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Around The NFL's 'Making the Leap' countdown

Around The NFL will profile the top 20 players we see Making the Leap in 2015.

As a rookie, Khalil Mack may have been the best player at his position. Can the Raiders linebacker make a name for himself in Jack Del Rio's new regime?

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000501820/article/making-the-leap-no-2-teddy-bridgewater)

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater came on strong at the end of last season. Can the second-year player take another big step forward? Kevin Patra explores.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000501652/article/making-the-leap-no-3-vikings-lb-anthony-barr)

Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr is a player whose ceiling remains under construction, with the rare ability to win a game on a single play. Will he make the leap in 2015?

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500700/article/making-the-leap-no-4-bills-wr-sammy-watkins)

Injuries and poor quarterback play contributed to a disappointing rookie season for Sammy Watkins. Will he develop into a true No. 1 receiver for the Bills in 2015?

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500585/article/making-the-leap-no-5-cardinals-db-tyrann-mathieu)

Cardinals coaches and players have raved about Tyrann Mathieu all offseason. Finally healthy, can the versatile, third-year defensive back make the leap? Marc Sessler examines.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500629/article/making-the-leap-no-6-john-brown)

Carson Palmer has noticed "something different" about John Brown this year. Will the Cardinals' deep threat make the leap to a complete wide receiver in 2015?

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500632/article/making-the-leap-no-7-carlos-hyde)

Carlos Hyde must display improved patience and let holes develop in San Francisco. Balancing decisiveness and patience is tough for a rookie, but we expect Hyde to improve in those areas in Year 2.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500600/article/making-the-leap-no-8-jason-verrett)

Gregg Rosenthal threw on some Chargers tape and thought he'd focus on Melvin Ingram. Then corner Jason Verrett popped off the screen and into our Making the Leap series.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500258/article/making-the-leap-no-9-eagles-qb-sam-bradford)

Sam Bradford landed in quarterback heaven when he was sent from the Rams to the Eagles in March. Will 2015 be a career year for the enigmatic passer? Chris Wesseling explores.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499785/article/making-the-leap-no-10-josh-hill)

Saints coach Sean Payton has talked up Josh Hill all offseason, but can he make the leap? Marc Sessler takes a look at the intriguing third-year New Orleans tight end.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499994/article/making-the-leap-no-11-saints-wr-brandin-cooks)

Brandin Cooks was on pace for 85 receptions and 1,000 yards before a thumb injury prematurely ended his rookie season. Will he sail past those numbers in 2015? Chris Wesseling explores.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499639/article/making-the-leap-no-12-davante-adams)

Packers coach Mike McCarthy called Davante Adams the "MVP" of the offseason, but can he make the leap? Marc Sessler takes a look at Green Bay's exciting second-year wideout.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499388/article/making-the-leap-no-13-timmy-jernigan)

Timmy Jernigan only played 330 snaps during his rookie year, but that was enough for him to appear on the "Making the Leap" list. Find out why the Ravens defensive end could break out in 2015.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499218/article/making-the-leap-no-14-blake-bortles)

Blake Bortles has the tools to be a franchise quarterback, but does he have what it takes to put it all together? Conor Orr takes a look at the Jacksonville Jaguars' young quarterback.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499118/article/making-the-leap-no-15-tyrone-crawford)

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford spent last year overwhelming opposing guards. Will he have another explosive season one year removed from surgery?

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000498890/article/making-the-leap-taylor-lewan-chance-warmack)

Taylor Lewan and Chance Warmack showed major improvement during a difficult season for the Titans in 2014. Can these two linemen make a name for themselves in 2015?

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000498525/article/making-the-leap-no-17-martavis-bryant)

Martavis Bryant made some exciting plays last season in Pittsburgh, but Around The NFL's Kevin Patra expects the wideout to be an impact player in 2015.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000498487/article/making-the-leap-no-18-steelers-lb-ryan-shazier)

Can Ryan Shazier break out after a disappointing rookie season? Chris Wesseling dives deep to find out if the Steelers defense can count on Shazier to emerge as a much-needed playmaker.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000498380/article/making-the-leap-no-19-jets-qb-geno-smith)

Can Geno Smith build on a late-season surge and be the franchise quarterback the Jets drafted him to be? Gregg Rosenthal sat on the Genocoaster to divulge his findings.

![](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000498021/article/making-the-leap-no-20-vikings-charles-johnson)

Charles Johnson isn't the biggest name in the Minnesota receiver group. But he's someone we believe will be making a big jump in 2015. Marc Sessler explains why.