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http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/stor...nehill-ranks-top-50-breakout-players-2014-nfl
Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThis was Dwayne Allen's only catch in 2013, and it was a touchdown. Will he break out in 2014?
The rules for landing on my 2014 NFL Top 50 breakout players list are pretty simple:
• No rookies, because we don't have much to go on (check out Aaron Schatz's take on 10 potential impact rookies, as identified by Football Outsiders' projections)
• No players ranked in the #NFLRank Top 100, because those players presumably have broken out to some degree already
• Older players generally aren't featured, on the theory they are what they are
• Finally, if a player has already signed a lucrative second contract, he probably isn't a good candidate
Keep those things in mind before peppering me with jabs and overhand rights in the comments section (I'll see you there and assure you that I, too, will come in peace). To be clear, "breakout" is a relative term. Fifty players ranked outside the Top 100 are not suddenly going to break out with All-Pro seasons, but a lot of these guys are in position to make big jumps in 2014. I came up with this list in part based on information gathered during various team camp visits and conversations with sources around the league, and I also enlisted the input of ESPN Insider NFL scout Matt Williamson.
Here are my Top 50 breakout players for the upcoming season:
1. Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts. Allen has already shown ability as a blocker and runner; a season-ending hip injury was what held him back in 2013, and there are apparently no limitations now. Pairing a player as talented as Allen with a quarterback as talented asAndrew Luck makes Allen a safe breakout bet.
2. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins. Tannehill is not the safest choice for this list, but he's one of my favorites. Catastrophic offensive line problems and broader organizational issues have hurt him recently, but those issues have been resolved favorably for the time being. Bill Lazor's arrival as offensive coordinator from Philadelphia brings restored hope following Nick Foles' breakout season for the Eagles. Tannehill is in much better position to succeed in 2014. He has the talent to capitalize.
3. David DeCastro, G, Pittsburgh Steelers. DeCastro was quite proficient as a run-blocker while playing 15 games last season after a knee injury wiped out his 2012 rookie campaign. He has a shot at ascending among the best guards in the league if he can stay on the field.
4. Montee Ball, RB, Denver Broncos. The Broncos will remain a pass-heavy team, but withKnowshon Moreno out of the picture, Ball is in position to benefit. He'll need to bounce back from an appendectomy that sidelined him for part of the preseason. He's expected to start in Week 1 after playing in 16 games as a backup last season.
5. Johnathan Cyprien, S, Jacksonville Jaguars. Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was around top safeties when he worked with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in Seattle. Cyprien finished his 2013 rookie season on an upswing, and should benefit from personnel upgrades to the front seven.
6. Everson Griffen, DE, Minnesota Vikings. I've generally avoided singling out players with enough value already to have commanded lucrative second contracts. Griffen, signed to a deal averaging $8.5 million annually, will be looking to take a big step forward after playing well but not great to this point.
7. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Titans. Quarterbacks tend to make the receivers, not the other way around, and that is worth keeping in mind here as it relates to Titans starter Jake Locker. Still, Hunter shouldn't have much trouble outpacing his 18-catch production from last season. Catching four passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in his most recent preseason game drove home that point effectively.
8. Terron Armstead, T, New Orleans Saints. Armstead took over at left tackle last season, and possesses the natural athleticism to thrive at the position. The Saints expect him to become a top-tier tackle quickly, and for a long time.
9. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers. Lots of people in the league believe the Steelers are primed for a big season, and Bell figures to play a prominent role in their success after a foot injury slowed him as a rookie in 2013. Look for the goal-line carries to go to LeGarrette Blount, however (consider that an alert to fantasy owners).
10. Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals. Ellington has been hyped so much as a potential breakout player that the pendulum has swung back to some degree. The Cardinals love what he offers, and plan to feature him in their offense as both a runner and receiver.
11. Jamie Collins, OLB, New England Patriots. A strong finish to the 2013 season doesn't guarantee anything for Collins, but there's recent precedent in New England for ascending players making significant advances in their second seasons. His coverage skills are well-suited to the current NFL. Expect a big jump in playing time.
12. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions. Ansah had eight sacks last season, and seemed to hold up well against the run. The bar for a breakout has been set high, in other words, but that is to be expected for the fifth overall choice in the 2013 draft class. A shoulder injury has sidelined Ansah at times this offseason, but he's healthier now and could be on the verge of much bigger things.
13. Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals. Eifert certainly wasn't bad as a rookie, but shouldn't have much trouble breaking out after finishing 2013 with 39 receptions and two touchdowns. The Bengals will be looking to develop their play-action game, which could help create opportunities for Eifert.
AP Photo/Matt RourkeIt won't be surprising to see a lot of highlights with Zach Ertz in the end zone this season.
14. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz graded out much better than Eifert in Pro Football Focus grading for 2013, even though their receiving numbers were pretty similar. Some in the league feel as though Foles can be a top-tier quarterback, and if that is the case, Ertz will be among the beneficiaries. The team will need to replace some of the production that left the roster when DeSean Jackson was released, and Ertz may pick up some of that slack.
15. Jimmy Smith, CB, Baltimore Ravens. Smith broke out to some degree last season, but he has the talent to take another big step, provided the chest injury he suffered recently isn't serious. A few more interceptions would help raise Smith's profile; he has four in three seasons (17 starts).
16. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce looks like he'll factor prominently in the Chiefs' passing game after missing all but one game last season following microfracture surgery. Kansas City hasn't had enough reliable pass-catchers in recent seasons, so Kelce's development is especially welcome.
17. Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins. Staying healthy appears to be the biggest challenge for Reed, who has been described as a natural route runner. Reed had 45 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season, with four starts. He'll have an opportunity to improve all of those numbers this season.
18. Desmond Trufant, CB, Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are hoping Trufant and Robert Alford can give them a tenacious, ascending corner tandem. Trufant picked off only two passes last season, but he ranked seventh in grading by Pro Football Focus, so perhaps the breakout is already underway.
19. Stephon Gilmore, CB, Buffalo Bills. Missing five games to injury held Gilmore back last season. He should benefit from playing behind one of the NFL's best defensive fronts, although personnel losses in the back seven have hurt Gilmore's supporting cast overall.
20. Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams. The Rams are committed to running the ball, which should take some pressure off of Bradford. He was on pace for about 30 touchdown passes in 2013 before a freak knee injury ended his season after seven games. Whether or not Bradford is the answer in St. Louis, he's in position to break out relative to past performance.
21. Toby Gerhart, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars. Gerhart averaged 7.9 yards per carry on 36 attempts last season, and his workload figures to increase after the Jaguars signed him to a deal averaging $3.5 million annually. Gerhart has never rushed for more than 531 yards in a season, and he has less than that during his past two seasons combined.
22. Travis Frederick, C, Dallas Cowboys. Frederick enjoyed a solid rookie season, and has a chance to take a big step forward if he can become more consistent in pass protection, a reasonable goal during his second campaign. Dallas cannot afford too much pressure up the middle with Tony Romo coming off of back surgery.
23. Kenny Stills, WR, New Orleans Saints. The Saints aren't hurting for weapons, which means Stills will be fighting for touches, particularly with rookie Brandin Cooks flashing star potential already. Subtracting Lance Moore and Darren Sproles (108 combined receptions in 2013) should help in that regard.
24. Datone Jones, DE, Green Bay Packers. Jones has earned playing time in the Packers' base defense, which should give the 2013 first-round choice additional opportunities. He played 242 snaps last season.
25. Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars. Marks has made high-impact plays this preseason. Pro Football Focus credited him with 1 QB hit, 2 hurries, 1 forced fumble and 1 run stop during an 11-snap appearance in the preseason opener.
26. Cameron Heyward, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have gotten younger on defense, thrusting players such as Heyward into more prominent roles. Heyward graded positively -- and was 19th out of 45 qualifying 3-4 defensive ends -- in Pro Football Focus grading last season. The 2011 first-round pick is 25 years old and should be approaching his prime years.
