5 Things You Should Expect In the 2015 NFL Season

  With the NFL free agency period coming and going, and leaving a big mark on what looks to be one of the most exciting off seasons in league history. The NFL draft is quickly approaching, and depending on how teams draft could lead to a team being in the playoffs or the no.1 pick next season.

Even though some teams have made very drastic changes and some players have signed really big contracts, that doesn't promise them a great 2015 season. We've seen big-time players take big contracts over promising situations in the past and watched their careers spiral down hill. We've also seen players go to new places and have career seasons. 2015 should have both.

Since this NFL off season is just beginning, I put together a list of 5 things that you SHOULD expect to see in 2015:

Tom Brady, Bill Belichick; Photo via ESPN

1. Patriots will win the AFC East: This off season has been rough for New England, thus far. After losing their all-pro defensive back, Darrelle Revis (NY Jets); defensive back, Brandon Browner (Saints) and veteran defensive tackle, Vince Wilfork (declined to pick up his contract), the Patriots have some question-mark's on defense. Big deal, right? Wrong. The combination of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are the arguably the most consistent thing in sports outside of the San Antonio Spurs organization in the NBA. The Patriots have won the AFC East from 2009-2014. The last time the Patriots had under 10 wins in a season was 2003. Not to mention Belichick is notorious for taking average players and making them look better than average. I wouldn't bet against the Belichick-Brady duo in 2015, you shouldn't either.

2. The 49ers regression: Since Jim Harbaugh announced that he was leaving San Francisco, there's been a lot of changes on the team; all-pro linebacker, Patrick Willis and last years third-round draft pick Chris Borland have both announced retirement, they no longer have the franchise's leading rusher, Frank Gore. And the only player they've signed worth mentioning is receiver, Torrey Smith. I really like some of their young players. Colin Kaepernick is a very good quarterback but I'm not sure how he'll fair without the help of pro-bowl receiver Michael Crabtree, who is a free agent. Carlos Hyde is a very good player but Frank Gore has some big cleats to fill and what looks to be Hyde's job could be too much for him to take on. Let's face it, the NFC West has been arguably the most aggressive and competitive the past three years or so; The Rams will be better, the Cardinals are coming off a very impressive year, and the Seahawks are coming off of back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. It's safe to say that the 49ers may be in trouble in 2015.

3. Julius Thomas won't be the same player: With the amount of talent that tight end, Julius Thomas

Julius Thomas.

has shown the past two season with the Broncos has been unreal. With him being one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league, and getting the opportunity to play with Peyton Manning, Thomas can at least be happy he got a big contract out of the deal. Taking the 5-year $46 Million was smart, financially. However, even though we don't know what Blake Bortles is, we can agree that he's not Peyton Manning. With the Jaguars being in the same division as the Andrew Luck led Indianapolis Colts, as well as the J.J. "Swat" Watts led Houston Texans, I don't see the Jaguars making a leap in the next year or two. Thomas had 12 touchdown receptions in both 2013 and '14. I would only expect to see him get six or seven in 2015.

Johnny Manziel

4. Johnny Manziel will show up ready: Johnny Manziel struggled in his two starts at the end of a disappointing 2014 season, and received a lot of criticism from the media and front office for his behavior and antics during the season. The Cleveland Browns' 2014 first-rounder checked into rehab  in late January in an attempt to clean up his "frat boy" image and make a change for the 2015 season. I think we'll see more of the Texas A&M Johnny Football and less Manziel on the football field in 2015. You can't judge a player going off of two bad games, so I feel it's only right we be optimistic. Manziel didn't have the impact people expected his rookie season, no. But, in his defense, the offensive unit overall was very mediocre. The Browns have to draft a true no.1 receiver come April 30. If this happens, I expect Manziel to be more Alex Smith and less Geno Smith. ...I would have said Russell Wilson but that may be taking it too far... I don't expect for him [Manziel] to throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. But, I do expect for him to lead this team to a 9-win season.

Andrew Luck & Andrew Luck's beard

5. Andrew Luck will be great, with his beard: Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts has a beard, and his beard has a beard. Not really. But in 2014 that beard kind of became his trademark during the season. After having a career year in passing touchdowns and yards and taking his team to the AFC Championship, where they were defeated by the Tom Brady led Patriots, it's hard to not see Luck continue on what seems to be the start of an incredible career. Luck will be entering season number five for the Colts and every year he seems to improve. Luck who started the first half of the season as an MVP candidate, looks to do the same in 2015. The Colts got better at running back and receiver, adding veterans Andre Johnson and Frank Gore. Needless to say they were one of the best teams in the AFC last season, they'll be one of the best in the NFL in 2015. I wouldn't be surprised if Luck wins a Super Bowl in the next three years or so. Will Luck be great in 2015? Yes. Will he have the beard for the journey? If you're a Colts fan, you better hope so.