Ten breakout NFL players to watch out for in 2023

2022 gave us Dexter Lawrence, Harrison Reddick and Geno Smith as players who broke out into the spotlight last year. I am going to look at ten players who may that jump from middle of the road player to superstar or roster bubble guys to high end starters.

10. Calvin Austin, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have a very good history of drafting wide receivers in the latter rounds of drafts going back over a decade which is how Austin has snuck his way into my list of potential breakout players.

Although Austin missed most of his rookie year with injury, he profiles as a slot receiver, a position currently being occupied by Allen Robinson who fizzled out in L.A. last year giving Austin a great chance at making that position his own.

9. Lewis Cine, S, Minnesota Vikings

Cine although coming into the league as a first round pick struggled in one of the leagues worst defences last year. With incoming defensive co-ordinator Brian Flores there will be a noticeable difference in the defence unit’s scheme and play.

Flores historically has made safety one of the most important aspects of his defences which will give Cine plenty of opportunities to shine and show the talent that made him a first round pick previously.

8. Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah, LB, Cleveland Browns

Owusu-Karamoah came into the league with draft analyst’s excitement around the multitude of roles he could be able to play in the NFL. So far he has only made an impact as a Line-backer and even then it has been an average standard.

Year three is when players usually make substantial strides in their play and Owusu-Karamoah could do just with a new Browns defensive co-ordinator calling the plays and putting his skill set to better use.

7. Drake Jackson, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers

At the time of writing, it is looking increasingly more likely that Nick Bosa may miss games in his contract dispute. If he doesn’t, he still will not have been around for all of training camp. This makes Jackson the 49ers top edge option meaning he should be the focal point of all schemed up rushes.

If Jackson seizes the opportunity, he could see himself being talked about as one of the top edge rushers in the league and best or at worst will cement the spot opposite Bosa, when or if he returns.

6. Adam Trautman, TE, Denver Broncos

Signed by the Denver Broncos at the request of new coach Sean Payton, Trautman has been listed as the top Tight End on the Broncos’ depth chart. Giving Sean Payton’s history of developing/utilising tight end’s (Notable names include Jason Witten, Jerome Shockey, Jimmy Graham), Trautman could be in for a big year catching passes from Russell Wilson.

5. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, New York Giants

Thibodeaux’s rookie year was overshadowed by the highlight plays and sack totals of Aidan Hutchinson, picked three spots earlier in the same draft however Thibodeaux had the highest percentage win rate on rushes out of the top-three edge rushers taken in that draft.

Currently playing under Wink Martindale’s blitz happy scheme with a few minor tweaks and some better luck we could be seeing the rise of New York’s newest defensive superstar over the next few months.

4. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

Cook will get first crack at being the running back that the Bills have been crying out for. Stuck behind Devon Singletary in the depth chart last year, Cook will get a chance to show he can be the Bill’s workhorse back and relief for Josh Allen. While the offensive line remains a concern, he showed in small samples last year what he can do when given the opportunity.

Being the top running back for a Super Bowl contender will put him straight into the limelight, however he has plenty of family experience he can lean on to help him breakout in 2023.

3. Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, Tennessee Titans

Often outshined or not given the snaps due to the play of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw in San Francisco, Al-Shaair has made the move to Tennessee to play under one of the greatest Line-backers to play the game. If Al-Shaair is able to learn from Vrabel and add that knowledge/coaching to his already solid play he could be spoken about as one of the best line-backers in the league come next off-season.

2. Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders

A fifth round draft pick from 2022, Sam Howell had been tipped as a first rounder, even pick number one only a year prior which is what gives me so much confidence that he will be a breakout star this season. He has solid weapons around him and an offensive co-ordinator who has experience is using scheme to overcome a bad offensive line.

If Howell can re-find the form that had him tipped as a first round Quarterback only two years ago, the Commanders could catapult themselves into the playoff conversation.

1. Rashaad Penny, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

While D’Andre Swift has been the talk of the Eagles backfield this offseason, Penny joins with the higher past production. Maybe it was because he was playing in Seattle but not many realise how productive he has been when on the field in Penny’s five years in the league he has averaged 5.7 Yards per Carry, that number increasing the 6.3 & 6.1 over the last two years in Seattle.

Penny’s issue has always been with injuries but most of those years were playing behind a bad offensive line. He will now be rushing behind the leagues best line which should result in both higher yards per carry and less injuries.