Fantasy football aficionados love to declare their sleepers and busts, but NFL teams are more focused on developing surprise players and avoiding disappointing seasons from others.
While each of the 32 franchises will watch someone compile a breakout campaign, unfortunately, another one ultimately won’t play up to his potential. Be sure to keep an eye on the following players throughout the 2015 season.
AFC East Surprises
Buffalo Bills: Only a second-year player, Preston Brown seems ready to become a household name. The linebacker played the most snaps of any Bills defender last season, and with Kiko Alonso officially out of the picture, Brown is locked into a starting position for Rex Ryan and Dennis Thurman.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill needs time to throw, and the Dolphins desperately need a guard not named Dallas Thomas. Enter Billy Turner, a 23-year-old out of FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Turner has already garnered attention during the preseason, and as long as Turner remains confident, he won’t face a more difficult task on Sunday than he faces during the week in Ndamukong Suh.
New England Patriots: Dominique Easley sustained an ACL injury that caused his draft stock to plummet, and the Patriots sat there grinning the whole time. He was merely a rotation player last season, but now that Vince Wilford is no longer on the team, Easley can establish himself as a fixture in the lineup.
New York Jets: The secondary is absolutely loaded, and New York’s 2014 first-rounder will benefit the most. Calvin Pryor will spend the year at safety, a more natural position for the hard-hitting defensive back who won’t be under as much pressure now that Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are the corners.
AFC East Disappointments
Buffalo Bills: Charles Clay signed a five-year deal worth nearly $40 million, and he’s a clear upgrade from Buffalo’s previous tight ends. However, thanks in part to a sad quarterback situation, Clay won’t live up to the hefty contract he inked in free agency.
Miami Dolphins: “Koa Misi can play multiple positions” is synonymous with “Koa Misi has no definite position.” The linebacker is currently battling an injury, but Dolphins fans would be smart to temper expectations for the 2015 campaign. Although Misi isn’t at risk of losing a large chunk of playing time, his production will likely dip as he moves around the defense.
New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell compose a solid pass-catching triumvirate, but Tom Brady (and Jimmy Garoppolo, temporarily) won’t have another option. Danny Amendola, Brian Tyms and Aaron Dobson won’t be impactful on the outside.
New York Jets: The left tackle had a good run. However, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, New York’s first-round pick back in 2006, is on the decline. The 33-year-old won’t leave his post, but 2015 is the beginning of the end for the man with one of the greatest names in NFL history.
AFC North Surprises
Baltimore Ravens: Justin Forsett is the heralded talent of the Baltimore backfield, and he deserves the praise. Nevertheless, second-string back Lorenzo Taliaferro will steal some carries. Plus, at 230 pounds, the Coastal Carolina product might be called upon as the preferred goal-line back and vulture some of Forsett’s touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals: Without a doubt, Bengals fans should be excited about tight end Tyler Eifert. The Notre Dame product assembled a wonderful rookie campaign but sustained a season-ending injury in his first appearance last season. Eifert is a huge upgrade over departed Jermaine Gresham.
Cleveland Browns: Know what time it is? Johnny Football time. Why the Browns haven’t officially turned to the second-year quarterback is completely bizarre. Manziel deserves the chance to start, and he’s proved as much during the preseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers: ESPN’s Mark Dominik placed Ryan Shazier, a second-year linebacker out of Ohio State, on the ultimate 53-man roster (subscription required). That’s tremendously high praise for a young player, and he’ll back it up in 2015, too.
AFC North Disappointments
Baltimore Ravens: A few seasons ago, Lardarius Webb looked like he could become the next great corner. Four years later, the 29-year-old is on the verge of being officially labeled a replaceable player. An injury-hampered preseason isn’t helping Webb, either.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati hasn’t missed the playoffs with Andy Dalton at quarterback, but 2015 is a new season, and one in which a new streak begins. The second tier of the AFC is steadily improving, and Dalton won’t be able to keep the Bengals in the playoff picture.
Cleveland Browns: The city of Cleveland desperately wants its football team to compete for a division crown. As long as Pettine continues sticking with McCown, though, the Browns won’t be doing anything except for remaining at the bottom of the North, as per the usual. Pettine controls Cleveland’s destiny. Right now, he’s making a bad choice.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger hyped up Markus Wheaton as the team’s breakout player of the season, but Big Ben might’ve simply been trying to light a fire under Wheaton. Pittsburgh’s breadth of talent will keep Wheaton from exploding to the degree Steelers fans now expect.
