While this years draft produced strong Texas talent in Corey Coleman, Josh Doctson and William Jackson III, there are also plenty of Texas veterans that have a big year in front of them. With the NFL season starting, I have compiled a list of four Texas veterans that will be looking for big, turnaround years during this 2016 campaign. Whether its returning from injury, proving the haters wrong or getting their first real shot to make a name for themselves, here are (in no particular order) four Texas veterans to watch:
Christine Michael (West Brook; Texas A&M)
After being drafted 62nd overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFL Draft, Christine Michael’s career was looking promising. He was coming into a defending Super Bowl Champion franchise, and was going to get the opportunity to learn behind solidified star Marshawn Lynch. However, after rushing for just 254 yards and no touchdowns over two seasons with the Seahawks, Seattle signed veteran Fred Jackson and traded Michael to Dallas. Michael had a rough season with the Cowboys. After rushing for just 51 yards over the course of five games, he was waived to make room for Robert Turbin. He then signed with the Washington Redskins practice squad in November of 2015, but was released the following month. After his release, Michael was out of a job for all of a day before being resigned by the Seahawks, who’s running backs were facing injuries. Now, with the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, Michael is finally slated to be the starter that the Seahawks originally envisioned when drafting him in 2013. With just a one year deal, the 25 year old will be playing to prove himself worthy of a longer term contract in this upcoming season.
2. Jamaal Charles (Port Arthur; University of Texas)
Though he has solidified himself as one of the NFL’s best backs, Jamaal Charles is a big question mark coming into this season. While coming off a torn ACL is a tough thing to do, it can’t be forgotten that this isn’t the first time he’s torn the ligament. Though it’s in a different knee, in 2011 Charles missed the final 14 games of the season after tearing his left ACL against the Detroit Lions. The year following his first knee injury, Charles had the best yardage mark of his career, running for over 1,500 yards. How Charles will be able to not only physically, but mentally recover for this upcoming season will determine how his success.
3. Matthew Stafford (Highland Park)
For the first time in his career, Matthew Stafford will be going into a season without Calvin Johnson. While that doesn’t take anything away from his ability as a leader and as a quarterback, it raises the question as to just how good is Stafford. With Johnson gone, Stafford will instead be going into the season surrounded by a respectable receiving corps that includes Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and veteran Anquan Boldin. While this corps brings talent to the table, theres no doubt that there will be a huge vacancy where “Megatron” once was. This season won’t be a question of Matthew Stafford’s fundamental abilities, but rather his ability to adjust and lead the Lions in a positive direction.
4. Martellus Bennett (Alief Taylor; Texas A&M)
Other than his twitter account, Martellus Bennett has flown under the radar for the most part over the course of his career. While never being a star, Bennett has been an above average tight end over the years, mainly being known for his blocking. After being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2008 draft, Bennett spent the next seven years slowly improving until he 2014 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl as a member of the Chicago Bears. In 2014 he produced his best stat line as a receiving tight end, catching 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns. After a down year last year, the 29 year old was traded to the Patriots over the offseason. With one being able to be thrown anywhere in the formation, and the other being extremely effective in the traditional tight end position on the line, Rob Gronkowski and Bennett should complement each other nicely in New England. Though he won’t be starting, Bennett is sure to play a critical role in the Patriots success.
