The NFL is full of surprises every season. There are teams like the Seattle Seahawks who were supposed to be terrible but actually became a playoff contender in 2022.
Then, teams like the Denver Broncos were surprisingly bad. The same goes for players. There are players who can't live up to the hype of a big contract or a high draft pick.
However, it's much more fun to talk about the positives. Geno Smith, Josh Jacobs, Maxx Crosby, and Tony Pollard are some of the players who made themselves stars in 2022. It was a huge jump in production, and we expect more of that in 2023 for a whole new list of players.
To look for the 2023 breakout players, we wanted to go bold here at FanSided. Everyone is picking Jerry Jeudy on the Denver Broncos, Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears, or Kadarius Toney of the Kansas City Chiefs. So, to stay within our bold threshold, we made some rules.
There are very few, if any, rookies on this list. If there is a rookie, they cannot be a first, second, or third-round pick. Also, no starting quarterbacks (although there will be quarterbacks). We're not looking for stars or players who are about to be stars. We're finding the gems that haven't shined yet. Now, let's find some bold breakout predictions for 2023.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Arizona Cardinals – Trey McBride
The Arizona Cardinals are a franchise in a sad place. Kyler Murray is likely not starting the season, which would put veteran backup Colt McCoy in the starter's role for the first time in a long time. The offensive line is expected to be in bad shape, which will take away McCoy's time. That will lead to a lot of passes to the running backs and tight ends.
The Cardinals have Zach Ertz, but we expect him to be the cut candidate once it is all said and done. Why would Ertz stick around for this mess? If he's allowed to leave, the Cardinals will be left with Trey McBride as a starter.
That's not a terrible place to be. McBride has a ton of talent, and he proved he can make something out of nothing. He had 29 catches last year, averaging just nine yards per reception. We expect a lot more targets in 2023, which will lead to some fantasy hype for McBride later in the year.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Atlanta Falcons – Arnold Ebiketie
The Atlanta Falcons offense is getting all of the hype this offseason. After taking Bijan Robinson with their first-round pick, it's all eyes on the point scorers. However, that's a little obvious. Drake London, Robinson, and even Desmond Ridder are going to get a ton of hype as possible breakout candidates. That has us looking at the defensive side. Arnold Ebiketie as a pass rusher is someone everyone should be paying attention to this season.
With Ryan Nielsen as the new defensive coordinator, this gives Ebiketie new life in this defense. He's working on many additions to his game this offseason, one of which is adding more weight to his frame. The 2022 second-round pick left a lot to be desired in his rookie campaign. For someone who calls himself the "Doctor of Pass Rush," he seemed to be missing his stethoscope. We're still waiting for our appointment time after he had 21 solo tackles and just 2.5 sacks.
Falcons fans might be worried about the Penn State product should be patient. There may be a reason for that worry, with a laundry list of failed pass rushers in the past, but this one is different. Ebiketie was always a long-term project, but he can become a star in this league. He just started playing football something like six years ago, and now he's in the NFL.
This is someone who is working his behind off. He may need time to understand the cadences of the NFL, but he has a skill set that cannot be taught. He will be putting quarterbacks in the dirt in no time.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Baltimore Ravens – David Ojabo
There is one player we have who is still in his college jersey in his picture. David Ojabo missed almost all of last season still recovering from his torn Achilles. He got hurt during his Pro Day, which obviously took out his entire season. This is a very young player who will recover better than older players with the same injury, which gives us hope he can be the Baltimore Ravens' breakout player.
After recording just one tackle in 2022, David Ojabo is looking to take over a starting linebacker spot in 2023. He has to overcome Tyus Bowser, who himself is a former second-round pick. However, Bowser seems to be nothing more than a roadblock to Ojabo.
Ojabo looked amazing in early workouts. He was said to make offensive tackles lives living hell during practice. He looks much more explosive, which is exactly why the Ravens drafted him out of Michigan. This was a force on the Wolverines' defense, someone who has played for both Harbaugh head coaches. We expect Jim Harbaugh to tell his brother John exactly how good his former pass rusher would be.
Ojabo is 23 years old, and he has his entire career in front of him. The Ravens have a way of finding stars at the linebacker position. They have Roquan Smith, Odafe Oweh, and Patrick Queen taking three of the four positions right now. Adding Ojabo, who could be the best of them as soon as this year, will only make this defensive core better.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Buffalo Bills – Greg Rousseau
The Buffalo Bills have stars across the roster, and Gregory Rousseau will join the ranks of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Von Miller. Rousseau had a great career at the University of Miami before joining the Bills two seasons ago as a first-round pick. Now, as he enters his third season, Rousseau is primed to turn into a premier pass rusher in this league.
