With training camp and the preseason underway, rookies are getting their first taste of the NFL, teams, media members, and fans are getting their first look at the new players on each team. The NFC East is not lacking young talent, and in addition boast some of the best rookies in the NFC.
The NFC East as a whole had three first round picks, but that does not always mean they are locks for a breakout season. Who are the NFC East's breakout rookies this season?
Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver
In the first round, the Eagles selected outside linebacker Marcus Smith from Louisville, but the word is that he will not play as often as most first picks normally do. That leaves the Eagles' breakout rookie candidate to one man. Matthews looks to be an instant contributor for the Eagles offense, and he seems to be poised for a great season in year one.
Coach Chip Kelly has already named him a starter in the slot, which is nearly every play for the Eagles offense. Matthews will use his tall frame to beat the smaller corners in the middle of the field, and as most of you know, Matthews is a master of making tough catches all around the field.
Dallas Cowboys
Demarcus Lawrence, Defensive End
With the Cowboys ridding their defense of Demarcus Ware, the next Demarcus will step in right away, and will try to fill the void of the perennial pro-bowler in Ware. Lawrence was one of the better pass-rushers to come out of the draft this season, and will be a potential defensive rookie of the year candidate if he is able to play most snaps. The Cowboys defense is lacking talent at the moment with Sean Lee sidelined, so Lawrence will need to break through and be the dynamic pass-rusher that Dallas needs. Once Lawrence is healthy, he will be an instant contributor.
New York Giants
Odell Beckham, Wide Receiver
Sometimes the best candidate is the obvious one. Beckham was the Giants first round pick, and he will start right away across from Rueben Randle, with teammate Victor Cruz in the slot. Beckham is one of the top wide receivers in this year's class as far as talent is concerned, and Eli Manning will look to find him early and often this season. Word from Giants camp says that he and Manning seem to be struggling together, but it's really Beckham's first week, both of them will come around, despite some worry from those at practice. Once healthy, he will be a serious asset to the Giants.
Washington Redskins
Lache Seastrunk, Running Back
In what might be one of the surprises of the NFL draft, Seastrunk fell to the sixth round. With Alfred Morris and Roy Helu already in place, that might mean Seastrunk could struggle getting on the field, right?
New Redskins' coach Jay Gruden comes from the Bengals, where he used two running backs in various different ways. Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis each played over 400 snaps. How does Seastrunk factor into that equation with Helu there? Helu is strictly used on passing downs, which means that Morris will be due most of the carries in a normal offense. This is where Gruden comes in, as he likes to use two backs rushing the ball anywhere on the field. Expect Seastrunk to be the change of pace back in Washington, and his big-play ability will fascinate the coaches and fans in our nation's capital. Seastrunk had a good first preseason game, averaging over five yards per carry.