Part of the beauty of the NFL, and sports as a whole, is that every year several players make a name for themselves. In 2023, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams and Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, just to name a few, broke out.
So, with training camps around the league getting going, let’s go division by division and take a stab at predicting every team’s breakout candidate for this upcoming season. To qualify, a player has to be entering at most his fourth year and hasn’t made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team yet.
Buffalo Bills: WR Khalil Shakir
After a rather quiet rookie season, Shakir had a strong performance in year two with 611 receiving yards and a couple of touchdowns. He ended last year strong, logging 444 yards and a couple of 100-yard performances in the team’s last nine games to build some momentum heading into 2024.
Also, the Bills moved on from Stefon Diggs in the offseason, so there should be more targets to go around. It will also help that the 2022 fifth-round pick has familiarity with Josh Allen.
Miami Dolphins: CB Kader Kohou
The Dolphins have a veteran-heavy roster, so the pickings are slim for breakout candidates, but Kohou is a good option as he’s shown some impressive ball skills with 20 passes defended in his first two seasons.
Plus, the 2022 undrafted free agent will be playing in front of a good safety duo in Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland to help him be more comfortable taking risks in coverage.
New England Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez
An injury limited Gonzalez to four games in his debut season, but he managed to log three passes defended during those outings. Last year’s first-round pick is an easy choice as the Patriots’ breakout candidate since he was one of the top cornerbacks in the 2023 class and will be playing behind a good pass rush led by Christian Barmore and Matthew Judon.
New York Jets: G Alijah Vera-Tucker
Staying healthy will be key to Vera-Tucker having a good campaign as he’s only played in 12 games over the last two years. But he’s been good when on the field, posting grades in the 70s from Pro Football Focus during those seasons.
Also, with the free-agent signings of Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, as well as the Jets selecting Olu Fashanu in the first round of the draft, the USC product will be able to stick at guard instead of playing multiple positions as he has in the past.
Dallas Cowboys: WR Jalen Tolbert
While Tolbert hasn’t been very productive so far with just 24 catches and 280 yards during his first two seasons, he should be in line for a bigger role this fall. The Cowboys let Michael Gallup and Tony Pollard go in the offseason and those two combined for 124 targets in 2023.
Someone within Dallas’ receiving corps is destined to get a bigger role this season. It might as well be the former third-round pick.
New York Giants: CB Deonte Banks
Banks struggled as a rookie, giving up over 600 yards when targeted a year ago, according to Pro Football Reference. However, cornerback is a position that typically takes a season or two for players to get adjusted in the NFL, and the Maryland product was a talented prospect coming out of college as the 36th-best player overall on B/R’s final 2023 big board.
Plus, the Giants’ pass rush should make life easier for the team’s secondary with the addition of Brian Burns to complement Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Nolan Smith Jr.
While the Eagles signed Bryce Huff to replace Haason Reddick this offseason, Huff has never been much of a run defender during his four-year career, creating an opportunity for Smith to earn a starting job this fall. The former Georgia Bulldog didn’t get much playing time as a rookie but is a physical and talented player to step into a bigger role as a sophomore.
Washington Commanders: RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Most people who follow the NFL have heard Robinson’s story so he’s not an unknown player, but he hasn’t received any postseason recognition and is entering year three to qualify as a “breakout” candidate.
The Alabama product has rushed for over 1,500 yards and 4.0 yards per carry during his career so far, and Washington added Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti this offseason to help improve its offensive line this year. Don’t be surprised if Robinson logs his first 1,000-yard season in 2024.
Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Odafe Oweh
With Jadeveon Clowney now in Carolina, Baltimore is going to need someone to step up on the edge. That should lead to a bigger role for Oweh and he’s racked up 13 sacks over the last three years while making just 13 starts.
He should have more opportunities to get after the quarterback, leading to more production, especially with Justin Madubuike being disruptive on the interior.
Cincinnati Bengals: CB Cam Taylor-Britt
Taylor-Britt has shown some impressive ball skills over the last two years, racking up 17 passes defended during that time frame, and is coming off a campaign where he had four interceptions in 12 games.
The Bengals promoted the 2022 second-round pick to the CB1 role this offseason and have a good pass rush to help the secondary, creating an opportunity for him to earn some postseason accolades in his third season.
Cleveland Browns: S Grant Delpit
With a 78.5 passer rating when targeted and a career-high 75.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, Delpit is coming off the best season in the NFL.
That should give him some momentum heading into 2024 and the Browns have a top-tier pass-rush that will force quarterbacks into some bad decisions which the 2020 second-round pick with six career interceptions should be able to take advantage of.
