NFL Youngsters Ready to Fill Shoes of Departed Big-Name Veterans

The continuous cycle of young players replacing the old provides the horsepower behind every roster-building enterprise in the NFL. 

Veterans depart teams every single offseason, whether by choice or otherwise. The divorced franchises then use internal development or the NFL draft to fill the holes left by the departed, completing the cycle and starting the clock for when those youngsters will eventually need to be replaced.

The 2015 season provides the backdrop for several young players to fill the shoes left by departed big-name veterans. 

In the following slides, we will take a closer look at the players expected to replace the biggest departing veterans of the offseason. These are the youngsters entering next season with the most pressure, but also the biggest opportunities.

Offensive Rookies with Shoes to Fill

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Baltimore Ravens WR Breshad Perriman

Gone from Baltimore is Torrey Smith, who caught 30 of Joe Flacco's 88 touchdown passes since 2011. Arriving is Perriman, a 6'2" speedster who will be expected to produce right away for the Ravens in 2015. 

Chicago Bears WR Kevin White

Brandon Marshall caught 279 passes with 31 touchdowns during his three seasons in Chicago, but it's still possible his replacement—White, the No. 7 overall pick—will outproduce him in 2015. The former West Virginia star looks like a future Pro Bowler. 

Philadelphia Eagles WR Nelson Agholor 

The Eagles refused to pay receiver Jeremy Maclin big money in free agency, so the club found a younger, cheaper version of him in Agholor. Smooth as butter and capable of playing both inside and out, Agholor should help fill Maclin's hole in Chip Kelly's offense. 

Detroit Lions RB Ameer Abdullah

The Lions released Reggie Bush after two seasons and over 2,000 total yards in Detroit. The second round of last month's draft delivered his replacement in Abdullah, an electric playmaker who could prove difficult to get to the ground in the NFL. 

Houston Texans WR Jaelen Strong

No one player can be expected to replace Andre Johnson, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the greatest player in Texans franchise history. A third-rounder with sticky hands and vertical explosion, Strong will likely get the first crack. 

San Diego Chargers RB Melvin Gordon

Ryan Mathews always seemed on the verge of stardom in San Diego. He never made it, and he now finds himself as a backup in Philadelphia. The Chargers happily welcomed Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, who has the natural running ability to produce huge numbers as a rookie. 

Defensive Rookies with Shoes to Fill

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Washington OLB Preston Smith

Brian Orakpo leaves Washington after six seasons, which included four with 8.5 sacks or more and two other injury-riddled years. Smith is his replacement and a likely Day 1 starter for a team that needs pass rush.

San Francisco 49ers DL Arik Armstead

The 49ers answered the retirement of potential Hall of Famer Justin Smith by taking Armstead in the first round. Smith leaves a giant hole up front, but the 6'7", 292-pound Armstead has the length and power to make an early impact.

Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Bud Dupree

The unexpected retirement of Jason Worilds put the Steelers in scramble mode at outside linebacker. Luckily, Dupree fell into their lap at No. 22 overall. Pittsburgh would love it if he and fellow first-round pick Jarvis Jones formed a frightening edge duo. 

New York Giants S Landon Collins

When Collins somewhat unexpectedly dropped to No. 33 overall, the Giants moved up several spots to take the Alabama safety. He'll now fill the shoes of Antrel Rolle, who gave New York 80 starts and 14 interceptions over the last five seasons.

Green Bay Packers CBs Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins

Tramon Williams was the very definition of steady over his eight seasons in Green Bay, missing only one game and delivering 28 interceptions. His departure in free agency prompted the Packers to use their first two picks on defensive backs. Either Randall or Rollins will likely play a big chunk of snaps as a rookie.  

Ravens, DL: Timmy Jernigan for Haloti Ngata

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A team like the Baltimore Ravens doesn't just trade a player like Haloti Ngata without a sufficient plan in place to replace the hole. 

Ngata, a five-time Pro Bowler, was unexpectedly dealt to the Detroit Lions back in March. His departure has opened up a starting spot up front for the Ravens, who now expect Timmy Jernigan—the club's second-round pick in 2014—to emerge. 

“I’ve known I’m more than capable of doing the job," Jernigan told Ryan Mink of the team's official site. "Now it’s just a point of proving it. Last year, I showed flashes. You’ve got to be able to do it consistently day in and day out. It’s huge shoes to fill.”

As a rookie, Jernigan tallied 23 tackles and four sacks while playing just over 300 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. He displayed tantalizing potential as both as a pass-rusher and run-stopper. With Ngata now in Detroit, Jernigan should have the opportunity to shine on a much bigger stage.

Steelers, S: Shamarko Thomas for Troy Polamalu

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No one player has bigger shoes to fill in 2015 than Steelers safety Shamarko Thomas. 

Pittsburgh's fourth-round pick in 2013, Thomas is now being asked to take the place of retired safety and future first ballot Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu. It's nothing short of an impossible task—Polamalu was one of the generation's more unique and special individual players—but Thomas isn't shying away from the challenge. 

In fact, he's using the advice handed down by Polamalu to help him during the process. 

''My second year, I went to him in the offseason and said that I want to be great, and he just told me that being great isn't just about being a great football player," Thomas said, via Dale Grdnic of The Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports). "It's putting God first and your family, and everything else will fall into place.''

Thomas, who worked out with Polamalu last offseason, said he communicates with the retired safety every other day. The Steelers will hope the bond formed by the two players will translate to the field, where Thomas—who has just two starts over two NFL seasons—will attempt to replace the irreplaceable.

