NFL sophomore breakouts Five receivers a
The 2021 NFL season was strong with standout rookie performers but others develop at their own pace. Some might have been held back by a lack of opportunity, coaching decisions or injuries. CBS Sports examines some of the potential breakout sophomore stars with the qualifier that each player was not present on .Before getting started, I have to discu s wide receiver . He is one of the exclusions Travis Zajac Men Jerseybecause he was a part of the final rankings but he has the potential to become a superstar this season. Lamb, my personal top receiver prospect a year ago, averaged 5.8 receptions for 86.6 yards per game prior to the injury. Following the injury, he averaged just 4.1 receptions for 45.6 yards per game. If he had continued on a healthy pace with Prescott, he was projected for 1,386 yards. rookie wide receiver finished the campaign with 1,400 yards by comparison, which not only shows Lamb's potential but also the significance of Jefferson's rookie season.With a personal agenda scratched off my checklist, I can move on to the list:Aiyuk or receiver inclusion on this list feels a bit like a cop-out considering the seasons they had a year ago. Claypool was left off because I included a few other Steelers and there is a reasonable case to be made that he already had his breakout season. With Aiyuk, there is a little more meat on the bone. The second-year receiver with Pterodactyl arms tallied 60 receptions for 748 yards and fivePatrik Elias Jersey touchdowns despite mi sing four games. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was scheming opportunities for and Aiyuk to get the ball in space. With another year together under their belts, I expect even more wrinkles to that San Francisco offense.The hope is that the team returns to optimal health and remains there this season, which would theoretically lead to improved production for all involved. Aiyuk is viewed as a unanimous top 25 wide receiver by .Diggs struggled early last year but fans have to understand the situation. He was walking into a defensive room where no one was having succe s and, more specifically, he was the team's only hope on the outside. Cornerback is a position where succe s does not always happen instantaneously; just look at and for examples. There has been a lot of buzz around Okudah this offseason as well but it will be more difficult for him to find individual succe s on that team.Since the 2020-2021 season concluded, Dallas brought in Dan Quinn to replace Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. They also named longtime a sistant Joe Whitt Jr. secondary coach/defensive pa sing game coordinator. Whitt is able to provide a wealth of experience. Combine the coaching shift with the return of a healthy and , plus an infusion of new talent such as , and some of the responsibility is being spread around that starting unit rather than laid at the feet of Diggs, who recently admitted that . The Alabama product finished the season with three interceptions in his final five games. Dotson was really impre sive in his role as the spot injury replacement last season to the point that he appeared in the weekly rookie power rankings on multiple occasions. However, he was always relegated to the bench when the starters returned from injury. Last year's entire Week 1 starting offensive line is gone for the Steelers so that naturally created an opportunity for Dotson to slide into a starting role. The Louisiana product was the source of some discu sion on social media this week when Mike Tomlin as saying: "He has done nothing to earn first-team reps. What are we talking about? He's a second-year guy who hasn't worked." To which Dotson responded by saying that Tomlin literally meant that he has not been practicing because he is dealing with an injury.If Dotson does not start for a team in desperate need of stability Corey Schneider Jerseyalong the offensive line, then I would obviously feel much le s confident in this addition. I am banking on Dotson being named a starter once he returns from injury and begins practicing.The Rams secondary will look vastly different than it did a year ago under the direction of then defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. III and signed with Cleveland leaving the future of the franchise's secondary in the capable hands of , and Fuller among others. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is entrusting the second-year player to wear the coveted green dot on his helmet signaling that he is in charge of communicating plays and responsibilities to his teammates on Will Butcher Men Jerseythe field. The green dot has often been reserved for linebackers but more and more teams are recognizing the value in empowering one of the few players capable of watching an entire play unfold in front of them.Fuller, a sixth-round pick out of Ohio State, was fifth on the team in total tackles last season.In some of these explanations, I am able to defend my scouting report of players as they enter the draft. Unfortunately, Highsmith is not one of those players. Pittsburgh took him earlier than expected and early returns suggest I was wrong (no surprise, I was also wrong about Claypool). Understandably, Highsmith was primarily a reserve last season playing behind . His play in those spot chances might have been enough to convince the Steelers to watch Dupree exit in free agency.Highsmith finished his rookie season with a reasonable two sacks but, in those moments, he was able to showcase speed around the edge and some moves to get off blocks. will be the focal point of opposing game plans and that should take some of the pre sure off of Highsmith's early development. There is a lot of work to be done but his play thus far suggests that he could help fans forget about Dupree this season.Madubuike had some moments of brilliance in college but consistency was part of the i sue. He landed in the absolute best situation for him to learn how to compete and be a profe sional on a daily basis. Surrounded by an organization of continuity and structure, as well as veterans such as , and , Madubuike is poised to break out this season. Nate Tice recently posted a clip of the Texas A&M product getting the best of offensive guard , who had his own breakout campaign in 2020.Really nice throw on the move from Baker but check Joseph Blandisi Jerseyout #92* Justin Madubuike with the strong two-hand swipe to win and create the pre sure.Madubuike really started to flash for the Ravens once he was able to consistently play at the end of the regular season and playoffs.Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice)Oh yeah, and all he has done this offseason is train with three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year .McKinney could be another example of clinging to pre-draft optimism but he made some big plays down the stretch after he returned from injury. McKinney was my highest-rated safety because of his consistency and well-rounded style of play. He is not the most flashy but should be a reliable piece for Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in the game. There are en
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