AFC South Surprises
Houston Texans: Remember the name Xavier Su’a-Filo, because it’s probably the last time you’re going to hear about him—unless you’re a Texans fan. In that case, track the guard’s progress throughout the year. Su’a-Filo wasn’t a major part of the offense last season, but he should be an opening-day starter in 2015.
Indianapolis Colts: Even though the Colts signed Andre Johnson, second-year receiver Donte Moncrief will occupy a major role in the offense. The speedy wideout is comfortably settled into the No. 3 spot on the depth chart as Hakeem Nicks’ replacement, and Moncrief outplayed Nicks last season anyway.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Davis didn’t play much in 2014, but he was excellent. Per Phillip Heilman of The Florida Times-Union, Sen’Derrick Marks said of Davis: “The thing with Ryan is a lot of people don’t watch film or don’t care to look at the guys who aren’t big names. But around here, we know Ryan is good.” It’s time for NFL fans to know who the defensive end is, too.
Tennessee Titans: If the Titans are going to be competitive, they need a stronger defense. An essential part of building that unit is developing depth, which is exactly what Al Woods can provide. The defensive tackle 28-year-old can contribute both at nose tackle and on the end.
AFC South Disappointments
Houston Texans: Arian Foster’s absence creates a glaring hole in the backfield. However, Alfred Blue isn’t the solution to Houston’s predicament. He managed a meager 3.1 yards per carry last season and won’t be a notable factor on passing downs.
Sorry. You’re not my boy, Blue.
Indianapolis Colts: Though the franchise spent its 2013 first-round pick on hybrid rusher Bjoern Werner, that selection hasn’t paid dividends. Indianapolis acquired Trent Cole to occupy the rush linebacker spot, sending Werner to the opposite side. The position switch will either save his career or solidify the Colts’ fear that Werner is indeed a bust.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Clemons registered eight sacks last year, yet Jacksonville was ready to replace him with Dante Fowler Jr., who unfortunately sustained a season-ending injury during rookie camp. Clemons played the most snaps of any Jaguars defender in 2014 but shouldn’t be more than a rotation player this time around.
Tennessee Titans: Tennessee signed receivers Harry Douglas and Hakeem Nicks in free agency, but both players are well past their primes. Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota will be better off relying on Kendall Wright, Dorian Green-Beckham and Delanie Walker.
AFC West Surprises
Denver Broncos: The turnover on Denver’s offensive line wasn’t minimal during the offseason. Peyton Manning will have a few fresh faces protecting him, but those blockers seem to have picked up Gary Kubiak’s scheme without much of an issue. The biggest question will be if the O-line is solid enough to help Manning and the Broncos make a run at the Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce has received a ton of hype, but first-round pick Marcus Peters has the talent to shine in the Kansas City secondary. Sean Smith is suspended for three games, so Peters has a chance to immediately impact the defense.
Oakland Raiders: While fantasy football players are watching Latavius Murray closely, Roy Helu is a virtual certainty to receive consistent reps. The Raiders will be trailing often, and Helu is the pass-catching back Oakland is most likely to utilize as Derek Carr’s safety outlet.
San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon draws the headlines, but Danny Woodhead is going to play a larger role than many believe. Gordon will lose third-down snaps to the shifty Woodhead, who is arguably the NFL’s premier receiving back when healthy.
AFC West Disappointments
Denver Broncos: The 2014 draft class was particularly underwhelming, excluding cornerback Bradley Roby. He jumped into the starting lineup and recorded 800-plus snaps. But Roby is a prime candidate to encounter a sophomore slump. Hopefully for the Broncos, their above-average secondary will atone for his struggles.
Kansas City Chiefs: It’s a well-documented story by this point; In 2014, Kansas City receivers did not catch a touchdown. Free-agent signing Jeremy Maclin will reverse that trend, but no other full-time wideout will supply a consistent impact.
Oakland Raiders: The left side of Oakland’s offensive line is potentially elite. The right side of the blocking corps is ugly. Like really, really ugly. Murray and Helu will have a ton of trouble running behind J’Marcus Webb, Menelik Watson and whomever else the Raiders choose to utilize.
San Diego Chargers: Every NFL player wants to end his career on a high note. Malcolm Floyd isn’t going to get that chance. The wide receiver is set to retire after the 2015 campaign, and Stevie Johnson will overtake the veteran before the sun sets on Floyd’s career.