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Roman Wilson
Wilson is the first rookie breakout candidate as he has an excellent opportunity to immediately become the Steelers’ No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens. The Michigan product’s biggest competition for that role will be Van Jefferson, who is playing for his third team in two years, so the third-round pick should see plenty of targets this fall.
Chicago Bears: RT Darnell Wright
Wright had a good first season last year, earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. If he continues to grow, more recognition should come this offseason, especially since the Bears are expected to be much better in 2024 with Caleb Williams at quarterback and a revamped offense as a whole.
Detroit Lions: S Ifeatu Melifonwu
As a converted corner who didn’t become a full-time starter until Week 14 of last season, Melifonwu burst onto the scene at the end of the 2023 campaign. He was a stat sheet stuffer, logging a couple of interceptions, eight passes defended, 33 total tackles, three sacks and four TFL on just six starts last year.
The Syracuse product also had a strong showing in the Lions’ three playoff games with 16 total tackles, two sacks and a TFL to build some momentum heading into year four. That combined with Detroit’s pass rush should help the defensive back make some big plays this fall.
Green Bay Packers: WR Dontayvion Wicks
Green Bay has a stable of young and talented wide receivers but don’t be surprised if Wicks emerges as the team’s top target this season. In 2023, the fifth-round pick finished third on the team with 581 yards despite only getting 58 targets. He also was one of the most efficient pass-catchers on the team, ranking second with 14.9 yards per catch.
Minnesota Vikings: S Camryn Bynum
Bynum made a name for himself last year, setting career highs in tackles (137), passes defended (nine) and forced fumbles (three). He’s gotten better every single year of his career and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cal product finish his fourth season with a Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro bid.
Houston Texans: S Jalen Pitre
Pitre struggled with his tackling as a rookie, missing 35 attempts according to Pro Football Focus. While he still has some work to do, the Baylor product made tremendous strides last season cutting that figure down to 14.
If he continues to develop and improve that area of his game, the 25-year-old will be a versatile defender who can line up as a deep safety, play in the box and cover the slot, and has the makings of someone who can take a significant step forward in year three.
Indianapolis Colts: CB JuJu Brents
After battling injuries, Brents was limited to just nine games as a rookie but projects to serve as the Colts’ No. 1 cornerback heading into his second season, and he was recently featured in B/R’s ‘Forgotten 2023 NFL Draft Picks to Watch in 2024 Training Camps’ column.
The second-round pick’s six passes defended during limited action in 2023 as well as Indianapolis’ strong pass rush, which should help make life easier for the defense’s coverage as a whole, provide plenty of reason for optimism for the Kansas State product.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Travon Walker
While Walker may never live up to the billing as a former No. 1 overall pick, there’s no denying he has plenty of potential after recording a 9.99 RAS out of 10 at the combine. Last season, that started to turn into production as he logged 10 sacks.
In addition to having Josh Allen-Hines on the other side of the line, the Jaguars signed Arik Armstead this offseason to take some of the offense’s attention away from the former Bulldog. So, Walker should have plenty of one-on-one opportunities this fall and could be in store for another impressive campaign.
Tennessee Titans: QB Will Levis
Levis was far from perfect as a rookie but did show some promise with his big arm and gunslinger mentality, tossing for over 1,800 yards and eight touchdowns in nine starts. This offseason, Tennessee’s front office got the quarterback a lot of help by signing wideouts Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in addition to drafting offensive tackle JC Latham.
Also, the Titans have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, who helped develop Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator, giving more reason for optimism surrounding Levis heading into year two.
Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Arnold Ebiketie
Last year, Ebiketie had a strong showing as a pass-rusher with six sacks, 28 pressures and a 70.1 pass-rush grade, according to Pro Football Focus. What makes those numbers even more impressive is he did that on just 175 opportunities, per PFF.
The Penn State product only logged six starts in 2023 but he’s in line to receive more playing time now that Bud Dupree is out of the picture. So, look for the former Nittany Lion to be even more productive during his third season.
Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young
Young’s rookie season couldn’t have gone much worse as the situation around him was terrible and he played poorly as well. However, Carolina hit the reset button in the offseason and gave its young quarterback a lot of help.
Dave Canales is taking over as head coach after helping revive Baker Mayfield’s career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, and the team’s interior offensive line should be much improved with the additions of guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt. Also, Austin Corbett is healthy and moving to center.
All of that combined with signing Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Legette at wide receiver creates a much better supporting cast for Young heading into year two. Now it’s just a matter of him holding up his end of the bargain.
New Orleans Saints: CB Paulson Adebo
In a way, Adebo “broke out” last season by recording four interceptions, 18 passes defended and a 69.9 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus, to earn an 80.5 coverage grade from PFF. However, that didn’t result in any post-season recognition, making the corner eligible for this column.
