NFL: Second-Year Players Who Will Turn Heads

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver

(17) gets away from Dallas Cowboys free safety

(27) to score a touchdown in the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

Position: Wide Receiver

Age: 22

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 53

2014 Season Statistics: 16 GP, 38 receptions, 66 targets, 446 yards, 3 touchdowns, 23 first downs

The Green Bay Packers have one of the best 1-2 wide receiver punches in the NFL with Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. Thus, one might wonder how another wide receiver could possibly get targets.

In 2015, another receiver will: Davante Adams. Aaron Rodgers will make sure of it.

According to Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin, Rodgers believes Adams is going to be a star.

"I never called out Davante by name last year. I was hoping that he would pick it up with his practice habits. But Davante is a very polished player, and he has an excellent demeanor for a guy who’s going to be a star. I mean, he carries himself like a star – which is a very high compliment. There’s only been a few guys around here who’ve had that charisma: Charles (Woodson), Julius (Peppers), Greg (Jennings) always had it as a young player. But there’s very few guys that really ‘get it.”"

Rodgers continued:

"And he has supreme confidence, and it’s contagious. And I’m really proud of his approach and his attitude. It makes you want to get him the ball more. It makes you watch the film and have regrets about not giving him more opportunities. And that’s again, another compliment for him. He really came on and made plays last season. But the entire time, between his big game against New England and Dallas, where he didn’t get a lot of touches and his targets were low, he was always bringing it and running his routes to win, which is a huge accomplishment for a young guy. So that’s what we’re looking for from the other young guys, and they’ve got to come along."

Per Tyler Dunne of The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, head coach Mike McCarthy named Adams the MVP of OTAs.

"I would say Davante Adams, if you wanted a clear illustration of a player taking a jump in his second year, you just saw it. He’s been tremendous in OTA’s and he has more in front of him. He’s done a  great job in strength and conditioning. If you picked a MVP or an All-Star, he’d be at the top of the list."

Anyone can give a vote of confidence, but your head coach and starting quarterback are the men with the opinions that truly matter.

If for no other reason, Adams appears on this list because Rodgers publicly stated that he should get the ball more. It doesn’t hurt that Adams has the size, body control and hands to make plays against even the best of defenders.

For what it’s worth, Adams caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in his postseason debut against the Dallas Cowboys.

Next: 2014's Top Tight End?