Predicting Every NFL Team's Most Surprising Starter Ahead of Training Camps
It's time to turn the page on the 2016 NFL offseason. In about a month teams will assemble for training camps and shortly after will begin competing in preseason contests. During that time, teams will trim their rosters from 90 players down to 53, while establishing starting lineups.
Some of the players selected to start around the league are sure to come as surprises.
Unexpected starters can come from almost anywhere. They can be mid- or late-round rookie draft picks, longtime backups or forgotten veterans. The one thing they have in common is they aren't currently considered front-runners for a starting job.
We're going to take a crack at identifying one surprise starter from each NFL team for the 2016 season. Our choices are based on factors like player potential, experience, level of competition and scheme fit.
There will be room for subjectivity here, and some surprises will undoubtedly be bigger than others.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
A.Q. Shipley, Center
Veteran center and guard A.Q. Shipley has started 22 regular-season games in his NFL regular career, but he has done so with three different teams and has never played for the same team two years in a row. This pattern could finally come to an end in 2016.
Shipley saw little time at center last season and is competing with fourth-round rookie Evan Boehm. Yet center is exactly where it appears he could start.
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians recently stated the starting center job is Shipley's to lose, per Adam Green of Arizona 98.7 FM. This comes as a bit of a surprise as some believed Boehm could have the inside track at the job.
"Boehm has starter qualities and center is a need for the Cardinals," NFL Media's Mark Dulgerian said shortly after Boehm was drafted. "He's a lunch-pail hog with the intangibles you want from the leader of your offensive line. This is a good value for a future starter."
The thing is Shipley played well during his time at center last season. Pro Football Focus rated him 10th overall among all centers for the year. Boehm could indeed be an eventual starter, but it's looking like Shipley could hold him off for at least the coming season.
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Nick Rose, Kicker
Kicker Matt Bryant has been in the NFL for 14 years and has spent the past seven with the Atlanta Falcons. He is the definition of an established talent. Yet Bryant could lose his job to undrafted Texas product Nick Rose.
Bryant is 41 years old and is coming off a season-ending quad injury. He also saw some on-field struggles before the injury. Bryant missed four of his 18 field-goal attempts and finished the season rated just 54th overall among kickers by Pro Football Focus.
Rose has some accuracy issues of his own to correct—he missed four of 17 field-goal attempts last year—but has the type of young, powerful leg that can push Bryant out of his role.
During early organized team activities, Justin Felder of Fox 5 Atlanta reported that the ball "jumps off" Rose's foot and predicted there would be "serious competition" at kicker.
Rose's big leg has also grabbed the attention of Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.
"Big leg," Armstrong said of Rose, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He looked nice. He looked good. Big leg. Big, strong leg. He's going to work on his consistency, but he's a good kid and a good kicker."
Rose's big leg also gives him value as a kickoff specialist, a role Bryant has never filled with Atlanta. Last season, Rose averaged an impressive 63.06 yards on 63 kickoffs.
If Rose can show improvement in his overall accuracy, he should be able to wrestle the starting job away from his veteran counterpart.
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Kenneth Dixon, Running Back
The Baltimore Ravens face quite the logjam at the running back position heading into training camp. The team brought back 2015 starter Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen, Terrance West and Lorenzo Taliaferro, while adding former first-round pick Trent Richardson in the offseason.
However, it could be rookie fourth-round pick Kenneth Dixon who emerges with the starting job by the end of camp.
None of the Ravens running backs were great last season. In fact, Taliaferro and Terrence Magee (now with the Los Angeles Rams) were the only backs to receive a positive grade from Pro Football Focus. Forsett obviously has the most starting experience of the bunch, but he's coming off a season-ending arm injury.
Dixon, who rushed for 1,073 yards and 19 touchdowns last year at Louisiana Tech, should have a fair shot at the starting job. Since Dixon is a versatile back—he also caught 33 passes for 464 yards and seven scores last year—he should have a good opportunity to take it.
Despite missing the early portion of the offseason program due to injury, Dixon managed to impress during minicamp. Brian Bower of RussellStreetReport.com described his performance:
"Dixon put on a solid display running both inside the tackles and outside the tackles throughout the 2 hour practice. Quick to hit the gaps, the former Louisiana Tech standout had several long runs including a would-be touchdown early on in 11-on-11 team drills.
Dixon also fared well in check-down drills, flashing his ability to catch passes out of the offensive backfield. The Ravens 4th-round pick was able to get separation over the middle of the field and turned the receptions into big gains.
"
If Dixon continues to shine on the practice field and in preseason, he could overtake the slew of veterans for the starting gig.
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Glenn Gronkowski, Fullback
When the Buffalo Bills signed former Kansas State fullback Glenn Gronkowski as an undrafted free agent, it meant we might get to see him do battle with superstar brother Rob Gronkowski twice a year.
While the prospect sounds fun, the younger Gronkowski will first have to beat out eight-year veteran Jerome Felton for the starting job. As surprising as it might seem, there's a chance it could actually happen.
