19 NFL rookies who could change the game in 2015
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Jameis Winston
The key to building a championship team is through the NFL Draft. Every year, hope is reborn when new talent infuses franchises. These 19 players have a great chance to impact the league in their first year.
The top overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft will have his ups and downs as a rookie, but the former Florida State quarterback has a ton of weapons in Tampa. Winston will have two great receivers to toss the ball up to in second-year star Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.
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Marcus Mariota
Marcus Mariota, like Winston, will take some time to develop, but the Oregon product has the athleticism and accuracy to become a top QB for the Titans.
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Amari Cooper
The former Alabama wideout was considered the most pro-ready receiver in the draft. He'll be a favorite target of second-year QB Derek Carr for the Raiders.
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Ameer Abdullah
All aboard the Ameer Abdullah hype train. He's already drawing comparisons to former Lions running back great Barry Sanders with his unbelievable quickness. He could help turn Detroit's offense into a nightmare for defenses.
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Tyler Lockett
Lockett might be on the small side of NFL players, but his speed and ability to play in space makes him special. In his first preseason game with the Seahawks, Lockett sparkled when he took a kickoff to the house.
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Phillip Dorsett
The Colts are stacked on the offensive side of the ball, but that didn't stop Indy from drafting playmaking wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. The Miami Hurricanes triumvirate of Andre Johnson, Frank Gore and Dorsett will be scary for opposing defenses.
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Randy Gregory
Randy Gregory had top-10 potential in the latest NFL Draft, but questions about his character hurt his stock. The Cowboys, who are in need of a pass rusher, scooped up Gregory in hopes of improving the 'Boys defense.
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La'el Collins
Another Cowboys player chock-full of potential is former LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins, a first-round talent who went undrafted because of uncertainty surrounding a shooting incident. The Cowboys signed Collins and plan to plug him into an already dominant offensive line.
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Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon put on a show every week at Wisconsin. The Chargers are hoping that translates to the NFL, after selecting Gordon in the first round of the draft. Gordon should fit in nicely as San Diego's lead back.
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Todd Gurley
Todd Gurley is coming off an ACL tear in his senior season at Georgia, but he landed in a great spot in St. Louis (for now). Jeff Fisher's Rams have a playoff-ready defense, and Gurley should help pound the rock behind that beefy offensive line.
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Jarryd Hayne
The Hayne Plane took flight in the 49ers' first preseason game. The former Rugby League star is making the transition to the NFL, but he's got a shot to help infuse some life into San Francisco's mediocre offense.
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T.J. Yeldon
The Jaguars have been searching for a bell-cow running back since the decline of Maurice Jones-Drew. Yeldon showed lots of flashes at Alabama, and will get every opportunity to start for Jacksonville this season.
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Landon Collins
The Giants offense is ready to become one of the best in the NFL, but the defense still needs a lot of work. Enter Alabama's Landon Collins. He's an in-the-box safety who should help fortify the run defense.
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Kevin White
Kevin White, the second receiver taken in the draft, will have big shoes to fill for the Bears if he can return from a leg injury. White, when he returns from a stress fracture, is expected to help fill the void that Brandon Marshall left after he was traded to the Jets.
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Nelson Agholor
With a revamped receiving corps, the Eagles are in desperate need of wideouts to emerge in Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense. Former USC Trojan Nelson Agholor should prove to be a valuable piece to help Sam Bradford and the Eagles.
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Vic Beasley
New Falcons coach Dan Quinn is attempting to remake the Falcons porous defense. Athletic pass rusher Vic Beasley was Quinn's first draft choice and could help lift the Falcons defense.
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Maxx Williams
With serious questions about Dennis Pitta's hip injury, the Ravens used a high draft pick on the talented tight end. Maxx (with two x's) Williams could have a big role in the Ravens' tight-end friendly offense.
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Breshad Perriman
With speedster Torrey Smith departing for the 49ers, the Ravens had a major void to fill at wide receiver. The Ravens drafted Breshad Perriman, a dynamic speedster, to help their new-look offense.
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Tevin Coleman
The Falcons run game has been pretty awful since Michael Turner could still hit a hole. Atlanta is hoping electrifying rookie Tevin Coleman can get the run game back on track.
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Credit: Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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