NFL Rookies Most Likely to Make the Pro Bowl

While difficult, it is not out of the question for an NFL rookie to make the Pro Bowl. Between salary-cap constraints and roster limits, teams are asking more and more from their first-year players. In addition, many of these prospects are arriving in the league far more prepared both physically and mentally.

This rookie group has some tremendous prospects—players who are going to have a chance to walk into starting jobs where there is plenty of potential for production. Depending on the system, the learning curve for some of these rookies is less intense and assimilation is much more simple.

Now obviously, not all of these five guys will make the Pro Bowl. In fact, there’s a real possibility none of them will. However, when you look at the potential of the position they play, as well as the strength of that position in their conference, these are the spots that make the most sense.

Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

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The Oakland Raiders were able to draft their franchise quarterback in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Now that Derek Carr is in place, the next step is to surround him with weapons. The first step in that process was for Oakland to draft Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.

After seeing the type of production rookie wide receivers were capable of in 2014, you cannot rule out Cooper finding himself with tons of targets in the passing game. Last season James Jones led the team in receptions with 77, and he's still there. Cooper will step immediately into the top spot on the depth chart, and 80-85 catches as a rookie is very likely.

Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams

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With the selection of former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, it is clear the St. Louis Rams are committed to running the football. Gurley is an absolute bruiser, and assuming he’s healthy, he will be the centerpiece of the Rams rushing offense.

It seems that every season a new running back or two step up and have huge seasons. With a retooled offensive line, Gurley is going to have every opportunity to have a big season. He’s easily a front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and with that he could find himself in the Pro Bowl. It would only take a productive season with a few signature games for a running back to really get recognized.

Brandon Scherff, OT, Washington Redskins

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While it is a rarity for a rookie offensive lineman to be recognized as a Pro Bowl-level player, that doesn’t mean it cannot be part of the discussion. It obviously takes a special player in a very particular circumstance for it to happen, but don’t rule it out this season.

The Washington Redskins recognized the talent in Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff, so much so that they spent the No. 5 overall pick on the talented Hawkeye. He is a tremendous player and should plug straight in at right tackle for Washington. With star left tackle Trent Williams on the other side, Scherff should have the chance to have a downright dominant rookie campaign.

Alvin Dupree, DE/LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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It appears the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally found the cure for their woes at outside linebacker. After a swing and a miss with Jarvis Jones in 2013, the Steelers knocked it out of the park with Kentucky defensive end Alvin “Bud” Dupree in the first round. He is an athletic marvel with an incredible burst and closing speed off the edge.

Why Dupree has a real shot here is that he has a chance to run up some really flashy stats. His tackle numbers might not be huge, which is the norm for a 3-4 outside linebacker. Nevertheless, he could get into double-digit sacks, which would make a strong case for him to be included on the Pro Bowl roster. You can bet Dupree is going to get plenty of reps, and if he is all that is advertised, he should be ready to play right out of the gate.

Shaq Thompson, LB, Carolina Panthers

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Even if you disagreed with how early Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson was drafted, it is hard to argue how much sense the pick makes for the Carolina Panthers. He is undersized but explosive and able to impact the game in multiple areas. Like Dupree, Thompson should be able to get those flashy stats like sacks and interceptions that will draw the eye of voters.

All Thompson needs are reps. If he can win that starting spot next to linebacker Luke Kuechly, he’ll have ample opportunity to rack up numbers, including lots of tackles. Not every team could afford Thompson this sort of opportunity, but in Carolina, he is a contender for a Pro Bowl spot.