Gronkowski brings more athleticism to the position, and he can provide value as an offensive weapon. Don't expect him to start playing like the Gronkowski with the New England Patriots, but he can have a bigger role in the offense than Felton, who had one carry and one reception last season.
"Gronkowski's versatility will be his calling card," Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller wrote of Gronkowski before the draft. "He can line up at multiple positions and play on special teams. Coaches asked him to carry the ball at Kansas State, and he has some value in short-yardage and goal-line situations."
Gronkowski may also be able to provide an upgrade over Felton, rated just 34th overall among 36 fullbacks by Pro Football Focus last season. With Felton due to earn $1.55 million in base salary this year, Gronkowski will definitely be cheaper.
Bills fans might just get to see a Gronkowski batter the Patriots this season.
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Daryl Williams, Offensive Tackle
It's hard to pinpoint a surprise starter on the Carolina Panthers roster because the vast majority of last year's NFC champion is back. The Panthers drafted three cornerbacks to help replace the departed Josh Norman, so seeing one of them start wouldn't be a major surprise.
What would be a bit of a surprise is if one of last year's starting offensive tackles is knocked down the depth chart. It probably won't be Michael Oher, who just signed a three-year extension. However, starting right tackle Mike Remmers could be in position to lose his job to 2015 fourth-round pick Daryl Williams.
Injuries limited Williams to just 10 appearances and a minor role as a rookie. However, he seems to be seeing progress this offseason.
"It feels a lot easier compared to last year," Williams said, per Max Henson of the team's official website. "Last year I didn't really know that much—just a rookie running around with my head cut off. But I know everything better, so it just feels way easier."
The next step for Williams is to compete for starting opportunities during training camp.
"I definitely expect [Daryl] to come out and compete," Panthers guard Trai Turner said, via the team's official website. "It doesn't matter, anybody out here is going to compete like they're a starter. He's a big, strong guy. As long as he keeps using that to his advantage, he'll be good to go."
It should benefit William to know that his competition at the tackle spots struggled at times during the 2015 season. Pro Football Focus rated Remmers just 103rd and Oher 125th among offensive tackles.
If Williams shows he can upgrade the offensive line, he'll likely earn a starting role, which could make the Panthers an even more dangerous team in 2016.
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Jordan Howard, Running Back
Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford showed quite a bit of promise as a rookie last season, particularly as a pass-catcher. He finished the 2015 season with 537 yards rushing, 22 receptions, 279 yards receiving and seven total touchdowns.
While Langford was able to pile up nice numbers on the ground, they often came as a result of a high-volume workload. The rookie struggled to find open rushing lanes and to take full advantage of the ones he did recognize, as evidenced by his 3.6 yards-per-carry average.
Langford can certainly have a role on the Chicago offense, but there are legitimate concerns about his ability to be a starting-caliber back. If he cannot, rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Howard could conceivably steal the job.
Howard did a tremendous job as a workhorse back at Indiana last season. He finished the year with 1,213 yards rushing, a 6.2 yards-per-carry average and nine rushing touchdowns. He may be better suited for the early-down work in Chicago's offense, while Langford handles passing downs.
For now, Howard seems happy to prepare himself for training camp and take whatever role the Bears give him.
"If you don't know the playbook you're going to fall behind—and they're not going to wait on you," said Howard, per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"I can be a short-yardage back," he added. "I can be an every-down back. I can be whatever they need me to be."
If Howard can show the same kind of hard-running ability he flashed at Indiana, the Bears might just need him to be their starter.
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Andrew Billings, Defensive Tackle
Cincinnati Bengals rookie Andrew Billings fell to the fourth round of the draft, but the former Baylor standout was a highly regarded prospect. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller rated Billings as his No. 4 defensive lineman in this year's class.
The reason it could be surprising to see Billings start in Week 1 is the Bengals already have an incredibly talented rotation along the defensive line. Names like Carlos Dunlap, Domata Peko and Geno Atkins should be familiar to many fans. However, it's the presence of the 10-year veteran Peko that could lead to an opportunity for Billings.
Peko primarily plays the nose tackle position in Cincinnati's 4-3 base defense. This is likely the role the 6'1", 311-pound Billings would fill, given the opportunity. Peko is coming off a down year—Pro Football Focus rated him just 134th overall among defensive tackles last season. If Billings shows enough in training camp and preseason, he could possess Peko's job by opening day.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Andrew Hawkins, Wide Receiver
We strongly considered going with a quarterback here, but considering the mess that has been the quarterback position in Cleveland, we're not sure if any starting quarterback would come as a surprise. Instead, we're going with Cleveland Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins.
The Browns selected four wide receivers in this year's draft, including first-rounder Corey Coleman. As well, the team has an intriguing receiver prospect in converted quarterback Terrelle Pryor. There's also the slim possibility Cleveland could get Josh Gordon back from suspension in early August.