Mark Konezny/USA TODAY SportsJason Worilds is on his way to being next in a long line of QB terrorizers for the Steelers.
27. Jason Worilds, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers. Worilds played to positive reviews last season and finished with a career-high eight sacks. Did he already break out? If you have to ask, the answer might be no. Let's see what 2014 holds for him in a defense with additional speed.
28. Tank Carradine, DE, San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco has stockpiled draft choices and used some of them for injured players expected to contribute down the line. Carradine is one of them. He has had a good training camp in general despite some preseason struggles. Of course, he isn't the only 49ers player to have some shaky moments in the fake games.
29. Walter Thurmond III, CB, New York Giants. Thurmond has already made a name for himself on the Giants, partly due to some of his brash comments. He'll get a chance to back up the talk after leaving a situational role in Seattle for a starting spot on the Giants. Thurmond has only one regular-season interception, in part because injuries limited him severely in his first three seasons.
30. Sio Moore, OLB, Oakland Raiders. Moore collected 4.5 sacks as a rookie, and could face more favorable matchups after the Raiders drafted Khalil Mack and added veterans in free agency. Moore ranked seventh among 4-3 outside linebackers in Pro Football Focus grading last season, and he could climb higher if things break right.
31. EJ Manuel, QB, Buffalo Bills. Manuel flashed ability with relatively strong games against New England, Cleveland, the New York Jets and Jacksonville last season. He missed six games to injury, however, and that suppressed his production. Some evaluators believe he can process well enough from the pocket, which is usually key for long-term success. Adding No. 4 overall pick Sammy Watkins as a target will help.
32. Mike Daniels, DE, Green Bay Packers. If there's a knock on Packers coach Mike McCarthy, it's that the team hasn't played solid defense consistently enough on his watch. Players such as Daniels need to elevate their games for that to change. Check out Ben Fennell'sphoto collage on a play Daniels made in preseason.
33. Phil Taylor, DT, Cleveland Browns. Taylor has been a pretty good player, but he can be better than that, particularly in a defense that appears to be improving.
34. Chance Warmack, G, Tennessee Titans. I've grouped together some of the younger and more talented linemen, continuing with Warmack. He will be looking for consistency after an up-and-down rookie season. That isn't too much to ask as he transitions into his second season on a line with ample talent around him.
35. J.R. Sweezy, G, Seattle Seahawks. To this point in his career, Sweezy has stood out for being better than expected -- for a converted defensive tackle. Late last season and this preseason, Sweezy has shown signs of becoming more than a project player. He's in position to cement himself as a long-term starter, and a good one.
36. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins. Miller topped 700 yards rushing last season, setting the bar relatively high for him to truly achieve breakout status. He remains a player to watch while playing behind an improved line and within a system that facilitated league-leading rushing totals in Philadelphia last season.
37. Bjoern Werner, OLB, Indianapolis Colts. Werner has shown positive signs during preseason after a so-so rookie year. His playing time should increase while Robert Mathisserves a four-game suspension.
38. Luke Joeckel, T, Jacksonville Jaguars. Joeckel is back from the season-ending ankle injury that forced him to miss 11 games last season, after Jacksonville made him the second pick in the 2013 draft. A breakout season for him would qualify as becoming a solid starter over the course of a full season.
39. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints. Ingram makes the list because he'll have additional opportunities to touch the football and there were times last season when he produced.
40. Kyle Long, G, Chicago Bears. The second-year guard did finish last season as a Pro Bowl replacement, but he ranked 43rd among guards in cumulative Pro Football Focus grading. I'm betting on his bloodline.
41. Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers. Green should have little trouble beating his 17-catch total from last season. His numbers could spike significantly if anything happens to starter Antonio Gates, who is coming off a 77-catch season despite his advanced age (Gates turned 34 in June).
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY SportsAlready a weapon on returns, Cordarrelle Patterson could break out as a wide receiver.
42. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback situation in Minnesota introduces uncertainty into projections for Patterson. Matt Cassel was at his best in the past when Charlie Weis was coaching him with the Chiefs. What can coordinator Norv Turner and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner, Norv's son, do for Cassel? And what if Teddy Bridgewatertakes over behind center?
43. Jonathan Cooper, G, Arizona Cardinals. Cooper has struggled this summer after missing his entire rookie season following ankle surgery. He had fluid drained from a knee, but has made strides since then. The Cardinals were quite excited about him on draft day in 2013.
44. Micah Hyde, S, Green Bay Packers. Hyde's versatility adds value in an NFC North featuring talented QB-WR combinations. The second-year pro caught the coaching staff's attention early in camp, and could become a featured player in the secondary.
45. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings. New coordinator Turner likes to feature the tight end, but Rudolph is not Antonio Gates, the tight end Turner featured while with San Diego. The Vikings do not have Philip Rivers, either. (We'll see whether he can replicate what Jordan Cameron did with questionable QB play in Cleveland in 2013).
46. Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams. The eighth overall choice in the 2013 draft certainly should be a breakout candidate after a mostly quiet rookie season, and Austin already broke out on special teams to some degree. The Rams will work to get the ball into his hands on offense as well.
47. Malcolm Smith, LB, Seattle Seahawks. Smith arguably broke out in the playoffs last season, including when he earned Super Bowl MVP honors. His playing time should increase this season, however, and he'll have additional opportunities to produce week to week.
48. Janoris Jenkins, CB, St. Louis Rams. Jenkins hasn't been as consistent as hoped to this point in his career. Gregg Williams' arrival as defensive coordinator should help the secondary in general, and Jenkins specifically. Williams knows how to challenge players. Will Jenkins respond?
49. Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants. Randle has 60 receptions for 909 yards and nine touchdowns combined during his first two seasons. That sounds like a realistic projection for him in 2014.
50. Dee Milliner, CB, New York Jets. Milliner is battling a high-ankle sprain and is sidelined at the moment, a big reason why he isn't ranked higher on this list. The Jets are hurting at the position, and they need Milliner to improve. He can, but first he needs to get on the field.
The rules for landing on my 2014 NFL Top 50 breakout players list are pretty simple:
• No rookies, because we don't have much to go on (check out Aaron Schatz's take on 10 potential impact rookies, as identified by Football Outsiders' projections)
• No players ranked in the #NFLRank Top 100, because those players presumably have broken out to some degree already
• Older players generally aren't featured, on the theory they are what they are
• Finally, if a player has already signed a lucrative second contract, he probably isn't a good candidate
Keep those things in mind before peppering me with jabs and overhand rights in the comments section (I'll see you there and assure you that I, too, will come in peace). To be clear, "breakout" is a relative term. Fifty players ranked outside the Top 100 are not suddenly going to break out with All-Pro seasons, but a lot of these guys are in position to make big jumps in 2014. I came up with this list in part based on information gathered during various team camp visits and conversations with sources around the league, and I also enlisted the input of ESPN Insider NFL scout Matt Williamson.
Here are my Top 50 breakout players for the upcoming season:
1. Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts. Allen has already shown ability as a blocker and runner; a season-ending hip injury was what held him back in 2013, and there are apparently no limitations now. Pairing a player as talented as Allen with a quarterback as talented asAndrew Luck makes Allen a safe breakout bet.
2. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins. Tannehill is not the safest choice for this list, but he's one of my favorites. Catastrophic offensive line problems and broader organizational issues have hurt him recently, but those issues have been resolved favorably for the time being. Bill Lazor's arrival as offensive coordinator from Philadelphia brings restored hope following Nick Foles' breakout season for the Eagles. Tannehill is in much better position to succeed in 2014. He has the talent to capitalize.
3. David DeCastro, G, Pittsburgh Steelers. DeCastro was quite proficient as a run-blocker while playing 15 games last season after a knee injury wiped out his 2012 rookie campaign. He has a shot at ascending among the best guards in the league if he can stay on the field.
