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NFL's all-breakout team for 2014
Vinnie Iyer @vinnieiyer/ Email RSS
(No Rams alert)
Breaking out is the hardest thing to do in the talent-rich, ever-evolving NFL. But once you make that leap to stardom, you're bound to shine brighter than ever. Here's a look at 25 young players — 11 offense, 11 defense, 3 special teams — that Sporting News has tabbed to meet their great potential during the 2014 season:
10. G Larry Warford, Lions
With Warford at right guard, LaAdrian Waddle at right tackle and Riley Reiff at left tackle, the Lions have quickly rebuilt their line. Warford already developed into a classic mauler as a rookie; it’s just that more of the NFL will take notice with a deserved Pro Bowl nod.
9. G David DeCastro, Steelers
We’ve waited a bit for DeCastro to swat the injury bug and put his terrific blocking skills to maximum use, but going to a zone-blocking scheme will finally push him to what was expected of him as a 2012 first-rounder.
8. T Terron Armstead, Saints
How much do the Saints trust Armstead to shore up the blind side pass protection for Drew Brees? They don’t really have any other left tackle options. His athleticism is also perfect to keep their running and screen games humming.
7. T Cordy Glenn, Bills
The Bills want to be a more balanced and explosive offense with the combination of EJ Manuel and Sammy Watkins in 2014. They already have good outside pop in the running game because of Glenn, and on the left side, he’ll also be key for the Manuel-Watkins downfield passing connection to develop early.
6. TE Jordan Reed, Redskins
They loved his athleticism and natural receiving skills, and it showed at midseason when he became the underneath go-to guy in their offense. Moving to the West Coast stylings of Jay Gruden, Reed should be a busy target for Robert Griffin III. Back healthy and starting for a full season, watch him rack up catches and touchdowns.
5. WR DeAndre Hopkins, Texans
Andre Johnson isn’t thrilled to sill be in Houston as the team turns to a offensive youth movement, but he should stick around to help break in its new starting quarterback. While he’s there, Hopkins will further benefit as he continues his development into the Texans’ new No. 1-type playmaker.
4. WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Hilton has shown plenty of big-play flashes, thanks to his early chemistry with quarterback Andrew Luck. But the addition of Hakeem Nicks to pair with Reggie Wayne outside will help turn Hilton into the Victor Cruz-type slot man he was supposed to be, making those big plays more often.
3. RB Le'Veon Bell, Steelers
Bell should be ecstatic they are switching to a zone-oriented run-blocking scheme with Mike Munchak, because his cutting style is built to excel in it. He’ll become the true bell-cow, and build on what he did once healthy as a rookie down the stretch.
2. RB Montee Ball, Broncos
The Broncos got great rushing and receiving contributions from Knowshon Moreno last season, but could afford to let him go with Ball waiting his turn to be their feature back in Year 2. Ball already was a good red zone finisher, but in his second season, he’ll round out his skills as a pass blocker/catcher.
1. QB Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
Tannehill made the expected improvement from his rookie year to 2013, but with Miami bringing in Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator, it’s time for him to put it all together as an efficient leader. He has the right scheme and plenty of weapons, so the Dolphins should expect him to get better vs. pressure and play closer to a Pro Bowl level.
Vinnie Iyer @vinnieiyer/ Email RSS
(No Rams alert)
Breaking out is the hardest thing to do in the talent-rich, ever-evolving NFL. But once you make that leap to stardom, you're bound to shine brighter than ever. Here's a look at 25 young players — 11 offense, 11 defense, 3 special teams — that Sporting News has tabbed to meet their great potential during the 2014 season:
10. G Larry Warford, Lions
With Warford at right guard, LaAdrian Waddle at right tackle and Riley Reiff at left tackle, the Lions have quickly rebuilt their line. Warford already developed into a classic mauler as a rookie; it’s just that more of the NFL will take notice with a deserved Pro Bowl nod.
9. G David DeCastro, Steelers
We’ve waited a bit for DeCastro to swat the injury bug and put his terrific blocking skills to maximum use, but going to a zone-blocking scheme will finally push him to what was expected of him as a 2012 first-rounder.
8. T Terron Armstead, Saints
How much do the Saints trust Armstead to shore up the blind side pass protection for Drew Brees? They don’t really have any other left tackle options. His athleticism is also perfect to keep their running and screen games humming.
7. T Cordy Glenn, Bills
The Bills want to be a more balanced and explosive offense with the combination of EJ Manuel and Sammy Watkins in 2014. They already have good outside pop in the running game because of Glenn, and on the left side, he’ll also be key for the Manuel-Watkins downfield passing connection to develop early.
6. TE Jordan Reed, Redskins
They loved his athleticism and natural receiving skills, and it showed at midseason when he became the underneath go-to guy in their offense. Moving to the West Coast stylings of Jay Gruden, Reed should be a busy target for Robert Griffin III. Back healthy and starting for a full season, watch him rack up catches and touchdowns.
5. WR DeAndre Hopkins, Texans
Andre Johnson isn’t thrilled to sill be in Houston as the team turns to a offensive youth movement, but he should stick around to help break in its new starting quarterback. While he’s there, Hopkins will further benefit as he continues his development into the Texans’ new No. 1-type playmaker.
4. WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Hilton has shown plenty of big-play flashes, thanks to his early chemistry with quarterback Andrew Luck. But the addition of Hakeem Nicks to pair with Reggie Wayne outside will help turn Hilton into the Victor Cruz-type slot man he was supposed to be, making those big plays more often.
3. RB Le'Veon Bell, Steelers
Bell should be ecstatic they are switching to a zone-oriented run-blocking scheme with Mike Munchak, because his cutting style is built to excel in it. He’ll become the true bell-cow, and build on what he did once healthy as a rookie down the stretch.
2. RB Montee Ball, Broncos
The Broncos got great rushing and receiving contributions from Knowshon Moreno last season, but could afford to let him go with Ball waiting his turn to be their feature back in Year 2. Ball already was a good red zone finisher, but in his second season, he’ll round out his skills as a pass blocker/catcher.
1. QB Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
Tannehill made the expected improvement from his rookie year to 2013, but with Miami bringing in Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator, it’s time for him to put it all together as an efficient leader. He has the right scheme and plenty of weapons, so the Dolphins should expect him to get better vs. pressure and play closer to a Pro Bowl level.
