Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Breakout Candidates: NFC North

NFL training camps start opening in about two weeks. The new season is ticking closer. To pass a few of the days before training camp, I’ll name a player from each team as a candidate for a breakout season. First up is the NFC North.

Minnesota Vikings
Irv Smith Jr., TE

Last season was supposed to be Irv Smith Jr.’s breakout season. After two seasons backing up Kyle Rudolph, he was the undisputed starter. He was a training camp standout. Athletic and explosive, he was going to be a unique receiving option for Kirk Cousins. Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Irv Smith Jr. The Vikings offense was going to boast a quartet of playmakers. Then Smith tore a meniscus and was lost for the season before the season even started. It was a huge loss. Now, he’s entering his contract year. Irv Smith Jr. will break out this season.

Green Bay Packers
Romeo Doubs, WR

Without Davante Adams, the Packers receiving room looks like “just a bunch of guys.” A couple older guys in Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins. A couple younger guys in Allen Lazard and Amari Rodgers. A couple rookies in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. With Aaron Rodgers spreading the ball around, one has to expect at least one of those receivers to break out. I’ll go with the fourth-round rookie from Nevada. Romeo Doubs.

Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet, TE

Through his first two years in the league, Cole Kmet has often been a nuisance. He’s been a nuisance because he’s made some plays in games against the Vikings. He moves well and he’s 6’6”. He’s tough to handle. His potential to break out makes me nervous. He makes me nervous like Greg Olsen made me nervous when he was with the Bears. It’d be nice if Kmet has a similar career path as Olsen and gets shipped out of Chicago. 

Detroit Lions
Alim McNeill, DT

In the 2021 NFL Draft, I really hoped that Alim McNeill would find his way to Minnesota. The Vikings went a different direction in the third round and McNeill sadly ended up in Detroit. He played his way into the Lions starting lineup as a rookie. I think that he becomes an impact player in his second season. 

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