NFL: 10 players sure to breakout in their contract year

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Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) runs with the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

RB – Darren McFadden, Raiders

Remember how good Darren McFadden was supposed to be when the Raiders drafted him in 2008 with the fourth overall pick?

The conversation went from how good will he be, to will we even see him play?

Entering his seventh year, McFadden has yet to play in an entire 16-game season, playing in as many as 13 games in 2010, rushing for 1,157 yards with seven touchdowns, both career-highs. That was also the only year McFadden rushed for over 1,000 yards.

Last year, McFadden rushed for just 379 yards in 10 games (seven starts) with five touchdowns. His 379 rushing yards are just 22 more than his career low 357 rushing yard total in 2009.

Injuries, new coaching regimes leading to new scheme changes and a bad offensive line have kept McFadden’s talents (if there are any) hidden from Raider Nation and the entire league. Like his quarterback Matt Schaub, McFadden desperately needs to stay healthy in 2014 and produce at a high level.

The Raiders decided to give him one more chance in 2014, re-signing him to a one-year, $1.65 million deal with just $100,000 guaranteed.

With a rebuilt offense, there’s no reason McFadden shouldn’t produce. His job, let alone the rest of his career, may be on the line.

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