He had a 14.4 percent pressure rate, improving on his respectable 11 percent from his rookie season. This is a player that joined the league when he was barely able to drink, so he's a 23-year-old who is younger than some of the rookies in the league. Everything is pointing towards a great player finding his footing with a fantastic team.
Rousseau might hit his stride at the perfect time, as the Bills have yet to really find their best season. Despite looking great in the regular season, the Bills have yet to find postseason success. Maybe if Rousseau becomes that dominant pass rusher, and Von Miller can stay healthy, this defense can match the greatness of the offense.
Rousseau will gain a ton of headlines because of the team he's playing on. He had eight sacks last year, doubling his rooking number. If he can add another four sacks, putting him at 12 on the season, he'll be considered one of the best young sack artists in the league.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Carolina Panthers – Jeremy Chinn
Jeremy Chinn has been around for a while, playing three seasons after he was taken in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He's been a fine player, but he hasn't had those big stats. He's been a jack of all trades in the Panthers' secondary. The problem with being a jack of all trades in the NFL is this league celebrates the masters, which Chinn hasn't been at any particular stat. He only has two career interceptions and three career sacks.
This season, we expect a major jump in production from Chinn. For one, he should be able to stick at free safety for the majority of the season. A new coaching staff is in the building, with Frank Reich and company looking to build around the young stars. Chinn might be one of the most important pieces on defense outside of Brian Burns.
The new-age NFL is built on pass rush and secondary. Usually, it's the cornerbacks that control the backend, but Chinn shows that safeties still absolutely matter. Besides his versatility, he can shut down opponents with his agility. He changed his workout routine in the offseason to increase that agility.
On top of all this, the Panthers are switching from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. That's really why Chinn is going to shine. With the new format, he's going to have more responsibility, which means more opportunities for big plays.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Chicago Bears – Darnell Mooney
The Chicago Bears offense made big changes in the past 12 months. Since Justin Fields took over as starting quarterback full-time, he found a niche as one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the league. He was a big play machine, rushing for more than 20 yards on ten different plays throughout the season. Only Nick Chubb did that more times. Four of those rushes went for more than 40 yards, with nobody beating that numbers on the season, running back or quarterback.
They added Chase Claypool during last season and used the number-one overall pick to get them a package that includes DJ Moore. This new receiving core is going to help Fields be a better passer, something he struggled with since it was hard to get anyone open. However, one fact that's been overlooked is how good Darnell Mooney looked in his limited time with Fields.
Mooney and Fields were able to hit on big plays for a few games despite taking about a month to find the chemistry. They never took that next step, and then Mooney suffered a broken ankle toward the end of the season, finishing with under 500 yards. This was a player that had 1,000 yards the season before last.
Now, Mooney looks to get back to his big-play ways, now with a better Fields under center. Word on the street is Fields worked on making his deep ball even better, and Mooney will pay dividends on that work. With more pieces in the wide receiver room, Mooney will be open deep much more often.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Cincinnati Bengals – Chase Brown
This one feels too obvious, but it is hard to ignore how the Cincinnati Bengals are still dealing with running back drama this late into the offseason. We are close to starting training camp, and somehow Joe Mixon is still a member of this roster. There's been talk of contract restructuring, but nothing has been broken by the many NFL Insiders yet.
Maybe there's a chance that Mixon stays on this roster, but that won't stop Chase Brown from having an awesome season in an awesome offense. Brown has been putting in extra work during camp. He's a rookie, so one should expect him to go above and beyond, but this seems excessive. He's worked extra hard of becoming a receiving back, something Mixon excels at when he's at his best. Brown has been studying how to be the best possible NFL running back, something his quarterback Joe Burrow will notice.
It seems likely Mixon will spend this season on his second NFL franchise. There's so much running back turmoil, with Dalvin Cook still looking for an NFL home. The Bengals have no interest in paying Mixon, especially with Brown looking so good this offseason.
This is a high-impact fantasy play. Chase Brown could be the top rookie in fantasy points, and yes we're including Bijan Robinson. Brown could be awesome from the start.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Cleveland Browns – Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Sometimes, decent players find a new home in free agency and become stars. It happens a lot on defense, where there's plenty of volatility based on defensive structure, who is in front of young players, and the ability to double team one side of the line.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo feels like a player that could make the jump. He's been playing on the Houston Texans for the start of his career, but he's joining a talented Cleveland Browns defense hoping to make a splash in the AFC North.
