New Additions Who Will Heavily Impact NFL's Opening Weekend

Every NFL season begins with some new faces and some veteran players in new places. The 2015 season is no different, as you may have noticed during the preseason.

Even if you decided to skip the preseason or didn't quite notice some of the new additions around the league (Dwayne Bowe, we hardly saw you), rest assured a number of players are poised to make an immediate impact with their new teams. 

Today, we're going to take a look at some of this year's new additions who can have a major impact in their first games of 2015. These are either rookies or offseason acquisitions who can be difference-makers on opening weekend. 

We'll place particular emphasis on each player's ability to affect the matchups—nose tackle Danny Shelton against the run-oriented New York Jets, for example. We're also going to avoid quarterbacks, since that would be just a little too easy.

Sorry, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston—you'll be getting plenty of attention as it is. 

As always, be sure to tell us what you think in the comments section below. 

Trey Flowers & Jabaal Sheard, DEs, New England Patriots

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The New England Patriots lost both of last year's starting cornerbacks in free agency this offseason, but the team helped compensate by beefing up the pass rush at the front end of the defense.

The team brought in defensive end/linebacker Jabaal Sheard in free agency and added former Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers in the fourth round of this year's draft.

So far, it looks like both moves are going to pay off in a big way.

Pro Football Focus credits Sheard with two quarterback hits and three quarterback hurries in the preseason. Flowers is credited with one sack, four hits and five additional hurries. 

This is important because the Patriots open the season on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell won't participate because of a two-week suspension. This means Pittsburgh may have to rely even more on Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and the passing attack.

Receiver Martavis Bryant will also be absent due to suspension, but we're still talking about a Steelers passing attack that ranked second in the NFL last season (301.6 yards per game).

Getting after Roethlisberger is going to be important. 

In his first two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Sheard racked up 15.5 sacks. He can be a force alongside veteran ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich. Flowers will probably be purely a depth player, but he has value as well.

"The Pats are set with Jones, Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard as their top three edge-rushers now, but Flowers has performed well enough to earn opportunities," Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald recently wrote.

With Sheard and Flowers in the fold, the Patriots can field a four-man rotation at end. This can lead to fresher players and a consistently relentless pass rush.

Against the Steelers offensive line—which was rated 30th in pass-blocking by Pro Football Focus this preseason—this pass rush could wreak havoc and change the course of Thursday's matchup.

Andre Johnson, WR & Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

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On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts will travel to face the Buffalo Bills in what could prove to be an important AFC matchup. Each team had a winning record a year ago, and both could be looking at a playoff run in 2015.

In this one, fans will witness one of the most intriguing matchups of the week—Andrew Luck and the high-powered Colts offense against the dominant defensive front of Buffalo.

The Bills finished last season ranked 11th in run defense (106.4 yards per game allowed) and first in sacks (54.0). The Bills added defensive-minded head coach Rex Ryan to the equation in the offseason, which is like adding extra bacon to a 600-pound BLT.

Luck could face some serious pressure behind a Colts line that was rated just 26th in pass protection by Pro Football Focus a season ago.

This is where a savvy veteran such as Andre Johnson comes into play. The longtime Houston Texans standout isn't going to be the No. 1 receiver in Indianapolis; T.Y. Hilton holds that title. Johnson no longer possesses the speed to be a true downfield threat, either. However, he is experienced, is still a premier route-runner and is about as reliable as they come when catching the ball. 

He can be the perfect security blanket for Luck when the pocket clock starts ticking.

Former San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore can also play a role in this game for two main reasons.

For one, he is a solid outlet receiver out of the backfield. He can also help slow down Buffalo's pass rush by leading a consistent rushing attack.

The Bills are fairly stout against the run but will be without star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, who was suspended one game for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. 

Quinten Rollins & Damarious Randall, CBs, Green Bay Packers

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The always-intense rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers will continue on Sunday, which is a wonderful way to kick off the season in the NFC North.

The rivalry wasn't exactly close last season—Green Bay won both contests by the combined score of 93-31. However, the Bears now have a more balanced offense under new coordinator Adam Gase, and the Packers will have to adjust to life without receiver Jordy Nelson.

If the Bears can consistently attack with their ground game (the Packers were ranked 23rd in run defense last season), then this game can be close. The trick for Green Bay might just be to force Bears quarterback Jay Cutler into a mistake.

