1 Player to Watch for Each Team in NFL Week 1
After what seemed like forever, the 2015 NFL season is finally set to get underway. No more meaningless preseason snaps, and no more position battles.
Week 1 is always the hardest to predict, however. Teams you think will be average can surprise, and those expected to be atop the league may flounder. It's hard to gain the pulse of the league based solely on offseason moves and preseason results.
The players listed here are not the obvious ones, such as Adrian Peterson with the Vikings or Kirk Cousins with the Redskins. Of course, you should watch them because of their circumstances, but this ranking is mostly players you wouldn't think to keep an eye out for.
If you think your team has a more important player to watch for Week 1, chime in the comments section and let me hear about it.
In any case, away we go.
Arizona Cardinals: Chris Johnson, RB
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A late preseason free-agent signing, running back Chris Johnson got right to work in his first action.
"Johnson cut into openings and accelerated well when the lanes were there," wrote Kevin Zimmerman of ArizonaSports.com. "Out of a spread formation in the second quarter, Johnson easily found space to work with and took it for a 16-yard gain, his longest run of the night."
It's highly unlikely that he'll ever return to his 2009 form, when he rushed for a league-high 2,006 yards, but Johnson can carve out a significant role with the Cardinals.
Although Johnson failed to reach the 1,000-yard plateau for the first time of his career last season (663 yards), he was part of a Jets running group that ranked third in the NFL. This proves that while Johnson may not be able to shoulder a heavy load by himself, he can be a part of a successful group.
It's also possible that Johnson steals carries from Andre Ellington, who has been a perennial underperformer to date. Ellington averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season and found the end zone only three times in 12 games.
Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE
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New head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive guru, and he has his work cut out for him with this group.
The former Seahawks defensive coordinator will find that life is much harder without the likes of Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom.
While the Falcons project to have an elite offense and no defense, they may have snagged themselves a player in the draft.
No. 8 overall pick Vic Beasley is going to have a chance to play a major role in his rookie season and could surprise. Grantland recently deemed Beasley a "build-your-own-pass-rush kit" because of his versatility and ability to get to the quarterback. His skill is something they'll rely heavily on up front, as they struggled mightily to consistently apply pressure to opposing QBs.
As we've seen in the past with the Giants, an elite pass rush can mask some of the bigger problems in the middle of the field and secondary. If Beasley and the Falcons can make quarterbacks uncomfortable, perhaps their defense can be a solid group.
Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Mosley, LB
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The Ravens may not have Ray Lewis anymore, but their defense has managed to stay among the league's best regardless.
One of the reasons for that was linebacker C.J. Mosley, who burst on the scene last season as a rookie. The first-round pick from Alabama totaled 133 tackles, finishing first among rookies and No. 7 in the NFL overall.
The Ravens still project to have an above-average offense, but their defense will determine how far they go this season. The group has a tough matchup in Week 1 in Denver against Peyton Manning's well-oiled machine.
If Mosley can help contain C.J. Anderson out of the backfield, the Ravens would have a better shot at pulling off the upset. Anderson should get plenty of carries and looks in the passing game, so Mosley and the Ravens linebackers may have their hands full.
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Buffalo Bills: Percy Harvin, WR
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A surprise trade from Minnesota, a falling out in Seattle and a flame-out in New York have all led Percy Harvin to Buffalo for what may be his last chance to prove his worth in the NFL.
Harvin is so skilled, possessing the ability to break a big play both offensively and on special teams, but he hasn't been productive since 2011.
Playing alongside rising star Sammy Watkins can only help, as opposing defenses will key in on stopping Watkins first. That could allow Harvin to make some noise on the other side of the field or even in the Wildcat, depending on how new Bills head coach Rex Ryan chooses to use him.
As usual, the biggest thing with Harvin is health, and he'll need to prove to everyone that he can play a full season once again.
He should have an easy matchup in Week 1, as the Bills will likely be playing from behind against the Colts, meaning more balls thrown Harvin's way. Maybe a strong season debut will create some chemistry between him and Tyrod Taylor, which could go a long way this season.
Carolina Panthers: Devin Funchess, WR
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There are a lot of questions about the Panthers that are still unanswered heading into the season.
For those who think Cam Newton isn't an elite quarterback, losing top wideout Kelvin Benjamin for the season won't help any. That's where Devin Funchess comes in, however.