The Browns gave Okoronkwo a deal worth a possible $19 million, but it's incentive heavy. He has to show up to get the most out of his contract. They did this because Okoronkwo fills a massive need for the Browns, who need pass rushing outside of just Miles Garrett.
Okoronkwo was one of the best pass rushers in the second half last season. He was getting to the quarterback every game, ranking near the top in pressure rate from Week 11 on. This player is finding ways to win on the line of scrimmage, seemingly showing off his instincts that allow him to make the right move/cut to get past the offensive lineman.
The Browns desperately needed a change along the line of scrimmage, and while Garrett will take credit for what happens with the pass rush and run stuffing, Okoronkwo will be considered a breakout star for how he changes this defense.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Dallas Cowboys – Cooper Rush
Now we're cooking with gas. Dak Prescott is old news in Dallas, and they are quietly frustrated with their franchise player. The Cowboys want a title. It's been decades since they've even appeared in a Super Bowl. After watching the Philadelphia Eagles win the NFC again, Jerry Jones will put pressure on his staff to find answers. If Prescott can't win right away, expect Mike McCarthy, who is on the hot seat himself, to make a move to Cooper Rush.
This is not a move the Cowboys would take lightly. With the immense popularity and polarity of this franchise, making a surprise move at quarterback would be headline news for weeks. However, Rush has proven to be able to take on the spotlight. Maybe Prescott would get hurt and Rush takes over, or maybe the Cowboys just bench him unceremoniously. Either way, we expect to hear Rush's name under center at some point.
We predicted the Cowboys were going to cut third-string quarterback Will Grier, leaving the Cowboys with two options at QB. If they do this, or even if they keep Grier, it shows they think one of the two guys on the roster can take them to the next level. Rush already has a few starts under his belt, throwing for five touchdowns and three interceptions last season. All three interceptions came in his last start against the dominant Eagles squad in October.
Rush helped lead the Cowboys to wins against the Bengals, Commanders, Giants, and Rams. While the defense did do some heavy lifting, he threw zero interceptions in any of those games. He was safe with the ball when the team had the lead, and the Cowboys knew how to control the pace. If Prescott shows any signs of deterioration, or if he gets injured, he's losing his job.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Denver Broncos – Montrell Washington
As we said at the beginning of this article, Jerry Jeudy is a very popular name for breakout player. The Denver Broncos wide receiver hasn't shown the superstar abilities he had coming out of the University of Alabama. He was fine last year, catching 67 of his 100 targets for just under 1,000 yards. However, he's not the Broncos wide receiver we want to talk about this year.
Montrell Washington was expected to make a giant leap last season. However, he couldn't even keep his job as a return specialist when he was benched for the final two games of the season. Things just didn't spark, and the fifth-round rookie was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Now, enter Sean Payton, special teams coach Ben Kotwica, and the rest of the new Broncos staff. Payton has a habit of finding the guys who work the hardest and making a role for them. Washington's work ethic has never been in question. This offseason, he's finding the flaws in his game, and the coaching staff is taking notice.
Obviously, priority number one for the Broncos is to get Russell Wilson right. He has Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and Courtland Sutton. Washington might be 10th on the list for wide receivers to get targets, but he will chip away at that by season's end. We see Payton falling in love with this player, and he will find packages to get him the ball.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Detroit Lions – Alim McNeill
There is so much to like about the Detroit Lions right now. This team is on the up and up, with players getting excited to progress with the rest of the franchise. Even with gambling suspensions and subsequent cuts, the excitement level isn't dropping in the Motor City. The NFC North is wide open, which is driving some of the hype.
There are some fun offensive players on the Lions, but we're going to focus on a defensive name. Alim McNeill, like many of the names on this list, made changes to his workout regime this offseason to become a better player. The defensive tackle is adding to his flexibility, which will help him get through the offensive line.
If McNeill can be a true disruptor on the defensive line, it can put this defense in a different position. The Lions allowed the second-most yards per passing attempt last season. That's because the line wasn't getting pressure on the quarterback. Teams felt empowered to throw all over the Lions, and it worked.
Last season, McNeill's role didn't focus on getting to the passer. That will change this year. Instead of being exclusively a nose tackle, the Lions will try him at different positions in his third NFL season. That will lead to more sacks, more pressure, and more defensive impact.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Green Bay Packers – Josh Myers
It's hard to call out an offensive lineman who is going to breakout, but this Green Bay Packers offense has so many question marks, it is like spinning a roulette wheel and landing on a skill player. So, let's go with somewhat of a guarantee. Josh Myers is in a training camp "battle" with Zach Tom, but that's not real. He might work his way into a guard position, but Myers is solidified as the person snapping the ball to Jordan Love.
