Fansided

Each NFL team’s top breakout player in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots follows the play during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots follows the play during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 15: Donte Jackson #26 of the Carolina Panthers during a game between Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 15: Donte Jackson #26 of the Carolina Panthers during a game between Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers: CB Donte Jackson

The organization used all but one of its seven draft choices in April on the defensive side the ball. The Panthers also lost talented cornerback James Bradberry to the Giants (via Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com) in free agency. It’s time for two-year pro Donte Jackson to up his game. He’s shown promise with nine takeaways in 29 career outings.

Chicago Bears: S Deon Bush

Chicago’s secondary seen its share of changes in recent years. Bryce Callahan left in 2019 to sign with the Broncos and this offseason Ha Ha Clinton-Dix departed for Dallas. The Bears still have one of the best safeties in the league in Eddie Jackson. Four-year pro Deon Bush has a chance to seize an opportunity and could make the most of it.

Cincinnati Bengals: FS Jessie Bates

Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals defense was 29th in the league this past season and dead last against the run. But that was more due to the issues upfront and not when it came to a pair of play-making safeties in Shawn Williams and Jessie Bates. The latter has totaled at least 100 tackles in each of this first two seasons and has six interceptions.

Cleveland Browns: S Karl Joseph

He proved to be a disappointment with the Oakland Raiders. But 2016 first-round draft choice Karl Joseph is getting a second chance with the Cleveland Browns and you can look for the four-year performer to seize the moment. The club’s new defensive coordinator is Joe Woods, who knows a thing or two about secondary play.

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