Charlie Bernstein, JagNation.com
Jacksonville Jaguars
The "sleeper" on the Jaguars who will surprise fans with his
improved play in 2007 will be last season's first round pick, tight end Marcedes
Lewis. Lewis struggled with a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss
virtually all of training camp in his rookie season, and he never got caught up
to speed. Despite his great hands and a large body at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, his
2006 numbers were very ordinary for a backup tight end. Lewis recorded just 13
receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown.
This season, the Jaguars have a new offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter,
who emphasizes two tight end sets. And his philosophies use the tight end a lot
more in the passing game. Combine that with the return of starting quarterback
Byron Leftwich and a full session of camp, and Lewis should easily surpass his
rookie season numbers of 2006, reminding Jaguars fans why the front office
selected Lewis with the 28th pick of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Ken Palmer, TheGiantInsider.com
New York Giants
Giants fans will be pleasantly surprised with New York's final
draft choice. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw came out after his junior year so he
could support his daughter. If he shows he’s matured from the off-field
problems that led to him to never enrolling at Virginia and landing at Marshall
instead, he could be a real steal.
Bradshaw is quick as lightning and should see plenty of snaps as he’s likely
to handle the third-down receiving back role in New York’s offense. While most
football fans haven’t heard of him yet, they sure will by the end of the
season. He’s probably a safe bet for a late-round fantasy draft choice as
well.
Matthew Postins, BucsBlitz.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I'll take this opportunity to make a bold prediction. Chad Owens will be the
kickoff and punt returner for the Buccaneers in 2007, and I think he has the
potential to make a big impact on the return game.
Owens is the University of Hawaii's all-time leader in all-purpose yards with
5,461 yards and did time at punt and kick returner, as well as wide receiver.
Bucs head coach Jon Gruden wants one player to handle both kicks and
punts.
Mark Jones and Michael Pittman handled punt and kick duties last year,
respectively, and while both are serviceable, neither is a game breaker. Owens
has the speed to give Gruden the game-breaking presence he wants in that role.
Sure, he muffed three punts in one game in his NFL debut. And that's not good.
But he looked sure-handed in minicamp and he's faster than any player the Bucs
have right now. He has the potential to be Tampa Bay's most surprising player in
2007.
Aaron Wilson, RavensInsider.com
Baltimore Ravens
Rookie outside linebacker Antwan Barnes is a swift pass rusher
out of Florida International with a blend of speed (4.45) and strength (31 reps
of 225 pounds). He also has explosive upfield pass rush moves, including a crisp
spin move that confounded Ravens offensive tackle Adam Terry during minicamp
drills. If Dan Cody's knee doesn't respond to treatment, Barnes could emerge as
a situational force as a sub-rusher.
Jerry Langton, ColtPower.com
Indianapolis Colts
He went to Lindenwood University. He wasn't drafted. In his one-year NFL
career, he has zero carries, zero catches and zero returns, but he will be
expected to be a major contributor in the Colts' hyperactive offense in 2007.
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| DeDe Dorsey (Getty) |
Running back DeDe Dorsey was signed by the Bengals last season mainly on the
strength of an impressive Pro Day workout. He was basically an afterthought
until he went 20-149-0 rushing and 3-80-0 receiving in the 2006 preseason. He
showed a stunning natural elusiveness and an uncanny ability to make big plays.
But Cincinnati -- already packed with talent at halfback -- tried to sneak
Dorsey through waivers and onto the practice squad. Colts' president Bill Polian
grabbed Dorsey and stashed him on the 53-man roster for a full year.
Joseph Addai is the starting halfback and desperately needs a tandem partner
now that Dominic Rhodes has left for Oakland. That leaves Dorsey in the catbird
seat -- the Colts need a reliable big-play guy, and Dorsey looks very much like
the player who can fill that role.
Todd Korth, PackerReport.com
Green Bay Packers
Running back Brandon Jackson was selected in the second round of the NFL
draft out of Nebraska by the Packers. While Jackson is expected to begin the
season behind third-year pro Vernand Morency, look for him to be starting near
the end of the season.
Jackson has better speed and burst than Morency in Green Bay's zone-blocking
scheme, giving him all the ability to break off long, game-changing runs.
Brad Keller, CardinalInsider.com
Arizona Cardinals
While he shouldn't be a "sleeper" at this point in his career,
former first round pick Bryant Johnson has the best potential to fill that role
on everyone's favorite sleeper team. With a new coach, the possibility of a new
contract on the horizon, and Ken Whisenhunt's propensity to spread the wealth,
Johnson is in line to have a very productive year since he also happens to be
the team's best deep threat in a system that favors the vertical passing game.
While he won't approach Boldin or Fitzgerald numbers this season, he will be
this year's Brandon Stokley or Kevin Curtis in Whisenhunt's offense.