Cowboys, RB: Joseph Randle for DeMarco Murray

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The opportunity of a lifetime is staring Joseph Randle right in the face. 

Want to become an overnight NFL star? Winning the starting running back job for the Dallas Cowboys—a position providing the chance to run behind the game's most dominant offensive line—would be a good start. 

Randle will get such an opportunity this summer, when he'll compete with a stable of backs to replace DeMarco Murray—the NFL's reigning rushing champ. If he beats out the likes of Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams, the former fifth-round pick could jump-start a career-changing season. 

Consider that the Cowboys ran 508 times for almost 2,400 yards last season. Randle only got a small taste, as Murray carried 392 times for a franchise record 1,845 yards. However, Randle still made the most of his limited touches, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and scoring three times on just 51 attempts. 

Murray is now the bell cow for Chip Kelly's offense in Philadelphia. Randle's opening is here.

Patriots, DL: Dominique Easley for Vince Wilfork

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New England's most likely long-term replacement for Vince Wilfork—who signed in Houston after 11 seasons with the Patriots—is probably Malcom Brown, the team's first-round pick in last month's draft. He is a nose tackle by trade and a much more comparable player overall. 

But the opportunity opened by Wilfork's departure is still good news for Dominique Easley, New England's first-round pick from 2014. 

After playing a limited role behind Wilfork last season, Easley will now have the chance to be featured as a starter for New England's new-ish looking front in 2015. If healthy—a big if, considering his knee has been an issue in back-to-back seasons—Easley has the talent to help ease the loss of one of the franchise's most beloved players. 

The hole left by No. 75 is—quite literally—a big one. Easley isn't the same player, but he's talented enough to seize the opportunity. 

Broncos, TE: Virgil Green for Julius Thomas

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The free-agent departure of Julius Thomas has opened the door for Denver's top run-blocking tight end to become a complete player in the Peyton Manning-led Broncos offense. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Virgil Green played just over 400 snaps last season, with the majority coming as an in-line blocker for the run game. He excelled in the role, earning positive grades for his work in moving people at the line of scrimmage. 

But with Thomas now in Jacksonville, Green should be given more chances to show off his skills as a pass-catcher. And in Denver, that reality could mean a breakout season is coming for the 26-year-old. 

Thomas caught 108 passes with 24 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Green has just 23 catches over his four NFL seasons. Expect a bigger role—and the arrival of tight end-friendly head coach Gary Kubiak—to help Green make the leap in Thomas' absence. 

Lions, DT: Tyrunn Walker for Ndamukong Suh

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While Ndamukong Suh swims in his millions on South Beach, the Detroit Lions believe they've unearthed a diamond in the rough capable of helping to fill his rather massive shoes. 

That player is former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker. 

The 25-year-old Walker played just over 300 snaps over 16 games for the Saints last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He totaled 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks, mostly in a rotational role. The Lions saw him as capable of much more. 

There's reason to believe he'll make good on Detroit's investment. Walker flashed as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper last season. And at only 25, his development path appears to be trending up. 

Helping Walker's transition will be the presence of Haloti Ngata, who will help lighten the load of replacing both Suh and Nick Fairley. If Walker is a stud in the making, the Lions shouldn't take a huge step backward in 2015. 

Saints, TE: Josh Hill for Jimmy Graham

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One of the game's biggest athletic mismatches was dealt from New Orleans to Seattle this offseason, but the Saints are still confident they can get production from the tight end position in 2015. 

In fact, New Orleans is counting on their new starting tight end to provide a breakout-type season. 

The Saints could have gone after several players at the position after dealing away Jimmy Graham—and his 46 touchdown receptions over the last four seasons—to the Seahawks in March. Instead, New Orleans stood pat, believing 25-year-old Josh Hill is ready to take his spot as the Saints' go-to option at tight end. 

It's a gamble, but Hill is measurably athletic and ascending as a player—with his five touchdown receptions in a limited role in 2014 pointing to the possibility of a breakout season within New Orleans' evolving offense. Hill isn't Graham, but the Saints don't need him to be.  

49ers, RB: Carlos Hyde for Frank Gore

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Carlos Hyde is being asked to replace one of the most consistent running backs of this generation. 

Frank Gore is, for the first time in his professional career, no longer a member of the 49ers. His 10 years in San Francisco included eight years with over 1,000 yards, plus a 4.5-yard average and 64 touchdowns. Gore is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, leaving Hyde as the 49ers' new top back.

San Francisco's second-round pick a year ago, Hyde rushed for 333 yards and four scores as a rookie playing behind Gore. 

According to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, preparations for replacing Gore have included Hyde dropping his playing weight—a strategy that has worked well for several backs around the league in recent years. 

A slimmer but still talented Hyde now has opportunity on his side. Gore is gone, but San Francisco has the right contingency plan. 

Patriots, CB: Logan Ryan for Darrelle Revis

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Few position groups were as decimated this offseason as New England's cornerbacks. The Patriots lost both starters from last year's Super Bowl, including All-Pro Darrelle Revis. 

It's now on a young group of no-namers to ensure New England doesn't take a huge step back in the secondary. 

Many will gravitate toward Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler as the savior, but the most important member of the rebuilding process is actually 2013 third-round pick Logan Ryan. 

The 24-year-old has played in all 32 games over the last two seasons, with 13 starts, 16 passes defended and seven interceptions. While not perfect, Ryan has allowed less than 55 percent of the career passes targeted at him to be completed. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating under 80.0 against Ryan since 2013. 

Revis is one of the league's truly undeniable talents. New England will miss him dearly. However, Ryan now has his chance to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.