Look for the 2021 third-round pick to continue to build on that strong performance, especially with the addition of pass-rusher Chase Young which should make the entire secondary’s life easier, and become a Pro Bowler or All-Pro this fall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Graham Barton
Barton will be switching from college offensive tackle to NFL center which could be a bumpy transition, but it’s not as if he has no experience at his new position after lining up and playing well at center during his freshman year at Duke.
In the Blue Devil’s scouting report, offensive line scout Brandon Thorn described him as a “stubborn, sticky blocker with the short-area quickness, play strength and competitive toughness to make a successful transition inside and become a solid, dependable starter right away at guard or center.”
That’s a strong endorsement, suggesting the rookie can easily hit the ground running.
Denver Broncos: EDGE Jonathon Cooper
After getting limited playing time during his first two years in the league, Cooper finally became a full-time starter and made the most of it with career highs in total tackles (72), sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (eight). He also logged 55 pressures after only racking up 42 during seasons one and two combined, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 2021 seventh-round pick projects to be a starter in Denver again this season and the addition of John Franklin-Meyers, as well as last year’s free-agent signing Zach Allen, should lead to more one-on-one opportunities for Cooper this fall.
Kansas City Chiefs: CB Joshua Williams
After trading L’Jarius Sneed this offseason, the Chiefs are going to need someone to step up at cornerback and Williams has a strong chance to be that guy. He has impressive size at 6-foot-3 with nearly 33-inch arms and puts those long limbs to good use with 12 career passes defended. That figure is more impressive considering he’s made just six starts.
Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Malcolm Koonce
Koonce is another pass-rusher who was quiet up until last season, totaling just two sacks in 2021 and 2022 combined. However, he burst onto the scene in 2023 with eight sacks in the Raiders’ last nine games of the year in addition to forcing three fumbles. The Buffalo product also made strides as a run defender, earning his first PFF grade above 60 (66.3).
With Maxx Crosby and now Christian Wilkins on the defensive line in Las Vegas, it can be easy for opposing offenses to forget about Koonce, so look for him to build off last season’s momentum and have a big performance in a contract year.
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Josh Palmer
Playing on the same receiving corps as Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Palmer’s contributions in Los Angeles often went unrecognized over the last three years. However, he’s been productive with 143 catches for 1,703 yards and nine touchdowns through 43 career games.
What’s more impressive is the 2021 third-round pick put up those numbers while making just 22 starts. While Jim Harbaugh is expected to install a run-heavy offense with the Chargers, someone has to catch the ball and Palmer should be in store for a breakout season as Justin Herbert’s No. 1 target now that Allen and Williams are gone.
Arizona Cardinals: EDGE BJ Ojulari
Ojulari was featured in my “Forgotten 2023 NFL Draft Picks to Watch in 2024 Training Camps” column last month, largely because he was productive given the smaller role he received on Arizona’s defense as a rookie.
Not much has changed since I wrote: “The 22-year-old had decent production considering the limited playing time (only 37 percent of the team’s snaps, per Pro Football Reference) racking up 40 total tackles and four sacks to go along with 20 pressures on 161 opportunities, according to Pro Football Focus.”
Now that the 2023 second-round pick is a projected starter for the Cardinals, expect him to fill up the box score more.
Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Byron Young
The Rams have two good breakout options on the defensive line as Kobie Turner was considered, but Turner was a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist, so picking him would feel like cheating. Instead, fellow 2023 third-rounder Young is the choice.
The Tennessee product finished tied with Aaron Donald for the second-most sacks on the team last year with eight. While Donald’s presence undoubtedly helped Young be productive and Donald retired this offseason, the Rams reloaded the defensive line by taking B/R’s top edge defender Jared Verse and a good interior pass-rusher in Braden Fiske in the draft.
In other words, there should still be plenty of one-on-one matchups for the second-year pro this season.
San Francisco 49ers: OL Dominick Puni
The 49ers are a veteran-heavy team and have a roster filled with All Pros and Pro Bowlers given their recent success, making the pickings slim for this column. However, outside of Trent Williams, their offensive line lacks talent which creates an opportunity for Puni to make a name for himself as a rookie.
Also, the third-round pick is already 24 years old, giving him a higher level of maturity than a traditional first-year player to help hit the ground running.
Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Boye Mafe
Mafe is coming off an impressive campaign as a pass-rusher, logging nine sacks and 58 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That should help build some momentum heading into his third season, and the Minnesota product will get to play a full year with Leonard Williams on the inside.
Also, Seattle spent its first-round pick on Byron Murphy II, another good interior pass rusher, which should help flush quarterbacks out of the pocket and lead to even more one-on-one opportunities for Mafe this fall.