1.Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Rawls might be a surprising name to see on this list, as he is the most obvious heir apparent to the now retired Marshawn Lynch in the Seahawks backfield. But his recovery from an ankle injury that ended his brief-but-excellent 2015 campaign and Seattle’s drafting of Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise have cast some doubt as to whether Rawls will be the lead back. So long as Rawls is healthy, the answer is a clear yes. He earned the fourth-best PFF rushing grade among backs during his limited action last season, and ranked third in yards after contact per attempt – a sign of his ability to produce independent of Seattle’s run-blocking. He is one of 2016’s potential breakout stars so long as he can get and stay on the field.

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2. Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons

Jarrett surprisingly dropped to the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, after earning the second-best PFF grade among defensive tackles his final season at Clemson in 2014. He ended up grading even better than first-round teammate and edge rusher Vic Beasley in his rookie season, despite playing just 268 snaps to Beasley’s 547. He was disruptive as a pass-rusher and even more so as a run defender. Jarrett is expected to compete for a starting job in a Falcons defense that needs some playmakers – they’d do well to give him an expanded role.

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3. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Another underdrafted rookie who excelled in his first year after producing at a very high level in college (Lockett was PFF’s No. 1-ranked wide receiver in 2014, out of Kansas State), Lockett is poised for a big 2016 season. He finished third on the team in targets behind leading receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, but graded considerably better than Kearse and was a particularly dangerous threat on deep balls, with 26 percent of his targets coming on throws of 20-plus yards. He looks like a bona fide No. 2 target opposite Baldwin this season.

4. Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots

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It was injury that limited Lewis’s role in 2015, not any decision by the Patriots, and he was the No. 1-ranked running back in PFF’s elusive rating (which tracks a back’s ability to generate yards on his own) prior to his season-ending torn ACL. His health is obviously a concern, and the Pats are not short on playmakers in Tom Brady’s supporting cast, from wideouts Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan to tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett to power back LeGarrette Blount. But if Lewis is fully recovered, carving out a significant role for the back who forced 24 missed tackles on 36 receptions and 19 on his 49 rush attempts would be a smart move for New England.

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5. Quinten Rollins, CB, Green Bay Packers

Rollins is another 2015 draft pick who stood out in PFF’s college grading in 2014, and last season he earned the 20th-best grade in our cornerback rankings, the highest on the Packers roster. He was very good against the run in addition to his success in coverage, and his 58.4 NFL passer rating allowed was the fifth-lowest among NFL cornerbacks. Rollins isn’t currently being listed as a starter in the Green Bay secondary, he seems primed for a bigger role in 2016.

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6. Willie Young, OLB, Chicago Bears

Young was Chicago’s second-most productive pass-rusher a year ago, behind only fellow outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, and he graded well versus the run in addition to his 47 total QB pressures (including seven sacks). After just 532 snaps a year ago, Young might not be in line for a larger role given the presence of McPhee, Lamarr Houston and No. 9 overall pick from the 2016 draft Leonard Floyd, but his production from 2015 warrants it.

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7. Vance Walker, DE, Denver Broncos

The Broncos have the unenviable task of having to replace Malik Jackson, one of the top-graded interior defenders a year ago, now that he has moved on to Jacksonville in free agency. But while early roster projections have free-agent pickup Jared Crick, out of Houston, as the starting 3-4 defensive end opposite Derek Wolfe, Denver might want to take a look at expanding Walker’s role. He was the third-highest-graded player at the position on Denver’s roster behind Jackson and Wolfe, and while he won’t be able to replace Jackson’s production as a pass-rusher, he was a very effective run defender in his 449 total snaps (including the postseason) last year. Given the ability of Denver’s edge rushers, led by Von Miller, having Walker provide a strong run-defense presence might be a good interim step in filling the void left by Jackson.

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8. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

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Ertz saw the most snaps of any Philadelphia tight end last year, but there’s a strong case to be made that he should see an even bigger role in 2016, especially relative to fellow Philly TE Brent Celek. Ertz was the No. 4 tight end in PFF grades last year, faring well as a run-blocker in addition to his success as a pass-catcher (75 catches for 853 yards and two touchdowns). He could be the top receiving weapon for Eagles QB Sam Bradford this season, and he is an intriguing fantasy option at the tight end position as well.

9. Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings had one of the top-graded defenses in 2015, and were particularly strong up front with defensive tackle Linval Joseph, defensive end Everson Griffen and outside linebacker Anthony Barr. But one of the quieter productive players was 2015 third-rounder Danielle Hunter, who from Week 6 on was very productive in a reserve defensive end role. He graded average as a pass-rusher, recording 37 total pressures including five sacks, and graded very well versus the run. Given that starting ends Griffen and Brian Robison earned below-average grades versus the run (both were good as rushers, particularly Griffen), we could see more of Hunter in 2016 as he develops in his second season.

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10. Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns

Johnson is being considered something of a co-starter along with Isaiah Crowell in Cleveland’s backfield, but Johnson was the superior player a year ago. He might not be able to see the full workload, given that he isn’t the biggest back at 5-foot-9 and 206 pounds, but his ability to make defenders miss in the running game and especially in the passing game – he forced 17 missed tackles on 104 rush attempts and 26 on 61 receptions, producing the sixth-best elusive rating in the NFL last season – gives him a clear edge over Crowell, who forced just 26 total missed tackles on his 206 touches. The biggest issue for Johnson is in pass protection, as he needs to improve upon his second-worst pass-blocking efficiency score from a year ago.