NFC Breakout Players

Here's a look at a potential breakout player from each NFC team. Most are players that I believe will break out for their team. Others are players that I believe their teams need to have break out. We'll, of course, start with the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil, T
The Vikings need left tackle Kalil to play more like the player that he was as a rookie and less like the player that he's been the three years since. Last year was an improvement but the Vikings need him to be much better. Adding left guard Alex Boone in free agency should help Kalil in particular and the line in general. If Kalil doesn't play to an acceptable level this could be his last year in Minnesota. Many analysts would put quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in this spot. I think that improved play across the offensive line will make an improved Bridgewater a given.

Green Bay Packers
Datone Jones, DE
Jones was drafted in the first round in 2013 to give the Packers a pass rush from someone other than Clay Matthews. He has eight career sacks. That isn't enough.

Detroit Lions
Marvin Jones, WR
A better choice might be found on defense but I'm going with Jones. Calvin Johnson has been a field-tilting, offensive staple for the Lions since 2007. Jones was added in free agency to fill the hole brought about by Johnson's sudden retirement. That's a tough task. I've really liked Jones since his Cal days. He's no Calvin Johnson (who is?) but he's a polished, talented receiver.

Chicago Bears
Kevin White, WR
An injury wiped out White's entire rookie season. The Bears drafted him with the seventh pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to be an immediate offensive weapon. He and Alshon Jeffery should be a devastating duo. He has to get on the field, stay on the field, and be the difference=making receiver that he drafted to be.

New York Giants
All of their defensive free agents
The Giants spent a ridiculous amount of money to land defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Damon Harrison, and corner Janoris Jenkins. Those players have to earn those contracts.

Washington Redskins
Kirk Cousins, QB
Many talking-heads have been questioning the Redskins use of the franchise tag rather than a long-term contract to retain their starting quarterback for the 2016. $19 million is a lot to pay for a single season but there's no commitment for future seasons. Are the Redskins unsure of their current offensive leader? Who knows? But they need Cousins to play well if they have any interest in defending their NFC East title.

Philadelphia Eagles
Sam Bradford, QB
I want to see Bradford play well simply because of all of the heat that he's received for not being happy about his team adding quarterback Carson Wentz with the second pick in the draft. If he's felt slighted by the Eagles, so be it. It's his career, his life, his business.

Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Ezekiel Elliott
The Cowboys looked like Super Bowl contenders in 2014 when Romo and Bryant were healthy and doing what they do. And DeMarco Murray was running wild. The Cowboys have the players to dominate on offense. Their defense should be fine despite some serious issues at defensive end. Romo and Bryant have to stay on the field. If Elliot is anything like he was at Ohio State the Cowboys offense could be scary explosive.

Carolina Panthers
Kelvin Benjamin, WR
Quarterback Cam Newton took home the MVP award with Ted Ginn as his top wideout. Ginn dropped a quarter of the passes thrown his way. That's just sad. Lucky for Newton that he had a tight end like Greg Olsen. Benjamin missed the 2015 with a torn ACL. His return gives Newton a dynamic outside threat. Imagine Newton with a dynamic outside threat that doesn't drop the ball so much.

New Orleans Saints
Brandin Cooks, WR
In only two seasons Cooks has shown the potential to be an elite receiver. He just seems to disappear for stretches of games. With Drew Brees still throwing the football for the Saints Cooks should get the opportunity to be the elite receiver that he has the talent to be.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vernon Hargreaves, CB
The Buccaneers should have a solid offense. The defense has to improve if they expect to contend with the Panthers in their division. With defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander they have some playmakers in the front seven. They need someone to step up in the secondary. First round pick Hargreaves has the talent to be a difference-making player.

Atlanta Falcons
Austin Hooper, TE
It might be a stretch to pick a third-round tight end as a breakout player. Defensive end Vic Beasley and his ridiculous first step might be a better choice. Quarterback Matt Ryan was better and more confident when Tony Gonzalez was an option in the Falcons offense. Hooper has the talent to be a factor early. Even if he did come from Stanford.

Seattle Seahawks
The offensive line. Anyone on the offensive line
The Seahawks might be the only team in the history of football that considers the offensive line an afterthought. It's incredible. But hey, they won a Super Bowl. First round pick Germain Ifedi could be a good one. Perhaps spending that first round pick on an offensive lineman is the start of a philosophy change.

San Francisco 49ers
Carlos Hyde, RB
No matter who ends up starting at quarterback for the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert, a potent running game will do wonders for the offense. Carlos Hyde is a terrific back when healthy. Perhaps new head coach can get a season out of him like he got out of LeSean McCoy a few years ago.

Arizona Cardinals
Chandler Jones, DE
If there was a weakness on the Cardinals defense last season it was their ability to get to the quarterback on a consistent basis. They even had to bring in  veteran Dwight Freeney midseason to add some edge pressure. Jones was one of the best pass rushers in the league. Players like that don't become available too often. He's an excellent addition to an already strong defense.

Los Angeles Rams
Pharoh Cooper, WR
The Rams committed heavily to land their franchise quarterback. They traded a bunch of picks to get the top pick and the opportunity to select Jared Goff. Because of the trade they didn't pick again until the fourth round. That's where they found Cooper. He was an explosive college football player. The Rams need him to be an explosive professional football player.