Fansided

Top 20 NFL breakout candidates in 2017

By John Buhler

Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) on the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) on the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kony Ealy

Defensive End, New England Patriots

No team in the NFL does a better job of pro scouting than the New England Patriots. They might know your favorite team’s players than does your hometown front office. When the Patriots traded their 2017 second-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for defensive end Kony Ealy, this looks to be another outstanding move made by the Patriots this offseason.

Ealy played his first three years out of Missouri with the Panthers. He has 43 career tackles, 14.0 sacks and six forced fumbles in 47 NFL games. New England will want a great player coming off the edge now that Chris Long signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Ealy could be that guy.

What makes this deal even better for the Patriots is that they could look to franchise tag him should he have a breakout season in Foxborough. Then again, the Patriots may have to slap that tag on some guy named Jimmy Garoppolo if Tom Brady wants to play deep into his 40s.

Next: Power ranking all 31 trade destinations for Richard Sherman

In short, New England looks to be all-in on winning another Super Bowl in 2017. The Patriots won’t have a pick in the upcoming draft until the third round. They just keep getting better and better. Will these short-sided moves help New England win a sixth Lombardi Trophy during the Brady/Belichick era? Ealy will have a big role to play in their repeat efforts.

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