Fansided

1 breakout candidate to watch for all 32 NFL teams

By Mike Phillips

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 08: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during OTAs at the NovaCare Complex on June 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 08: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during OTAs at the NovaCare Complex on June 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a pass during training camp at M&T Bank Stadium on July 31, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a pass during training camp at M&T Bank Stadium on July 31, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens

Breakout Candidate: RB J.K. Dobbins

Many thought that Dobbins was on track to break out last season as the Ravens’ featured running back before he tore his ACL at the end of training camp. The injury was a disappointing development for Dobbins, who had emerged as Baltimore’s top back towards the end of the 2020 season and was poised to take on more offensive responsibility with Mark Ingram out of the picture.

The talent that made Dobbins one of the steals of the 2020 draft out of Ohio State is still there and Baltimore has become even more run-dependent after trading Marquise Brown to Arizona during the NFL Draft. Dobbins should get the first crack at the starting running back job if he is healthy and could emerge as a 1,200-yard guy with proper volume.

Buffalo Bills

Breakout Candidate: DE Gregory Rousseau

Buffalo made a huge splash in the offseason by signing Von Miller to a six-year deal worth $120 million to bolster their pass rush. While Miller should immediately help bring down opposing quarterbacks, his presence should help lead to a breakout for second-year defensive end Gregory Rousseau.

The 30th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft was a solid role player in his rookie season, recording four sacks and 50 total tackles, but Rousseau has the potential to be a double-digit sack artist in the league. Having Miller around to attract the attention of opposing offenses should create more single-team opportunities for Rousseau to exploit and jump-start his career in the process.

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