15 Rookies Who Must Step Up During 2015 NFL Playoffs
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To make a deep postseason run, a team needs their young players to embrace high-pressure situations. The playoffs are a great time for a rookie to come of age and make a name for himself in the NFL. Here are 15 rookies who need to step up in January.
15. Bryan Stork
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15. Bryan Stork
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Bryan Stork has taken over the starting center position for the New England Patriots, and he has quietly been a very effective player. However, the Florida State product will have to kick it up a few notches against the fierce interior defensive lines of Denver, Baltimore, or Pittsburgh in later rounds. How Stork plays could very well dictate the success of the top-seeded Patriots.
14. Bradley Roby
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14. Bradley Roby
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Having played about 75 percent of defensive snaps for the Denver Broncos in the regular season, Bradley Roby is well adjusted to the NFL. His 15 passes defended rank second among all rookies, as do his two interceptions. Roby must continue to be a dependable cog in the Denver secondary — maybe make a play or two — if the Broncos are going to be playing in February.
13. Lamin Barrow
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13. Lamin Barrow
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To say the Broncos’ linebacking corps caught the injury bug this season would be an understatement. Lamin Barrow has served as a decent depth player, filling in for the injured Brandon Marshall. He must be prepared to play in some big situations next month, as Marshall’s timetable is unclear. Even if Marshall is playing in the Divisional Round, the Broncos will need Barrow to be ready.
12. Dri Archer
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12. Dri Archer
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Being one of only two running backs on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster not named Le’Veon Bell, Dri Archer could very well see an uptick in his workload next week against the Baltimore Ravens. The rookie is slippery in the open field, but the problem is getting him out there; he weighs only 173 pounds. As long as Bell is sidelined, Archer will play a very integral part in the Steelers’ playoff run.
11. Donte Moncrief
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11. Donte Moncrief
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With opposing secondaries worried about T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief could take advantage. While he didn’t post monster numbers in his rookie season, Moncrief did have two exceptional games against the Steelers and Washington Redskins, in which he racked up 237 of his 444 receiving yards and all three of his touchdowns. If Moncrief can turn in a similar performance in January, the Indianapolis Colts should make some noise.
10. Jeremy Hill
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10. Jeremy Hill
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Jeremy Hill plays as central of a role as any player in the Cincinnati Bengals’ overall success. He rushed for at least 74 yards seven times this year, and the Bengals won six of those games. As long as Hill is getting the job done on the ground, the Bengals should be in a position to win. He just has to keep up the good work.
9. C.J. Mosley
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9. C.J. Mosley
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A front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Mosley needs to continue to prove his worth if the Baltimore Ravens are going to make use of the good fortune that put them in the playoffs. All signs point to Mosley being this generation’s Ray Lewis, but a strong postseason performance is needed to truly underscore that notion.
8. Paul Richardson
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8. Paul Richardson
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Keep a close eye on Paul Richardson this postseason. In the past three weeks, he has emerged as one of Russell Wilson’s favorite receivers, nabbing 13 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. With a favorable cornerback matchup, Richardson could break out against a defense that is preoccupied with trying to stop Marshawn Lynch on the ground and Doug Baldwin and Luke Willson through the air.
7. Davante Adams
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7. Davante Adams
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The Green Bay Packers’ offense has so many weapons, it’s easy to forget about Davante Adams. Just ask the New England Patriots; Adams broke out for 121 yards on six receptions in Week 13. If opportunity knocks, Adams must answer the call. Don’t be surprised if he is a main contributor in a Green Bay playoff victory in January.
6. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
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6. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
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Speaking of that Packers vs. Patriots tilt, here is another rookie who helped to boost the Packers to victory. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix prevented what would have been a game-winning touchdown grab for Rob Gronkowski, showcasing his coverage ability. It’s not unlikely that Clinton-Dix will be tasked with a similarly tough matchup against Jason Witten should the Dallas Cowboys win on Wild Card Weekend.
5. Eric Ebron
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5. Eric Ebron
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He was slow to start the season, but Eric Ebron has come around to the NFL. His blocking is improving, and it is clear that he’s eager to burst out in the aerial attack. Ebron should have that opportunity against the Cowboys next week. How Ebron fares in the bright lights of the playoffs will be a good measuring stick of how far he has come since draft day.
4. Kelvin Benjamin
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4. Kelvin Benjamin
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Kelvin Benjamin is one of three rookie receivers to have surpassed the 1,000 yard mark; the Carolina Panthers will need that explosiveness if they are going to defeat the Arizona Cardinals next week. Look for Cam Newton to target the Florida State product early and often, as Benjamin could very well spell trouble for a slumping Patrick Peterson.
3. Tre Boston
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3. Tre Boston
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Tre Boston is riding high after taking his first NFL interception back for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Look for the Panthers to utilize the confidence the rookie has gained by giving Boston a bunch of snaps against the Cardinals. If Boston can pick off Matt Ryan, then he just might make another play against Ryan Lindley.
2. Zack Martin
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2. Zack Martin
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The Cowboys are pretty close to unstoppable when the offensive line is firing on all cylinders. Zack Martin, who got voted to the Pro Bowl after a dominant season, is expected to snowplow for DeMarco Murray all the way to the Super Bowl. You can bet that Jerry Jones has high hopes for the Cowboys next month, but any success the Cowboys will have starts with Martin and the offensive line.
1. John Brown
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1. John Brown
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John Brown ranks fifth in yards per reception (14.5) among rookies with at least 25 catches. The Cardinals will need to utilize Brown’s explosiveness if they are going to make any kind of run in the playoffs. It will be up to Brown to exterminate the rookie jitters when the rubber meets the road next week in Carolina.
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