NFL players who could have breakout seasons in 2016
-- From former first-round picks primed to take a leap forward to young players who have risen up the depth chart, NFL Nation reporters pick the players ready to break out in 2016.
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Jones did a little bit of everything as a rookie, playing outside cornerback, nickel cornerback, dime back and free safety. Jones will focus only on free safety in his second season. He did not have a takeaway as a rookie, but the Cowboys believe his range will give them the ability to play him in center field to give help to the cornerbacks. He also has shown a willingness to tackle. If the Cowboys are going to improve defensively, they have to give up fewer big plays and come up with some interceptions from their secondary. Jones has all of the ability to become a Pro Bowl safety. That might be a tall task in his first full year at the position, but the talent is there. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
The 2014 second-round pick's rookie year was spent at guard. He moved back to his natural position of center last season, where he flashed signs of being one of the league's top players at his position. Well, this is the season where Richburg becomes a dominant center. He's technically solid and much stronger than in years past. Don't be surprised to see him named to the Pro Bowl and possibly All-Pro team. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
The former second-round pick out of Marshall has been used rather sparingly since being drafted by the Eagles in 2012, and he was stuck in a two-gapping system that didn't fit him for the past three seasons. Curry has still been productive despite those obstacles -- he posted 9.0 sacks in 2014. The Eagles saw the value and handed him a five-year, $47.5 million contract this offseason. Now in an aggressive 4-3 scheme that will maximize his quick get-off, Curry has a chance to bloom into one of the league's most productive pass-rushers. -- Tim McManus
Washington Redskins
Running back Matt Jones is an easy pick to break out because he'll be the primary back for the first time, but Breeland is the one who looks like a future Pro Bowler. Breeland studies the game quite a bit and has improved his technique each season. He already has learned lessons from fellow corner Josh Norman in terms of stance and how to use his hands better. Breeland had a terrific training camp -- he was beaten, but he also made plays. He'll continue to ascend. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
White is off to an impressive start in the preseason after missing all of last season with an injury. The Bears have not pumped the brakes on the hype surrounding White, whom the organization took No. 7 overall in last year's draft. White is expected to be the Bears' No. 2 receiver after Alshon Jeffery, but given Jeffery's history of injury issues, the West Virginia product could be forced to play an even bigger role. White is tall, fast and strong. The only problem is that he has yet to catch a pass in a regular-season game. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
The fourth-year corner signed a $50.2 million extension before training camp started, in part because of the shutdown ability he showed the second half of last season. Now, he has a chance to put himself in a class of elite cornerbacks in the league. He's going to be Detroit's No. 1 corner this fall, and if the Lions are going to have success, he's going to have to shut down the middle of the field. He knows he needs to intercept more passes too, so expect him to take advantage of throws when they come his way. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
The third-year receiver has built off the momentum that he established in the playoff loss at Arizona last year, when he came off the bench and caught four passes for 55 yards. Thanks to a strong showing in training camp combined with Jeff Janis' broken hand, Abbrederis continues to move up the Packers' depth chart. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
Diggs led the Vikings in receiving as a rookie and was second among rookie wideouts in receiving yards. He'll shift over to flanker, where he won't line up at the line of scrimmage and could get more free releases on defensive backs. Diggs and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater have worked well together during training camp, and Bridgewater figures to be looking for Diggs early and often in 2016. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
The second-year back could be a breakout star for the Falcons even as the complement to Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman. The coaches love Coleman's big-play potential as a guy capable of taking it to the house with every touch. Coleman, who began last season as the starter, averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season. The Falcons also hope to utilize Coleman's explosive speed in the return game as a kickoff returner. He just needs to stay healthy and avoid fumbles. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers
He is playing so well there is reason to believe he could outperform No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Receivers often don't come into their own until their second year. Funchess started to show his potential in the regular-season finale of his rookie year, catching seven passes for 120 yards. He's another big (6-foot-4) target for quarterback Cam Newton, and Funchess likely will draw a lot of single coverage with Benjamin and Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen on the field. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
The Saints' third-year wideout had 1,138 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches (eight of them over the final nine games), but I'm putting him here because he still hasn't made a Pro Bowl or become a household name. He doesn't turn 23 until next month. If you want to go a little further off the radar, fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas looks ready to burst on the scene too. The rookie from Ohio State has been the talk of training camp with one spectacular catch after another. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sure, a guy who had 9.5 sacks last season in New York and signed a lucrative contract this offseason should be a star, but Tampa Bay's recent track record with high-priced free agents, including one at his very position, hasn't been good. The Bucs signed Michael Johnson to a five-year deal worth $43 million and they cut him after just one season. In the case of Ayers, his impact was felt the very first snap of training camp, and it has made the whole defensive line better. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy might not see as many double-teams, which frees both of them up. Ayers also is really helping along rookie Noah Spence, who could have a breakout season as well. -- Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
