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Which NFL players could breakout in 2023? Mike Fanelli gives one potential breakout candidate for every NFL team while offering insight and analysis into the upcoming season.
NFL training camps are just around the corner. That means the 2023 regular season is less than two months away.
There will be plenty of storylines during training camp and the preseason. However, the most interesting ones will be about possible breakout players.
Let's look at one potential breakout candidate from all 32 NFL teams.
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AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills – Gabe Davis
Many thought Gabe Davis would have a breakout season in 2022. While he posted career highs in receptions (48), targets (93), receiving yards (836), and touchdowns (seven), the former Central Florida star didn't put up the numbers many were expecting. However, Davis was battling an ankle injury for most of the season. Hopefully, the young receiver breaks out this season during a contract year.
Miami Dolphins – Brandon Jones
Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard, and Jevon Holland highlight the Dolphins' secondary. However, don't forget about Brandon Jones. The former Texas safety only played in seven games last season but had a career-high three passes defended. With an elite cornerback duo on the field, don't be surprised if Jones has the best year of his career in 2023.
New England Patriots – Tyquan Thornton
New England had high hopes for the former Baylor star as a rookie. Unfortunately, Tyquan Thornton only played 13 games last year because of an injury. Furthermore, he was limited because of a poor offensive game plan every week. However, don't be surprised if he makes a second-year leap under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.
New York Jets – Jermaine Johnson
Jermaine Johnson had a quiet rookie season, playing only 34% of the snaps on defense. However, he still had 2.5 sacks on 151 pass-rush snaps last year. While the Jets used their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Will McDonald IV, expect Johnson to play a larger role this season.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens – Rashod Bateman
Unfortunately, Rashod Bateman has struggled with injuries in his NFL career. Yet, the former Minnesota star was playing well before a foot injury derailed his sophomore season. While the Ravens added Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. in the offseason, Bateman will separate himself from them as the No. 1 wide receiver.
Cincinnati Bengals – Daxton Hill
Despite being a first-round draft pick in 2022, Daxton Hill only played 14% of the defensive snaps as a rookie. However, that will change this year. The Bengals lost Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III in free agency, creating a starting role for the former Michigan star in 2023.
Cleveland Browns – Elijah Moore
Elijah Moore ended his rookie season on fire before an injury forced him to miss the final five games. Unfortunately, everything went wrong for him last year. However, Moore looks prime for a breakout 2023 season after a nightmare year with the New York Jets.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Pickett
Last year, the Steelers had the worst passing attack in the NFL. Kenny Pickett had only seven passing touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games as a rookie. However, he has a pair of talented wide receivers and a full offseason to prepare as the starter. Pickett won't become a superstar but should have a sophomore-year breakout.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans – Nico Collins
The Texans have struggled at the quarterback position since Deshaun Watson played his final game with the team in 2020. That means Nico Collins has mostly played with Davis Mills in his short NFL career. Thankfully, C.J. Stroud looks like a franchise quarterback. Don’t be surprised if Collins has the best year of his career in 2023 and takes over as Houston’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Indianapolis Colts – Jelani Woods
Last year, the rookie tight end was a part-time player. Yet, Jelani Woods was targeted on nearly 20% of the plays where he ran a route. More importantly, the rookie was second on the team in receiving touchdowns (three) despite finishing seventh in receptions (25). Woods should have a sophomore-year breakout now that he will be the full-time starter.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence
After having an awful rookie season, Trevor Lawrence ended last year with 25 passing touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The former Clemson star more than doubled his passing touchdown total and cut his interceptions by more than half last year compared to his rookie season. With Calvin Ridley joining the team this year, Lawrence is prime to join the elite quarterback class in the NFL.
Tennessee Titans – Treylon Burks
Unfortunately, injuries and inconsistent quarterback production hampered Treylon Burks' rookie season. However, the former Arkansas star played well to end the year. He had 66 or more receiving yards in three of the final six games. Many believe Burks will have a sophomore-year breakout in 2023 despite the addition of DeAndre Hopkins.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos – Greg Dulcich
Greg Dulcich had an excellent start to his NFL career. The rookie tight end averaged four receptions for 60.7 receiving yards per game over the first three contests last season. Typically, tight ends take a significant step forward in their second year in the league. With Sean Payton on the sidelines, no one should be surprised if Dulcich becomes a star this season.
Kansas City Chiefs – Trent McDuffie
The Chiefs won the Super Bowl last season despite starting multiple rookie cornerbacks. One of those rookies was Trent McDuffie. The former Washington star had a solid rookie season but is due for a sophomore-year jump.
Las Vegas Raiders – Tre’von Moehrig
Las Vegas has one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. However, Tre'von Moehrig is an emerging star. Last year, he had 55 tackles for the second consecutive season. While the Raiders' defense will struggle again in 2023, don't be surprised when Moehrig has a career year.
