Every player in the National Football League strives to improve their skills. Some players may fly under the radar due to youth, inexperience, or limited opportunities. These 2024 NFC Breakout Candidates, with the right impact and recognition, could become household names in the NFL.
2024 NFC Breakout Candidates
Chicago Bears: Gervon Dexter, Defensive Tackle
The Chicago Bears drafted Gervon Dexter in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Florida product had a fairly average rookie season, scoring four sacks and 13 tackles with a 50.9 Pro Football Focus rating. Dexter is the Windy City’s starting defensive tackle alongside Andrew Billings, and with an impressive 4.88 40-yard dash time to pair with his 6’6” 318 lbs stature, he could elevate a young Bears defense.
Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, Linebacker
Jack Campbell was one of Detroit’s first-round selections in the 2023 NFL Draft alongside standout running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Campbell played significant reps in his rookie season, amassing 58 tackles with no turnovers forced on his behalf. With a year under his belt, Campbell could become a difference-maker for a big-time Detroit team.
Green Bay Packers: Jayden Reed, Wide Receiver
Injury to Christian Watson allowed Michigan State rookie Jayden Reed to start at wideout for the Packers in 2023. Reed feasted on Jordan Love’s breakout campaign and collected 64 receptions for almost 800 yards with eight touchdowns on the season. With a quick, agile playstyle, he is the perfect second option for Love and could have an impressive season in 2024 with more playing time.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold, Quarterback
This may be the first time Sam Darnold has come into a quality starting situation. With the season-ending meniscus injury to national champion rookie J.J. McCarthy, Darnold is expected to be Minnesota’s field general for the 2024 season. With legit receiving options in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, Darnold may have a Baker Mayfield-esque breakout for the Vikings.
Washington Commanders: Dyami Brown, Wide Receiver
Dyami Brown has come a long way from being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. From putting up just 476 yards in his first three NFL seasons to being listed as a starting wideout for the Commanders, and likely to see even more time with the trading of Jahan Dotson, Brown will look to take advantage and earn starting roles around the league in a make-or-break year with Washington.
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert, Wide Receiver
Jalen Tolbert was given significant playing time in 2023 compared to his rookie season in 2022, hauling in 268 yards on 22 receptions as the Cowboys’ fourth wide receiver option. Tolbert is now slated to be a starting receiver after the departure of longtime Dallas receiver Michael Gallup. With this increase in playing time, Tolbert should thrive with his 6’1” stature and extra years of development.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cam Jurgens, Center
Cam Jurgens was selected by the Eagles in 2022 in a collaborative selection by recently retired center Jason Kelce and the team on Kelce’s replacement. Jurgens, a second-round lineman out of Nebraska, could be the next anchor on a continuously top-echelon offensive line group for the Eagles.
New York Giants: Daniel Bellinger, Tight End
A two-year player out of San Diego State, Daniel Bellinger has seen plenty of backup tight end appearances behind former tight end Darren Waller. In the wake of Waller’s retirement, Bellinger is slated to start at tight end for New York. A big-body pass-catcher with a solid 4.63 40-yard dash time, Bellinger could help Daniel Jones and the Giants reclaim their playoff appearances of past seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, Defensive End
A tackle-turned-end out of Pittsburgh in 2023, Calijah Kancey was a highly touted prospect in the 2023 draft. The first-round selection played a high volume of snaps for Tampa Bay in his rookie year, scoring four sacks and 20 tackles. With the departure of Shaq Barrett, Kancey should receive more downs and exposure, grow his skill set, and impact the defense for Tampa Bay.
Atlanta Falcons: Zach Harrison, Edge Rusher
One of the more highly-rated rookies on Pro Football Focus, Zach Harrison, a third-round Buckeye selection in 2023, brought down four sacks and 21 tackles in his rookie campaign. With an elite 86.6 PFF grade so far in the 2024 preseason, Harrison could become a significant impact player and top-tier edge threat in the NFC in 2024.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, Quarterback
Bryce Young, the former Heisman Trophy winner, was one of the worst passers in the NFL by far in 2023, tossing 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions with 2877 passing yards. With little talent around him, such a disappointing performance is to be expected. New head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan helped upgrade the Panthers’ offense with the additions of guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt and offensive weapons including former Steeler Diontae Johnson and rookies Xavier Leggete, Jonathan Brooks, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. With new talent, Young will look to take the NFC South by storm and solidify himself as Carolina’s franchise passer.
New Orleans Saints: Jordan Howden, Safety
Players drafted in the fifth round don’t typically develop into starting players. Jordan Howden, a second-year safety out of Minnesota, has broken that expectation for New Orleans, now slated to start for the Saints in 2024. Howden put up a 67 PFF grade in his rookie year and should show off his skills with a season learning from star safety Tyrann Mathieu under his wing.
Arizona Cardinals: Michael Wilson, Wide Receiver
Michael Wilson was one of Arizona’s top receivers last season, hauling in over 500 yards and three touchdowns. With a healthy Kyler Murray and a legitimate wide receiver core around Wilson, the former Stanford Cardinal could bring success and skill to his current Cardinal team.
San Francisco 49ers: Deommodore Lenoir, Cornerback
The defending NFC champion 49ers didn’t lose significant talent over the offseason. Still, one starter in their Super Bowl run could be primed to make an even more substantial impact in year three of significant reps. Deommodore Lenoir, a four-year cornerback from Oregon, corralled three interceptions and a 72.5 PFF grade. With an expected leap and the help from fellow defensive back Charvarius Ward, Lenoir may develop into a premier cornerback and bring San Francisco to a repeat visit to the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles Rams: Quentin Lake, Cornerback
The Rams, still reeling from the retirement of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald, need a new defensive star. This player could be in the secondary, where Quentin Lake is rostered. The third-year defender is a 6’1” ex-Bruin with a collegiate All-PAC-12 nod, and if his former college talent can translate after a few years in the league, could be the spark the Rams need.
Seattle Seahawks: Jake Bobo, Wide Receiver
Another ex-Bruin, Jake Bobo has the makings of a true underdog story. Undrafted due to a rare near-5.00 40-yard dash time for a wideout, Bobo has made the most of his time with the Seahawks, becoming a preseason and training camp standout and a team favorite. With Tyler Lockett aging, Bobo could see more reps, and improve on his impressive rookie campaign as a fourth wide receiver where he caught 19 passes for near-200 yards and two scores.
