Breakout Players in the NFL for 2016
Last year we saw the likes of Tyrod Taylor, DeAndre Hopkins and Devonta Freeman have big, breakout seasons. Who will be 2016's?
Here’s three players you probably already know, but are primed to take a huge leap forward in 2016:
Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The №1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston looked the part. He arrived in Tampa Bay, a 2–14 team with the 29th-ranked scoring offense in 2014, and transformed the Bucs.
Passing for over 4,000 yards his rookie year, he was just 23 yards short of the franchise record for passing yards in a single season.
Joined by one of the best one-two punches at the running back position and a crew of giant receivers, Winston has the weapons to succeed. If the offensive line can improve in the slightest bit and not be such a liability, Winston has the pieces around him to run a lethal offense.
If the Winston-to-Evans connection can continue to develop chemistry and grow together, they can become the next great pass and catch duo in the NFL. I’m talking Manning-Harrison, Montana-Rice, Brady-every less than six foot slot receiver he has.
He was the stand alone choice for Rookie of the Year, but don’t think Jameis will be a victim of the sophomore slump or remain static. In 2016, the former Heisman Trophy winner will continue to climb the ranks of NFL quarterbacks and lead the Buccaneers on an upward trend.
And when Tampa is down at the half, he has the potential to pull out a speech like this at any moment:
He is truly a master orator. I am eternally grateful for this video.
He arrived at camp slimmer and if he can continue to hone his consistency, he and the Bucs can make a big jump this season. Last season, he had seven games without a turnover, a large improvement from his turnover prone days at Florida State.
Jameis is quickly maturing into an elite player under center. Even if he has to squint to see, he’s “gonna toss dat thang.”
Devante Parker, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
6-foot-3 inches tall. 4.4 40-yard dash speed.
The second-year receiver out of Louisville is a prototypical deep threat. The speed he possesses for his size is one of a kind, and after missing multiple games to injury, 2016 will be his true coming-out party.
In the last six games of the season, Parker averaged 10.6 yards per target, racking up 452 yards and three touchdowns. This is a small, incomplete sample size of what we could see out of the receiver this year.
With the departure of Greg Jennings and Rishard Matthews, Parker immediately moves up alongside Jarvis Landry as a top option at receiver for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
And now that Miami has moved on to new head coach Adam Gase, who even made Jay Cutler into an efficient quarterback last season, the Dolphins’ aerial attack should be more effective and as deadly as its potential.
Staying healthy is the key to make Parker’s second season a true breakout year. As far as his usage, he’s in the perfect place. His quarterback loves to throw it deep, and Devante loves to go up and get it.
And if you’re looking for a WR at a great value for fantasy, Parker is your guy. Snatch him up before everyone else realizes what we already know.
Jadeveon Clowney, Outside Linebacker, Houston Texans
For the first time since the beginning of his senior season at South Carolina, Clowney is starting a season of football fully healthy.
Entering his third year in the league, Clowney is looking forward to finally having the breakout he has been expected to have his whole career, but has been postponed from due to nagging injuries.
Seriously, I don’t think anyone has had more injuries than this guy the past three years.
Last season, starting in only nine games, Clowney showed a glimpse of his pass-rushing skills, finishing with 4.5 sacks and 25 hits/hurries.
But now, healthy and down to 265 pounds, pro offenses should experience the true wrath of Jadeveon Clowney.
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see this man coming off the end and doing this to someone again:
At 6-foot-5, with his 4.53 (40 yard dash time) speed he is one of the most freakish players in football. With JJ Watt for offensive lines to worry about as well, Clowney should have no problem getting in the backfield all 2016.
With many premier pass-rushers already having established their dominance, Clowney is ready to join them. This is our first opportunity of his pro career to see a healthy Jadeveon Clowney, people!
Get excited.