NFC East Surprises
Dallas Cowboys: DeMarco Murray’s departure sends a ripple effect through the Cowboys’ receiving corps. The depth chart might suggest Terrance Williams is the player in line for an increase of touches, but that honor goes to Cole Beasley. He amassed 21 receptions for 277 yards and four touchdowns over the final six games last year.
New York Giants: Why isn’t Eli Manning the topic of more conversations? Manning had a career-best season despite Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz sharing the field for a mere handful of snaps. The veteran quarterback can throw to OBJ, Cruz, Reuben Randle, Larry Donnell and Shane Vereen this season. That’ll work.
Philadelphia Eagles: According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Vinny Curry only logged 397 snaps in 2014. The defensive end still managed nine sacks and 21 hurries. Curry is ready to explode onto the national landscape this season.
Washington football team: The defense is loaded with questions, and Trent Murphy is one of the answers. During his rookie campaign, Murphy contributed as an effective run-stopper and also registered 15 quarterback hurries. In 2015, Murphy will be a starter and have a chance to build on his initial success.
NFC East Disappointments
Dallas Cowboys: No matter what Jerry Jones says about Darren McFadden, don’t believe it. The running back will rip off a couple nice gains, but McFadden doesn’t run the ball with authority and is bound to sustain an injury that lingers. Put your stock in Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar instead.
New York Giants: There’s a difference between “kicking a man while he’s down” and not expecting much from someone. Jason Pierre-Paul falls into the latter category. Even if the defensive ends returns during the 2015 season following a scary fireworks accident, JPP won’t be in proper football shape.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles picked up Murray, the NFL’s leading rusher last year, but he’ll split time with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. Murray will be a fine player. He simply won’t be anywhere close to his stellar 2014 campaign, no matter how much Philly fans hope Murray defies an unfavorable historical trend.
Washington: Washington is special, because the team gets a collective disappointment: the offensive line. Trent Williams is a stout left tackle, but other than him, the yet-to-be-named starting quarterback is going to get hit and hit and hit, take some ibuprofen on the sideline, then get hit and hit and hit some more.
NFC North Surprises
Chicago Bears: After spending a first-round pick on wide receiver Kevin White, it turns out Chicago needs a new target anyway. White could miss all of 2015 due to a shin injury. Fortunately for the Bears, they signed Eddie Royal, whose best season of his seven-year career came when Jay Cutler was the quarterback.
Detroit Lions: While Suh will be missed on the Detroit defensive line, Ziggy Ansah can make a difference from his spot on the end. Ansah tallied a total of 15.5 sacks during his first two NFL seasons and is the D-line’s best run defender.
Green Bay Packers: The switch on the depth chart was bound to happen, but Andrew Quarless’ adventurous offseason expedited Richard Rodgers’ rise to starting tight end. Aaron Rodgers loves spreading around the football, and in limited time last season, Rodgers showed he’s a weapon all over the field.
Minnesota Vikings: Right tackle Phil Loadholt sustained a season-ending Achilles injury, so Teddy Bridgewater will be regularly tested in the pocket. However, the Louisville product is an efficient gunslinger and evades pressure remarkably well.
NFC North Disappointments
Chicago Bears: Although coaches have praised Shea McClellin throughout the offseason, let’s put it this way: The linebacker typically ends up around the ball, just not quickly enough. McClellin is also subpar in pass coverage, so another mediocre season would firmly plant the 2012 first-round pick in bust territory.
Detroit Lions: Eric Ebron insists his rookie season wasn’t a disappointment, per MLive’s Kyle Meinke. It’s not going to get better in year No. 2, but this time it’ll be a result of Matthew Stafford. The quarterback regressed mightily in 2014, and Stafford’s inconsistency will emerge as a bigger issue than anticipated.
Green Bay Packers: The front office was smart to cut ties A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones. With that being said, Clay Matthews isn’t the answer at inside linebacker. Matthews is most effective as a pass-rusher—and he’s excellent at that—but struggles against the run, which will be one of his preeminent responsibilities this year.
Minnesota Vikings: Mike Wallace’s days as a difference-maker might be over. The wide receiver must find a way to be fundamentally sound—something he wasn’t with the Dolphins. Instead of catching passes with his hands, Wallace either waited for the ball to reach his body or lazily attempted to make a one-handed grab. He cost Tannehill a handful of explosive plays and will do the same to Bridgewater.
