Honorable mentions:

Ndamukong Suh (DT-MIA)

Suh is the leader of the Miami Dolphins defense, and has the mammoth contract to prove it.  As one of the highest paid defenders in the NFL, can Suh sustain what he has previously accomplished in Detroit?

Odell Beckham, Jr. (WR-NYG)

The human highlight reel graces the cover of Madden 16, and will be the number one guy in New York, more so if Victor Cruz does not come back strong, or Rueben Randle does not progress.  Does ODB have the capacity to avoid a letdown in his sophomore season?

Geno Smith (QB-NYJ)

Geno has a stellar defense around him, and superb weapons with which to throw to–Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and newly drafted, yet injured Devin Smith–to go with a solid offensive line.  Like Mark Sanchez two years ago, Geno has this year, the last of his rookie deal, to prove he can start in the NFL.  Will the pressure of competing against Ryan Fitzpatrick and massive fan expectations prove too much for him?

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I am an English teacher, music and film aficionado, husband, father of two delightful boys, writer, sports fanatic, former Long Islander, and follower of Christ. Based on my Long Island upbringing, I was groomed as a Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Knicks fan, and picked up Duke basketball, Notre Dame football, and Tottenham Hotspur football fandom along the way.