Although the Charlotte Observer's Joe Person (h/t ProFootballTalk.com) is reporting that the Panthers will start Ted Ginn and Corey "Philly" Brown at wide receiver in Week 1, Funchess should factor heavily into the offense.
If the Panthers are going to use Ginn and Brown all season, they aren't going anywhere. They might even be worse than their 7-8-1 record from a year ago.
Funchess is the X-factor for the season in Carolina. He and Newton need to develop chemistry this season so that the Panthers have an elite passing game when Benjamin returns in 2016.
A Week 1 matchup against Jacksonville should allow the Panthers to get Funchess in the mix, something that I expect to increase over the course of the season.
Chicago Bears: Eddie Royal, WR
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Most power rankings figure that the Bears won't be good this season, an assessment that is likely true.
The team has been ravaged by injuries, and its depth has been tested. But one player who can benefit is wide receiver Eddie Royal.
Royal played with quarterback Jay Cutler in Denver, posting the best season of his career as a rookie in 2008. He'll have plenty of opportunities to shine in his first season in Chicago, with rookie Kevin White done for the year and defenses paying attention to No. 1 stud Alshon Jeffery.
The bad news is that Royal and Jeffery were both listed as limited participants in practice, according to the Bears' official injury report.
If Royal can hit the field, the Bears will likely need to air it out in order to keep up with the Packers. They'll still get destroyed, but at least Royal can see some targets and make some plays right from the start.
Cincinnati Bengals: Gio Bernard, RB
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Although all eyes will be on running back Jeremy Hill, whom Michael Beller of SI.com thinks will lead the league in rushing, I'm looking at his backup.
Twenty-three-year-old Giovani Bernard has proven he can be a starting running back in the NFL, but he will be taking a back seat to Hill this season.
The most important thing to watch is how many carries he gets in the season opener. Most teams would be lucky to have Bernard as their starter, and it's a luxury to have him as a backup. So it'll be interesting to see how the Bengals use him.
Bernard is more than just a change-of-pace back and can make plays through the passing game as well. If he has a few successful carries in a row, can he steal a series from Hill? If Hill gets off to a hot start, will Bernard be buried?
The depth at running back is an excellent problem for the Bengals, who have the best one-two punch at the position in the league. The division of the workload is something to watch in Week 1 against the Raiders, especially for fantasy football purposes.
Cleveland Browns: Duke Johnson, RB
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It's hard not to like a running back who has a figurine of the Incredible Hulk in his locker.
Rookie running back Duke Johnson will have his work cut out for him in Week 1, however, facing the Jets defense after missing most of the preseason. He doesn't think so, but he will use the game as a measuring stick.
"Rust? I'm 21, I don't think I have rust yet,'' he said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "I'm too young for that. We have one of the top defenses in the NFL and we go out there and compete against them every day and I think if I can go against them I can go against anybody."
If Johnson has a good game against the Jets, that will speak volumes about his outlook for the rest of the season. New York is always stout against the run, with a big front line and a fast group of linebackers who make running lanes hard to come by.
The trade of Terrance West opened up some playing time for Johnson, and he has to make the most of it.
Dallas Cowboys: Sean Lee, LB
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Injuries decimated the Cowboys defense last year, but it still overperformed by not becoming a weakness for the team.
Though they were solid a season ago, the return of linebacker Sean Lee cannot be underestimated. Lee is one of the game's best linebackers when healthy, a recurring issue for his career.
He has missed 31 of the last 48 games, a proportion that badly needs to be evened out this season. 2015 is a pivotal year for Lee, who needs to put together his first healthy season since 2011 in order to make a true impact for the Cowboys.
They match up against the Giants in Week 1, a team that projects to have a good passing game on paper but a running game that is still up in the air. Lee can impact the game by stuffing Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams at the line while keeping Shane Vereen in check on dumpoffs.
Denver Broncos: Owen Daniels, TE
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Peyton Manning loves tight ends and usually makes "somebodies" out of "nobodies."
How will he do when he's throwing to a player who is already a somebody?
Owen Daniels is a proven veteran who never had himself an elite quarterback. Even in his lone season with the Ravens last year, quarterback Joe Flacco didn't look his way as often, leading Daniels to total just 527 yards.
Manning has made tight ends such as Jacob Tamme and Julius Thomas look far better than they actually are, and Thomas' departure means that Daniels could be in store for the best season of his 10-year career.
He'll likely be a red-zone target on a team that features Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on the outside, which could bode well for his chances of finding open looks near the goal line. He'll be facing his former team, the Ravens, in Week 1 and could be hungry to make a splash right away.
