1 breakout candidate to watch for all 32 NFL teams

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Greg Newsome II #20 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates a second-half interception during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals

Breakout Candidate: TE Hayden Hurst

The Bengals were a big beneficiary of breakouts in 2021 as the emergence of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as stars helped them reach the Super Bowl. Since most of Cincinnati’s roster is now well-established, their breakout candidate is a free-agent pickup, tight end Hayden Hurst.

Now on his third team after being picked in the first round by Baltimore in 2018, Hurst has shown flashes of brilliance but never lived up to his potential as a receiving threat. That could change in Cincinnati, where Burrow will look to Hurst to help fill the shoes of C.J. Uzomah, a big weapon in the playoff run that departed for New York in free agency.

Cleveland Browns: CB Greg Newsome II

There is significant pressure on Newsome, a 2021 first-round pick, to prove that he is a long-term starter in the Browns’ secondary. Newsome didn’t make a huge impact as a rookie, failing to record an interception and defending just nine passes in 12 games, but he has the talent to be a lockdown corner opposite Denzel Ward.

Cleveland is expected to make Newsome compete with Greedy Williams for the starting role but Newsome has the talent to win that competition. Cornerbacks often make a jump in their second year in the league so Newsome is poised to take a huge step forward now that he has his sea legs under him in the NFL.

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