Nick Athan, WarpaintIllustrated.com
Kansas City Chiefs
At the end of the 2006 season, Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards asked middle
linebacker Boomer Grigsby if he'd take some reps in practice at fullback. The
second-year player did so well that he officially made the switch to offense
during the offseason.
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| Boomer Grigsby (Getty) |
Over the last three months of OTAs and minicamps, Edwards was solid in his
position that Grigsby was the most improved player on his roster. The only thing
stopping him from getting more playing time at the position is learning how to
block. Not that he can't do it, because he still is one of the kamikaze boys on
special teams, but he needs reps and he'll get them in training camp.
Grigsby has showed amazing speed and far better hands that anyone could have
hoped for making the transition. He might not start this year, but the local
cult hero who has a fan base matched by some of the team's Pro Bowl players,
might just shock quite a few people this season. If he gets into the end zone at
home, Arrowhead Stadium might reach even higher decimals.
Craig Massei, SFIllustrated.com
San Francisco 49ers
Delanie Walker wowed the 49ers and other observers with his playmaking
ability early in the preseason last summer before dislocating his shoulder, an
injury that carried over into the season and pretty much thwarted his rookie
year. But now, with Eric Johnson gone to New Orleans in free agency, the
athletic Walker will be a receiving complement to starting tight end Vernon
Davis on passing downs and could see considerable action as an H-back and in two
tight-end formations.
A wide receiver in college, Walker has shifty moves and breakaway ability, and
the 49ers will look for ways to get the football in his hands in their improving
offensive attack. He also has a chance to make an impact on special teams with
his return ability.
Steve Waters, BroncosUpdate.com
Denver Broncos
With the Denver Broncos moving D.J. Williams to middle linebacker to replace
Al Wilson, an obvious hole in the defensive lineup is at strongside linebacker.
Several candidates are vying for that starting position, but former Miami
Dolphin Eddie Moore has been the leader so far in taking snaps with the first
unit.
Moore (6-1, 235 pounds) was out of football during 2006 following microfracture
surgery, but signed a reserve-future contract with the Broncos in January where
he has been reunited with Jim Bates, his former defensive coach for three years
with the Dolphins. Bates is now the assistant head coach with Denver and has
been revamping the Broncos' defense.
Moore's familiarity with Bates' defensive schemes has given the fourth-year
player and second-round draft choice out of Tennessee an early edge at the
strongside linebacker position. And he's a good candidate for the
"sleeper" on the team who will surprise fans in 2007.
Stan Jones, TitansInsider.net
Tennessee Titans
While most Titans fans are very familiar with his name, he may
be the biggest sleeper for the Titans in 2007.
Running Back Chris Brown has spent the last several months as a free agent
without a lot of interest in him on the open market. Brown, who had 1,067 yards
rushing in 2004 and 857 in 2005, has shown that he can play at a high level in
this league when he is healthy. Staying on the field has been his problem in the
past, but a fresh start after the departure of Travis Henry could be just what
the doctor ordered. His career 4.2 yards-per-carry will be an important part of
any success that the Titans have this season.
John Crist, BearReport.com
Chicago Bears
It's hard to classify a former No. 4 overall draft pick as a sleeper, but
since Cedric Benson is just now getting the chance as the featured runner, I
believe 2007 will be his breakout season.
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| Cedric Benson (AP) |
Thomas Jones was very popular with Chicago fans and inside the Bears locker
room, but he was traded to the Jets in the offseason in order to make room for
Benson atop the depth chart. The Bears employ a man-blocking scheme with their
offensive line almost exclusively, which suits Benson's bulldozing style quite
well. And while he has suffered a few ticky-tack injuries during his two seasons
in the league and battled a reputation as a loner from time to time, he seems
much more comfortable in his own skin these days and has done a better job
endearing himself to teammates.
I honestly don't believe the Bears are going to miss Jones very much, and
should he stay healthy for the entire season, I'm looking for Benson to put up
1,300-1,400 yards and 10-12 touchdowns on the ground.
Tim Yotter, VikingUpdate.com
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a lot of options for potential surprise players this year,
as each of their first four draft picks should contribute regularly. And while
second-year pro Tarvaris Jackson is expected to be the starter at quarterback,
we'll turn to the other side of the ball for our pick as surprise player of the
year.
First-round pick Chad Greenway tore his anterior cruciate ligament before
ever getting a chance to play defense in the first preseason game of 2006. Now
he is tabbed to become a starter at the playmaking position of weakside
linebacker in the Tampa-2 defensive scheme.
Last year, in the Vikings' first season in that system, E.J. Henderson had a
breakout campaign with 142 tackles and was the only Minnesota defender to
register over 100 tackles. After receiving a five-year extension at the end of
the season, Henderson is moving to middle linebacker while Greenway, the former
Iowa Hawkeye standout, is getting the opportunity to shine. His skills seem like
a perfect fit to put up big numbers in his first season of action if he can stay
healthy.
