NFL: Breakout Stars for 2015
Everyone loves when a young NFL player breaks out of their shell. Their sudden raise to NFL stardum is a great sight for both the individual teams’ fans, and NFL fans alike. NFL Mocks examines three young NFL players that are due to break out in 2015, such as Zach Ertz, Tavon Austin and Jeremy Hill.
Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles, Tight End
The third year tight end out of Stanford is drawing high praise among some of his veteran Eagles teammates during this summers workouts. Veteran running back Darren Sproles spoke very highly of Ertz, saying “he’s about to be a superstar.” Sproles praised Ertz’s “great hands” and route running as part of what will propel the 6’5 Ertz to stardom. If new quarterback Sam Bradford can continue his laser-sharp accuracy, the connection with Ertz should be a match made in heaven. The 24-year old tight end finished his sophomore season with over 700 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the birds in midnight green.
Tavon Austin – St.Louis Rams, Wide Receiver
To say the former 8th overall pick out of West Virginia hasn’t lived up to expectations is an understatement. The 24-year old went the entire 2014 season without getting the ball in the endzone. He is also part of a lackluster receiving corp, featuring Kenny Britt and Brian Quick. The fact that the Rams opted not to draft a receiver shows their continued confidence in Austin’s development. New Rams offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti will be a major improvement for Austin’s development. Having a (somewhat) stable quarterback situation with Nick Foles will certainly help Austin’s cause in 2015. The team drafted two lineman to block Foles’s right side, but the team has immense confidence in both Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown. During his stellar 2013 season, Foles finished with a league-best 119.2 QBR. While he isn’t in the “Chip Kelly offense” anymore, he has the deep threat history and possesses all the tools to help a guy like Tavon Austin thrive in the NFL.
Jeremy Hill – Cincinnati Bengals, Running Back
The rookie running back had a quietly productive 2014 campaign, rushing for over 1,100 yards and 9 touchdowns. While some think the presence of Giovani Bernard will hinder Hill’s growth as a player, the sophomore is certain that the run game will be “balanced” between the two. As for Hill’s “stardum”, he’s already being ranked within the NFL’s top five running back conversation by ESPN. The drafting of Jake Fisher was also a major, much-needed upgrade which will surely help Hill maintain his much-hyped league status. While Andy Daulton isn’t their best option, he’s pretty much their only sure-fire one. Look for Cincinatti to use Hill like Dallas used DeMarco Murray last season in order to protect Daulton in every way, shape and form.