Sunday’s just haven’t been the same since we last saw the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantle Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos way back on Sunday February 2nd. We have all been patiently waiting for football to resume, and it seems so far away still. But reality is it is just around the corner. The Hall of Fame Game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants, held in Canton Ohio, on August 3rd is just 19 days away. The season opener between the champion Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, September 4th is now only 51 days away. (What a great matchup for the NFL to choose as an opener. Kudos to the scheduling staff.)
I have already warned my wife of the impending season, so that the family will be prepared for my addiction to pick up right where it left off.
There’s no better way to show all your friends and work colleagues that you are ahead of the competition when it comes to knowing your stuff. Being the guy or girl that can be ahead of the curve, and call the ‘next big thing’ is something we all want to be able to do. If you can name the next star before your friends can, you will be the one they strive to be in 2015. Two years ago when I called for the rise of Russell Wilson, and last year with the predictions of both Alshon Jeffrey and Vontaze Burfict, I am proud to watch their careers ascend. And around the water cooler at work people are waiting to hear my prognostication of the next big deal.
Now let’s take a look at seven rising stars ready to break out in 2014:
Montee Ball, RB, Denver Broncos
Ball will be THE breakout star of the NFL in 2014. Now that Knowshon Moreno is gone, it is evident that the Broncos are confident in handing the rock full-time to Ball. Anyone that has followed me over the years knows my love for the Wisconsin Badger talent in Ball, Russell Wilson, whom I called as a future superstar, and JJ Watt who is a beast and one of the premier players in the NFL. Ball set NCAA records with 83 total TDs, including 39 total TDs in 2011. Yes, I said 39 TD’s in one season. Expect Manning to have a slight regression in passing stats this year as 38-year-old passers of his level have only one way to go. In that absence, Ball will fill those holes, literally, as he is a bruising back that can either go around you or go through you.
Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Ellington may have already taken a leap to mini-stardom in 2013 with his 652 yards rushing. He had top tier RB numbers with an amazing 5.5 yards-per-carry average for the season. This was the highest total for the whole NFL in 2013, ahead of LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Marshawn Lynch to name a few. But, his ceiling has no limits. With Rashard Mendenhall retiring, I fully expect to see a 230 carry, 1400 plus yard rushing season, as well as being involved in short yardage passing situations. Carson Palmer now has a lot of weapons in the desert with Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Ellington.
Cordarelle Patterson, WR/KR, Minnesota Vikings
2013 first round selection Patterson was electrifying and explosive in his first full season. He is a dream to watch and his highlight-reel kick returns earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl on special teams. Minnesota plans to expand on his 45 reception campaign in 2014. He claimed in a recent interview that he will be a “top five playmaker” in the NFL. Norv Turner is designing plays specifically to showcase the speedster. Patterson will be a household name by mid-season.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
Hopkins finished 2nd amongst all rookie WR last season. He has been reported to have developed quite a connection as well with newly acquired QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. He is taking full advantage of the absence of star holdout Andre Johnson, and looks to be a sleeper on the rise. If Houston doesn’t get Johnson back, then first round Clemson prodigy Hopkins will be the go-to-guy in Houston.
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Ertz was not utilized very much for the first four games or so, but really started to shine in Chip Kelly’s offence down the stretch. With the departure of DeSean Jackson to the Washington Redskins, expect Ertz to be targeted plenty of times. Foles is comfortbale airing it out to the 6’5″ Stanford grad TE, and Ertz has the potential to definitely be a top ten TE this season.
Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates has been one of the greatest tight ends to ever play in the NFL, but at 34 years old he will be due for a regression. Last season the majority of Gates’ numbers were all compiled in the first six weeks, and then he struggled mightily down the stretch. The Chargers will begin to slowly work Green into rotation. He is a physically gifted TE with great hands and a vertical threat. He showed signs of great playmaking ability and will be in the long term plans in San Diego. Green will still be riding the pine as Gates’ backup, but do not be surprised, either via injury or performance, if Green is the number one TE in San Diego by the end of the season.
Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Nobody outside of Arizona would have any idea that Floyd led the Arizona Cardinals in receiving yards last season. Floyd compiled an impressive 1041 yards, compared to 954 for Larry Fitzgerald. Mid-season he had a string of three games where he put up 193 yards, 104 yards and 99 yards consecutively. He got hit with an ankle injury which slowed his numbers to close out the season. Reports in OTAs this off-season are saying Floyd’s progression is off the chart. Watch for a huge season in 2014, as the once anemic Cards offence is suddenly a legitimate powerhouse. As a season ticket holder, I know I will be excited to check it out.
Now that you have the inside edge on the next stars, it’s time to take your prowess to the water cooler. Be confident. When these stars exceed all expectations, ‘you‘ will be the one that is left standing as an NFL guru. The season is just around the corner. I look forward to watching it unfold, and to see the next Pro Bowl stars of 2015 and beyond come to fruition.
I am also excited to bring my division breakdowns to you beginning in my article early next week. Stay tuned!
Kevin Bradley NFL Specialist [email protected] www.lastwordonsports.com
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @KEVINBRADLEY17. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
