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The 2014 NFL Draft Class was and still is full of talent. There were a few breakout players and some who had really good seasons as a rookie. However, there are some who will continue to be good into the 2015 season. Here are some 2014 rookies that I predict will end up having another successful season in the NFL.
As a rookie, Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had a pretty good year. In his first 5 games, Clinton-Dix recorded 1 interception and made 18 tackles. The rest of the season didn’t result in much for Clinton-Dix, but the postseason seemed to light a fire under him. In the postseason, Clinton-Dix made 11 tackles and 2 interceptions. It seems like his second year could be even better for Clinton-Dix who naturally became more comfortable as the season went on. Clinton-Dix added depth to the Packers defense which was lacking safeties and he stepped up, accepting the challenge and won. One change from last year that is really going to show how well Clinton-Dix will do is the fact that he’s going to be a starter this year instead of sitting out last year. Clinton-Dix was also named to the 2014 PFWA All-Rookie Team and if he keeps up his hard work and continues to learn from the rest of the defensive line, he could have another productive season.
Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack’s rookie season was lackluster to say the least. With only 4 recorded sacks, it seems like he would make the sophomore slump list, but it seems like Mack is poised to finally break out in his second year. The Raiders coaching staff certainly thinks so, especially Raiders HC Jack Del Rio, “But he’s a guy that you definitely want on the field as often as possible. He’s a really good football player. He’s stout against the run. He rushes the quarterback. He does a lot of different things.” Mack has the ability to play 2 positions, both a defensive end and an outside linebacker which the Raiders are surely going to utilize. Even other players and coaches in the NFL see the potential that Mack has and clearly his talent has gone unnoticed elsewhere since he also made the 2014 PFWA All-Rookie Team. The new additions of Jack Del Rio and Ken Norton Jr are certainly going to help Mack too because he’ll probably have to learn a new defensive scheme and a different position than last year. With a year of knowledge behind him and more to come, it looks like Mack is on his way to becoming a superstar.
My final prediction will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. Cowboys guard Zack Martin had a phenomenal rookie season last year, appearing in all regular and postseason games, One of 3 rookies selected for the Pro Bowl and named to the 2014 PFWA All-Rookie Team. While Martin doesn’t really have the stats to compare like the previous two, his addition to the offensive line made it one of the most unstoppable in the NFL last year and propelled the career of RB Demarco Murray. Martin was also named the only rookie named to the AP 2014 All-Pro Team, but one thing that most people don’t know about Martin is that he wasn’t a guard in college instead spending most of his time at left tackle. His versatility is certainly paying off for him since he was able to be a starter from day one and it is obvious Martin will be starting this year too. Martin is big, athletic and overall smart, something that is no doubt the key to being a good football player. He’s a beast and it looks like this year is going to be even bigger for him than last year.
