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Top 10 NFL Stars On the Rise

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By @The12thDude

Top 10 NFL Stars On the Rise

C.J. Mosley
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Creating a list of just 10 NFL stars on the rise is incredibly hard because so many players are worthy of being on this list. Keep in mind that this list is not just reserved for rookies, and I left players that I already considered to be big stars off the list (DeMarco Murray, for example). I had to make some difficult choices for both new and old-ish players that are certainly on the rise (sorry, Derek Carr and Jeremy Maclin). Here's my top 10.

10. Ryan Kerrigan - Washington Redskins

Ryan Kerrigan
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10. Ryan Kerrigan - Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins v Dallas Cowboys
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He's not exactly a household name, but the fourth-year linebacker out of Purdue has been in on 38 tackles. He also has 7.5 sacks (his career-best is 8.5) and two forced fumbles this season. Washington is not a very good team, but Kerrigan is someone they can rely on in the future.

9. Kelvin Benjamin - Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin
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9. Kelvin Benjamin - Carolina Panthers

New Orleans Saints v Carolina Panthers
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In a draft that featured several talented wide receivers like Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans, Benjamin had become somewhat of an afterthought. Benjamin was actually the fifth overall wide receiver selected, but he has arguably had the best rookie season thus far. Sometimes it just doesn't matter if Benjamin is covered, because he will still find a way to catch the pass.

8. Sammy Watkins - Buffalo Bills

Sammy Watkins
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8. Sammy Watkins - Buffalo Bills

Minnesota Vikings v Buffalo Bills
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Watkins has had to play his first season banged up, but that hasn’t stopped him from showing people why he was so highly praised in a very deep draft class for wide receivers. Statistically, Benjamin has a slight edge, but if you watch Watkins play, it is easy to see why he was considered the best receiver coming out of college.

7. C.J. Mosley - Baltimore Ravens

C.J. Mosley
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7. C.J. Mosley - Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens
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The rookie ILB out of Alabama has the fourth-most tackles in the NFL and has been one of the best at his position in the entire league. Unfortunately for any team that plays the Ravens, Mosley looks a lot like the Panthers’ Luke Kuechly and the Seahawks' Bobby Wagner. In other words, the Ravens have found themselves a great player. He could definitely take home DROY honors.

6. Le’Veon Bell - Pittsburgh Steelers

Le'Veon Bell
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6. Le’Veon Bell - Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Carolina Panthers
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Though he was good his rookie season, he made nutritional decisions during the offseason to become better and has become an all-purpose star for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He should be a great back in this league for a long time.

5. Golden Tate - Detroit Lions

Golden Tate
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5. Golden Tate - Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions v New York Jets
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Anyone who is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks could have told you how good Tate is, but he never got the recognition that he deserved in the Seahawks’ power running system. Tate is doing the same exact stuff for the Detroit Lions that he did in Seattle, but now he is getting recognition because Matthew Stafford throws the ball a lot.

4. Emmanuel Sanders - Denver Broncos

Emmanuel Sanders
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4. Emmanuel Sanders - Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts v Denver Broncos
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Sanders apparently left the Pittsburgh Steelers one year too early or he would have received proper recognition. That’s okay, though, because he made his way to the Denver Broncos. I'm sure Peyton Manning is really happy about that.

3. Anthony Barr - Minnesota Vikings

Anthony Barr
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3. Anthony Barr - Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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If C.J. Mosley or Khalil Mack don’t win DROY, then Barr most likely will. Barr was considered a very talented player coming out of UCLA, but he was also very raw at the OLB position. Well, he is having one heck of a rookie campaign for the Vikings. The best part for Minnesota is that Barr has so much room to get even better.

2. T.Y. Hilton - Indianapolis Colts

T.Y. Hilton
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2. T.Y. Hilton - Indianapolis Colts

Seattle Seahawks v Indianapolis Colts
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Hilton had a solid year in 2013, but he never really reached star status. He was on a lot of lists for having potential to have a breakout year, and that is exactly what he has done. He is Andrew Luck’s No. 1 receiver, and he will be a star receiver in this league for a long time -- especially with Luck dishing out the passes.

1. Zack Martin - Dallas Cowboys

Zack Martin
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1. Zack Martin - Dallas Cowboys

San Francisco 49ers v Dallas Cowboys
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What, you’re surprised that a rookie offensive guard is ranked No. 1 on this list? Well, have you seen him play? DeMarco Murray is running like crazy, and Tony Romo is having a great season. Martin is a huge reason for the Cowboys’ success. Good thing Dallas drafted him over Johnny Manziel.

Tyson Sweet is a sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @The12thDude, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google!

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