One breakout star for each NFL team in the 2020 season

Carolina Panthers – Ian Thomas

The Panthers are not short of receiving options, with Robby Anderson joining in free agency and adding to a corps that includes two wideouts who have yet to live up to their potential in D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel.

Running back Christian McCaffrey should again see plenty of targets, but there is still an opening for Thomas to receive a significant share as the number one tight end following Greg Olsen’s exit.

Thomas has the athleticism to get open downfield and new head coach Matt Rhule recently expressed his belief in the former fourth-round pick, per Panthers.com. If that believe translates into consistent targets, Thomas could become one of key playmakers in Rhule’s offense.

Chicago Bears – Jaylon Johnson

Chicago’s defense regressed last season but was a still a top-10 unit even with a front seven led by Khalil Mack taking something of a step back.

The Bears have the front to post opposing quarterbacks significant problems and second-round rookie Johnson has the size and coverage ability to take advantage of the pressure Chicago generates with a turnover-laden first season.

Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow

The first overall pick in this year’s draft has not had the benefit of a full offseason, yet it doesn’t appear to have had any impact on the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, who starred in his first scrimmage with Cincinnati, which saw him lead three long touchdown drives.

Burrow, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, has looked every bit the top pick in the draft. The transition to games will undoubtedly be a difficult one, however, he has the skill set, the composure and the surrounding talent to enjoy an excellent rookie year and add further intrigue to the AFC North race.

Cleveland Browns – Larry Ogunjobi

Cleveland’s defensive front will be among those attempting to ensure Burrow has a rough start to his NFL career, and they certainly have the talent to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

While much of the focus will be on Myles Garrett’s return after his suspension for the on-field brawl in last season’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ogunjobi – who was also involved in that infamous fracas – will not be short on motivation to impress.

Entering a contract year after successive seasons with 5.5 sacks, Ogunjobi will be out to prove he deserves to be paid like a top-tier defensive tackle. He has displayed the promise as a pass rusher to suggest he can do that and, with the offense expected to improve under Kevin Stefanski, he and his teammates on the defensive side should have the freedom to go into attack mode more often.

For Ogunjobi, things are set up nicely for him to enjoy a career year and give the Browns a tough decision to make in the 2021 offseason.