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Top 5 Louisville football players in the NFL to watch in 2016

By Derek Snyder

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Franklin American Mortgage president Dan Crockett welcomes Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino to the presentation stage following the 2015 Music City Bowl against the Texas A&M Aggies at Nissan Stadium. Louisville won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Franklin American Mortgage president Dan Crockett welcomes Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino to the presentation stage following the 2015 Music City Bowl against the Texas A&M Aggies at Nissan Stadium. Louisville won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2016; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) and quarterback Joel Stave (2) throw passes in drills during training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) and quarterback Joel Stave (2) throw passes in drills during training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

60. . Quarterback. Minnesota Vikings. Teddy Bridgewater. 3. player

Here is everyone’s favorite quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. You are probably a little surprised that he isn’t higher on the list, but the Minnesota Vikings are going to have to let Teddy off his “leash” if they want to take a bigger step forward in 2016.

Bridgewater isn’t a guy who is going to put up Aaron Rodgers-like numbers at any point of his career, but he isn’t just a “game-manager” either. The Vikings are loaded with talent on defense and probably have the best running back in the NFL with Adrian Peterson.

Last season, the Vikings lost to the Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card off of a heartbreaking missed field goal at the end of regulation. A lot of that game was determined by the extremely cold weather, but Minnesota has to give Bridgewater more control of the offense.

He has never had a great offensive line in the NFL. Bridgewater was sacked a total of 44 times in 2015, according to ESPN. It’s a miracle that he was able to lead the Vikings into the playoffs last season, hopefully their offseason signings will help Bridgewater going forward.

The Vikings have a great chance to take the next step this season, but they have to let Bridgewater throw the ball down field more often. It’s understandable that Peterson should get a boat-load of touches, but that has only taken Minnesota so far.

Next: No. 2: Sheldon Rankins

Don’t expect Bridgewater to put up crazy stats in 2015, but look for him to take the Vikings beyond the Wild Card Round in the NFL playoffs.

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