NFC South Surprises
Atlanta Falcons: Tevin Coleman is pushing for the starting spot, but Devonta Freeman should be the starter throughout 2015. Freeman brings a full season of NFL experience and is a pass-catching threat out of the backfield that Matt Ryan so desperately needs behind a mediocre offensive line.
Carolina Panthers: Charles Johnson and Star Lotulelei are the well-known pieces of the Carolina D-line, but Kawann Short is a critical piece. Last season, he excelled both as a pass-rusher and run-stopper, grading out as the Panthers’ best D-lineman, per Pro Football Focus.
New Orleans Saints: The franchise sent Kenny Stills to Miami, and Joe Morgan isn’t a perfect answer to the replacement question. Brandon Coleman, on the other hand, is earning some attention. As long as he holds off Nick Toon, Coleman will be a regular target of Drew Brees.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kwon Alexander wasn’t selected until the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft, but he’ll be utilized right away. The LSU product has already jumped Bruce Carter on depth chart and appears on track to open Week 1 as a starter at inside linebacker.
NFC South Disappointments
Atlanta Falcons: Last season, the team signed offensive lineman Jon Asamoah to help block for Matt Ryan. However, Asamoah isn’t a great fit in new coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme and will likely be relegated to the bench.
Carolina Panthers: Yes, Kelvin Benjamin won’t play in 2015 because of a torn ACL, forcing Devin Funchess into the No. 1 receiver role in Carolina. Nevertheless, Cam Newton tends to miss passes high, and Funchess didn’t have strong hands while at Michigan. Funchess must learn to absorb contact and consistently hold onto the ball.
New Orleans Saints: Jimmy Graham is now in Seattle, and Josh Hill is the heir apparent. The tight end is another oft-hyped player, but Hill’s previous production was largely a product of Graham’s presence on the opposite side of the field. Replacing a superstar and becoming a top target is easier said than done.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Close your eyes, Bucs fans. Jameis Winston could develop into a decent NFL quarterback. After all, he’s only 21 years old. But Winston needs to shake a habit of trusting his receivers too much, because he’s going to throw plenty of interceptions that will spawn eye rolls and facepalms.
NFC West Surprises
Arizona Cardinals: Before Carson Palmer tore an ACL last season, he started to establish a downfield connection with John Brown. Expect the speedy receiver to stretch the field and create more space for Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd at the intermediate level.
St. Louis Rams: Get ready for a breakout season from safety T.J. McDonald. He’s not tremendous in coverage, but McDonald is a strong run defender. The St. Louis schedule is loaded with offenses that are built to dominate a given outing on the ground. McDonald will be on of the NFL’s best safeties after 2015.
San Francisco 49ers: Retirements and suspensions have decimated the 49ers, and Aldon Smith’s departure was viewed as if it were the final nail in San Francisco’s defensive coffin. Don’t let that fool you. Glenn Dorsey, Aaron Lynch, Quinton Dial, Ian Williams and Eli Harold are a more-than-respectable pass-rushing unit.
Seattle Seahawks: Though Russell Wilson doesn’t have any elite targets, Seattle has a collection of receivers who perfectly fit a particular role. But here comes chaos; Tyler Lockett is here for everyone’s job. The rookie out of Kansas State will return kicks and has the potential to solidify himself as a top-three wideout.
NFC West Disappointments
Arizona Cardinals: Andre Ellington and David Johnson have the potential to form a versatile, dynamic tandem in the Arizona backfield, but injuries have decimated the Cardinals offensive line. Although Palmer and the receiving corps can survive, Arizona won’t have much of a running game for a majority of the year.
St. Louis Rams: This isn’t indicative of Todd Gurley’s career. The Georgia product is bound to become a stud in the NFL. However, the St. Louis offense is pretty weak, and coach Jeff Fisher isn’t rushing Gurley into action. His 2015 campaign won’t be impressive.
San Francisco 49ers: Consequent to the offseason full of changes on defense, the 49ers secondary needs to step up. However, safety Jimmie Ward doesn’t have a spot in the rotation and struggles in man coverage. Barring an injury to Antonio Bethea or Eric Reid, Ward—a 2014 first-round pick—won’t see the field very often.
Seattle Seahawks: Player development is the franchise’s best attribute. Resurrecting cornerback Cary Williams’ career might be a little more difficult. Williams is penciled in as a starter, but there’s a solid chance he only looks adequate because the other “Legion of Boom” members—namely Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor—are so effective.