Myers was really good in 2022, the last season with Aaron Rodgers taking snaps. Now, with Love under center, that center position will see a new spotlight. We'll see stories about the relationship Love and Myers are building. The offensive lineman will legitimately help Love identify blitzes and understand when an audible is necessary. It's not all quarterbacks doing the dirty work. They get a lot of help from the centers.
This of course only works if the Packers are good. If the Packers are bad, the conversation is about whether letting Aaron Rodgers go was the right choice, if Love is actually ready, or whether Matt LeFleur is on the hot seat. Reporters are definitely not asking about the center.
With a wide-open NFC North, the Packers should stay in the playoff push for the long haul. Who knows who will be the wide receiver who breaks out, or if Aaron Jones sits back while AJ Dillon takes the starting job at running back. However, we know the Packers have a really good center, and Myers should get more publicity this season with a new quarterback to snap to.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Houston Texans – Nico Collins
Nico Collins feels like he's always been on the breakout list. Welp, here he is again. This is the season it's going to happen. They have their established quarterback in second-overall pick CJ Stroud. They no longer have Brandin Cooks to take big plays away from other wide receivers. Collins is the top guy on this roster. We can't trust Robert Woods to stay healthy, so hopefully Collins can find a way to do that.
In two years, Collins has failed to break 100 yards in a game once. That's not great for a player who had breakout vibes the second he was taken out of the University of Michigan. It doesn't help to have Davis Mills and a pretty putrid offense to build around, but Collins could have been better.
Reports out of minicamp state that Collins has the early lead as Stroud's favorite target. This isn't that much of a surprise seeing who's in the lineup. Again, Woods is a decent player, but nobody is too worried if he's the number one. It behooves the Texans to make one of their young wide receivers the top target, and Collins makes the most sense.
This new offense will make the most out of Collins, and he could become a legitimate fantasy option on top of it. Sure, it usually takes a rookie quarterback some time to get acclimated to a system, but the Texans stink. So, they will be throwing a lot. That means Collins should expect a lot of targets and a lot of receptions. Hopefully, he can do something with the heightened volume.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Indianapolis Colts – Jelani Woods
The Indianapolis Colts were such a mess last season. That's how they ended up with a top-five pick, which they used to take Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. They had to finally fix the quarterback issues after trying Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and Jacoby Brissett after Andrew Luck retired. With Richardson, and possibly Gardner Minshew to start under center, the pass catchers are going to have a better season.
This is going to really help Michael Pittman, but Jelani Woods is an underrated winner of this situation. He showed promise last year, including a game-winning touchdown to beat the eventual Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Woods' issues weren't really due to lack of production or lack of skill, but rather he had a lack of opportunity.
Woods only had 40 targets last season. Now, under former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and now head coach Shane Steichen, the tight end position should get much more love than it did before. Steichen loved using Dallas Goddert with the Eagles. He's going to love using Jelani Woods in Indianapolis.
On top of everything, Woods is a physical specimen. He stands at 6-7, causing matchup nightmares every drive. He should be a touchdown machine. This is someone who needs the right offensive mind to get the most out of him. He was very meh with Oklahoma State, but in his one season at UVA, he had eight touchdowns. Expect more of the same in his new life with the Colts.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Jacksonville Jaguars – Andre Cisco
The Jacksonville Jaguars enjoyed all the breakouts last season. Trevor Lawrence turned into one of the top quarterbacks in the league toward the end of the season, but he has to find a way to make it last. They are getting Calvin Ridley off a gambling suspension, and they hope Christian Kirk can repeat his own breakout performance. After getting a win under the belt in the playoffs thanks to a historic comeback against the Chargers, the Jaguars want to build off that momentum.
Andre Cisco is looking to bring those good vibes to the defense. He was probably as happy as anyone to get away from the heavy thumb of Urban Meyer. He immediately became a starter under Doug Pederson, and he was the right pick at safety. The former second-round pick started his breakout last season with three interceptions, including one for a touchdown.
Cisco is looking to get into the top-tier safety ranks. He has to clean up his game. He missed too many tackles, and his coverage grades aren't the best, but he showed so much as a first-year starter that he can grow beyond what we've seen so far.
During early practices, Cisco looked like he was focused on those improvements. He stands out on a defense with multiple stars already. Cisco is right where he needs to be.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Kansas City Chiefs – Skyy Moore
Just check out who everyone thinks will be the breakout candidate on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kadarius Toney is basically the consensus, however, those analysts are looking at the wrong wide receiver. The Chiefs chose Skyy Moore to be the future at the position once they lost Tyreek Hill. After a year showing off his skills as a returner, Moore will become a star at the wide receiving position.