He may not the be the star of the Cardinals' pass-rushing corps -- that honor belongs to Chandler Jones -- but Golden, a second-year player out of Missouri, has the tools to become a star this year. He had four sacks and two forced fumbles last season, but his role will increase in 2016. With offensive lines expected to pay a lot of attention to Jones, the hype for Golden to have a huge season among the players in the locker room is growing. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
The No. 1 overall pick is the obvious choice here, largely because the Rams so badly need him to be their breakout star. They gave up a ream of draft picks for the right to select Goff because they believe he can develop into their franchise quarterback. But it will take time. Goff not only must adapt to the speed of the NFL; he needs to grow accustomed to relaying plays and taking snaps from under center, after running a no-huddle offense primarily from the shotgun at Cal. -- Alden Gonzalez
San Francisco 49ers
Hyde looked poised for a breakout last season but injuries limited him to seven games. Now, Hyde is healthy and hoping to keep it that way so that he can fully blossom in Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense. Hyde's experience running out of the shotgun at Ohio State and functioning in zone-heavy run schemes make him an intriguing fit for Kelly's system. He has set two goals for himself: stay healthy and rush for 1,500 yards. If he does the first, the second could follow, and that would most certainly make him a breakout star. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
He caught 51 balls for 664 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. In Year 2, Lockett will be on the field more, and coach Pete Carroll has said that he's "in the middle" of all of the Seahawks' offensive plans. Lockett has shown the ability to play both outside and in the slot. He can test defenses vertically and should get plenty of looks on screens and other plays that allow him to gain yards after the catch. Look for Lockett to get consistent touches and be one of the key playmakers on the offense. -- Sheil Kapadia
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Darby was far from a household name as a rookie last season, but he was among Pro Football Focus' top-ranked cornerbacks. He finished second to Kansas City's Marcus Peters for defensive rookie of the year voting, which can partly be explained by Peters' eight interceptions compared to Darby's two. But the numbers don't tell the entire story: Darby has shown the requisite ball skills, confidence and aggressiveness that star NFL cornerbacks possess. If he continues on his current path, he will be a star. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins
Parker flashed in the final six weeks of the season, registering 445 receiving yards over that span. The second-year wideout, however, has been an under-the-radar stud for the Dolphins in practices and training camp for more than a year. Parker has the size, athleticism and hands to become a dynamic playmaker. Can he stay healthy and put it all together this season? -- James Walker
New England Patriots
The team's 2015 first-round pick quickly emerged as a starter in his rookie campaign. Brown has the combination of power and athleticism to be a factor against the run and also as a pass-rusher at times. He led all Patriots defensive tackles in snaps played last season (46.5 percent), and that number only figures to rise in the coming years. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
The sixth overall pick in 2015 was solid as a rookie, particularly against the run, but he will be more of a factor as a pass-rusher in 2016. He's stronger, quicker and more decisive than last year, so look for him to double his rookie sack total (3.0). -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
The highest drafted tight end from a year ago, Williams is looking to carry over last year's strong finish into his second season. He set the Ravens' rookie tight end record with 32 catches for 268 yards receiving and one touchdown. The challenge for Williams is a crowded tight end group that includes Benjamin Watson, Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore. But Williams was having a very good camp before suffering an undisclosed injury. Williams will make an impact in the passing game if he can stay healthy. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
The rookie receiver already has shown flashes in the preseason. Boyd has stood out in a thin group of wideouts. He had a sliding over-the-shoulder catch that set up a touchdown in the first preseason game against the Vikings, and he converted a third down with a diving catch to set up a touchdown against the Lions in the second preseason game. That's not surprising, as the second-round pick did that often in college and could keep it going in the NFL. -- Katherine Terrell
Cleveland Browns
There isn't a lengthy list of options for a breakout player on the Browns' roster. Coleman, the team's first-round pick, has the best chance. He has shown talent, speed, good instincts and good hands in the time he has practiced. The fact he has been sidelined for a little more than a week with a hamstring strain highlights the one thing that could keep him from breaking out: staying healthy. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tuitt is poised for a major jump in his third season. He recorded 6.5 sacks in 14 games last season, and he pairs with veteran Cam Heyward to form one of the league's most formidable bookend duos in a 3-4 defense. Tuitt has speed and agility at 300 pounds, which allows him to rush the passer and stop the run with equal effectiveness. Linebacker Ryan Shazier already has found stardom, and Tuitt plans to join him. Wide receiver Sammie Coates is another candidate. He has the highest ceiling among Pittsburgh receivers not named Antonio Brown. -- Jeremy Fowler