4. Montee Ball, RB, Denver Broncos. The Broncos will remain a pass-heavy team, but withKnowshon Moreno out of the picture, Ball is in position to benefit. He'll need to bounce back from an appendectomy that sidelined him for part of the preseason. He's expected to start in Week 1 after playing in 16 games as a backup last season.
5. Johnathan Cyprien, S, Jacksonville Jaguars. Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was around top safeties when he worked with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in Seattle. Cyprien finished his 2013 rookie season on an upswing, and should benefit from personnel upgrades to the front seven.
6. Everson Griffen, DE, Minnesota Vikings. I've generally avoided singling out players with enough value already to have commanded lucrative second contracts. Griffen, signed to a deal averaging $8.5 million annually, will be looking to take a big step forward after playing well but not great to this point.
7. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Titans. Quarterbacks tend to make the receivers, not the other way around, and that is worth keeping in mind here as it relates to Titans starter Jake Locker. Still, Hunter shouldn't have much trouble outpacing his 18-catch production from last season. Catching four passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in his most recent preseason game drove home that point effectively.
8. Terron Armstead, T, New Orleans Saints. Armstead took over at left tackle last season, and possesses the natural athleticism to thrive at the position. The Saints expect him to become a top-tier tackle quickly, and for a long time.
9. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers. Lots of people in the league believe the Steelers are primed for a big season, and Bell figures to play a prominent role in their success after a foot injury slowed him as a rookie in 2013. Look for the goal-line carries to go to LeGarrette Blount, however (consider that an alert to fantasy owners).
10. Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals. Ellington has been hyped so much as a potential breakout player that the pendulum has swung back to some degree. The Cardinals love what he offers, and plan to feature him in their offense as both a runner and receiver.
11. Jamie Collins, OLB, New England Patriots. A strong finish to the 2013 season doesn't guarantee anything for Collins, but there's recent precedent in New England for ascending players making significant advances in their second seasons. His coverage skills are well-suited to the current NFL. Expect a big jump in playing time.
12. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions. Ansah had eight sacks last season, and seemed to hold up well against the run. The bar for a breakout has been set high, in other words, but that is to be expected for the fifth overall choice in the 2013 draft class. A shoulder injury has sidelined Ansah at times this offseason, but he's healthier now and could be on the verge of much bigger things.
13. Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals. Eifert certainly wasn't bad as a rookie, but shouldn't have much trouble breaking out after finishing 2013 with 39 receptions and two touchdowns. The Bengals will be looking to develop their play-action game, which could help create opportunities for Eifert.
14. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz graded out much better than Eifert in Pro Football Focus grading for 2013, even though their receiving numbers were pretty similar. Some in the league feel as though Foles can be a top-tier quarterback, and if that is the case, Ertz will be among the beneficiaries. The team will need to replace some of the production that left the roster when DeSean Jackson was released, and Ertz may pick up some of that slack.
15. Jimmy Smith, CB, Baltimore Ravens. Smith broke out to some degree last season, but he has the talent to take another big step, provided the chest injury he suffered recently isn't serious. A few more interceptions would help raise Smith's profile; he has four in three seasons (17 starts).
16. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce looks like he'll factor prominently in the Chiefs' passing game after missing all but one game last season following microfracture surgery. Kansas City hasn't had enough reliable pass-catchers in recent seasons, so Kelce's development is especially welcome.
17. Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins. Staying healthy appears to be the biggest challenge for Reed, who has been described as a natural route runner. Reed had 45 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season, with four starts. He'll have an opportunity to improve all of those numbers this season.
18. Desmond Trufant, CB, Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are hoping Trufant and Robert Alford can give them a tenacious, ascending corner tandem. Trufant picked off only two passes last season, but he ranked seventh in grading by Pro Football Focus, so perhaps the breakout is already underway.
