3 teams on the rise in 2016
The NFL sells the idea of parity better than any of the major North American leagues, and every season is replete with new contenders.
This year is no different, and without further ado, here are three teams on the rise in 2016.
Oakland Raiders
It would be easy enough to select the Raiders on the strength of their offseason haul alone; one that included Reggie Nelson, Sean Smith, Bruce Irvin and Kelechi Osemele. However, the Raiders already boasted the infrastructure in place to make a major leap prior to the summer, in large part due to the budding development of quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper and running back Latavius Murray.
Khalil Mack appears to be in line for the first of multiple 20-sack seasons and ought to commandeer a pass rush that possesses genuine threats from every side of the field. With a revamped secondary that includes Nelson, Smith and first-round pick Karl Joseph, the Raiders possess few weaknesses on paper.
The Raiders will need to prove that they are better than the sum of their top-heavy roster, and remain resolute in the playoff race in order to secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2002.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns emerged as one of the NFL's most formidable receiving duos and stand to improve as they both enter their third professional seasons. Although Blake Bortles led the NFL with 18 interceptions, the quarterback showed marked improvement with his intermediate to deep routes, and this trio will light up opposing defenses this season.
Where the Jaguars stand to make massive improvements is on the defensive side of the ball. 2015 third overall pick Dante Fowler Jr. will make his professional debut after missing last season with a torn ACL, Telvin Smith may be the NFL's most underrated player, and Malik Jackson brings championship experience to a young, talented unit. Tashaun Gipson is the star talent the secondary's been missing for a decade, while 2016 fifth overall pick Jalen Ramsey is already showing glimpses of stardom.
Boasting a surplus of young talent, the Jaguars sport immense potential ahead of 2016. Playing in the NFL's weakest division, the Jaguars are slated to make a massive push in what ought to be a make-or-break season for head coach Gus Bradley.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston proved to be worthy of being the first overall pick in 2015 and is expected to make massive strides during his second year in head coach Dirk Koetter's offense. With the team finally boasting an emerging star at quarterback, a top-flight receiver in Mike Evans, and the NFL's second-leading rusher in Doug Martin, the Buccaneers are expected to be competitive in a division that boasts the reigning NFC champion Carolina Panthers.
Gerald McCoy is perennially in the discussion of the NFL's best defensive tackle, while Lavonte David is among the rangiest linebackers in the league. Free-agent acquisition Robert Ayers is quietly coming off a 9.5 sack season and Noah Spence was considered a first-round talent by many prognosticators. With a well-rounded front seven, along with first-round cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, the Buccaneers should improve from the 26th-ranked scoring defense.
The Bucs stand to be much-improved in 2016. With playmakers on both sides of the ball, Tampa Bay could very well quietly sneak up on the rest of the NFL.