Moore is already seeing his head coach praise his work this offseason. Patrick Mahomes already started building something with Moore last season. They didn't hook up as much as the two expected, with zero touchdowns on the season leading up to the Super Bowl. Then, Moore's first touchdown is probably already the most important of his career.
With 9:22 left in the Big Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Moore caught a four-yard pass to put the Chiefs up 35-28. It ended up being the game-winner, securing the Chiefs third-ever Super Bowl Championship.
Moore will build off the momentum of such a huge catch. He's growing more of a relationship with the best quarterback in the league. The Chiefs don't have a true number one on the team right now. While many think Toney is the guy to take that position, Moore has just as much of a claim on it.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Las Vegas Raiders – OJ Howard
This is a bad Las Vegas Raiders team. There are a number of players who could break out, mostly because there are seemingly weaknesses across the roster. Somehow, a team with one of the best wide receivers (DavanteAdams) and one of the best running backs (Josh Jacobs) is expected to be near the bottom of the standings. Let's have a little fun with this pick since it will seemingly happen randomly.
O.J. Howard was supposed to be a star at the tight end position. He was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. Since then, he's been up and down. Actually, it's been mostly down. He signed with the Raiders this offseason to bring some competition to a heavy tight end room. There's a possibility that Howard might not make the roster, but at the same time, he might be the starter.
With Darren Waller now in New Jersey, the Raiders have an opening for a superstar tight end. Howard can still ball, but he hasn't found the right fit. He's still just 28 years old; this is his last chance to avoid the "bust" moniker. The last time he had more than 200 yards, nobody had heard of the coronavirus, so it's been a while.
The Raiders took Michael Mayer in the second round of the NFL Draft, but he might need a year to cook. Howard could fill that role for a season, and he could play incredibly well with Jimmy Garoppolo. The Raiders' offense will need a lot of quick options since the offensive line isn't great. This allows Howard to get open quickly and to have his best season since 2019.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Los Angeles Chargers – Isaiah Spiller
This Austin Ekeler drama seems to have conveniently fallen by the wayside for now. Yes, the two agreed to a new contract that gets him to free agency next season, but it feels like the Los Angeles Chargers will see what else they have on the roster. This is a team that has to build around Justin Herbert. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are already getting older, and Ekeler probably has one more year left in powder blue.
The Chargers will focus some of the offense on other weapons, and Isaiah Spiller will have more opportunities to make a difference. Spiller was desperate for playing time last season, as Ekeler and Joshua Kelley were the main runners. It's hard to expect much from a first-year running back.
To be honest, Spiller was pretty awful last season. He averaged 2.3 yards per carry. 220 running backs had more yards per carry last season. Spiller needs to play better this season, but that's automatically expected from a second-year player.
Spiller was fantastic at Texas A&M. His college tape was some of the best in his class. There are always running backs who come out of the woodwork to become stars. If Spiller shows he can carry the load in training camp, the Chargers might cut Kelley and let Spiller take the backup role. If he shows even more, it could give the Chargers more motivation to trade Ekeler. That would open up the starting role for Spiller, who would be ready for a breakout performance.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Los Angeles Rams – Tutu Atwell
This one might surprise some, but Tutu Atwell was a player the Los Angeles Rams loved coming out of the draft. They didn't have a lot of picks, but they chose to take the undersized Atwell anyway. Now, he's searching for a role in this offense. Cooper Kupp is returning from a major injury. Van Jefferson is pushing for more catches. Ben Skowronek wants to be the breakout player in this offense, but Atwell is actually putting in work this offseason.
All offseason, Sean McVay has been praising the work Atwell is doing. He wants this player to work because they took a chance on him. While the depth chart might have him fourth, the Rams will push Atwell up the depth chart, or they will at least find packages to exploit the talent of Atwell.
What if we told you that Atwell was drafted in the second round of 2021? Would that feel right? This is going to be Atwell's third season in the league, but he hasn't made waves. He had zero catches his first season, which is terribly unfortunate for a team with a new quarterback that eventually won the Super Bowl. Then, last season, Atwell still struggled. However, a 62-yard touchdown showed what he can do.
The Rams offense was a mess last season. Atwell wasn't going to thrive. However, things are going to calm down this season. Matthew Stafford is back, and he is a primed bounceback candidate. He can do it with Atwell making big plays for him.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Miami Dolphins – Isaiah Wynn
The Miami Dolphins are putting all the chips on the table. After going after stars like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb last year, they added Jalen Ramsey this season to add to homegrown stars like Jaylen Waddle and Xavien Howard. However, it's all about Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins quarterback looked like a superstar at times last season, but he suffered what appeared to be three concussions.