Detroit Lions: Ameer Abdullah, RB
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It seems as if the entire world has fallen in love with running back Ameer Abdullah overnight. He had an impressive preseason and displayed all of his flashy skills against a tough first-team Jets defense in the exhibition opener.
Now, it's his time to prove his worth in the regular season, when it actually counts. Though Joique Bell is still on the roster, there's a lot of pressure on Abdullah.
"If the Lions take that next step, where the offense goes from being just good enough to being a difference-maker in multiple games, Abdullah is the key," wrote Jamie Samuelsen of the Detroit Free Press.
Samuelsen went on to call Abdullah a "home run hitter," something the Lions haven't had in a while.
With an already elite passing game featuring Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, a solid running game could be what the Lions need to get over the hump. If Abdullah can carry over his success to the regular season, the Lions could be ready to make some noise in the NFC.
Green Bay Packers: Richard Rodgers, TE
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How many times will we hear, "Rodgers...to Rodgers...touchdown Packers" this season?
The loss of Jordy Nelson has been swept under the rug because of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' ability to make even the most average of players into big-time producers. One thing is certain, however. There will be plenty more targets to go around now that Nelson is out for the season.
Some of those targets may be headed to tight end Richard Rodgers, who actually morphed into a contributor late last season. He had 10 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown over his last three games last season, two of those in the playoffs.
While those numbers may not jump off the page, the fact that Rodgers was involved was encouraging. He saw five targets against the Seahawks in what would be the last game the Packers played last year.
The second-year player may be in line for a boost in production and could become a big piece of Green Bay's offense this season.
Houston Texans: Alfred Blue, RB
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With wide receiver Andre Johnson gone and sketchy play at the quarterback position once more, the Texans are going to have to win games by running the ball effectively and playing stout defense.
While the injury to Arian Foster is certainly discouraging right off the bat, running back Alfred Blue will have a chance to shine in the early portion of the season.
Although the opportunities were there for Blue during his rookie season, he failed to capitalize in a major way, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry. Still, there were encouraging performances, like his 156-yard game against the Browns on Nov. 16.
Blue is a wild card for the Texans this season, but he has the potential to become a solid running back and even keep a role once Foster eventually returns. His Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs is certainly difficult. But if he can show some burst and make some plays, it'll be a huge statement to start his second season.
Indianapolis Colts: Andre Johnson, WR
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Speaking of Andre Johnson, the 34-year-old veteran has some lofty expectations on him this season.
"I say Andre Johnson, currently going 21st among wide receivers, sets career highs this season in touchdowns (currently nine) and receptions (currently 115) and has more than 1,200 yards receiving," wrote Matthew Berry of ESPN.com.
Predicting that Johnson has the best season of his career is a bit of a stretch and bold claim, but the potential for the wideout to become a top-flight star is once again there nonetheless.
Now paired with Andrew Luck and alongside verified No. 1 option T.Y. Hilton, Johnson will see plenty of targets with defenses not exclusively blanketing him. It's certainly possible that he puts together an impressive season on an offense that should be the NFL's best.
Age and injuries are always a concern, however. Johnson will need to avoid the little injuries that cost him time here and there in order to prove that his body, which has endured 12 NFL seasons, can last.
Jacksonville Jaguars: T.J. Yeldon, RB
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The Jaguars are expected to be a slightly improved team this season, though they'll likely still fall short of the playoffs again.
One way for the young squad to continue its improvement is by handing the ball to rookie running back T.J. Yeldon and seeing what he can do. If he's anything near the player he is projected to be, the Jags will have a solid core to build around moving forward.
Yeldon's Week 1 matchup isn't friendly, as the Panthers and linebacker Luke Kuechly usually aren't too kind to opposing running backs. Still, it'll be interesting to see how the pass-to-rush ratio breaks down and how many touches Yeldon gets in his NFL debut. If quarterback Blake Bortles wants an easy way to move the chains, he'll also target Yeldon in the passing game and let his speed find holes to exploit.
Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry, SS
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Now, it's time for the first player to watch strictly for non-football reasons.
While Chiefs safety Eric Berry makes plenty of noise on the field, the mere fact that he will be on the field for the season opener is incredible.
After being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in December, Berry's entire life was turned upside down. Not only did he not know if he would ever play football again, but it was uncertain if he would even live. Scared and facing adversity, Berry beat the disease and now resumes his Pro Bowl career to complete the story and beat the odds.
