New Orleans Saints

NFL: 5 breakout players for 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) runs onto the field prior to the Redskins

These are the top five players in the NFL who are set to breakout during the 2016 season.

The start of the NFL season is right around the corner and you know what that means– happiness. Fans all over the country prepare for another season filled with anxiety, high hopes and depending on who your favorite team is, heartbreak.

5. Jordan Reed

Jordan Reed? He already broke out last year right? Reed caught 87 balls for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He was the second fantasy tight end behind Rob Gronkowski. Reed emerged as Kirk Cousins favorite target down the stretch as the Redskins won four in a row to capture the NFC East title.

So, how can Reed breakout in 2016 after last season?

Reed has missed 14 games in the last three seasons due to injuries. He missed two last season and was still able to put up numbers like he did. If healthy, Reed has a chance to take over the number one spot among NFL tight ends.

The Redskins are full of offensive weapons. Pierre Garcon, Desean Jackson, Jamison Crowder and rookie Josh Doctson are their receivers. Reed will be the Redskins top target again this season, especially in the red zone. He got hot towards the end of last season after a cold start followed by an injury.

In 2016, Reed will be good to go from the start. Cousins and Reed had time last year to get acquainted and build chemistry last season and they clearly did. So, what is a realistic expectation for Reed this season? He has a chance to catch 95 passes this season which should have him eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. Being the red zone threat that he is, Reed can catch anywhere from 10-14 touchdowns.

The Redskins are contenders to repeat as NFC East champs this season. If Reed stays healthy and performs like he is capable, there is no reason the Redskins don’t repeat and become a tough out in the playoffs.

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III

We’re starting off the countdown with a Redskin and a former Redskin. Robert Griffin III is ready to go in 2016 as the starting QB of the Cleveland Browns. As a fan of football, you should be excited to see what he does.

Griffin was drafted second overall by the Redskins in 2012 and after a spectacular rookie season, he was put in a bad position by the Shanahans. Griffin suffered a knee injury during a game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 before tearing his ACL in the playoffs against Seattle. After that, the coaches tried to change his entire game. They wanted to limit his running which is what made him so successful.

While his time in Washington was a roller coaster ride, he now finds himself as a Brown. Cleveland is usually known as the city where football players go to end their career. But for RGIII, it will be quite the opposite.

As crazy as it sounds, the Browns have weapons — Josh Gordon after he returns from suspension, and rookie Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor round out the receivers. Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr, will handle the running game and the offensive line is decent, led by pro bowler Joe Thomas. Now lets not get crazy, they’re still the Browns and they play in a very tough division. But this season they will be competitive and maybe squeak out six or seven wins.

What could RGIII’s stats look like? He can throw for over 3,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Browns will let him use his legs and he can run for near 400 yards and a few touchdowns. He has always had talent and expect him to show it off in Cleveland.

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports

3. DeVante Parker

On a Dolphins team that is supposed to be awful this year, second-year receiver DeVante Parker might be the only bright spot.

As a junior and senior at Louisville, Parker played in 18 games and caught 98 passes for 1,740 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was a first round draft pick and entered the NFL with high hopes of building a strong receiving core in Miami with Jarvis Landry. It didn’t quite workout that way. Parker caught only 26 passes for 494 yards and only three touchdowns.

Landry emerged as the main receiver on this Dolphins team but with a 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame, Parker can burst onto the scene and make some noise. A major key for Parker’s success is Ryan Tannehill’s ability to hold onto the ball. Head coach Adam Gase is known for his work with quarterbacks so Miami is hoping he can help Tannehill to take the next step.

The Dolphins are destined to finish in last place in the AFC East this season but the receiver could make an impact during his sophomore campaign. With all the attention most likely on Landry, Parker wont face many double teams and will have a chance to succeed against single coverage.

So, Parker breaking out this season means he would have to increase his catches significantly. Expect them to go from 26 to around 60 for 800 yards and six touchdowns. Miami will find their one bright spot on what could be a tough season.

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2. Derek Carr

The Raiders had a lot of people’s attention during the preseason. With young studs like Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack, it makes sense. But as we all know, nothing happens in this league without a quarterback. That’s where Derek Carr comes in.

Carr had a great second year for the Raiders throwing for 3,987 yards, 32 TDs and only 13 picks. But he did it for a team that finished 7-9 and third in the AFC West. The Raiders have a shot this season to break a few droughts. They have not made the playoffs or had a winning season since 2002. That can change this year.

With the Broncos going down significantly at quarterback and the Chargers set to be one of the league’s worst teams, the Raiders have a chance to sneak into the playoffs as a wild card team. Amari Cooper is looking like a legitimate number one receiver and tight end Clive Walford is set to make a name for himself in the league.

A breakout year for Carr could look something like this; 4,500 yards, 35 touchdowns and 11 picks. That would be good enough to take the Raiders to where they want to be and possibly move Carr into a higher tier of QB in the league.

Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brandin Cooks

The New Orleans Saints are always a mystery team in the NFL. Are they good or are they bad? Well, thanks to their defense, they’ve been bad as of late. They have been historically awful at stopping opponents which means Drew Brees and company have had little success. It is hard to tell if that is going to change but one thing that is certain — the Saints will score.

Drew Brees is one of the elite QBs in the game today and they are always loaded with offensive talent. They acquired tight end Colby Fleener to go along with Cooks and running back Mark Ingram. Cooks had a good season last year catching 84 passes for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns.

That sounds like a pretty good year but on a bad team he did it quietly. This year, Cooks will make some noise. The Saints could be mediocre again depending on how the defense plays but the offense will put up some points.

Cooks will emerge as a definite number one receiver, maybe even a top ten guy in the league. Cooks can finish 2016 with 95-100 catches for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those are numbers put up by elite receivers and that is the jump Cooks is trying to make.