For a 30-year-old receiver coming off an injury-plagued season like Hawkins, a starting job is out of the realm of possibility, right?
Not so fast.
Hawkins has history with new Browns head coach Hue Jackson. Both were with the Bengals for the 2012-13 seasons. Hawkins has also been one of the more impressive players of the Browns offseason.
"The two most impressive receivers in the practices were Corey Coleman and Andrew Hawkins," Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer wrote earlier this month, adding, "Hawkins is coming back from missing eight games last season due to a concussion and other injuries. He has looked good as a slot receiver."
Assuming Hawkins can remain healthy, he should be able to stave off the young bunch for the team's starting slot job.
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Charles Tapper, Defensive End
The Dallas Cowboys are going to begin the regular season thin at the defensive end position because both Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence are suspended for the opening month. Still, it would be a bit unexpected to see rookie fourth-round pick Charles Tapper snag a starting end spot to open the season.
It would be even more surprising to see him keep one.
Yet Tapper possesses the talent to make an early impact for the Cowboys defense and to keep making impact plays throughout the season. The Oklahoma product is a speedy edge-rusher who racked up 50 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for a loss and 7.0 sacks last season.
Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News recently wrote that Tapper was one of the most impressive rookies during OTAs, stating: "Tapper is quick off of the ball, but you knew already about his speed. He should contribute early."
If Tapper gets an early opportunity, he can likely hold on to a significant role by proving his worth against the run. Gregory showed some promise as a pass-rusher last season, but he was a liability in the ground game. Pro Football Focus rated him just 81st among 4-3 ends against the run last season.
There's a real chance Tapper can earn a starting job while the returning Gregory is forced into a situational rush role.
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Connor McGovern, Guard
The Denver Broncos parted ways with veteran guards Evan Mathis and Louis Vasquez this offseason. There are a few interesting options in the mix to replace them, one of whom is rookie fifth-round pick Connor McGovern.
The Missouri product may be seen as a bit of a dark horse for one of the guard spots, as the Broncos have second-year players Ty Sambrailo and Max Garcia on the roster. However, both come with concerns.
Sambrailo started three games at tackle last season but spent plenty of time at guard during his time at Colorado State. Unfortunately, his 2015 season ended after those three games due to a torn labrum. Therefore, he's coming off a major injury and has never played guard as a pro.
Garcia did spend time at guard last season, but his performances left quite a bit to be desired. Pro Football Focus rated him 94th overall among guards for the 2015 season.
Broncos nose tackle Sylvester Williams recently told Mark Kim of KOMU 8 Sports that McGovern "is a hard worker and he has shown improvement every day throughout offseason camp."
If McGovern can continue working hard throughout the offseason, he should earn the opportunity to slip into one of the starting guard roles.
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Miles Killebrew, Safety
When the Detroit Lions drafted former Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew in the fourth round of the draft, some saw him as a hybrid defender.
"Killebrew is a strong safety who may line up as a hybrid linebacker in some looks," NFL Media's Mark Dulgerian wrote of Killebrew. "Either way, he's an enforcer who could have an instant impact on their special teams coverage teams."
However, Killebrew just might end up with the starting job at strong safety this season.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Lions general manager Bob Quinn mentioned Killebrew as a possible starting candidate in a recent interview with SiriusXM. Quinn also said Rafael Bush, Isaiah Johnson and Tavon Wilson were in the mix.
While Killebrew is clearly unproven, he isn't sitting behind vastly superior options. Bush appeared in just one game for the New Orleans Saints last year before landing on injured reserve. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson saw just one defensive snap at safety in 2015. While Pro Football Focus rated Wilson a respectable 47th overall among safeties, he logged just 73 snaps at the position with the New England Patriots.
Killebrew shouldn't be too far behind the competition heading into training camp. If he can prove himself in camp and in the preseason, he can snag the starting job from his veteran competition.
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Jared Abbrederis, Wide Receiver
The Green Bay Packers selected wide receiver Jared Abbrederis in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, but the Wisconsin product has struggled to crack the starting lineup in the two years since.
A torn ACL kept Abbrederis off the field as a rookie. Injuries limited him to just 10 games during the 2015 regular season. However, he appeared in two games—and finally got a start—during the 2015 postseason.
A strong training camp and preseason could earn Abbrederis a role as Green Bay's No. 3 receiver alongside Randell Cobb and Jordy Nelson. Fortunately, Abbrederis appears to be heading into camp with a lot of momentum.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the following of Abbrederis, per Jason Wilde of ESPN.com:
"I think Jared's had his best offseason. I think his route running is exemplary for a young guy. His ability to recognize coverages, and his time clock, his breaking points, his ability to drop his weight—just all the specifics and details and techniques of route running, I think he's exceptional.
He just needs to continue to work on getting stronger. He plays the position technically and fundamentally at a very high level.
