2013 NFL Breakout Candidate: Detroit Lions WR Ryan Broyles


Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Ryan Broyles didn’t have the rookie season he had envisioned.

The former Oklahoma Sooner didn’t catch his first NFL pass until week seven and after he finally got his shot, he appeared a bit more active in the Lions’ offensive game plan over the rest of the year. In week 13, however, it came to a halting stop. Broyles tore his ACL and is now in the process of recovering in time for the 2013 campaign.

Broyles has said recently that he will be ready for week one, which would be very impressive.

Entering his sophomore season, Broyles figures to be a much bigger part of the offensive scheme if he is healthy. Without troubled wide receiver Titus Young on the team, there will be a spot opened up for another guy to shine.

Matthew Stafford will figure to be throwing the ball to Calvin Johnson once or twice per game — or six, or eight or maybe seventeen times. But, he can’t be the sole reason they score points this year.

Broyles has tremendous speed and can really break open the game with his big-play ability in the open field. The 25 year-old has the opportunity to establish himself as the Lions’ ideal slot guy this next year and I think he will do just that.

Assuming he stays healthy, Broyles will be a guy to watch. He’s not only quick with solid hands, but he’s a humble kid who wants to win. It’s easy to like a guy when he’s the same in and out of the spotlight and even more so when he’s incredibly talented. Look for Broyles to break out in 2013 after a tough rookie season.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter  @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.


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