NFL 2015: Top 10 sleepers to break out

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Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Travis Kelce

Last year, Travis Kelce came back from a 2013 microfracture knee surgery to have one of the best years of any tight end. Yet, few noticed outside of Kansas City and the dedicated fantasy football players who followed his ascent. In 2014, Kelce led the Chiefs with 862 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Coming into his third year, Kelce is primed to become an elite player.

After starring at the University of Cincinnati, Kelce was a third-round pick of general manager John Dorsey. The hope was Kelce would turn into an athletic tight end who can both block and catch, something he has proven capable of. With his third year in head coach Andy Reid’s system, it appears Kelce could be the main target in the passing game alongside $55 million receiver Jeremy Maclin.

The other reason to love Kelce for a breakout campaign? Alex Smith. While Smith is likely the reason that Maclin won’t reproduce 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns like he had in his last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, he is also the reason to love Kelce. Smith is an intelligent quarterback who hits the open man and allows him to create. More often than not, Kelce will be that guy.

Projection: 70 catches, 1,105 yards, 8 touchdowns

Nov 9, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Brandin Cooks

The New Orleans Saints are getting a little old on offense, but their best outside threat is just 21 years old. Second-year wide receiver Brandin Cooks was a spark plug for Drew Brees and Co. last season before getting hurt, catching 53 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. Additionally, Cooks is one of the fastest players in the league (he clocked a 4.33 40-yard dash time at the 2014 NFL Combine).

With a year under his belt and a better understanding of the Saints’ system, Cooks has all the signs of a player ready to come onto the national scene. Playing on a consistent surface inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome, Cooks will showcase his speed on deeper routes and slants.

Perhaps the best factor in Cooks’ favor is the weapons around him. With Brees at the controls, Cooks will constantly get targeted well-placed passes. Teams will also be hesitant to double-team Cooks with Marques Colston still churning out marquee performances. The loss of Jimmy Graham is tough, but the emergence of running back Mark Ingram should help to keep another defender in the box.

Projection: 65 catches, 1,140 yards, 7 touchdowns

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