"
If Abbrederis earns a starting job, it would mean knocking 2015 starter Davante Adams out of that role. Of course, it's worth noting Adams struggled in that role last season. Pro Football Focus rated him as the second-worst receiver in the league.
Abbrederis would also have to hold off 2015 third-round pick Ty Montgomery, rookie fifth-round pick Trevor Davis and postseason darling Jeff Janis. Surprisingly, Abbrederis seems to be on his way to accomplishing all of the previously mentioned challenges.
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Ka'imi Fairbairn, Kicker
The Houston Texans had some issues at their kicker position in 2015. Nick Novak missed three field goals and two extra points in 13 games last season, while Randy Bullock missed a field goal and two extra points in his three appearances.
Novak finished the year rated just 56th overall among kickers by Pro Football Focus.
Though Novak is under contract this season, there's a good chance he loses his job to undrafted rookie Ka'imi Fairbairn.
Fairbairn made 20 of 24 field-goal attempts last season at UCLA, while connecting on all 47 of his extra-point attempts. He also averaged a solid 64.55 yards per kickoff on 84 kicks.
"Fairbairn showed consistent improvement during his four years at UCLA," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote before the draft. "With a huge leg for kickoffs, Fairbairn is a draftable prospect. He is a do-it-all kicker with excellent range on field goals and the power to pin teams back on kickoffs."
Roughly 12 years younger than Novak, Fairbairn has an opportunity to provide Houston with a long-term piece at the kicker position. Naturally, he's going to have to earn the job in camp and in the preseason.
"The key for young kickers like Fairbairn is how they do when the lights go on," Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said, per Aaron Reiss of the Houston Chronicle. "When you put them in a game situation where there's 70,000 people out there in a preseason game, maybe he has to make a game-winning kick in a preseason game. How's he going to perform then?"
If Fairbairn can perform well, he can be Houston's kicker in 2016.
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Hassan Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle
The Indianapolis Colts picked up former Texas defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway in the fourth round of this year's draft. Day 3 selections aren't supposed to have an immediate impact, but Ridgeway can.
For one, Ridgeway doesn't seem to be your typical fourth-round pick. He is an athletic 6'3", 303-pound defensive lineman who can rush the passer. Last year at Texas, he produced 36 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Before the draft, NFL Media's Lance Zierlein even compared Ridgeway to Panthers star Kawann Short.
Ridgeway can have a huge impact for the Colts defense as a rookie. He has the tools to rush from the edge in Indianapolis' 3-4 base defense and to provide an interior pass rush in sub-packages. Ridgeway should see plenty of time on the field, even if he isn't a starter in official title.
The Colts were extremely happy to land him where they did, as Director of College Scouting T.J. McCreight explained, via the team's official website:
"He can rush the quarterback and he can play the run, too. We think he can do a lot of different things. You can never have enough defensive linemen. He was one of those guys when he was sitting there in the fourth round, we were surprised. We didn't think a player like that would be there still at our pick. When we picked him, we had some high fives, not just handshakes. We were pretty happy.
"
Pro Football Focus rated the Colts just 23rd in run defense and 23rd in pass rush for the 2015 season. If Ridgeway can bolster both areas from the defensive line, there's no reason he shouldn't start in 2016.
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Luke Joeckel, Guard
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Joeckel should be a starter in 2016, and it shouldn't be a surprise. He was drafted second overall back in 2013 to be the team's franchise left tackle. However, he has disappointed since entering the league, and that disappointment continued into the 2015 season.
Pro Football Focus rated Joeckel just 118th overall among all offensive tackles for the 2015 season, which explains why the Jaguars added former Pittsburgh Steelers starter Kelvin Beachum in free agency.
Beachum, once fully recovered from last year's ACL tear, is expected to be Jacksonville's new left tackle.
This will undoubtedly leave Joeckel looking for work, and he just might find it at guard. According to Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars worked Joeckel at guard during OTAs.
If Beachum is healthy enough to realistically compete for the tackle job in camp, Joeckel could end up in a competition at guard. He might just get the opportunity to jump-start a new career there.
Last year's starter at right guard, A.J. Cann, rated just 117th overall among guards for the 2015 season per Pro Football Focus. Offseason acquisition Mackenzy Bernadeau—who is in the mix at left guard—rated a more respectable 89th overall but saw just 96 snaps with the Cowboys last season.
If Joeckel can show the Jaguars something at guard, he could surprise as a starter there. If he can provide an upgrade at one of the guard positions, the Jacksonville line will likely be better off for it.
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Spencer Ware, Running Back
A season-ending ACL injury cost Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles much of his 2015 campaign. However, it opened the door for running backs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware to make names for themselves in the Chiefs backfield.
West and Ware combined for 1,037 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns in 2015.
Now the Chiefs head into training camp with three viable rushers on the roster. With Charles still rehabbing from his ACL injury, West and Ware have been splitting No. 1 duties in the offseason. If the Chiefs decide to ease Charles into the regular season, one of them will be the new starter.
