One breakout star for each NFL team in the 2020 season

Los Angeles Chargers – Uchenna Nwosu

While the Chargers’ offensive production will be dictated by the performance of Tyrod Taylor and potentially Justin Herbert, the defense, which will start the season without safety Derwin James, has the talent to experience a bounce-back year. Nwosu is an underrated pass-rushing linebacker in position to profit from the disruption the likes of Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Jerry Tillery should create up front.

Los Angeles Rams – Cam Akers

Much will depend on the performance of an offensive line that struggled with injuries in 2020, however, with Darrell Henderson’s status for the opening week of the regular season in question, Akers has the opportunity to make the lead role in the backfield his own and make an instant impact for a team in need of juice at the running back position following the decline and exit of Todd Gurley.

Las Vegas Raiders – Trayvon Mullen

Mullen’s rapid progress in the Raiders’ final season in Oakland flew under the radar as he registered 10 pass deflections and one interception. There is no guarantee of improvement from Paul Guenther’s unit in 2020 but, with Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkowski bringing athleticism to the linebacker corps, Mullen is at least supported by a front seven that looks significantly more talented than it did a year ago and should be able to turn some of those pass breakups into turnovers.

Miami Dolphins – Isaiah Ford

Catapulted up the depth chart by opt outs form Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns, Ford is in position to see the first extensive regular-season snaps of his career. When Tua Tagovailoa steps into the starting quarterback role, Ford figures to be a natural beneficiary and has the ability at the catch point to secure a long-term starting berth on an inexperienced offense that boasts the potential to be extremely productive in 2020.