Biggest 2015 NFL Training Camp Sleepers

The NFL depends on its superstars to set the stage and provide the headlines.

Whether it's the debate about Roger Goodell's suspension of Tom Brady, the question of how much Peyton Manning has left in the tank or what Adrian Peterson will be able to do after being forced to sit out 15 games last season, big-name players often dominate the conversation.

They don't always dominate the games. Go back to the crucial play of last year's Super Bowl. Did anyone know who Malcolm Butler was until he intercepted Russell Wilson's ill-fated pass on the goal line for the New England Patriots in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter? He was an undrafted rookie from West Alabama, but he made the play that gave New England the Super Bowl.

Butler was the sleepiest of sleepers, and his game-clinching play should inspire the majority of NFL players who almost never find themselves in the headlines.

In this piece, we look at sleepers who have a chance to raise their profile significantly in 2015.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings

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Why he's a sleeper: Bridgewater plays the most visible and meaningful position in the game, but he was the 11th-ranked quarterback in the NFC, and the Vikings had the 28th-most productive passing attack in the league.

The Vikings have an aggressive and hard-hitting defense and a power running game with Adrian Peterson, so the focus is not on Bridgewater.

Breakout road map: Bridgewater threw for 2,919 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a rookie. He completed 64.4 percent of his passes, and he led the Vikings to four fourth-quarter comebacks last year.

If he can develop a rapport with speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace, he will have a chance to make big plays on a consistent basis because opposing defenses will put most of their focus on stopping Peterson.

Wide Receiver Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

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Why he's a sleeper: The second-year wide receiver from Fresno State was an afterthought in the Green Bay offense for the final month of the regular season when he caught just four passes for 29 yards in the last four games. However, Adams demonstrated he has the talent to be a breakout performer as he caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay's playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Breakout road map: Opposing defenses will respect Adams because of his playoff performance and because he had a decent rookie year, but he is likely to be an afterthought throughout the season.

How can he be anything but, since the Packers have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb as their top two receivers? Add in the powerful ground game provided by Eddie Lacy, and it's almost certain Adams will not receive double-coverage.

Aaron Rodgers in the best quarterback in the league by a significant margin at this point, and he will not hesitate to throw the ball Adams' way when he gets a half-step on opposing defensive backs. There's no reason Adams can't catch at least 60 passes for 850 yards and eight TDs this season.

WR Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Why he's a sleeper: Martavis Bryant gave the Steelers a great return on their fourth-round investment last year as he caught 49-549-8, despite being inactive for the first six games of the season.

Bryant learned the nuances of head coach Mike Tomlin's playbook and displayed the kind of hunger for the ball that's necessary for a player to become a huge star in the game.

Breakout road map: Much like Adams with the Packers, Bryant is not going to be the primary focus of the defense. The Steelers have one of the most explosive receivers in the league in Antonio Brown, and he is coming into the prime years of his career. 

Running back Le'Veon Bell is an explosive runner and a productive receiver, while Heath Miller sells out every play and is quite dependable on third downs. As a result, Bryant will face single-coverage throughout the season, and his 6'4" frame makes him an outstanding red-zone weapon.

Look for Bryant to have at least 800 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2015.

Defensive Tackle Sharrif Floyd, Minnesota Vikings

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Why he's a sleeper: Sharrif Floyd comes into his third season with the Vikings after having garnered quite a bit of respect in his first two. However, unless your name is Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy or Marcel Dareus, it's hard for a defensive tackle to earn a great deal of attention.

Floyd is not the biggest player at his position as he is 6'3" and 305 pounds, but he has excellent instincts and quickness. 

Breakout road map: One of the big advantages Floyd has is that he gets to work with head coach Mike Zimmer, who is probably the best defensive mind in the game today. Not only is he a superb tactician, he excels at pushing his players to the limit and inspiring them so they play their best game.

Floyd had 42 tackles (solo and assists) along with 4.5 sacks last year. We are expecting him to register at least 50 tackles and 7.0 sacks as he helps transform the Vikings into one of the best defensive units in the league.

