It's the AFC's turn. Here's a player from each team that I believe could break out this year.
Cleveland Browns
Christian Kirksey, LB
In my opinion, Kirksey has already broken out but he doesn't get much attention. Perhaps it's because he plays in Cleveland.
Baltimore Ravens
Hayden Hurst, TE
I'm not sure what to think of this year's Ravens. I feel like they could range anywhere from terrible to a Super Bowl contender. Hurst is talented enough to succeed as a rookie and on an offense in desperate for a playmaker.
Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Boyd, WR
For some reason I keep thinking of Boyd like I did 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.
Pittsburgh Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
One could judge Smith-Schuster's rookie season as a breakout season. He had some dynamite moments last year. I think that he's just scratching at the surface of what he might do in the Steelers offense. How could a player named JuJu Smith-Schuster not be a star?
New England Patriots
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
I don't think Patterson's time in New England will be a long one but his first season could be explosive. His tremendous lack of football fundamentals is bound to drive Bill Belichick out of his mind. There are few players in the league as dynamic with the ball in his hands and Josh McDaniels will find a way to get the ball in his hands. Even if Patterson sees limited time on offense he'll make an immediate impact with kick returns.
New York Jets
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
This is a purely sentimental choice. I hated to see Bridgewater's time in Minnesota end. That horrific knee injury in 2016 has left a potentially brilliant football career a question mark. If he can get on the field and stay on the field he could keep Sam Darnold on the bench for a while.
Miami Dolphins
Kenyan Drake, RB
The Dolphins opened the door for 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.
Buffalo Bills
Harrison Phillips, DT
I probably would've gone with receiver Zay Jones until he lost his mind this offseason. 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.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Donte Moncrief, WR
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 provide that.
Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck, QB
Wouldn't it be great to see Luck back on the field with a healed-up arm?
Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis, WR
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.
Houston Texans
Braxton Miller, WR
Miller feels like one of those football players that is at his best when the game is opened up like it is when it's played out on the schoolyard. Just get the ball in his hands. I'm not sure if he's a receiver or a running back even though he often looks like he can be both. I'd dust off the plays that Darrell Bevell and Bill Musgrave ran with Percy Harvin and turn Miller loose.
Oakland Raiders
Karl Joseph, S
Joseph was one of my favorite players in the 2016 NFL Draft. I hoped that he would be on the board when the Vikings picked. The Raiders ended that dream nine picks too soon. It'll be interesting to see how Jon Gruden's George Allen-like overhaul of the Raiders looks on the field. I like Joseph in new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther's defense. Actually, I like Joseph in any defense. He can make plays in the box and at the back end.
Denver Broncos
Garrett Bolles, OT
I don't have enough offensive linemen as breakout players. Bolles is the only one. I did consider picking Quenton Nelson for the Colts. 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 so, 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.
Los Angeles Chargers
Denzell Perryman, LB
I had tight Hunter Henry as the Chargers breakout player until he was unfortunately lost to an ACL injury. I thought about replacing him with rookie running back Justin Jackson or one the talented second-year guards Forrest Lamp or Dan Feeney. I'm going with third-year linebacker Denzel Perryman. The Chargers have put together a very talented defense. Perryman doesn't get the attention of the pass rushers or the secondary. I guess that's why I consider him a potential breakout player. He's been a consistent, productive player since his rookie season. Despite being undersized at 5'11" and 236 lbs he hits like a tank and is an emotional leader.
Kansas City Chiefs
Reggie Ragland, LB
The Chiefs hope that Patrick Mahomes is their breakout star. I'm going with a player that I thought would eventually be a breakout player for the Buffalo Bills when they selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. First-year head coach Sean McDermott didn't see Ragland as a fit for his defense so he traded him to the Chiefs last August. With Derrick Johnson in Gruden's Old Folks Home the Chiefs need a new leader in the middle of their defense. The door is open for Ragland.
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