Los Angeles Chargers – Alohi Gilman
While Derwin James Jr. is considered one of the top safeties in the NFL, Alohi Gilman is prime for a breakout season. Nasir Adderley retired this offseason, opening up a starting role for the young safety. Last year, Gilman had 58 tackles as a role player. He should only get better as the full-time starter.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys – CeeDee Lamb
Many would argue that CeeDee Lamb had a breakout season in 2022. However, the superstar receiver still has more room to grow. While he set career highs across the board last year, Lamb should be even better this season after the Cowboys added Brandin Cooks.
New York Giants – Parris Campbell
Unfortunately, Parris Campbell has struggled with injuries in his career, missing nearly 70% of the contests over his first three years in the NFL. However, the former Ohio State star was productive last season, totaling 63 receptions for 623 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Now, Campbell could break out as potentially the Giants’ No. 1 wide receiver.
Philadelphia Eagles – Nakobe Dean
After an outstanding college career at Georgia, Nakobe Dean only played 3% of the defensive snaps as a rookie. However, the Eagles lost multiple starting linebackers in the offseason, opening up a significant role for the second-year linebacker. While he had a quiet rookie year, don't be surprised if Dean finishes top-10 in tackles this season.
Washington Commanders – Jahan Dotson
Terry McLaurin deserves every ounce of credit he gets and then some. However, Jahan Dotson is a vastly underrated wide receiver. Despite missing five games with a hamstring injury, the former Penn State star finished first among rookies with seven receiving touchdowns. If he stays healthy this season, Dotson could ascend into star territory.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears – Justin Fields
Despite a lack of weapons, Justin Fields had a productive sophomore season. Thankfully, the Bears added DJ Moore this offseason, pushing Darnell Mooney to the No. 2 role where he belongs. Furthermore, the quarterback is heading into his second season in the same offensive system. After the team gave him a No. 1 caliber wide receiver, fans shouldn't be surprised if Fields has an MVP-like year.
Detroit Lions – David Montgomery
The veteran has been one of the most disrespected running backs in the NFL over the past few years. While David Montgomery isn't a superstar, he has averaged over 900 rushing yards per year despite playing for a dysfunctional offense. The veteran will replace Jamaal Williams in Detroit this season. Last year, Williams led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers – Christian Watson
Unfortunately, Christian Watson's rookie year got off to a rocky start. However, he was outstanding to end the season, finishing with the most touchdowns among rookies. More importantly, the athletic second-year player is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver for the Packers heading into the 2023 season.
Minnesota Vikings – Andrew Booth Jr.
While the Vikings struggled on defense last season, Andrew Booth Jr. only played 25% of the snaps as a rookie. However, that likely will change this year. Minnesota signed Byron Murphy Jr. in free agency, but fans should expect Booth Jr. to earn a starting role in 2023.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Ridder
The Falcons waited until the final four weeks last season to play Desmond Ridder. While he wasn't elite, the rookie quarterback was solid, totaling 708 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions in four games. With Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London at his disposal, Ridder could have a sophomore-year breakout.
Carolina Panthers – Terrace Marshall Jr.
Unfortunately, Terrace Marshall Jr. has struggled over his first two years in the NFL. However, there is hope for a third-year jump from the former LSU star. The Panthers have an open competition at the wide receiver position. More importantly, Marshall Jr. has impressed the coaching staff this offseason.
New Orleans Saints – Juwan Johnson
Juwan Johnson had somewhat of a breakout season last year. The young tight end had four receiving touchdowns on 13 receptions in 2021. However, he led the team with seven receiving touchdowns last season, a career-high. With Derek Carr taking over at quarterback, Johnson could have his first career season with double-digit touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rachaad White
Many were excited this offseason after the Buccaneers released Leonard Fournette because of Rachaad White. Last year, the rookie was productive, catching 50 of his 58 targets. However, the former Arizona State star is prime for a breakout season now that he is the full-time starter.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals – Marquise Brown
Fans should expect a career year from Marquise Brown in 2023. The Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason, and they lack proven pass catchers on the roster. Furthermore, Brown averaged 7.2 receptions for 80.8 receiving yards over the first six games last season with Hopkins suspended.
Los Angeles Rams – Ernest Jones
The Rams made several changes on defense in the offseason, including releasing Bobby Wagner. While Ernest Jones started 11 games last year, the young linebacker is due for a breakout season. He had 114 tackles in 2022, the 36th-most in the NFL. Now that he will be the leader of the linebacker unit, don't be surprised if Jones finishes top-10 in tackles this season.
San Francisco 49ers – Brock Purdy
Now that Trey Lance is off the team, Purdy is the clear-cut quarterback of the future in San Francisco. Last year, the seventh-round rookie had at least two passing touchdowns in his final six contests. Furthermore, the former Iowa State star averaged 219.6 passing yards and 2.2 touchdowns in his five starts. Purdy should be even better in 2023.
Seattle Seahawks – Tariq Woolen
Last year, Tariq Woolen finished third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year award race and made the Pro Bowl. However, the young star cornerback should be even better in 2023. The Seahawks made several improvements in the secondary this offseason. Now, opposing offenses can't get away with avoiding Woolen. Don't be surprised if he once again leads the NFL in interceptions.
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