The Dolphins know the offensive line will be the catalyst to the success of the team. This is a franchise that can legitimately make a run at a Super Bowl. It's an outside chance, but the Dolphins have stars and a great coaching staff. This is what a team needs to win it all in today's NFL, but you also need an upright quarterback. The Dolphins added former first-round pick Isaiah Wynn to add depth to the offensive line.
However, Wynn can steal a starting spot in training camp and the preseason. Wynn chose the Dolphins after he was let go by the New England Patriots because of the opportunity he has to play for a winner. On top of that, Wynn is from St. Petersburg. He loves it in Florida, so he may thrive in his new environment. It means a lot for athletes to feel like they are home.
There's a lot going Wynn's way here. There are multiple positions he can steal, including the right tackle position where Austin Jackson has disappointed as a first-round pick himself.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Minnesota Vikings – D.J. Wonnum
The Minnesota Vikings are kind of in flux. This team felt like a true contender based on the record they had for most of the season. Do we even remember that this team was 13-4 at the end of the season? The playoffs ended with such a dud, it feels like an end of an era for this. This is a team that dominated at times, but a loss to the New York Giants in the playoffs ruin all good feelings about the franchise.
D.J. Wonnum was one of the players that some thought might get traded or cut, but that seems unlikely after the Vikings traded Za'Darius Smith. Now, Wonnum actually has an opportunity with Smith playing in Cleveland. Despite not living up to the hype, Wonnum has an opportunity. He will get even more opportunities to succeed if Danielle Hunter is absent from the team.
Wonnum is playing with confidence this offseason, seeing the team give him more reps after injuries and trades. That confidence will bleed into the regular season, and the Vikings will get the pass rusher they hoped for. Sure, it took four seasons, but better late than never!
Wonnum is just one year removed from leading the team in sacks. He was stuck in a reserve role last season, but he is primed to get to double digit sacks this season.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: New England Patriots – Bailey Zappe
Okay, here we go. The New England Patriots are going to make bold moves this season. They are investing heavily in the offense, and they could add DeAndre Hopkins still. This could be a receiving corps of Hopkins, Juju Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Kendrick Bourne, and Kayshon Boutte on top of Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki at tight end. Mac Jones has every chance to succeed this season.
On top of the great offensive weapons (and we haven't mentioned Rhamodre Stevenson), the Patriots hired Bill O'Brien as the offensive coordinator. They had Matt Patricia, a defensive coach, coaching the offense last season. Jones made it clear he hated the situation, but that's not exactly the Patriots Way. So, don't be surprised if he has a short leash this season.
We already saw Bailey Zappe come into the fold. He played four games last season, some with Jones on the bench. He looked especially good against the Cleveland Browns, where he threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns. His other three games were inconsistent, but the flash of greatness will keep Bill Belichick up at night. Just kidding, we all know Belichick never sleeps.
Zappe is going to get into a game this season. The writing is on the wall. Jones burned a bridge with how he acted, and the Patriots will look for an opportunity to try something else. If last year's progress was any example, Zappe is going to get some reps sooner rather than later.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: New Orleans Saints – Paulson Adebo
Right now, Paulson Adebo is still fighting for a spot in the starting lineup. He's in competition with Alontae Taylor for the cornerback spot on the other side of Marshon Lattimore. The two split reps during OTAs, with both players actually showing starter qualities. We predict that Paulson Adebo will win that competition, and he will make quarterbacks pay for avoiding Lattimore.
The competition will push Adebo. He had a sophomore slump last season, where he just fell below what he did his rookie season. He was placed in a position to show himself when Lattimore got injured, but he didn't step up.
However, this is a very skilled player who's shown on multiple occasions that he has star possibilities. Last preseason, he looked like he could be a full-time starter next to Lattimore now and in the future. Now, he's fighting for a starting spot. It's a fall, but one he can bounce back from impactfully.
Adebo allowed too many receptions last season. Maybe he didn't like the pressure, but he has to show he can win this competition. Then, a star might develop.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: New York Giants – Parris Campbell
Who is the number-one wide receiver for Daniel Jones and the New York Giants? It seems like we've talked about the Saquon Barkley situation so much, we haven't addressed the fact the Giants don't really have a top guy in the wide receiver room. It could be Isaiah Hodgins, who is probably the leader of the pack. However, he's been inconsistent to start his career. Maybe Darius Slayton finally breaks out, but we wouldn't bet our life savings on it.