Of the two, Ware makes the most sense as an early-down back. Ware is the bigger back at 5'10" and 228 pounds, and his 5.6 yards-per-carry average in 2015 was the highest of the three main backs. West was also the highest-rated back on the team last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and rated 18th overall league-wide.
"Spencer Ware could have a huge year if Andy Reid gets him the ball," Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star wrote at the end of minicamp. "He looks great in camp. He's running hard, he looks quick and he caught a ton of passes in OTAs, so he's looking like a do-it-all type of back."
There's a good chance—especially if Charles isn't back to 100 percent by the end of camp—that Ware does it all from the starting position this season. Considering Charles' history as a workhorse back and West's workload last season (160 carries to Ware's 72), this would be a bit of a surprise.
Los Angeles Rams
17 of 32
Maurice Alexander, Safety
Los Angeles Rams safety Maurice Alexander entered the league two years ago as an incredibly raw prospect out of Utah State. He played sparingly as a rookie and played poorly last season when given opportunities to see the field.
Pro Football Focus rated Alexander as the Rams' worst safety in 2015.
Yet there are indications things have finally clicked for the third-year pass defender. Alexander is one of several players vying for the role vacated by free safety Rodney McLeod this offseason. It appears he's rising to the challenge.
Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News reported earlier this month that Alexander was "making a compelling case for himself as a starter with a strong performance during OTAs."
"He's having a really, really, really good camp," Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said of Alexander, per Bonsignore.
The Rams may have a hard time fully replacing McLeod, rated 10th overall among all safeties by Pro Football Focus last season. Yet it appears Alexander could be on his way to at least filling his role this season, which would be a surprise due to his limited role and poor play over the past two seasons.
Miami Dolphins
18 of 32
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Cornerback
Miami Dolphins cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu hasn't been on a game field since tearing his ACL at the tail end of Oregon's 2014 season. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Browns but essentially had a redshirt season in 2015.
This offseason, he was waived by the Browns and claimed by the Dolphins. Ekpre-Olomu has since been on the practice field and has an opportunity to complete his comeback.
According to Max Bultman of the Sun Sentinel, Ekpre-Olomu is competing with safety Michael Thomas, cornerback Bobby McCain and rookie defensive back Jordan Lucas for the team's nickelback job.
If Ekpre-Olomu can prove he is at or near 100 percent health, there's a good chance he can walk away with the starting nickel job. He would likely have been one of the most coveted cornerback prospects in the 2015 draft if not for his injury.
"My thing is—and I keep telling him this—'You've already won,'" said Dolphins head coach Adam Gase, per Bultman. "Everybody said he would never step on the field again. The fact that he participated in OTAs and practice, he won right there. Right now, he's playing with house money."
It should only be a mild surprise if Ekpre-Olomu cashes in with a starting job to open the season.
Minnesota Vikings
19 of 32
Jayron Kearse, Safety
Minnesota Vikings fans probably don't have high expectations for seventh-round rookie Jayron Kearse. However, there are reasons to believe he can steal a starting job at strong safety this season.
Perhaps the biggest reason is that 2015 starter Andrew Sendejo was one of the few vulnerabilities on the Minnesota defense last year. Pro Football Focus rated him just 177th among all safeties for the 2015 season.
As well, while Kearse doesn't have the look or style of a prototypical strong safety, he brings a lot of talent to the proverbial table. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller even compared Kearse to Bengals starter George Iloka and wrote the following before the draft:
"He has the quickness to mirror receivers at the line of scrimmage, and when he does fail to get home with a punch, he's agile enough to turn and run to catch up. With a super-long stride, Kearse covers ground in a hurry.
An instinctive player, he has the skills to make the calls for a secondary. Kearse needs to be coached up in his effort and angles but has the tools to be a better pro than college player.
"
The bottom line here is the Vikings don't have many starting spots up for grabs after a strong offseason. Strong safety is one of the positions where a surprising player like Kearse could emerge—and there's every reason to believe the rookie can do it.
New England Patriots
20 of 32
Joe Thuney, Guard
The idea that rookie Joe Thuney could start for the New England Patriots this season isn't only surprising because they selected Thuney in the middle of the third round. It's surprising because 2015 contributors Tre' Jackson, Josh Kline and Shaq Mason are returning, plus the Patriots acquired Jonathan Cooper during the offseason.
Of course, it's worth noting that both Jackson and Mason struggled at times last season. Pro Football Focus rated Jackson and Mason just 101st and 129th overall among guards, respectively.
Cooper was also a bit of a disappointment for the Arizona Cardinals last season. Pro Football Focus rated him 103rd overall for the 2015 season.
The Patriots have every reason to throw Thuney into the guard competition. Though the rookie hasn't gotten the opportunity to establish himself in non-padded practices, he has been busy preparing for full-on competition in training camp.