19. Stephon Gilmore, CB, Buffalo Bills. Missing five games to injury held Gilmore back last season. He should benefit from playing behind one of the NFL's best defensive fronts, although personnel losses in the back seven have hurt Gilmore's supporting cast overall.
20. Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams. The Rams are committed to running the ball, which should take some pressure off of Bradford. He was on pace for about 30 touchdown passes in 2013 before a freak knee injury ended his season after seven games. Whether or not Bradford is the answer in St. Louis, he's in position to break out relative to past performance.
21. Toby Gerhart, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars. Gerhart averaged 7.9 yards per carry on 36 attempts last season, and his workload figures to increase after the Jaguars signed him to a deal averaging $3.5 million annually. Gerhart has never rushed for more than 531 yards in a season, and he has less than that during his past two seasons combined.
22. Travis Frederick, C, Dallas Cowboys. Frederick enjoyed a solid rookie season, and has a chance to take a big step forward if he can become more consistent in pass protection, a reasonable goal during his second campaign. Dallas cannot afford too much pressure up the middle with Tony Romo coming off of back surgery.
23. Kenny Stills, WR, New Orleans Saints. The Saints aren't hurting for weapons, which means Stills will be fighting for touches, particularly with rookie Brandin Cooks flashing star potential already. Subtracting Lance Moore and Darren Sproles (108 combined receptions in 2013) should help in that regard.
24. Datone Jones, DE, Green Bay Packers. Jones has earned playing time in the Packers' base defense, which should give the 2013 first-round choice additional opportunities. He played 242 snaps last season.
25. Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars. Marks has made high-impact plays this preseason. Pro Football Focus credited him with 1 QB hit, 2 hurries, 1 forced fumble and 1 run stop during an 11-snap appearance in the preseason opener.
26. Cameron Heyward, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have gotten younger on defense, thrusting players such as Heyward into more prominent roles. Heyward graded positively -- and was 19th out of 45 qualifying 3-4 defensive ends -- in Pro Football Focus grading last season. The 2011 first-round pick is 25 years old and should be approaching his prime years.
27. Jason Worilds, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers. Worilds played to positive reviews last season and finished with a career-high eight sacks. Did he already break out? If you have to ask, the answer might be no. Let's see what 2014 holds for him in a defense with additional speed.
28. Tank Carradine, DE, San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco has stockpiled draft choices and used some of them for injured players expected to contribute down the line. Carradine is one of them. He has had a good training camp in general despite some preseason struggles. Of course, he isn't the only 49ers player to have some shaky moments in the fake games.
29. Walter Thurmond III, CB, New York Giants. Thurmond has already made a name for himself on the Giants, partly due to some of his brash comments. He'll get a chance to back up the talk after leaving a situational role in Seattle for a starting spot on the Giants. Thurmond has only one regular-season interception, in part because injuries limited him severely in his first three seasons.
30. Sio Moore, OLB, Oakland Raiders. Moore collected 4.5 sacks as a rookie, and could face more favorable matchups after the Raiders drafted Khalil Mack and added veterans in free agency. Moore ranked seventh among 4-3 outside linebackers in Pro Football Focus grading last season, and he could climb higher if things break right.
31. EJ Manuel, QB, Buffalo Bills. Manuel flashed ability with relatively strong games against New England, Cleveland, the New York Jets and Jacksonville last season. He missed six games to injury, however, and that suppressed his production. Some evaluators believe he can process well enough from the pocket, which is usually key for long-term success. Adding No. 4 overall pick Sammy Watkins as a target will help.
32. Mike Daniels, DE, Green Bay Packers. If there's a knock on Packers coach Mike McCarthy, it's that the team hasn't played solid defense consistently enough on his watch. Players such as Daniels need to elevate their games for that to change. Check out Ben Fennell'sphoto collage on a play Daniels made in preseason.
33. Phil Taylor, DT, Cleveland Browns. Taylor has been a pretty good player, but he can be better than that, particularly in a defense that appears to be improving.