Then, there's Parris Campbell. The former Colts wide receiver signed with the Giants this offseason, and he has a legit shot at becoming the team's top target. He had moments last season with that dreadful Colts offense where he could find space and make a play. After failing to play more than half a season in his first three years, Campbell played all 17 games last year and recorded more than 600 yards.
Campbell might have finally found his stride, and now he's going to an offense that could open things up for the wide receivers. With Barkley expected to be at running back, and new addition Darren Waller at tight end, Campbell could easily steal the number-one spot and become a 1,000-yard guy.
Campbell has the skillset to finally show why the Colts gave him chance after chance. Reports out of camp already say he's doing really well in the new offense. The Giants aren't in the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes for a reason. They like what they have, and that gives Campbell a chance to be a star.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: New York Jets – Micheal Clemons
Michael Clemons was a revelation as a fourth-round pick last season. He showed flashes as a hybrid defensive tackle-defensive end. He's part of a heavy edge-rushing room, but Clemons has the ability to break out. He was already getting to the quarterback last season in limited time. On top of that, he's one of the Jets' best options against the run. That will be crucial in putting pressure on run-heavy offenses like the Patriots and Cowboys.
Clemons has a disadvantage in that he is going up against players who have more capital invested in them, including Jermaine Johnson, who was once a first-round pick. The Jets are going to find Clemons a place to make him a star. That will likely mean moving him inside.
He has everything to excel at the three technique. He can stop the run in short and long-yardage situations. His pass-rushing ability makes him a three-down player on the line.
If the Jets commit to Clemons as a defensive tackle, he will thrive. He just makes sense in the current-day NFL as a defensive tackle. The Jets just have to make the right choice with him. There are too many good players on the edge for Clemons to make the proper impact. However, moving him to tackle will make him a star.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Philadelphia Eagles – Josh Sweat
What comes next after the season the Philadelphia Eagles had last season? They added a little bit this offseason, replacing Miles Sanders with D'Andre Swift (a major upgrade), added Jalen Carter in the NFL Draft to replace Javon Hargrave, and adding Nakobe Dean as one of the possible steals of the entire draft. However, one player primed for a breakout has been here for a while.
Josh Sweat is moving from a young gun role to a veteran in the room. He hasn't seen his name get the star consideration it deserves, but that's because stars surround him. This is the year the NFL World appreciates Josh Sweat for what he is, a dominant linebacker.
Sweat set career marks in sacks (11), total tackles (48), quarterback pressures (47), quarterback hits (23), and recorded his first interception that actually went for a touchdown. This season, as Sweat takes a bigger role as a leader, he will have a bigger role on the stat sheet.
This Eagles defense is trying to lead the way in avoiding the dreaded Super Bowl loser slump. Sweat knows he needs to be at another level to make sure the Eagles don't end up like the Atlanta Falcons or Carolina Panthers of years past.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Pittsburgh Steelers – George Pickens
Surprise, surprise. The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have found a superstar wide receiver in the middle rounds. This one pained everyone when George Pickens fell to the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He seems like the perfect Steelers WR, and he is paired with a young quarterback in Kenny Pickett who throws it up for him to get it.
It might surprise some to learn Pickens finished last season with 800 yards receiving. Many talked about him like he was carrying the offense, but Pickens was just making big plays and not a lot else. This season, Pickens will focus more on moving the chains in simple ways to add to his playmaking ability.
The Steelers offense should be better overall. Pickett is in year two. Diontae Johnson can't have the same terrible season he had last year. Everyone will be better, and that will make Pickens better. He might become one of the best wide receivers in the league by season's end.
The one issue that might hurt Pickens is if Pickett doesn't progress like Steelers fans and the coaching staff hope. That would hurt the offense as a whole, and Pickens would have to pull some heroics just to get his stats like he did last season.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: San Francisco 49ers – Drake Jackson
There is just a lot going on with the San Francisco 49ers this season. They are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, but they also don't know who their quarterback is. The reason bettors can be so confident in the 49ers is because of that awesome defense. There is something about the team that just breeds defensive stars. This season, we expect another star to come from that side of the ball.
Defensive end Drake Jackson wasn't great last season. He had a major opportunity with Nick Bosa's injury that ended his season, but Jackson didn't step up. He clearly understood what happened because he has been getting the praise of Kyle Shanahan this offseason.
When players put in the work, the coaching staff will find a reason to play them. Jackson was the reason the 49ers avoided veteran pass rushers in free agency and trade. Jackson is expected to fill the void alongside Bosa. With double teams coming to one side of the line, Jackson has an opportunity to make moves toward the quarterback.