He has thrown 22 interceptions in 12 games against the Packers.

This is why rookie cornerbacks Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall can have a major impact for Green Bay against Chicago.

Rollins, a former Miami (Ohio) University star, has a penchant for picking passes (seven interceptions in 2014). 

He is listed as a backup on the Packers' depth chart, but he has the skills to play against the slot and on the outside. He was also rated second overall among all Packers corners by Pro Football Focus for the preseason. 

Randall, the Packers' first-round draft pick, will also help round out the team's depth in the secondary. 

Expect Rollins and Randall to see plenty of playing time against the Bears and expect them to make a difference at some point in the game. 

Danny Shelton, DT, Cleveland Browns

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Last season, the Cleveland Browns were the worst team in the NFL at defending the run. They allowed an average of 141.6 yards per game on the ground. They'll open the season trying to slow a New York Jets team that figures to run the ball quite a bit.

The Jets finished the preseason rated sixth in rushing offense by Pro Football Focus. The team has a couple of capable backs in Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell and will likely be without rookie receiver Devin Smith on Sunday, per Darryl Slater of NJ.com.

This leaves an undermanned Jets passing attack against a Browns defense that was rated first overall in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus last season.

If the Jets are going to move the ball, they may have to do it on the ground. Conversely, if the Browns want to have a chance to win, they're going to have to stop the run.

No player is more important to Cleveland's run-stopping cause than rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton. The 6'2", 339-pound behemoth is expected to be the centerpiece of Cleveland's 3-4 front.

Shelton finished the preseason rated 37th overall among defensive tackles against the run by Pro Football Focus. More importantly, he showcased the ability to eat up blocks and allow linebackers to flow to the football.

“Danny Shelton changes the math—he takes on two offensive linemen every time,” linebacker Karlos Dansby said, via the team's official website. “Usually you get a one-on-one situation. But you have to put two people on him. If you put one guy on him, it’s going to be hard to get a first down if you do.”

If Shelton can help shut down New York's ground game, the Browns could well have a chance to win their first season opener since 2004.

Tyler Lockett, WR/KR, Seattle Seahawks

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The defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks kick off their 2015 season on Sunday against the rival St. Louis Rams. On paper, the Rams don't appear to be a legitimate challenge.

The Rams have a strong defensive front but finished last season ranked just 16th in scoring defense (22.1 points per game allowed) and 17th in total defense (351.6 yards per game allowed). Despite having a new signal-caller in Nick Foles, the Rams were rated just 25th in overall offense by Pro Football Focus for the preseason.

Still, the Rams are a proud NFC West franchise that will be playing at home. The last time the Seahawks traveled to the Edward Jones Dome, they left with a loss. 

This is why no Seattle weapon can be overlooked—and there may not be a better young weapon on the roster than rookie receiver/returner Tyler Lockett.

The third-round draft pick was electric during the preseason, scoring on a long kickoff return, a long punt return and a long touchdown reception. 

“Obviously, the amount of plays that [Lockett] touched the ball and what he did when he had the ball in his hands was enormous," head coach Pete Carroll recently said, via the Seahawks' official website. "It just added to all of the information that we’ve been gathering. He’s as hard working of a guy as we have in the program." 

Lockett's scores have come on plays of 103 yards (kickoff), 67 yards (punt) and 63 yards (reception).

If anyone can change this game in the blink of an eye, it will be Lockett.

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Miami Dolphins

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Since arriving in the NFL back in 2010, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has shown himself to be one of the strongest defensive forces against both the run and the pass. He has 239 career tackles and 36.0 sacks. 

Last season, he was rated third overall among all defensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.

This season, Suh will be providing his talents to the Miami Dolphins. He will anchor a formidable defensive front that will see its first test on Sunday against the Washington Redskins.

Suh can have an immediate impact, especially against the run. Washington was rated just 30th in run blocking by Pro Football Focus this preseason. He can also help slow down a Washington passing attack that could actually be better than some might expect.

Washington has decided to go with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. He was both impressive and efficient in the preseason, finishing with a completion percentage of 75.5 and a passer rating of 103.9. 

"Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback who obviously gets the ball out very quickly," Suh recently said, per James Walker of ESPN.com. "Watching film on him, I think it's going to be a tough challenge no matter whoever quarterback is out there. Obviously, Cousins is the main guy. For me, I think we have our hands full."