It's stories like this that should be getting more publicity in the game of football rather than the off-field shenanigans that are dragging the sport through the mud. Berry is a fighter and should be inspiration for millions around the world.
Miami Dolphins: Jarvis Landry, WR
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The obvious choice here would be defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, whom the Dolphins signed during free agency, but let's think outside the box a little bit.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is ready to take the next step and hop into the top tier of quarterbacks. He has a solid group of wideouts to utilize, but no option is more intriguing than second-year Jarvis Landry.
Under normal circumstances, Landry would have gotten far more recognition for his excellent rookie campaign. In a year where Odell Beckham Jr., Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans exploded onto the scene in what may have been the best rookie wide receiver class ever, Landry was lost in the shuffle.
Don't sleep on this kid, though.
He caught 84 passes last season and was targeted 111 times, easily becoming Tannehill's favorite weapon. He should be in store for a big season and should have a good game against Washington's poor defense in Week 1.
Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
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The Minnesota Vikings thought they were getting in Cordarrelle Patterson what they had in Percy Harvin back in the day.
They expected Patterson, who has blazing speed, to become a special teams weapon and deep threat, but he hasn't lived up to expectations thus far.
Patterson's pass-catching abilities have been called into question, as his hands have been shaky. In his first two seasons, he has hauled in just 53.7 percent of the passes thrown his way and scored just one touchdown last season.
It's starting to look like Patterson isn't even on the level of a player like Torrey Smith.
To set the bar low, Patterson has to at least do two things he has yet to do in his career: accumulate 500 yards and score five touchdowns. For him to be the player the Vikings thought they were drafting in the 2013 first round, however, Patterson will need to also make an impact on special teams and bring versatility to a sound offense.
The hope here is that as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater grows, Patterson follows suit.
New England Patriots: Malcolm Butler, CB
19 of 32"What? Tom Brady isn't the player to watch? Not even after Deflategate? This slide is garbage!"
Don't be the guy who reacts that way.
Why watch Tom Brady? He's a beast. He's going to be awesome Thursday night against the Steelers just as he always is, because an angry Brady with something to prove is absolutely deadly.
The player to watch here is Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler. After the departures of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, Butler now has a huge role in a suddenly uncertain secondary.
Butler's matchup is brutal, as the Steelers have one of the best passing games in the NFL, even with Martavis Bryant suspended. And with running back Le'Veon Bell also suspended, the likelihood is that Ben Roethlisberger and company will air it out a lot.
This will be a huge test for Butler, especially if he draws the incredibly unfortunate assignment of covering wide receiver Antonio Brown. If Butler plays well, he will make a huge statement and prove that he's more than just a one-hit wonder like some other Super Bowl heroes.
New Orleans Saints: Brandon Browner, CB
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You can keep an eye on the Saints' tight end situation in the absence of Jimmy Graham if you'd like, but New Orleans is likely to find ways to put up points. Its main challenge will be stopping other teams from doing so.
It's the main reason they shelled out $18 million to bring Brandon Browner aboard. And since he's won the Super Bowl the last two seasons (one with the Seahawks, the other with the Patriots), the Saints are hoping he can continue that trend as well.
Browner is a huge corner at 6'4" and uses his strength and size to gain an advantage. Those attributes will be key in a division that features Julio Jones, Roddy White, Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.
In Week 1, Browner will have to contend with the trio of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown. The Cardinals love to air it out, so the Saints secondary will surely be tested.
New York Giants: Landon Collins, SS
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It's a wonder how Giants general manager Jerry Reese still has a job after three consecutive seasons missing the playoffs. By my estimation, it'll be a fourth, as the current version of the 2015-16 Giants is flawed.
Once again, Reese has given coach Tom Coughlin a roster with glaring weaknesses heading into the season opener. This time, the main concern is the safety position.
The Giants let an already-thin group get even worse by allowing Antrel Rolle to sign with Chicago. Although Rolle was a loud mouth, he had skills and helped tremendously in both the run and passing games.
Second-round draft pick Landon Collins will have a heavy burden on his shoulders as a rookie. The former Alabama standout will be anchoring a weak group of safeties and will be responsible for containing big-play receivers down the field.
First up in Week 1? Dez Bryant.
My guess is that Bryant absolutely lights the Giants up and this Sunday Night Football game becomes a mockery.
If Collins holds his own, however, maybe the Giants won't be so terrible against the pass after all.
