The 2015 NFL season kicks off this week, and we will see some of this year’s first-round rookies thrown right into the starting lineups for their teams.
Some other first-round picks will have to wait for their opportunities to start due to the depth on the teams, while a few will enter the season with injuries. In the most unfortunate cases, there are a couple of first-round draft picks who will have to wait until 2016 to play, due to the severity of the injuries they sustained in offseason practices.
The following is an early look at what we might expect to see from the top picks of this year’s draft class.
1. Jameis Winston, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winston was the prized first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, which needed a major overhaul at the quarterback position. As we witnessed from his rough preseason action, Winston has some adjusting to do now that he is playing at the professional level.
The former Florida State product will likely complete the season ranked somewhere between 25th-30th overall compared to his peers.
2015 Projection: 3,250 passing yards, 125 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, 24 interceptions
2. Marcus Mariota, quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Mariota’s mobility should serve the Titans well this season. The former Oregon Duck was known to put pedal to the medal and take off rushing as displayed by the total 2,237 ground yards he tallied in college.
Look for Mariota, as he transitions to the professional level, to play it a bit more conservatively on the ground for the 2105 season. He should make plenty of plays with his arm, though, to Tennessee’s intriguing receiving corps.
2015 Projection: 3,375 passing yards, 427 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
3. Dante Fowler Jr., defensive end, Jacksonville Jaguars
Unfortunately, we will have to wait a full season to see the Jaguars’ first pick in action. Fowler has been placed on injured reserve after sustaining a torn ACL in the first day of rookie minicamp.
Talk about a horrible break for the Florida star and for the Jags.
4. Amari Cooper, wide receiver, Oakland Raiders
Cooper landed in the perfect situation when the Raiders selected him fourth overall. Coming off of a smashing 2014 season at Alabama that saw him tally 1,727 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, Cooper has Oakland excited about the future, paired with second-year quarterback Derek Carr.
After an exciting preseason in which Cooper showcased his elusiveness against some of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, he’ll no doubt put up some big-time numbers for Oakland this season.
2015 Projection: 82 receptions, 1,019 receiving yards, seven touchdowns
5. Brandon Scherff, offensive guard, Washington Redskins
Drafted by Washington originally to be the team’s right tackle, Scherff was moved to the inside as a right guard for the time being, as a means to fill a void. Lined up as an interior blocker the 319-pound bulldozer should be key in Washington’s ground game taking off this season.
2015 Projection: 16 starts
6. Leonard Williams, defensive tackle, New York Jets
Williams will be relied upon heavily by the Jets this year, especially during the early part of the season while Sheldon Richardson waits out his four-game suspension. If he makes an immediate impact, Williams will make a case to start in even more games. The USC product was a beast in college, tallying 111 solo tackles and 20 sacks during his three seasons with the Trojans.
2015 Projection: 35 tackles, 15 assists, four sacks
7. Kevin White, wide receiver, Chicago Bears
Chicago’s first-round pick is sadly in jeopardy of missing his entire rookie season due to stress fracture surgery he underwent on his shin. Currently, White is officially listed on the team’s PUP list and will miss at least the first six games due to this status.
This does not bode well for the Bears, who traded their former star receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets in the offseason.
8. Vic Beasley, defensive end, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons filled a big need when they selected the Clemson product with their first pick. He will line up as a pass-rusher on most downs and should be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks throughout the 2015 NFL season.
2015 Projection: 39 tackles, 12 assists, 10 sacks
9. Ereck Flowers, offensive tackle, New York Giants
Flowers should have an immediate impact on the Giants offense, which took some hits over the offseason. Coming out of Miami, Flowers did struggle in the some in the preseason at a position which is difficult for a rookie to master. Flowers will be forced to get up to speed quickly where hopefully improvement will come naturally.
2015 Projection: 16 starts
10. Todd Gurley, running back, St. Louis Rams
Recent reports speculate that Gurley may miss the first three games of the season after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL last November.
Coming off three seasons at Georgia where he totaled 3,285 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns, Gurley was worthy of being the first running back selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. Once he returns to action, he’ll prove it on the field.
2015 Projection: 180 attempts, 810 rushing yards, 230 receiving yards, six total touchdowns
11. Trae Waynes, cornerback, Minnesota Vikings
Waynes had a bit of a rocky preseason, and according to reports, he is not in the starting lineup for the Vikings at this time. The duties will primarily be handled by Xavier Rhodes, Terrance Newman and Captain Munnerlyn.
