Minnesota Vikings
Scott Crichton, DE
His rookie year was basically a redshirt year. He only had a handful of snaps. The Vikings drafted him in the third-round to do much more than that. He's been terrific in offseason workouts.
Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams, WR
Packers receivers have a great chance to excel with Aaron Rodgers throwing the footballs. Adams started to shine in the playoffs last season. Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, AND Adams. Oh my.
Detroit Lions
Eric Ebron, TE
Ebron was the tenth pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He sometimes looked lost in his first NFL season. He should be much more comfortable in his second season.
Chicago Bears
Kyle Fuller, CB
Fuller probably doesn't belong on this list as he was terrific early in his rookie season. Injuries eventually derailed him. His future in the league is a bright one.
New York Giants
Andre Williams, RB
It might be a surprise to some that the Giants found players other than Odell Beckham Jr. in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Giants signed Shane Vereen in the offseason so it might be stretch to say that Williams will shine in his second season. Williams and Vereen should be a nice running combination when Eli Manning isn't tossing the ball up to Beckham.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Matthews, WR
Matthews was one of my favorite receivers in the 2014 NFL Draft. Eagles head coach Chip Kelly opened the door for Matthews to be the team's top receiving target moving forward.
Dallas Cowboys
Demarcus Lawrence, DE
Like Packers receiver Davante Adams, Lawrence started to shine late in his rookie season. The Cowboys defense has had a lot of changes recently and Lawrence will have the opportunity to be a passing rushing force.
Washington Redskins
Bashaud Breeland, CB
Those that follow the Redskins might not consider Breeland a breakout candidate as they consider his rookie season a breakout season. He started and played well last season. The guess here is that he'll play even better in his second season.
New Orleans Saints
Brandin Cooks, WR
This pick is much like the Fuller pick for the Bears. Cooks was playing great as a rookie until injuries slowed him. With Jimmy Graham catching passes in Seattle now, Cooks could be Drew Brees' top target.
Atlanta Falcons
Ra'Shede Hageman, DT
If new coach Dan Quinn can keep him properly dedicated and motivated Hageman should shine. He's so talented. Huge too.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
Seferian-Jenkins had some fine moments as a rookie. He could have many more going forward. I still have visions of this guy destroying Cal while he was at Washington.
Carolina Panthers
Bene Benwikere, CB
He's on this list for his awesome name! It's really more than his name. Benwikere played well as a rookie. His second year should be even better. And more people will know that name.
San Francisco 49ers
Carlos Hyde, RB
With Frank Gore now lined up behind Andrew Luck in Indianapolis, the 49ers running back job belongs to Hyde. He was great with limited carries last year. He's the man this year.
Seattle Seahawks
?
I really have no idea which second-year player might breakout for the Seahawks. Receiver Paul Richardson would be an easy choice if he hadn't torn his ACL in the playoffs. The Seahawks starters are so talented that they can ease youngsters into the lineup. The offensive is looking for improvement so second-round pick Justin Britt could be a candidate here.
Arizona Cardinals
Troy Niklas, TE
Niklas should provide a nice, big security blanket for Carson Palmer. He needs to get on the field and stay on the field.
St. Louis Rams
Lamarcus Joyner, S
Joyner was another one of my favorite players in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Rams are building an excellent defense. The front seven is already there. The secondary is still coming together. They have TJ McDonald and added Mark Barron at safety. They have to find a spot Joyner. Maybe it's at nickel. Maybe it's at corner. I'd like to see it at safety. He's a dynamic little defensive playmaker.
Baltimore Ravens
Timmy Jernigan, DT
Trading Haloti Ngata opened some room in the middle of the Ravens defensive front. Jernigan is nowhere near the size of Ngata but he still spends a lot of time in offensive backfields.
Cleveland Browns
Christian Kirksey, LB
Kirksey is another player that I really liked in the draft. He's always around the ball.
Cincinnati Bengals
Darqueze Dennard, CB
He didn't get on the field as much as the Bengals probably wanted last year. That should change this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ryan Shazier, LB
Another player like Fuller and Cooks that started his NFL career in terrific fashion only to see it slowed by injuries. Shazier is fast. So fast.
New England Patriots
Malcolm Butler, CB
The Super Bowl hero. He wasn't even drafted. The Patriots dumped a few corners this offseason. The position is his now despite the recent disciplinary nonsense that's been way overblown.
New York Jets
Calvin Pryor, S
New head coach Todd Bowles will find a way to get Pryor involved in the defense.
Buffalo Bills
Preston Brown, LB
Brown should be an active playmaker in the middle of Rex Ryan's defense.
Miami Dolphins
Jarvis Landry, WR
The Dolphins receiver group has undergone a bit of a makeover in the past year. Landry will be a terrific target for Ryan Tannehill.
Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Newsome, DE
Newsome had 6.5 sacks as a rookie. He should be a double-digit sack man for the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Telvin Smith, LB
Defensive-minded head coach Gus Bradley should have fun finding useful ways to use this speedy, playmaking linebacker.
Houston Texans
Jadeveon Clowney, LB
The top pick in the draft just has to stay on the football field. J.J. Watt and Clowney! That's ridiculous.
Tennessee Titans
Avery Williamson, LB
Williamson earned a starting spot as a rookie. He should build on that.
Denver Broncos
Cody Latimer, WR
With Peyton Manning throwing the football any receiver that gets open where he's supposed to get open will get catches. Latimer should be doing a lot more of that in his second season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OL
This is more hopeful than realistic. I'd like to see this Canadian football player from McGill University win a starting spot with the Chiefs. He's a skilled football player. He just has to get used to NFL-level talent.
San Diego Chargers
Jason Verrett, CB
If Verrett was taller than 6' rather than 5'9" he would have been a top-10 pick. He was still the 25th pick. Verrett is a very talented football player. His future is bright.
Oakland Raiders
Khalil Mack, LB
It's probably not right to pick one of the best rookies in the league last year as a breakout candidate for his second year. Well, I don't think that Mack is even close to his potential. Which is very, very scary.
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