"I'm really just trying to delve in the playbook and really get a good grasp and understanding of all the concepts and plays we have," Thuney recently said, per Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. "I think that's the first step. You've got to really know what you're doing first before you can do it as fast and as hard as you can, so I'm really trying to grasp the playbook."
If Thuney can prove to be an upgrade over what the Patriots had at guard in 2015, he will start on opening day.
New Orleans Saints
21 of 32
Craig Robertson, Linebacker
The middle linebacker position was a complete mess for the New Orleans Saints in 2015. Starter Stephone Anthony finished the year rated just 109th overall among all inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus.
The Rams added former Rams standout James Laurinaitis in free agency, but he rated even lower (128th overall) last season. The Saints could have some issues if they're counting on Laurinaitis to solve everything—especially if the Saints plan on running some 3-4 schemes.
"We're going to be multiple," Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said, per Nick Underhill of the Advocate. "We're going to have some 4-3 defenses. We're going to have some 3-4 defenses. What we do best, that's what we're going to major in."
Instead of counting on Laurinaitis to bolster the linebacker group alongside Anthony, the Saints might want to look to free-agent acquisition Craig Robertson.
Robertson has experience playing both inside and outside in 3-4 schemes from his time with the Browns, and he is an excellent cover linebacker. Pro Football Focus rated him seventh among linebackers in pass coverage last season.
Underhill reported that Robertson's coverage skills were one of the highlights of June workouts:
"Robertson was another player who looked good. He has solid speed and has the ability to flip his hips and run with receivers. I saw him break up a pair of passes and flash a few other times. His athleticism is notable considering how the second group of linebackers looked last season behind Dannell Ellerbe. Having his coverage skills should help this group.
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Depending on where the Saints settle regarding a base defense, Robertson may not be a starter in name. However, his ability to play inside in 3-4 looks and virtually anywhere during passing situations should get him on the field early and often.
New York Giants
22 of 32
Matt LaCosse, Tight End
Two years ago, New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell burst onto the scene with a 623-yard, six-score season. Last year with Donnell injured, Will Tye produced at tight end for the Giants. He racked up 464 yards and three scores for the year.
Now it could be time for second-year tight end Matt LaCosse to break out for New York.
Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reported LaCosse was earning a lot of opportunities with the first-team offense in June OTAs and that he is already pushing both Donnell and Tye on the practice field.
Here's some of what Raanan had to say:
"LaCosse has consistently been making plays this spring, and earned a large chunk of first-team snaps during Wednesday's OTA workout which was open to the media. ...
... With a slightly more well rounded skill set, LaCosse – an undrafted rookie in his second season out of Illinois – is already pushing Donnell and Tye, the last two in a long line of unknown Giants tight ends to make a surprise impact working with quarterback Eli Manning.
"
Though he saw limited action, LaCosse finished the 2015 season rated second overall among Giants tight ends by Pro Football Focus, and he held the highest rating in run-blocking. Both Donnell and Tye were liabilities in that department.
If LaCosse can prove to be an upgrade as a blocker while still making plays as a pass-catcher, the Giants shouldn't hesitate to give him the opportunity to start.
New York Jets
23 of 32
Brandon Shell, Offensive Tackle
We'll still be a bit surprised if Geno Smith starts at quarterback for the New York Jets this season, even though he's currently sitting atop the depth chart. However, we're not going to take the easy—and admittedly snarky—road here. Instead, we'll focus on rookie offensive tackle Brandon Shell.
Shell, a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina, has the build of an NFL tackle at 6'5" and 324 pounds. Though he isn't an elite pass-blocker, Shell is a force in the ground game, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller explained before the draft:
"In the run game, Shell is a bully. He'll lock on to defenders and take them for a ride. He fires out of his stance with leverage and power and will get to the second level with success. Shell uses his length well both in the run and pass games to reach defenders. He's accurate and poised when attacking linebackers on the edge or in the middle of the field as a run-blocker.
"
This makes Shell an ideal candidate for the right tackle position. According to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, this is where the Jets plan to play him.
Last year's starter at right tackle, Breno Giacomini, was a bit of a disappointment. Actually, he was more of a disaster. Pro Football Focus rated him 135th out of the 142 offensive tackles who took the field last season.
Perhaps it won't be such a surprise to see Shell starting in Week 1 after all.
Oakland Raiders
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DeAndre Washington, Running Back
It's hard to find a true surprise starter on the Oakland Raiders roster this season because so many positions seem to be fixed at the top. However, one strong candidate is rookie running back DeAndre Washington.
Now, this would be a major surprise as the Raiders have a Pro Bowl back in Latavius Murray, but it isn't outside the realm of possibility. While Murray was certainly good in 2015—1,066 yards with six rushing touchdowns—he wasn't quite elite. He averaged a solid-but-not-special 4.0 yards per carry and finished the season rated just 65th among running backs by Pro Football Focus.
Murray was even more disappointing in passing situations. Though he caught 41 passes last year, he averaged just 5.7 yards per reception. Pro Football Focus rated Murray 159th in receiving among running backs.