2015 Projection: 15 tackles, one interception
12. Danny Shelton, defensive tackle, Cleveland Browns
The rookie out of Washington looks to be a three-down player in Cleveland’s defense this season after an impressive preseason showing. In his final college season, the 339 pound Shelton posted nine tackles, but he’s been unstoppable this preseason.
The Browns certainly drafted brilliantly with their first pick.
2015 Projection: 20 tackles, 10 assists, one sack
13. Andrus Peat, offensive tackle, New Orleans Saints
After Peat was given 51 snaps in the first preseason game, the team reported there were issues with the tackle’s conditioning. Peat finished the preseason playing the entire final game, however he isn’t going to start. Zach Streif looks to have the lock on the starting job.
2015 Projection: will only be utilized if injuries occur.
14. DeVante Parker, wide receiver, Miami Dolphins
Parker missed preseason with a foot injury and now sits on the second-team offense according to the Dolphins depth chart. That won’t last long. Expect him to get into the action this week and eventually become the preferred target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Parker comes from Louisville where he recorded an impressive 19.9 average yards per catch. He makes an intriguing addition to the Dolphins’ offense.
2015 Projection: 62 receptions, 820 yards, seven touchdowns
15. Melvin Gordon, running back, San Diego Chargers
The Chargers traded up in order to secure Melvin, who posted a ridiculous 2,587 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his final year at Wisconsin.
However, after some preseason struggles, the coaching staff for the Chargers claim the team will use a running back committee this season. Likely, Gordon will see most early-down work with Danny Woodhead lined up on third down to catch passes.
2015 Projection: 214 attempts, 924 rushing yards, 110 receiving yards, seven total touchdowns
16. Kevin Johnson, cornerback, Houston Texans
After posting four tackles and two assists this preseason, the former Wake Forest product sits fourth on the depth chart at the cornerback position with Kareem Jackson, Darryl Morris and Jumal Rolle listed ahead of him.
According to reports, head coach Bill O’Brien is happy with Johnson’s progress this preseason, so there is hope he will move up that list.
2015 Projection: 20 tackles, one interception
17. Arik Armstead, defensive tackle, San Francisco 49ers
Armstead, who played in all four preseason games, sits behind Glenn Dorsey and Tony Jerod-Eddie in depth at the left end position. During his time on the field, the former Oregon defensive end totaled four tackles and two assists.
Due to the recent release of Darnell Dockett, Armstead with his massive 6-foot-7 size, could serve in a role as a pass rusher, according to reports.
2015 Projection: 15 tackles, three sacks
18. Marcus Peters, cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs
Peters, who posted 95 tackles, one sack and 11 interceptions during his three years in Washington, is listed as the Chiefs starting left cornerback while Sean Smith is suspended for three games to open the season.
Described as a mixture of “talent and temper” Peters is poised to have an immediate impact in shutting down some of the NFL’s top wide receivers.
2015 Projection: 32 tackles, eight assists, three interceptions
19. Cameron Erving, center, Cleveland Browns
Currently listed as a second-stringer behind Alex Mack, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said that Erving is more natural as a guard. During the preseason, Erving struggled and will likely be utilized only as needed due to injuries during his rookie season.
2015 Projection: three starts
20. Nelson Agholor, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Agholor dazzled in his preseason debut, and head coach Chip Kelly expects the rookie to have an “instant impact” on the team’s offense this year.
Agholor will line up opposite second-year wideout Jordan Matthews and should be a handy weapon. He has been described as having similar features to Jeremy Maclin, which should excite Eagles fans.
2015 Projection: 68 receptions, 904 yards, seven touchdowns
21. Cedric Ogbuehi, offensive tackle, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Texas A&M product is still healing from a torn ACL sustained in December. Therefore, the Bengals have placed Ogbuehi on the team’s injured reserve list with a designation to return.
Ogbuehi will miss the first six games of the season and he is in jeopardy of being held out the entire 2015 season.
2015 Projection: 0 starts
22. Bud Dupree, outside linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dupree is expected to start the year opposite Jarvis Jones at outside linebacker to help boost the Steelers embarrassing low-sack record of a year ago (33).
