Running backs are often the trickiest players to project in the NFL.
That also means that sometimes, they breakout immediately.
That's what a couple of ESPN insiders think is going to happen in Week 1 of the NFL season.
In a new article published Thursday, Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have their eyes on two rookie RBs: Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Bhayshul Tuten.
JCM, the Washington Commanders' rookie, was a seventh-rounder but has lots of hype.
"He might be Washington's RB4 right now," Fowler said of the unofficial depth chart placement, "but every time I asked somebody there about their backfield plans, Croskey-Merritt was mentioned early and often. The Commanders are very high on him."
MORE: Derrick Henry reveals his retirement plans
Tuten went in the fourth round to the Jags, who also picked LeQuint Allen in the seventh round.
"The veterans might get the first shot, but the new front office and coaching staff drafted Tuten and Allen and have plans for them," Graziano writes. "Tuten is the most explosive of the group -- a 'home run hitter' in the Jaguars' eyes. If he's able to pick up the offense and acclimate to the NFL quickly, that explosiveness could lead to greater opportunities sooner rather than later."
Croskey-Merritt, known as Bill, was a popular fantasy football pick as draft season went on.
Tuten was often drafted, too, although his usage feels even trickier to predict.
MORE: Josh Allen paints a beautiful picture of a Super Bowl parade in Buffalo
In Washington, the seemingly probable outcome is that Austin Ekeler and JCM both get chances to split the load in the early going.
The Jags return both Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, so that backfield could go any type of way.
But it's an exciting time. Rookies bring hope, and these two rookies both have potential to be special.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- This Ravens rookie was a star in his college rocket club
- This Shedeur Sanders and Arch Manning comparison makes a lot of sense
- Saints just signed their next Taysom Hill
- Johnny Manziel reveals crazy NSFW hatred for Cleveland Browns
- Devin Hester Jr. is great at returns, but he isn't the Bears' Hall of Famer's son
- Why Jets chose QB Justin Fields over 'celebrity' Aaron Rodgers