Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans
Of course the No.1 overall selection is turning heads! Aside from being the freak athlete that he is, Clowney is drawing attention because of his versatility. Clowney has been seeing time all over the defensive front. He, along with J.J. Watt, will be moved around the line with the intent to create mismatches and confusion with a pair of elite pass rushers. This is especially true in nickel packages where there is more flexibility to move rushers around to different positions. That being said, Clowney should see most of his time as the weak-side linebacker where he can play in space.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans
Bill O’Brien is said to be implementing a lot of two tight end packages and Fiedorowicz may earn one of those spots. As of now, Garrett Graham and Ryan Griffin, who was a rookie last year, are ahead of Fiedorowicz on the depth chart, but he has been grinding. According to a Texans beat writer, Fiedorowicz is unlike any tight end that they have had. If Fiedorowicz continues to work for one of the two spots, he has a legitimate shot to win the job and see a fair amount of playing time as a rookie.
Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans
Sankey, the first running back off the board in 2014, is primed to have a monster rookie season. The Titans offensive line is arguably the best in the league, and Sankey’s vision is top notch. Sankey’s vision behind a line of this caliber has been fully grasped by team beat writers and the hype is beginning to build. With Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster being the only two players that threaten to take carries away from him, Sankey should run away (literally) with the starting job and have a rookie season to back it up. Some national writers, including Gil Brandt, have predicted that Sankey will win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts
As a third round selection, there is pressure on Moncrief to produce early on, especially considering the mediocrity of the Colts receiving corps. The athletic receiver has been one of the standouts in the Colts camp thus far. Veteran cornerback Greg Toler had troubles covering the rookie, says Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen. With Reggie Wayne aging and coming off of an injury, Moncrief may be expected to be the long-term replacement.
Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars
Dubbed as “Fire and Ice” by head coach Gus Bradley, the rookie receiver duo has drawn attention, both positive and negative. Both have seemed to have impressed up to this point, but both have injury issues. Robinson, as of early last week, is out for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury. Lee is not injured as of now, but his final season at USC was a train wreck due in part to a knee injury that he suffered against Arizona State.
(Lee, No.11, with fellow rookie Storm Johnson, No.34)