Pittsburgh Steelers
Now: T.J. Watt, LB
July: TJ Watt, LB
May: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Injuries kept TJ Watt from breaking out as rookie last year. When he was on the field it was difficult to keep him away from opposing quarterbacks. If he can stay on the field, he breaks out this year.
Cleveland Browns
Now: Christian Kirksey, LB
July: Christian Kirksey, LB
May: Christian Kirksey, LB
It's a consensus. In my opinion, Christian Kirksey has already broken out but he doesn't get much attention. Perhaps it's because he plays in Cleveland. For the first time since the original Browns were still in Cleveland the team has several players that can be considered candidates to break out.
Cincinnati Bengals
Now: Tyler Boyd, WR
July: Tyler Boyd, WR
May: Tyler Boyd, WR
Another consensus. For some reason I keep thinking of Boyd like I thought of Reggie Wayne when he was just getting started with the Indianapolis Colts. Both went to teams that were in great need of a receiver to step up opposite an established star. Wayne opposite Marvin Harrison and Boyd opposite A.J. Green. I thought that both would step up immediately. It took a little while for Wayne. Boyd's entering his third season with the Bengals. I've been a fan of Boyd since his University of Pittsburgh days. He has the talent to be a very productive player, if not a star.
Baltimore Ravens
Now: Matt Judon, LB
July: Hayden Hurst, TE
May: Hayden Hurst, TE
I was leaning toward keeping Hayden Hurst as my Ravens breakout player. I switched to Matt Judon because the Ravens need a pass rusher opposite Terrell Suggs. They also need a pass rusher to take the baton from Suggs. Judon feels like the one.
Buffalo Bills
Now: Harrison Phillips, DT
July: Harrison Phillips, DT
May: Harrison Phillips, DT
Another consensus. I probably would've gone with receiver Zay Jones until he lost his mind this offseason. I considered corner Tre'Davious White but he broke out as a rookie. Instead I'll go with the player that felt tailor-made for Buffalo and the Bills. Phillips is a disruptive, all-effort grinder and looks like he could be Kyle Williams' brother.
New England Patriots
Now: Sony Michel, RB
July: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
May: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
I nearly kept Cordarrelle Patterson as my pick. He's a dynamic talent with the ball in his hands and Josh McDaniels will find a way to get the ball in his hands. McDaniels needs to get the ball into the hands of rookie Sony Michel as well. He can hurt a defense in a lot of ways but he has to stay on the field.
New York Jets
Now: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
July: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
May: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Surprise! A Teddy Bridgewater consensus. Despite all the rave reviews and drooling over rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, Bridgewater has been the Jets best quarterback. He deserves to start. If not for the Jets he deserves to start somewhere.
Miami Dolphins
Now: Kenyan Drake, RB
July: Kenyan Drake, RB
May: Kenyan Drake, RB
The Dolphins opened the door for Kenyan Drake when they traded Jay Ajayi during the season. He took advantage and had some shining moments. The Dolphins then cluttered their backfield in the offseaon by signing Frank Gore and drafting Kalen Ballage. I think that Drake keeps his spot as the top ballcarrier.
Indianapolis Colts
Now: Quenton Nelson, G
July: Andrew Luck, QB
May: Andrew Luck, QB
An offensive lineman deserves to be a breakout player and rookie Quenton Nelson should be a breakout player.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Now: Donte Moncrief, WR
July: Donte Moncrief, WR
May: Donte Moncrief, WR
It looked like every Jaguar that could break out last year did break out. I considered linebacker Myles Jack but I'm going with a player new to Jacksonville. Not long ago the Jaguars had one of the most intriguing, young receiving combos in the league with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. This offseason, Robinson left for Chicago and Hurns left for Dallas. In a perfect Jacksonville world the Jaguars will win games with Leonard Fournette running the ball and a terrific defense. To get past the AFC title game the Jaguars need more from their passing offense. Moncrief was brought in to give the passing game a boost.
Houston Texans
Now: Braxton Miller, WR
July: DJ Reader, NT
May: Braxton Miller, WR
The Houston Texans offense would be a lot more difficult to defend if the versatile Braxton Miller can be utilized to his fullest.
Tennessee Titans
Now: Corey Davis, WR
July: Corey Davis, WR
May: Corey Davis, WR
Corey Davis was the fifth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft because he's a difference-making talent. The Titans need him to break out. Marcus Mariota really needs him to break out. Davis' rookie season was slowed, stunted, stalled by nagging injuries. When he was on the field it felt like he tilted it. He has to stay healthy and gain better route discipline. If he can do that he has the talent to break out big.
Denver Broncos
Now: Garrett Bolles, OT
July: Garrett Bolles, OT
May: Garrett Bolles, OT
Another lineman gets the nod! New Broncos quarterback Case Keenum has the ability to make something positive happen when blocking breaks down. That takes some of the pressure off of Bolles to be perfect on every snap. He has the talent to make giant strides in his second season. If he does, Keenum won't have to rely on his quick feet to make something happen. He'll be able to stay in the pocket with his blindside safe.
Oakland Raiders
Now: Karl Joseph, S
July: Karl Joseph, S
May: Karl Joseph, S
It was taking too long to sift through all of the players that Jon Gruden added to the roster this offseason. So, I'll go with a player that I've liked since his college days at West Virginia. Karl Joseph was one of my favorites in the 2016 NFL Draft. If he was a few inches taller than his current generous listing of 5'10" he might've been a top-10 pick. Instead the Raiders got a steal with the 14th pick. He has the talent to become a dynamic playmaker at the back of the defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Now: Forrest Lamp, G
July: Denzell Perryman, LB
May: Denzell Perryman, LB
Another lineman! An injury wiped out Forrest Lamp's rookie season last season. He was one of the my favorite players in the 2017 NFL Draft. If he's fully healed the Chargers offense will be improved and Phillip Rivers will be happy.
Kansas City Chiefs
Now: Kendall Fuller, CB
July: Kendall Fuller, CB
May: Reggie Ragland, LB
I couldn't believe that the Washington Redskins included Kendall Fuller in the Alex Smith trade. It was certainly the Chiefs gain. They made room for talented thrower Patrick Mahomes II and they got a young, talented, ready-to-break-out cornerback. They needed one since they had sent Marcus Peters packing. Fuller probably would've been my breakout candidate for the Redskins if he hadn't been traded to the Chiefs.
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