For the football fan, every new NFL season is a reason to celebrate. After all, it’s been a long time since February. The games are back. The rivalries are back on, and fantasy football is once again everywhere — though for many that is both good and bad. That being said, the NFL has been embroiled in its share of controversies over the past couple of seasons, and while it remains to be seen how issues like Deflategate, head trauma, and domestic violence will affect the tone of the overall season, it’s nice to know some things will still be game-centered, like the best new rookies to watch out for this season. Here are six of the brightest stars hoping to leave their mark.
1. Amari Cooper
While it remains to be seen whether or not Amari Cooper will have one of the most popular NFL jerseys this season, his stats at Alabama suggest that he could — if the Raiders are able to use him to his potential. A wide receiver, Cooper caught over 120 passes for a total of 1,727 yards his senior year, and he was just as formidable inside as outside. The fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Cooper should be a pleasure to watch if the rest of the Raiders offense can give him the cushion he’ll need to shine. Through the first four games, he’s already been dangerous, catching 24 pvasses and scoring two touchdowns.
2. Marcus Mariota
It probably goes without saying that the winner of the Heisman Trophy should be one of the rookies to watch out for, and Marcus Mariota is no exception. The overall second pick in this season’s draft, whether or not the numbers he put up in college will translate into more of the same for the Tennessee Titans is unknown; that he’s a stellar quarterback who shows a lot of promise is not. He’s quick, able to rush and adept at holding onto the ball. If all goes well, he could end up having a very strong season. While Tennessee overall isn’t very good so far, Mariota has shown promise behind center, averaging a 109.2 rating.
3. Ameer Abdullah
Abdullah is expected to be able to fill the role vacated by Reggie Bush, which won’t be easy. Add to that difficulty the fact that the Lions still have Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, and it may seem like Abdullah might spend more time cooling his heels or being frustrated than making any on-field contributions. That being said, he’s explosive and has great hands. If the Lions use him and the rest of their backs well, he could prove to be a secret weapon that makes plenty of trouble for a defense that has to keep shifting gears to protect a good pass and running game.
4. Jameis Winston
Another star college quarterback — he went number one in the draft this season — Jameis Winston isn’t just a great passer, he also has the advantage of getting to throw to Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. He’s a courageous player, who isn’t afraid to take risks, and while that will likely translate into a fair share of turnovers early on, his willingness to stick his neck out also means he’ll be on a faster learning curve than many of the other rookies out there. Expect big plays and big problems — both of which should make for an exciting game. His first four games have shown flashes of promise and plenty of mistakes. Winston already has seven interceptions to six touchdowns.
5. Leonard Williams
While it can be hard for the defense to earn as much love as it deserves — especially in the fantasy football era — if any rookie on the defensive line deserves attention, it’s Leonard Williams. Especially because he’s playing alongside Jets’ superstars Sheldon Richardson and Muhammed Wilkerson, Williams is likely to be afforded the freedom and opportunity to make big plays with big consequences. Already touted as a likely Defensive Rookie of the Year contender, if you’re a Jets fan and you like your football in the other team’s hands so you can take it away from them, Williams is going to bring a lot of excitement to an already impressive defense.
6. Randy Gregory
Don’t let his lower pick in the draft fool you. Gregory may have been chosen 60th overall, but that lowered stock was due more to concerns about his personal character than about his on-field prowess. While the way a young man conducts himself is always something that can affect the game, he’s one of the best pass rushers to enter the NFL in a while. Add to his talent the fact that he’ll see plenty of field time with the Cowboys, and it stands to reason that Gregory will be worth keeping an eye on. Right now it’s just a question of when he’ll see the field as he’s been hobbled with a high ankle sprain.
The NFL should have plenty to keep the football lover occupied this season. Regardless of whether the old scandals keep swirling or new ones emerge, these six rookies’ play should provide a welcome respite.
Amari Cooper BCS Championship Media Day image by Matt_Velazquez from Flickr.com
Jameis Winston image by Thomson20192 from Flickr.com