If Suh and the rest of the Miami defense can limit Washington's scoring opportunities, the Dolphins should have enough firepower on offense to make this an easy victory. 

Steve Johnson, WR, San Diego Chargers

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Wide receiver Steve Johnson looked like a budding superstar with the Bills only a few seasons ago. However, after one down year with EJ Manuel at quarterback and another with the San Francisco 49ers, he has largely fallen off the map.

However, Johnson could be on his way to a rebound season with the San Diego Chargers and can make his presence felt immediately. The Chargers will take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday in what could turn out to be a bit of a shootout.

If you weren't aware, Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate make up a formidable trio.

Johnson brings both talent and veteran savvy to a Chargers receiving corps that also includes Malcom Floyd and Keenan Allen. This group of receivers will be especially important early in the season because longtime star tight end Antonio Gates was hit with a four-game suspension.

Johnson is the type of veteran receiver that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers can trust.

"Johnson is catching the balls he should and the ones he couldn’t be blamed for missing. A quarterback needs to see that. He rewards that," Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune recently wrote of the developing chemistry between Rivers and Johnson.

The Chargers will likely need all of the offensive help they can get on Sunday. The Lions were tied for second in scoring defense (just 17.6 points per game allowed) a season ago. Having an experienced and trustworthy receiver such as Johnson on the field should be a major boon for San Diego.

Vic Beasley, Adrian Clayborn & O'Brien Schofield, DEs, Atlanta Falcons

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Atlanta Falcons are definitely going to have their hands full with Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles offense on Monday night.

The Eagles averaged just over 33 points per game during the preseason and were rated fifth overall offensively by Pro Football Focus.

The good news is that with weapons such as Julio Jones, Roddy White and Devin Hester on offense, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan should have a chance to help keep pace on the scoreboard.

How the Falcons can turn the tide is with a strong and consistent pass rush. This is where offseason addition Adrian Clayborn and first-round draft pick Vic Beasley can make a difference.

Clayborn and Beasley are two of the biggest assets for head coach Dan Quinn and the pass-rushing scheme he and defensive coordinator Richard Smith have brought to Atlanta. Free-agent addition O'Brien Schofield is important as well.

In fact, it's hard to envision Quinn being able to implement his 4-3 system without the trio of new additions. As it stands, however, the Falcons finished the preseason ranked 11th in pass rushing by Pro Football Focus.

Clayborn, Beasley and Schofield combined for two sacks, two quarterback hits and six additional pressures in the preseason.

The Falcons can use their new pass-rushing trio to put pressure on Bradford, who will be making his first regular-season start since October 2013. If Atlanta can rattle Bradford and force him into making mistakes, the Falcons should have an excellent opportunity to pull off the home upset.

Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings

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There may not be a hotter quarterback heading into the 2015 season than Teddy Bridgewater of the Minnesota Vikings.

He finished the preseason 29-of-35 for 295 yards and a passer rating of 111.3, feeding the hype machine in the process. 

"We here always see Teddy, so we've always known Teddy can do it,'' Minnesota wide receiver Jarius Wright said, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "But I think he's starting to open more people's eyes. They've seen how accurate he is and how many completions he's getting. In the preseason, he definitely helped the hype more.''

The fact that Bridgewater has been nearly flawless in the preseason without star running back Adrian Peterson drawing attention is even more impressive.

Peterson will be on the field Monday when the Vikings take on the San Francisco 49ers, and he is almost guaranteed to draw plenty of attention. 

San Francisco would be foolish not to focus on limiting Peterson as much as possible, and it just might have the talent to do so. Pro Football Focus rated the 49ers tops in the league in run defense and overall defense for the preseason.

This is where offseason addition Mike Wallace comes into play.

He certainly isn't the most complete receiver in the NFL, but he is a true speedster who has made a living off the deep ball. He averaged 12.9 yards per reception last season and caught 10 touchdown passes.

Wallace can be a difference-maker on Monday because his skills fit perfectly with what offensive coordinator Norv Turner likes to do. Turner loves to pass deep off play action.

If the Vikings can get the 49ers to commit to stopping Peterson, Wallace is likely to face a fair amount of single coverage, especially on play action. Bridgewater certainly has the accuracy and the arm talent to find Wallace when he finds separation downfield.