NFL Tickets
The 2016 NFL season might be just under four months away, but some teams have already begun OTAs and we are only two months away from training camp. With the 2016 NFL Draft in the books, let’s take a look at 10 players who I expect to have a breakout 2016 season.
10. DE Kony Ealy, Carolina Panthers
Getty ImagesEaly only posted five sacks during the 2015 regular season, but he saved his best game of the year for the Super Bowl where he recorded three sacks and an interception. He will use that momentum to have a monster 2016 season.
9. DE Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
Getty ImagesHunter had the second-most sacks on the Vikings roster during his rookie season as he racked up six opposite of Everson Griffen. With another offseason under his belt, Hunter should take his game to the next level.
8. WR Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis Colts
Getty ImagesThe Colts will enter the 2016 season with a thinner depth chart at wide receiver after the departure of Andre Johnson. T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief will start on the outside with Dorsett getting a lot more opportunities out of the slot.
7. WR Tavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams
Getty ImagesThe Rams finally began to figure out how to use Austin in 2015 as he posted career highs in essentially every category. It will be up to new offensive coordinator Rob Boras to find ways for new quarterback Jared Goff to get Austin the ball.
6. S Byron Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Getty ImagesJones' athleticism should make him a defensive stalwart in the secondary of the Cowboys. He recorded 66 tackles and eight passes defensed during 2015 and should be ready to start making some big plays in 2016.
5. TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions
Getty ImagesThe Lions shockingly lost Calvin Johnson to retirement this offseason which opens up a huge hole in the red zone. Ebron has the size and athleticism to become a dominant player in that area of the field for Matthew Stafford and the Lions' offense.
4. WR Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints
Getty ImagesMarques Colston no longer wears a Saints uniform, which means Snead will step into the starting role opposite of Brandin Cooks. He should have no problems breaking 1,000 yards and scoring at least six touchdowns.
3. QB Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans
Getty ImagesIf Osweiler doesn't succeed in Houston, it will be no one's fault but his own. The team did a tremendous job of acquiring talent around him by adding Lamar Miller, Will Fuller and Braxton Miller to pair with DeAndre Hopkins.
2. DE Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons
Getty ImagesThe Falcons desperately need Beasley to have a Khalil Mack-type impact in 2016 in order to improve defensively. He was pretty good last year at pressuring the quarterback, but Beasley will find a way to turn those pressures into sacks in 2016.
1. QB Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Getty ImagesOne could argue that 2015 was a breakout year for Winston as he threw for over 4,000 yards and 22 touchdowns as a rookie, but I expect him to shatter those numbers as he leads the much-improved Bucs to the playoffs.
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