If Washington can prove to be an improvement over Murray—especially in passing situations—he could end up with the bulk of the backfield work, even if he isn't the starter in name. The Raiders clearly don't believe Washington needs to be limited to a receiving-only role.
"He's really worked well for us thus far," offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said of Washington, per Jimmy Durkin of the East Bay Times. "So we're putting him in different situations to get a feel for his strengths and how we can tailor plays, tailor situations so he can really flash for us. He's going to be good in first, second or third down."
If Oakland really believes Washington can succeed on any down, the team might believe he can succeed as a starter.
Philadelphia Eagles
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Jalen Mills, Cornerback
The cornerback position was not a position of strength for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. No cornerback who saw at least 100 defensive snaps rated higher than 140th overall at the position according to Pro Football Focus.
That's one reason rookie seventh-round pick Jalen Mills has a legitimate opportunity to earn a starting job this season. The other is that the former LSU cornerback and safety has been commanding attention this offseason.
Andrew Kulp of CSN Philly explained just how impressive Mills was during minicamp:
"Mills has been one of the pleasant surprises of the Eagles' offseason program this year. The rookie cornerback out of LSU was all over the place, breaking up passes, challenging receivers and even getting some reps with the first-team defense. Despite falling so far in the draft, it appeared Mills might be able to contribute right away.
"
Mills fell in the draft largely due to character and injury concerns. He was arrested for battery in 2014 and missed the beginning of this past season with a broken fibula. When it comes to on-field talent, though, he has plenty.
Don't be (too) surprised if Mills locks down a starting cornerback spot by Week 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers
26 of 32
Javon Hargrave, Nose Tackle
We've seen rookies start on defense for the Pittsburgh Steelers in recent years, so the phenomenon isn't as surprising as it once was. Still, few expect the Steelers to start a late third-round pick in 2016, but it could happen.
The Steelers spent the 89th overall pick on South Carolina State product Javon Hargrave. There's a chance he could be the team's starting nose tackle in 3-4 base formations this year.
Steve McLendon, who started nine games in 2015, is now with the Jets. However, the Steelers never really coaxed consistent performances out of him or Daniel McCullers at the nose position last season. McCullers was the team's top defensive tackle, but Pro Football Focus rated him just 59th overall among defensive tackles for the 2015 season.
The 6'1", 309-pound Hargrave should be a more disruptive force in the middle of Pittsburgh's line and an improvement over what the team fielded last year. Hargrave racked up 29.5 sacks and 45.5 tackles for a loss over the past two seasons with South Carolina State.
Expect him to surprise more than a few offensive linemen this season.
San Diego Chargers
27 of 32
Tyrell Williams, Wide Receiver
Wide receiver Tyrell Williams made the practice squad of the San Diego Chargers last season, was called up late in the season and finished his 2015 campaign with a long 80-yard touchdown grab.
There's a chance Williams can ride last season's momentum all the way to a starting job in 2016.
The 6'4", 205-pound Western Oregon product has enough quickness to be a legitimate downfield threat in the Chargers offense, and he has definitely caught the eye of quarterback Philip Rivers.
"He's one of those guys that you saw flashes of [last year that] this guy could be something," Rivers said, via the team's official website. "You saw all those flashes."
The Chargers have one receiver spot set with Keenan Allen and have other receiver options in Stevie Johnson and offseason acquisition Travis Benjamin. However, Benjamin is undersized at just 5'10" and 175 pounds, while Johnson is coming off an injury-plagued season.
Williams has a realistic chance of securing the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver spot—especially if he continues to improve like he has been this offseason.
"He's taken the opportunities he's gotten, and he's proven to me he has the abilities you need to beat press man coverage," Chargers receivers coach Nick Sirianni said of Williams, via the team's official website. "He catches the ball well, and he's big and fast. He's relentless and he can run all day. When a player can do that, he wears a cornerback down. His arrow and game are ascending quickly.”
Don't be completely caught off guard if Williams ascends all the way to a starting job this season.
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback
When the San Francisco 49ers hired Chip Kelly to be their head coach this offseason, many believed it would mean good things for mobile quarterback Colin Kaepernick. When the 49ers refused to trade Kaepernick later in the offseason, some sensed Kelly was ready to form a perfect pairing with Kaepernick.
Surprisingly, it's beginning to look like it will be former Jaguars castoff Blaine Gabbert who experiences a career resurgence under Kelly this season. Gabbert was still holding on to the top spot after minicamp—and not just because Kaepernick is still recovering from offseason surgery.
The new coaching staff seems impressed with what Gabbert brings to the proverbial table.
"When he comes into a meeting room, you better buckle up," quarterbacks coach Ryan Day said of Gabbert, per Cam Inman of the Mercury News. "Because he knows what he's talking about. He's really sharp. ... He knows what's clinic talk and what isn't."