New York Jets: Darrelle Revis, CB
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Apparently nobody remembers the endless training-camp holdouts whining for more money. They don't even care that he signed with the archrival Patriots and won a Super Bowl. It's all water under the bridge now that Darrelle Revis is back with Gang Green.
Former coach Rex Ryan is probably wondering why the Jets failed to make free-agent splashes in his last year as a coach, when the Jets secondary was so ravaged that they had safeties playing corner.
In any case, Revis now joins his old teammate, Antonio Cromartie, with New York once again, providing what should be shutdown capabilities to a great front seven.
Revis won't face any lethal receivers in Week 1 against the Browns, but that's only another reason to watch him. When Revis is right, even star No. 1 receivers have trouble catching anything. He shouldn't give up any receptions to a weak Browns receiving corps on Sunday if he's still as dominant as he was when the Jets traded him to the Buccaneers in 2013.
Oakland Raiders: Latavius Murray, RB
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The Latavius Murray hype train is going so fast it's about to go off the tracks. This kid needs it to be Sunday already.
"I think the sky is the limit for Murray," wrote Stephen White of SB Nation.
Despite missing his entire rookie season and getting only 82 rushing attempts last year, everyone seems ready to anoint Murray as the new Barry Sanders.
Now that the dead-weight veterans, such as Darren McFadden, are out of his way, Murray should shine. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season and showed great playmaking abilities in the passing game in limited time.
The Bengals present a tough Week 1 matchup, but Murray shouldn't be too fazed. He rushed for 112 yards on four carries and scored two touchdowns last season against a solid Chiefs defense.
The moral of the story is that we should be tuning in to see what kind of insane trio the Raiders are building with quarterback Derek Carr, Murray and wideout Amari Cooper.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Matthews, WR
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I wish I could say that Jordan Matthews is undoubtedly a No. 1 receiver in the NFL and will have a monster year, but there's not enough evidence that's true.
Even in coach Chip Kelly's pass-happy offense, there's no guarantee that Matthews will light it up.
After all, he's about to be receiving passes from his third quarterback in two seasons and did most of his damage last season with current backup Mark Sanchez tossing him the rock.
Will he have that same chemistry with Sam Bradford, or will Bradford favor rookie Nelson Agholor? Can Matthews handle the brunt of facing the defense's top corner every week and being keyed in now that Jeremy Maclin is in Kansas City?
The answers to those questions will come soon enough, and they'll start forming in Week 1. If Matthews is going to have a big game this season, facing the Falcons indoors is likely one of his best opportunities.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Cody Wallace, C
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"There is one thing here that is traditionally undervalued and that’s the worth of a good center," wrote Pro Football Focus founder Neil Hornsby on Sports Illustrated's website. "Logically, it may seem like you are losing only one-fifth of the unit, but that doesn’t account for how vital the position is to the entire offensive line."
Hornsby is being generous and politely phrasing the fact that the Steelers are in trouble without center Maurkice Pouncey.
Pouncey, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro, will be out until Week 9 after being placed on short-term injured reserve.
For a team with arguably the best running back in football (Le'Veon Bell) and a quarterback who needs to be upright in order to find his many weapons (Ben Roethlisberger), this is a huge blow.
Cody Wallace is going to have big shoes to fill and will need to show something in the season opener against the Pats in order to give the organization some hope that Pouncey's injury won't derail its season.
San Diego Chargers: Branden Oliver, RB
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Everyone is focusing on first-round draft pick Melvin Gordon, who looks like he could be a franchise back for the Chargers for the next few years.
In Week 1, however, I'll be watching Branden Oliver, who is actually listed ahead of Gordon on the Chargers' depth chart, according to ESPN.
Oliver was decent last year after being thrust into a much larger role than expected. The undrafted rookie totaled 582 yards rushing and added 36 catches out of the backfield as well. The main concern with Oliver is that he's just 5-foot-8, which isn't the ideal size for a featured No. 1 runner.
Gordon's time will surely come, but there's no need to rush him just yet. Perhaps a time share will be in order until Gordon becomes accustomed to life in the NFL and the speed of the game.
My guess is that Oliver is an underrated play in Week 1. Facing a Lions team without Suh clogging up the middle shouldn't be a daunting task for Oliver, especially at home. He'll make waves on the ground and through the air this week.
San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis, TE
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Sticking with the theme of tight ends, what happened to Vernon Davis?
