Pittsburgh Steelers
TJ Watt, LB
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.
Baltimore Ravens
Hayden Hurst, TE
I want to pick Lamar Jackson but I'll give Joe Flacco the quarterback nod for now. Hayden Hurst will be a benefit to any quarterback the Ravens put on the field. Unless they get a rebound year from Michael Crabtree, Hurst might already be the team's best pass-catching option.
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.
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. For the first time since the original Browns were still in Cleveland the Browns have several players that can be considered candidates to break out.
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, especially with the new kickoff rules.
Buffalo Bills
Harrison Phillips, DT
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.
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.
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.
Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck, QB
Wouldn't it be great to see Luck back on the field with a healed-up arm?
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
DJ Reader, NT
How can you not break out with J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus around you? Reader is actually a terrific football talent on his own and he's ready to break out.
Jacksonville Jaguars
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. 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.
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 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.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kendall Fuller, CB
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 sent Marcus Peters packing. Fuller probably would've been my breakout candidate for the Redskins if he hadn't been traded to the Chiefs.
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 of 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.
Oakland Raiders
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 their defense.
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