If Kelly and the rest of the 49ers staff are willing to work with Gabbert over the long haul, he might even emerge as a franchise signal-caller, as NFL Media's Bucky Brooks recently speculated:
"Considering Gabbert's growth as a passer and playmaker since his arrival in San Francisco, the 49er faithful should be optimistic about his chance of blossoming into a franchise quarterback under Chip Kelly. Despite his unceremonious departure from Philadelphia, Kelly showed the ability to maximize the talents of the quarterbacks at his disposal by implementing a QB-friendly system that plays to the strength of the team's personnel.
"
If you stopped paying attention to the 49ers' offseason after Kelly's hiring, you might be surprised to flip on the television on opening day and see Gabbert—not Kaepernick—under center.
Seattle Seahawks
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Bradley Sowell, Offensive Tackle
Veteran offensive tackle Bradley Sowell didn't see a ton of playing time with the Arizona Cardinals last season. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games but saw just 33 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Yet Sowell could wind up with a starting job for the Seattle Seahawks—primarily because the alternatives aren't good.
Seattle is believed to be moving 2015 right tackle Garry Gilliam to the left side this year, which could be a big mistake. According to Pro Football Focus, Gilliam allowed a whopping five sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 43 quarterback hurries last season. Only two offensive tackles in the league were credited with allowing more hurries.
Gilliam finished the season rated 133rd overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Is this the type of player Russell Wilson really wants protecting his blind side?
The presumed starter on the right side is J'Marcus Webb, who played both guard and tackle for the Oakland Raiders last season. The problem is he didn't play well at either spot. Pro Football Focus rated him 98th overall among tackles and 132nd overall among guards.
If Sowell can provide an upgrade at either tackle spot, he deserves to take it.
Brady Henderson of 710 ESPN Seattle reported during June OTAs that Sowell had been working in place of an injured Gilliam at starting left tackle. With a strong training camp and preseason, Sowell might stay there.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Ryan Smith, Safety
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted former North Carolina Central cornerback Ryan Smith in the fourth round of this year's draft. The team's plan, it seems, is to move him to safety.
That makes sense because the Buccaneers could use an upgrade at the back end of their secondary. Bradley McDougald, who started 15 games last season, finished 2015 rated a disappointing 162nd overall among safeties by Pro Football Focus.
Smith missed part of the offseason program with a minor leg injury, but he seems to have impressed during his time on the practice field.
"He's looked fine, he's transitioning," Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said of Smith, per Eric Horchy of PewterReport.com. "He played two years at safety, then corner, then back to safety. He's learning a new system. I think he pulled up a little bit, had a little soreness today. He's going to do fine. His quickness and athleticism jump off the tape at you when you're watching it."
If Smith can get back to 100 percent health and continue transitioning to safety, he should be able to push McDougald for the starting job. While Smith might not actually earn the starting job by the end of training camp, he should get an opportunity to take it at some point this season.
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Tajae Sharpe, Wide Receiver
The Tennessee Titans took a chance on former Massachusetts wideout Tajae Sharpe in the fifth round of this year's draft. It's already beginning to look like Sharpe has the goods to push guys like Kendall Wright, offseason acquisition Rishard Matthews and 2015 second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham for a starting role.
Sharpe got time with the first-team offense during June OTAs and minicamp, and he used the opportunity to impress his new coaching staff. According to Titans wide receivers coach Bob Bratkowski, Sharpe could be ready to start now.
"He's right there right now, he could be our starter, he could be the starting X," Bratkowski said, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com, adding, "He's competing for it, nothing's given to him at this point. But he's performing at a level as high, or higher, than any of the guys in the group."
The Titans took a chance on Green-Beckham last offseason with the hopes he could develop into the team's No. 1 receiver. However, if current trends continue through training camp and the preseason, that role could go to Sharpe.
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Chris Thompson, Running Back
Now that Alfred Morris is a member of the Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins are in need of a starting running back. Matt Jones, a third-round pick out of Florida last year, would seem like the likely candidate. However, there's a good chance underrated veteran Chris Thompson earns that role instead.
Jones showed flashes as a rookie last season, to be sure. However, he lacked explosiveness down the stretch and ended the year with an underwhelming 3.4 yards-per-carry average. Thompson, who was mostly forgotten during his first two pro seasons, was more explosive and proved to be a versatile option in the backfield.
Thompson finished the 2015 season with an impressive 6.2 yards-per-carry average to go with 35 receptions and a pair of touchdowns.
In addition to being a back who showed a lot of promise last season, Thompson is now the elder statesman in Washington's running back room—a role the Florida State product appears ready for.
"I love it, I love it. I am 25, but I am the old guy, so I really have to be that role model for those guys," Thompson recently said, per Stephen Czarda of the Redskins' official website. "I will make mistakes, but I just want to show those young guys how I handle adversity. It'll be good for me to be able to help those guys."
Jones is the popular young back with the higher draft status, but Thompson is the surprising sleeper who can claim the starting job in the Redskins backfield.
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