34. Chance Warmack, G, Tennessee Titans. I've grouped together some of the younger and more talented linemen, continuing with Warmack. He will be looking for consistency after an up-and-down rookie season. That isn't too much to ask as he transitions into his second season on a line with ample talent around him.
35. J.R. Sweezy, G, Seattle Seahawks. To this point in his career, Sweezy has stood out for being better than expected -- for a converted defensive tackle. Late last season and this preseason, Sweezy has shown signs of becoming more than a project player. He's in position to cement himself as a long-term starter, and a good one.
36. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins. Miller topped 700 yards rushing last season, setting the bar relatively high for him to truly achieve breakout status. He remains a player to watch while playing behind an improved line and within a system that facilitated league-leading rushing totals in Philadelphia last season.
37. Bjoern Werner, OLB, Indianapolis Colts. Werner has shown positive signs during preseason after a so-so rookie year. His playing time should increase while Robert Mathisserves a four-game suspension.
38. Luke Joeckel, T, Jacksonville Jaguars. Joeckel is back from the season-ending ankle injury that forced him to miss 11 games last season, after Jacksonville made him the second pick in the 2013 draft. A breakout season for him would qualify as becoming a solid starter over the course of a full season.
39. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints. Ingram makes the list because he'll have additional opportunities to touch the football and there were times last season when he produced.
40. Kyle Long, G, Chicago Bears. The second-year guard did finish last season as a Pro Bowl replacement, but he ranked 43rd among guards in cumulative Pro Football Focus grading. I'm betting on his bloodline.
41. Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers. Green should have little trouble beating his 17-catch total from last season. His numbers could spike significantly if anything happens to starter Antonio Gates, who is coming off a 77-catch season despite his advanced age (Gates turned 34 in June).
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY SportsAlready a weapon on returns, Cordarrelle Patterson could break out as a wide receiver.42. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback situation in Minnesota introduces uncertainty into projections for Patterson. Matt Cassel was at his best in the past when Charlie Weis was coaching him with the Chiefs. What can coordinator Norv Turner and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner, Norv's son, do for Cassel? And what if Teddy Bridgewatertakes over behind center?
43. Jonathan Cooper, G, Arizona Cardinals. Cooper has struggled this summer after missing his entire rookie season following ankle surgery. He had fluid drained from a knee, but has made strides since then. The Cardinals were quite excited about him on draft day in 2013.
44. Micah Hyde, S, Green Bay Packers. Hyde's versatility adds value in an NFC North featuring talented QB-WR combinations. The second-year pro caught the coaching staff's attention early in camp, and could become a featured player in the secondary.
45. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings. New coordinator Turner likes to feature the tight end, but Rudolph is not Antonio Gates, the tight end Turner featured while with San Diego. The Vikings do not have Philip Rivers, either. (We'll see whether he can replicate what Jordan Cameron did with questionable QB play in Cleveland in 2013).
46. Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams. The eighth overall choice in the 2013 draft certainly should be a breakout candidate after a mostly quiet rookie season, and Austin already broke out on special teams to some degree. The Rams will work to get the ball into his hands on offense as well.
47. Malcolm Smith, LB, Seattle Seahawks. Smith arguably broke out in the playoffs last season, including when he earned Super Bowl MVP honors. His playing time should increase this season, however, and he'll have additional opportunities to produce week to week.
48. Janoris Jenkins, CB, St. Louis Rams. Jenkins hasn't been as consistent as hoped to this point in his career. Gregg Williams' arrival as defensive coordinator should help the secondary in general, and Jenkins specifically. Williams knows how to challenge players. Will Jenkins respond?
49. Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants. Randle has 60 receptions for 909 yards and nine touchdowns combined during his first two seasons. That sounds like a realistic projection for him in 2014.
50. Dee Milliner, CB, New York Jets. Milliner is battling a high-ankle sprain and is sidelined at the moment, a big reason why he isn't ranked higher on this list. The Jets are hurting at the position, and they need Milliner to improve. He can, but first he needs to get on the field.
