NFC breakout candidates: A new potential star for every team-ZoomTech News

Now’s the time for boundless optimism.

Preseason highlights are working rampant on social media, and coaching camp scouting studies are spiking expectations all through the league.

So, let’s lean into it. So long as we’re hyped about new prospects, let’s look at them. This week, we’ll search to establish a possible breakout star — a participant who may not be well-known past his personal fan base, however quickly will be.

At the moment we’ll take a look at the NFC, with the AFC to observe.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys: WR Jalen Tolbert

Third time’s the appeal, proper? Massive expectations have adopted Tolbert since his 2022 rookie marketing campaign, when he had an opportunity to seize a beginning job straight away. Two years and 24 profession catches later, it simply hasn’t materialized. However hope springs everlasting. The phrase popping out of coaching camp is that Tolbert has raised his sport, and perhaps this time it is true. If the Cowboys offense goes to enhance this fall, Tolbert must be extra concerned.

New York Giants: CB Deonte Banks

The Giants’ 2023 first-round choose had an encouraging rookie season. It would be an enormous, large deal for Shane Bowen’s protection if he does greater than that now. The cross rush figures to be fearsome, however Banks represents the Giants’ finest likelihood at a real difference-maker on the again finish.

Philadelphia Eagles: LB Nolan Smith

It feels truthful to level out that Philly’s platoon of Georgia defenders has not taken over the league the best way many predicted following Day 1 of the 2023 draft. Jalen Carter had a robust rookie season, sure, but it surely’d be good if he had some assist. Enter Smith, who averaged simply 11 snaps per sport final 12 months. Between Carter, Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat, the Eagles positively have pass-rushers — they only really feel a bit skinny in comparison with latest years. If Smith can faucet into the expertise that made him a No. 30 total choose, it’d go a great distance towards boosting that depth. 

Washington Commanders: S Quan Martin 

The place Dan Quinn goes, good security play appears to observe. That was clearly the case in Seattle, however Quinn’s defensive backs produced some good leads to Atlanta and Dallas, too. With that in thoughts, it is sensible to have an eye fixed on Martin, the second-year security out of Illinois. In an enormous 12 months for Washington’s younger secondary, he has the potential to be a reputation to know.

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson

It might’t be straightforward taking part in throughout from a Professional Bowl nook like Jaylon Johnson — not to mention doing it as a rookie. That was the problem dealing with Stevenson in 2023, and he aced the take a look at. His 4 interceptions led all rookies, and he completed fifth-best in the whole NFL with 16 cross breakups. If he ranges up in 12 months 2, the Bears simply may discover themselves with one of the best nook duo in soccer. 

Detroit Lions: WR Jameson Williams

Persistence is a advantage. That is what I have been telling myself since 2022, once I was satisfied Williams was the highest receiver in his draft class. Merely put, it hasn’t performed out that manner but — however accidents and a suspension are an enormous a part of that. Williams confirmed flashes of his jaw-dropping capacity on the finish of 12 months 2, as he accounted for 25% of his yardage complete within the Lions’ three playoff video games. If he retains that entering into 2024, he may begin to seem like the man who stored defensive coordinators awake at night time throughout his time at Alabama.

Inexperienced Bay Packers: WR Dontayvion Wicks

I promise I might’ve written this earlier than Wicks made a 65-yard home name on the Packers’ third play of the preseason, however moments like that solely emphasize the purpose. Inexperienced Bay has a boatload of proficient younger pass-catchers, however Wicks actually appears to have that “it” issue. Extra importantly, he additionally has fairly a rapport with Jordan Love. It appears like large issues are coming.

Minnesota Vikings: S Joshua Metellus

I am planting my flag on one in all 2023’s extra underrated gamers, in my humble opinion. Metellus did all the things in Brian Flores’ protection final 12 months, ending with 116 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5 cross breakups, 4 pressured fumbles and an interception. Sufficient mentioned. If he can enhance on that, he will not be beneath the radar for much longer.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: DE Zach Harrison

The underside line is that somebody within the Falcons’ cross rush has to step up. It is simply the most important drawback with Atlanta’s roster, and the issue bought worse over the weekend when rookie defensive finish Bralen Trice was misplaced for the 12 months. The loss places that rather more emphasis on Harrison, who made small contributions as a rookie. Except the Falcons add a big-name veteran, they want Harrison to develop into an every-down participant. And shortly.

Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Younger

I am going to make one very apparent exception to my “no QBs” rule, as a result of few gamers within the league want a superb 12 months greater than 2023’s No. 1 total choose. For the document, I nonetheless consider Younger can play, and I believe the upgrades to Carolina’s offensive line and talent teams will show that this fall. If I am incorrect, it isn’t loopy to suppose the Panthers might be searching for a brand new plan at quarterback in 2025. 

New Orleans Saints: WR Rashid Shaheed

We all know the man is a stud punt returner, as he earned All-Professional honors as a special-teamer final 12 months. However the phrase popping out of Saints camp is that Shaheed is leveling up as a receiver. If New Orleans’ offensive line can hold Derek Carr upright lengthy sufficient, there’s loads of big-play potential for Shaheed in 12 months 3.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Graham Barton

To not put an excessive amount of strain on the rookie, however Barton has the potential to revamp the Buccaneers’ offense. Tampa Bay has been abysmal working the ball for fairly a while, as evidenced by the truth that the Bucs have not averaged 100 dashing yards per sport since 2016. Whether or not he performs heart or guard, Barton might help change that. A extra balanced Buccaneers offense could possibly be the important thing to an excellent higher 2024 season in Tampa.

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals: OT Paris Johnson Jr.

Everybody on the Cardinals’ roster toiled in obscurity in 2023, however that should not be the case this fall. With Kyler Murray wholesome and Marvin Harrison Jr. on the workforce, a lot extra folks can have their eyes on Arizona. It is the right alternative for Johnson, who’s transferring again to left sort out in 12 months 2. He was stable sufficient on the best aspect as a rookie, however he has the expertise to say himself as probably the greatest left tackles of the long run.

Los Angeles Rams: TE Colby Parkinson 

Tyler Higbee is probably going going to overlook a piece of the common season after tearing his ACL throughout the playoffs. That leaves Parkinson as the apparent candidate to start out at tight finish for the foreseeable future. He by no means caught greater than 25 passes throughout his 4 years in Seattle, but it surely should not be stunning if that adjustments in L.A.

San Francisco 49ers: OG Dominick Puni

There aren’t lots of newcomers to select from on such a star-studded workforce, however how big would it not be for the 49ers if their rookie guard grabs a beginning job straight out of camp? The appropriate aspect of San Francisco’s line has been a weak hyperlink for some time. If John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan hit a house run in Puni, it might enhance an offense that is already one of many sport’s finest.

Seattle Seahawks: CB Devon Witherspoon

OK, so Witherspoon is already identified after being drafted No. 5 total final 12 months and elected to the Professional Bowl as a rookie. However with Mike Macdonald working Seattle’s protection, it feels just like the sky is the restrict for the Seahawks’ do-everything DB. Having watched the best way Macdonald used Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, this is guessing he’ll have a plan for his new Swiss Military knife.

David Helman covers the Dallas Cowboys for FOX Sports activities and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He beforehand spent 9 seasons masking the Cowboys for the workforce’s official web site. In 2018, he received a regional Emmy for his position in producing “Dak Prescott: A Household Reunion” in regards to the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Comply with him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.

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