After a successful preseason that consisted of one sack, four tackles and one assist, the Steelers appear to have drafted successfully when it comes to the Kentucky product who ranked fourth overall in sacks last year in the SEC.
He managed one sack and two tackles in the team’s season-opener against the New England Patriots.
2015 Projection: 39 tackles, 18 assists, six sacks
23. Shane Ray, outside linebacker, Denver Broncos
Ray currently sits behind veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware in depth. However he is making a case for more play time this season after a successful preseason, recording sacks in his final two games.
Ray could be a true threat if the Broncos allow him some starting time this season, but that’s not likely to happen. He’ll be effective as a reserve, though.
2015 Projection: 12 tackles, 7 assists, five sacks
24. D.J. Humphries, offensive tackle, Arizona Cardinals
Humphries struggled with consistency during the preseason, according to head coach Bruce Arians who described him as only showing up “once a week.”
With that sketchy analysis, it does not appear that the former Florida product will have an immediate impact in the team’s plans this year, though he’ll likely be called into duty when injuries occur.
2015 Projection: four starts
25. Shaq Thompson, outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers
Thompson was impressive this preseason, posting five tackles and one assist. His athleticism will allow defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to creatively utilize him in various defensive schemes.
He sits in depth only behind fellow outside linebacker A.J. Klein, but that could soon change.
2015 Projection: 52 tackles, 15 assists, three sacks
26. Breshad Perriman, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens
Unfortunately for the Ravens, Perriman missed the majority of his offseason practices and the entire preseason due to a sprained knee. And, it’s possible that Perriman may not return until October.
When he does return, he’ll be so far behind in progress that he may not make much of an impact in 2015 sitting behind Steve Smith Sr., Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken.
2015 Projection: 15 receptions, 260 yards, two touchdowns
27. Byron Jones, cornerback, Dallas Cowboys
Jones does not appear to have earned a starting job in Dallas at this time. He sits behind Brandon Carr at left corner.
However, Jones had an impressive preseason where he totaled nine tackles and two assists. Currently, he is receiving practice reps at both corner and safety. Surely, the Cowboys will find ways to involve him this season.
2015 Projection: 29 tackles, nine assists, two interceptions
28. Laken Tomlinson, offensive guard, Detroit Lions
Tomlinson made some great blocks during the preseason, one of which allowed rookie running back Ameer Abdullah to dash for a 45-yard long run. Additionally, he also took practice reps with the first team during training camp.
According to recent reports, the Lions have the 322-pound Tomlinson ready to line up as starter as left guard, at least for the beginning of the season.
2015 Projection: 16 starts
29. Phillip Dorsett, wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Dorsett is currently listed as the Colts’ No. 3 wide receiver behind T.Y. Hilton and veteran Andre Johnson. He’ll have an immediate impact in three-receiver sets and as a kick and punt returner on special teams.
Considering Dorsett was somewhat of a surprise first-round pick due to the Colts having such depth in the position, they must have some major plans lined up ahead.
2015 Projection: 48 receptions, 748 yards, five touchdowns
30. Damarious Randall, cornerback, Green Bay Packers
Randall, who mostly played safety at Arizona State, ranked sixth overall in total tackles and third in interceptions in the Pac-12 in 2014. He is currently listed as the No. 2 cornerback behind Casey Hayward on the Packers depth chart.
After a majorly productive preseason where Randall tallied eight tackles and one interception, it would be surprising not to see the Packers’ rookie make a major impact this year.
2015 Projection: 34 tackles, 16 assists, four interceptions
31. Stephone Anthony, inside linebacker, New Orleans Saints
The Saints appear to have Anthony already locked in as a starter along with fellow inside linebacker David Hawthorne.
After a strong preseason debut, the Clemson rookie posted seven tackles and five assists. Already impressing fans, Anthony is an early name being tossed around for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
2015 Projection – 110 tackles, 41 assists, two sacks
32. Malcom Brown, defensive tackle, New England Patriots
Even though Brown sits second in depth behind Sealver Siliga at defensive tackle, he will be given opportunities to start this season.
During the preseason, Brown posted three tackles and one assist. He’s massive in size at 320 pounds, and many speculated that that the Texas product would have dropped off the 2015 NFL Draft board much earlier than the 32-pick.
The Patriots continue to land bargains in the draft, and Brown looks like another winner.
2015 Projection: 32 tackles, 15 assists, two sacks