Linebacker Pernell McPhee, Chicago Bears

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Why he's a sleeper: It's all about versatility as far as McPhee is concerned. While he is most likely to line up as an outside linebacker for the Bears, he can also play middle linebacker in some sets as well as on the defensive line.

He is coming off a season in which he had 7.5 sacks for the Baltimore Ravens even though he did not start a game. He plays the game with a mean streak and is not likely to let opportunities to sack the quarterback slip through his fingers. As he starts the fifth season of his career, McPhee should be at the top of his game.

Breakout road map: Sometimes a player is in the right spot at the right time. The Bears cleaned house after two back-to-back brutal defensive years, and defensive-minded head coach John Fox brought in former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to run the show.

Both men have an excellent track record, and they will see the Bears don't have a lot of great defensive players. However, McPhee is athletic, nasty and hungry to succeed, and he will be placed in a position to make game-changing plays throughout the year.

RB Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers

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Why he's a sleeper: Few rookies will come into a better situation than Melvin Gordon has this year. The Chargers were very unhappy with their ground game last year, and they made Gordon their first-round draft pick.

Gordon had a remarkable 2014 season at Wisconsin, as the Doak Walker Award winner ran for 2,587 yards and 29 TDs. Gordon has explosive speed, moves to make good tacklers miss and surprising pop when he initiates contact.

Head coach Mike McCoy desperately wants to take some of the heat off quarterback Philip Rivers, and Gordon has the talent and the hunger to do just that.

Breakout road map: The Chargers are going to give Gordon every chance to become a star performer. If Gordon is going to take advantage of his opportunity, it would be a good idea if he can come up with a signature performance early in the season.

If he can break out in Week 1 at home against the Lions, it would go along way towards an excellent rookie season. Since the Chargers follow with what appears to be two tough road games against the Bengals and Vikings, succeeding at home in Week 1 will help Gordon earn 20-25 touches per game.

WR Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys

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Why he's a sleeper: Terrance Williams has been a solid and productive player through his first two seasons in the NFL, but that's about to change this year. He's about to become a star for the Dallas Cowboys.

At least, he is going to have that opportunity. The Cowboys were a productive and surprising team in 2014, as they were led by running back DeMarco Murray. However, they decided Dez Bryant was the key big-play offensive performer on the team, and they allowed Murray to leave through free agency.

That may have been a mistake because the running game looks like it will struggle with Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar carrying the load.

Instead, it's all going to be on the passing game. That means Bryant will carry the heaviest part of the load followed by tight end Jason Witten and Williams.

Breakout road map: Williams is going to step up this year after catching 37-621-8 a year ago. Williams demonstrated he could put the ball in the end zone, but there's a lot more to his game. He has a 6'2", 208-pound frame, and he can get over the top of the defense and make spectacular leaping catches.

Williams knows how much will be expected from him, and he should become a breakout star this season.

OLT Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs

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Why he's a sleeper: Much has been expected from Eric Fisher since the Chiefs made him the first choice of the 2013 draft, but he has not delivered to this point.

Kansas City made a mistake by moving Fisher to right tackle, and now he's back where he's most comfortable at left tackle. Fisher started to show significant improvement in the final weeks of the 2014 season, and offseason shoulder surgery should make him that much more effective.

Breakout road map: The Chiefs gave up 45 sacks last year, and if they are going to improve on that figure, it's up to Fisher to lead the way. He has excellent and powerful hands and the quick feet needed to be successful. This is the season he rises up and becomes an All-Pro-caliber blocker for head coach Andy Reid.

OLB Jeremiah (Jerry) Attaochu, San Diego Chargers

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Why he's a sleeper: This 2014 second-round pick did not start in his rookie season, but he has the athletic ability and playmaking instinct to be a difference-maker this year.

He flashed his talent last year in coming up with 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in his rookie season. The Chargers are looking for defensive improvement, and Attaochu has the size, strength (6'3" and 252 pounds) and athletic ability to become a stud.

Breakout road map: He is going to get his opportunity to prove he is good enough to start and contribute with impact plays. 

The Chargers need Attaochu to show he can make big plays on a consistent basis and not lose his focus.