Jon Scott, PatriotsInsider.com
New England Patriots
The sleeper on the Patriots team's roster is probably a receiver they just
acquired, Wes Welker. With all of the high-priced talent on the Patriots roster,
many feel that the offense will flourish from the Tom Brady to Randy Moss
connection. Others feel that Donte Stallworth will be the main beneficiary of
Brady's attention. Yet others believe Laurence Maroney will have a breakout
year. But what I see is Wes Welker being the perfect fit in this New England
offense.
Although Welker had a career season in Miami, the general perception is that
he is just an "okay" receiver. His average of 10.3 yards-per-carry
didn't exactly set the world on fire, and Welker didn't intimidate any defenders
he matched up against. But his workmanlike effort and lunchpail mentality fit
perfectly into the New England scheme.
Brady will certainly try to hit the long ball with Moss and Stallworth, but if
he can't - and you have to figure opponents will work hard to prevent it - he'll
have to check back down to his third option, Welker.
Jim Wexell, SteelCityInsider.com
Pittsburgh Steelers
Surprise the fans? Well, that takes a few more levels of understanding than
I'm probably capable. Steelers fans are expecting a big season from tight end
Heath Miller and they expect outside linebacker James Harrison to replace Joey
Porter without a hitch, so those two can't be classified as surprises.
Second-year O-lineman Willie Colon won't surprise the intelligent fan, but I'm
picking him here. He might surprise the experts who aren't really experts and
who will write later what a big surprise Colon has been. (I think that's three
or four levels of surprise-gauging right there). My pick for camp surprise is
tight end Jon Dekker, who outplayed third-round pick Matt Spaeth every day this
spring.
Michael Lombardo, SDBoltReport.com
San Diego Chargers
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| Vincent Jackson (Getty) |
Vincent Jackson is the ace in the hole for the San Diego Chargers. The deck
is stacked in his favor, as he has the opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver and
the talent to capitalize on it. He has an incredible combination of size
(6-foot-5, 241 pounds) and speed, and has the earned the confidence of his
coaches and his quarterback.
Jackson flashed signs of greatness during the 2006 season. He paced the
Chargers’ receivers with six touchdown receptions and led the team with a 16.8
yards-per-catch average. With a little more experience and consistency, Jackson
should be the team’s best wide receiver since Curtis Conway.
Alain Poupart, DolphinDigest.com
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins offense has its share of big names, and it finally might be able
to produce this year now that Miami has its first head coach with an offensive
background. So it wouldn't be a major surprise if guys like Chris Chambers,
Marty Booker or Trent Green were able to produce big numbers.
The one guy who might exceed expectations is new tight end David Martin. After
beginning his career as a backup in Green Bay, the former University of
Tennessee wide receiver gets his first shot at a full-time starting job. It's
going to help that he'll play in an offense that features the tight end (think
about what Antonio Gates did in San Diego in the Cam Cameron offense) and with a
quarterback who favored his tight end in Kansas City.
Barry McBride, TheOBR.com
Cleveland Browns
Browns LB Leon Williams has been lurking just under the surface for years,
starting as a backup linebacker playing out of position on the University of
Miami's 4-3 defense, and later as an unexpected fourth-round pick plucked out of
nowhere by GM Phil Savage in the 2006 draft.
As reported first by Scout.com's Adam Caplan, the Browns will use Williams
exclusively as an inside linebacker in 2007, and the youngster could threaten
starters D'Qwell Jackson and Andra Davis for their starting jobs. Williams has
terrific instinct, gets himself into position well, and is one of the few
Cleveland linebackers who can stuff a running play at the line of scrimmage.
Whether displacing a current starter, or just getting on the field frequently
via Crennel's love for front seven rotation, Williams should make an impact on
ballcarriers and fans both in 2007.
Chuck Hixson, WarNest.com
Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Gocong could be a very pleasant surprise for Eagles fans this season.
After spending last season -- his first in the NFL -- on injured reserve and
having a tough time adjusting to playing linebacker, Gocong seemed to put it all
together in minicamp. The Eagles linebacking corps is suspect to say the least.
So if Gocong fits in as well as he seemed to in camp, he'll be a great addition
to the defense.
Actually, the Eagles may finally see some production from their 2006 draft,
since none of their draftees stood out in their first season. Besides Gocong,
first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley seems to be getting the hang of the Eagles'
defensive schemes while second-rounder Winston Justice is doing the same on the
offensive line. Wide receiver Jeremy Bloom spent his first season on injured
reserve, but is healthy and has all the tools to start getting some playing time
as a part of the young crop of wide receivers that the Eagles have assembled.