His work this offseason will pay off. Finishing last season with three sacks is well below expectations. This year, he could triple that output and nobody would blink an eye.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Seattle Seahawks – Darrell Taylor
When looking at tools, Darrell Taylor has a ton of them. He's built like an NFL linebacker. 6'4 and 267 lbs, Taylor can destroy players on ability alone. Last season, Taylor started to put it together as a strong player for the Seattle Seahawks. He had 9.5 sacks last season, and that was just scratching the surface.
Taylor gets better every year he plays football. He's also a playmaker, forcing four fumbles last season. He was focusing on his playmaking ability last season, but he missed out on some of the fundamentals. This season, he needs to bring those fundamentals to every play. Don't just make plays; make an impact.
Taylor can get into the backfield and tackle a running back for a major loss. He has to also tackle the running back one yard beyond the line of scrimmage to stop bleeding. It isn't hard to do that with his talent.
The Seahawks are known for the defensive stars that have grown under Pete Carroll. This will be no different. Taylor is in his third year, and it will be his best year. Expect him to become a leader on that defense, knocking down quarterbacks with consistency.
Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rachaad White
There's not much to like about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right now. They watched as Tom Brady tried to lift them to something in his final season in the league. He could take them to the playoffs because he was playing in the worst division in the sport. The NFC South was so bad last season. It is expected to be better, but the Bucs aren't. They replaced Brady with Baker Mayfield, which is kind of like replacing Kraft Macaroni and Cheese with school lunch mac and cheese. They both technically have the same ingredients, but it just doesn't hit the same.
Still, there's enough talent across this offense to at least make some noise along the way. Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and Mike Evans are still on the roster at wide receiver. That will allow Rachaad White to excel. While defenses focus on not letting Evans get a big play or Godwin to kill them underneath, White will have holes for days.
White had moments last season, but he always had Leonard Fournette in front of him. The Bucs cut Fournette this offseason and handed White the keys to the rushing offense.
There are a lot of people in the Bucs organization with a lot on the line this season. Todd Bowles is fighting for his job after firing Byron Leftwich this offseason. Jason Licht must show that one championship season wasn't a fluke. Driving the offense through White and keeping the ball out of Mayfield's hands is the best way to do that.
Rachaad White Tennessee Titans – Chigoziem Okonkwo
The Tennessee Titans are another team that could be one of those surprise teams that come out and play well. Most think the Titans are fighting for draft picks from now on, but they have a good coach in Mike Vrabel, a veteran quarterback in Ryan Tannehill (and a rookie in Will Levis), and an up-and-coming talent pool. On top of that, they still have Derrick Henry.
However, one player is as intriguing as any for the Titans. Chigoziem Okonkwo might be the next breakout tight end. He's expected to make a major impact in his second year in the Titans offense. He led all rookie tight ends last year with 460 yards.
This season, Okonkwo is primed to have even better numbers. The position is a mess across the league, but this is a player with a legit 1,000-yard upside. He was making the most of a weird situation last season. Quarterbacks knew they could trust him to make the best of the ball coming this way.
This season, Tannehill is playing a little desperate. He doesn't have a lot of skill players he can trust. Once he finds one, he will lean on them. Treylon Burks will probably get the first shot at that, but Okonkwo has already shown the consistency that Burks has not.
Chigoziem Okonkwo Washington Commanders – Jahan Dotson
The Washington Commanders could be anything this season. They could be a playoff team who beats the odds and finds success under Sam Howell. They could be a team that's fighting for the number-one overall pick. Ron Rivera definitely has a hot seat, but who knows with the Josh Harris group buying the team from Dan Snyder? This franchise has a lot going on off the field that the on-the-field product is taking a backseat.
However, once we get to Week 1, the only thing that matters is what's happening between the hashmarks. Washington needs big seasons from the skill players on the offense. Terry McLaurin is going to lead the offense, but there's an opening for the number-two wide receiver. Curtis Samuel could take that spot, but Jahan Dotson is going to end up being the guy. He was last year's first-round pick, and he failed to show enough to convince he deserves the spot off the bat.
Dotson had just 35 catches for just over 500 yards last season. Now, the Commanders were a mess last season. Carson Wentz wasn't the answer (surprise surprise). Dotson was trying to find his place in a weird offense.
This season, Dotson is going into this season with at least an established expectation. Eric Bieniemy is the new offensive coordinator, leaving the champion Chiefs for a new opportunity. He's going to find the best of Dotson, making him a breakout star.
