Second-Year Players in the Spotlight of NFL Preseason Week 1

NFL coaches talk all the time about the "second-year leap." 

Rookies from the past season are now entering their sophomore campaigns at the NFL level. Development is not just expected but—in most cases—demanded. 

While training camp remains the ideal setting for Year 2 development to shine through, preseason games are also a prime opportunity for second-year players to show off their progress. Many sophomores in the spotlight will get their chance during the NFL's first preseason week. 

In the following slides, we will take a closer look at the second-year players to watch when NFL teams open the exhibition schedule this week.

Honorable Mentions

John Raoux/Associated Press

QB Blake Bortles/WR Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars: Will this sophomore combination show a flash of becoming one of the next big QB-WR duos? 

DT Dominique Easley, New England Patriots: The second-year lineman has big shoes to fill. Helping replace Vince Wilfork won't be easy.

RB Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans: The first running back off the board a year ago needs to prove he is a starting-caliber player for the Tennessee offense. 

RB Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: Can the shifty sophomore back hold off rookie Tevin Coleman for lead-back duties in Atlanta?

WR De'Anthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs: Head coach Andy Reid probably won't get too creative with his special weapon during the preseason, but Thomas' speed is a game-breaker in any kind of setting. 

WR Cody Latimer, Denver Broncos

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Broncos' second-round pick a year ago is having the kind of camp you want from a young, emerging player. 

According to Andrew Mason of the team's official site, Latimer has made "catch after catch" this summer. That's certainly good news for a receiver who hauled in just two passes during a mostly redshirt rookie season. 

Now, Latimer must prove he's capable of producing in a live game setting. His first preseason test? None other than the Seahawks, whom the Broncos take on Friday night in Seattle. Latimer—who is attempting to lock down the No. 3 receiver job—should get a long look against the reigning NFC champions.

QB Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns' starting quarterback battle hasn't been officially closed, so Manziel—Cleveland's first-round pick a year ago—will still have a shot in the preseason to leapfrog assumed starter Josh McCown. 

Tony Grossi of ESPN.com has seen "tangible evidence" of improvement from the former Heisman Trophy winner so far in camp, notably in his accuracy. But can the development transfer over when Cleveland opens the preseason Thursday night against Washington? 

The Browns need to see Manziel make smart decisions against a live defense. This preseason is a big one for last year's No. 22 overall pick, even as he remains unlikely to unseat McCown as the Week 1 starter.

TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The last thing opposing defenses need is for the Bucs—who already possess two 6'5" receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson—to gain another huge weapon in the passing game. 

But it might be happening. 

A second-round pick last season, the 6'5" Seferian-Jenkins has been lighting up Bucs camp as an NFL sophomore. 

"There’s not a whole lot to dislike about Austin—we have big plans for him," head coach Lovie Smith said, via Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune. 

The Bucs open the preseason Saturday night against the Minnesota Vikings. Expect rookie quarterback Jameis Winston to lean on his developing tight end. A big preseason could be the precursor to a breakout season for ASJ.

TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Austin Seferian-Jenkins isn't the only young tight end who is using this summer to stage his NFL emergence. 

Ebron—the 10th overall pick in last year's draft—is garnering similar rave reviews from Lions camp. 

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports Ebron is having a "good camp overall" while also noting he was one of Matthew Stafford's "top targets" during the team's scrimmage last week. Drops may still be an issue, but progress appears obvious. 

Ebron caught just 25 passes during a disappointing rookie season. The Lions will likely feature him in the 2015 version of the offense. His first opportunity to shine in the new role will come Thursday night against the New York Jets. 

OLB Marcus Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Few first-round picks from 2014 were as big a disappointment in Year 1 as Smith, whom Philadelphia selected No. 26 overall last spring. 

As a rookie, he played in just nine games and did not record a tackle or sack. Needless to say, this camp represents a big one for the young outside linebacker. 

The Eagles probably need Smith to be good. Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham are entrenched as starters at the position, but Philadelphia's depth at edge-rusher doesn't have much else after losing Trent Cole (free agency) and Travis Long (injured reserve). If any kind of injury strikes, the Eagles need to be able to count on a former first-round pick. 

The preseason opens for the Eagles on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. It would be nice if Smith could flash something after Barwin and Graham head to the sidelines for the night. 

WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Arguably no second-year player has been as hyped as Packers receiver Davante Adams. 

The excitement for his second season only grew over the weekend, when Adams made a circus, one-handed catch during the Packers' Family Night scrimmage. But can he build on his momentum during the preseason?

Green Bay opens its exhibition schedule Thursday night against the New England Patriots. Adams torched New England for six catches and 121 yards during last year's regular-season meeting. Another big performance to open the 2015 slate will keep his hype train moving forward at top speed.

WR Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Moncrief's up-and-down-but-occasionally-brilliant rookie season had many people thinking the Colts would use the third-round pick in last year's draft as a go-to target for Andrew Luck in Year 2.

An offseason that saw Indianapolis sign veteran Andre Johnson and draft first-round pick Phillip Dorsett has Moncrief back in battle mode. 

Johnson is penciled in as a starter, and Dorsett looks like the second coming of T.Y. Hilton, Indy's other starter. Moncrief must now use his opportunities in the preseason to ensure he receives chances once the regular season kicks off.

The Colts open the preseason Sunday night against the Eagles. Dorsett will be the rookie to watch, but Moncrief is the second-year player who really needs to show development. 

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

No player will be viewed as closely during Week 1 of the preseason as Garoppolo, who will likely begin the 2015 season as the starting quarterback in New England while Tom Brady serves his suspension.

Expect to see plenty of the second-year quarterback Thursday night against the Packers.

Garoppolo will still back up Brady in the preseason, but considering the Patriots have only the recently signed Ryan Lindley behind the two at quarterback, it's a good bet Garoppolo will play a significant portion of the exhibition opener. 

A strong performance against Green Bay would help calm some of the worry over Brady's suspension. Regardless, the experience will be invaluable as the Patriots attempt to get their new starting quarterback ready for the regular season.