Those who watched Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon closely as a rookie in 2012 saw what manifested in 2013: superstar capabilities. Gordon's 805 receiving yards as a rookie was a strong output, but it was not even half of what he managed the following season, as he hauled in 1,646 yards in just 14 games. Gordon developed from rookie star to league-wide superstar.
We often evaluate NFL offseasons based on how a team spent in free agency and the players it added via the draft, typically overlooking what is in the eyes of some an underappreciated part of roster construction: player development. And while the players below aren't unknowns, none has yet earned a trip to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition. What the first two weeks of the 2014 season have shown us is that, in part due to offseason development, each will one day merit such consideration, possibly this season, leading off with a Patriots defensive end who looks ready to launch his way into superstardom.
Here's a look at five early-season rising stars, followed by notes from around the league.