 247 Sports. “We project out what his production would’ve been over the course of the season. He would have had, without the injuries, a good rookie year and on his way to a good second year. We expect that from him this year.”

The Browns finding stability at the quarterback position would be the icing on the cake for the young receiver.

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