One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

The word of the year last season for the Green Bay Packers was injured, as they really failed to do anything with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the shelf. A Super Bowl contending team became one of those missing out on the playoffs, though they should be back in contention during the 2018 campaign.

One player who is going to have to step up in a big way is Kevin King, the team’s second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Like Rodgers, King battled an injury all season long, as he had issues with his shoulder, and would appear in only nine games for the Packers in his rookie year. King did make five starts, and showed some flashes that he could be a big-time player for the team moving forward.

Heading into 2018, he will be expected to be a starter at the cornerback position, and a good one at that. He was one of the more athletic players in the 2017 draft class, and has great hands to go along with blazing speed. The Packers have shown good faith in him since drafting him, and he is going to reward them in a big way this season.

And just for fun, the first pass Rodgers threw in training camp was intercepted by King, who took it back to the house. If he can stay healthy in 2018, expect King to be making those kinds of big plays throughout the Packers 16-game slate. This defense is on the rise, but if they are weak in the secondary again, they will never beat teams like the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in the playoffs.