Davis saw an epic drop-off in his production last season and went from one of the game's most feared at the position to an afterthought. His touchdown total dropped by an incredible 11 last season from 13 in 2013 to just two last season, and he caught the lowest amount of passes (26) since his rookie year in 2006.
If the 49ers are going to be any good, they'll need to have a borderline elite offense, since retirements and off-the-field drama has decimated their defense. In order for quarterback Colin Kaepernick and this group to take the next step, Davis has to become a focal point of the offense once more.
Davis is a huge red-zone threat, and Kaepernick is going to have to target him in those situations or the 49ers will be settling for a lot of field goals.
Look for Davis to have a bounce-back season in San Francisco, starting Monday night against the Vikings.
Seattle Seahawks: Dion Bailey, SS
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Safety Kam Chancellor's holdout is now going to leak into the regular season, creating more problems in a Seahawks secondary that has already lost some pieces.
Stepping in to fill his place will be Dion Bailey, an undrafted free agent out of USC.
One teammate thinks that Chancellor will eventually cave in once the team starts winning without him.
"We will win without him, and it will hit him," the teammate told ESPN.com's Ed Werder.
The Seahawks are one of the most confident teams in the NFL, so that take is unsurprising. Still, with Chancellor holding out and Earl Thomas still hurting, there's a chance the Legion of Boom takes a step back this season.
Bailey is going to have to impress early on to give the Seahawks reason to be confident. An easy matchup against the Rams and their average passing attack should get the season off on the right foot.
St. Louis Rams: Tre Mason, RB
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Per ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner, Tre Mason didn't practice on Wednesday due to a thigh injury. But if he plays on Sunday, he's the player to watch for the Rams.
Regardless of whether they acquired Nick Foles, the Rams will need to effectively run the ball in order to consistently put up points this season.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport (h/t Washington Post), rookie Todd Gurley will be out until at least Week 4. So Mason will have to carry the load on the ground for the Rams. If Mason plays well enough, he may keep the starter's role over Gurley, allowing St. Louis to ease him back into action or even holding him out an extra week or two.
"Tre Mason is still here," Mason told Wagoner. "Give me the ball. I’m ready to rock. That’s how I feel about the situation."
Mason led the Rams with 765 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last season, proving he is more than capable of being a No. 1 back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
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So what you're saying is that No. 1 pick Jameis Winston isn't the player to watch in a game against the No. 2 overall pick? Hmmm.
Though he clearly is, and that game will be telling of the types of futures the two quarterbacks have in store, I'm also interested in tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
There's so much of a divide between the top tier—basically Rob Gronkowski and the rest of the league. Seferian-Jenkins, however, has the ability and skills to leap up and separate himself from the average crop of tight ends flooding the NFL.
It'll be interesting to see what kind of chemistry he has with Winston, who also has big targets Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson to utilize. The 6'5" Seferian-Jenkins is only 22 years old and has a lot of potential to grow into a capable weapon for the Bucs.
Tennessee Titans: Terrance West, RB
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While Marcus Mariota will be endlessly evaluated on his NFL debut, you should also keep an eye on running back Terrance West.
West, acquired from the Browns, joins unimpressive Bishop Sankey in the Titans backfield. If this duo can resemble an NFL quality running game, Mariota's development will be greatly enhanced. Teams won't be able to ignore the running game and will have to stack the box on occasion, giving Mariota more space down the field.
West's time in Cleveland ended poorly, with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reporting that he was traded because of his "inconsistency on the field and immaturity off of it."
It appears as if West needs to both play better and grow up, two things the Titans will need him to do this season if they want to be competitive on a weekly basis.
Washington Redskins: Terrance Knighton, DT
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Amid all the endless controversy in the nation's capital, the regular season is finally set to begin for a franchise in flux and a fanbase hungry for a winning team to get behind.
The odds are still in favor of the Redskins continuing to be dysfunctional, and they likely won't be good either. But you never know.
While Kirk Cousins will be analyzed heavily after Week 1, as he's now the starter over Robert Griffin III, the Redskins will need to be better defensively if they want to make noise in the NFC East.
One way they can do that is by jumping on the back of big man Terrance Knighton, whom they signed to a one-year deal this offseason. The 354-pound defensive tackle can clog up the middle and be a run-stuffer in the center of the Skins defense, just as he did during his time with the Broncos and Jaguars.
It's a lot to ask of Knighton, but offense likely won't be an issue for the Redskins, who have weapons at all positions. If they can figure out a way to keep opposing offenses in check, they might have a shot to hover around .500 in a weak NFC East this season.
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