Breakout Players for the 2024 NFL Season: NFC Edition
By Hayden Shapiro
Every year in the NFL we see players emerge as top-talent on their respective teams. Here’s a list of one player from every single NFC team, including in-depth analysis on why I think they will breakout this year.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers: Deommodore Lenoir, CB
Lenoir is one of those guys whose stats won’t jump off the page, but his physicality and football IQ are evident when watching 49ers games. He is usually marking the offense’s number two option, given that San Francisco has Charvarious Ward on the other side, but Lenoir’s ability to shadow wideouts and not get flagged is really impressive. With more playing time this season, something he saw in the back-half of 2023, he could really make a name for himself as one of the top number two corners in the NFC.
Seattle Seahawks: Abe Lucas, OT
Seattle signed veteran tackle George Fant in free agency, an obvious wake-up call for the 72nd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Abe Lucas. Lucas was great during his rookie year, seemingly filling the hole at right tackle. The 2023 season was a different story. He was injured to start the year, and when he returned, he looked much less agile and was constantly allowing pressure from the edge. Lucas has shown that he can succeed in this league and maybe signing a veteran will steer him in the right direction.
Los Angeles Rams: Michael Hoecht, EDGE
Hoecht was not only incredibly productive in 2023, but he also was a difference maker for a young Rams defense. He put up 81 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, along with 6 sacks from his EDGE position. Rams HC Sean Mcvay even dropped Hoecht back into coverage at times, further displaying his versatility on the defensive side of the ball. Hoecht reminds me a lot of Trey Hendrickson; an unsung hero whose presence is felt on every down. I see a big year coming for number 97 in royal blue.
Arizona Cardinals: Trey McBride, TE
At first, the Trey McBride hype was really throwing me off. I thought his blocking was subpar and his route running looked jagged. This changed in the second half of 2023. Even with inconsistent QB play, McBride posted 81 catches, which was 20th in the entire NFL, and 825 yards. His speed down the seam is tremendous, and if he can improve as a blocker, something he’s totally capable of doing, I can see him putting his name in the top-10 TE conversation.
NFC South
Carolina Panthers: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR
Ihmir Smith-Marsette isn’t one of the names that comes to mind when the Carolina Panthers are brought up, but after Carolina traded for him midway through last season, he gave them a valuable return option as well as a high-upside gadget guy. He isn’t the biggest or strongest, but ISM’s speed and vision is really impressive. I expect him to carve out a role in this offense and for him to maintain his spot as the team’s number one return-man.
Atlanta Falcons: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE
Look, the stats for Ebiketie won’t jump off of the page, but he passes the eye-test with flying colors. He’s got strong arms and is really versatile off of the edge. Atlanta opted not to draft an EDGE in the draft, so the ex-Nittany Lion is going to be on the field a lot this year.
New Orleans Saints: A.T. Perry, WR
SIDEBAR: Before I start my “shpeal” on A.T. Perry, please understand that this is coming from a Panthers fan. I have no reason to be biased towards New Orleans.
With that said, A.T. Perry scored a touchdown on 30% of his touches last season. Yes, you read that right. He had 12 catches on the year, four of them being TDs. Perry also was 7th in the entire NFL in yards per reception, averaging over 20 yards on each ball he hauled in. He has done all he can to see the field more, I expect the Saints to reward him with more time on the field because he is a true difference maker at 6’5, 205 pounds. He’s also only 24 years old. If you are looking for a late-round fantasy selection, Perry might be your guy. The ex-Demon Deacon is going to turn heads in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yaya Diaby, EDGE
After a very under the radar 7.5 sack season, Diaby is quickly becoming one of the true unsung heroes of a stout Bucs defense. His strong hands and lengthy frame just scream athleticism, and I see a great season coming for the ex-Louisville standout.
NFC East
New York Giants: Jalin Hyatt, WR
Averaging just over 16 yards per reception in 2023, Hyatt showed he can be a solid deep threat in New York. His hands can be shaky, but his lean and bendy frame make him an intriguing threat on the perimeter. He fell further than expected in last year’s draft, likely due to his size, but if he carves out a role in this offense, he could quickly become one of whoever is throwing the football at MetLife’s favorite target.
Dallas Cowboys: Damone Clark, LB
Clark doesn’t have the prototypical off-ball linebacker build, but his length and bendiness are so dynamic that Dallas has no choice but to involve him somehow. Clark racked up 109 tackles last season, including 7.5 for loss. He can line up anywhere and can cover TEs; he’s one of the real unsung heroes of this Dallas defense that also features Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs.
Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr, RB
I really, really like the Ekeler signing for two reasons. Reason number one being Jayden Daniels has a reliable safety-net underneath to dump the ball off to. Number two is the fact that ex-Alabama star, Brian Robinson Jr, can focus on goal line and short yardage touches; two things he excels at. It takes a bit of the load off of him which I think will be pivotal to Robinson’s and the Commanders success this upcoming season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cam Jurgens, C
Jurgens has had the best situation possible for a rookie lineman, sitting behind Jason Kelce. He learned from the best and now it’s time for him to play his natural center position. Jurgens has shown flashes of nice power and quick feet. I expect him to become one of the league’s top young linemen in 2024 for the Eagles.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Velus Jones Jr, WR
Jones Jr has seen very minimal work on the offensive side of the ball, but his skillset is so dynamic that it’s hard to believe he won’t be featured again this year. He’s already a top returner with great vision and good balance. He is a Curtis Samuel type of gadget guy; he can line up all over. In a high-powered offense like the Bears, Velus Jones Jr can step in as a fourth option and somewhat of a swiss-army knife.
Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson, WR
The amount of hope I’d had for Watson is pure blasphemy, but I have no reason to give up yet. Watson seeked advanced medical help on his ongoing hamstring injury this offseason. He visited the Wisconsin School of Medicine and was even sent to what Yardbarker.com calls a “special lab.” This shows his determination and love for the game, as hamstring issues for wideouts can be devastating. His 6’4 frame, the breakaway speed that he possesses, and his work ethic just scream “Jordan Love’s favorite target” in my ear.
Detroit Lions: Brian Branch, DB
Branch stepped onto the scene in a big way last season. He was given the tasks of nickel corner, deep safety, and even linebacker at times; all as a rookie. The Alabama product impressed with his cover talents to start the season, but his unbelievable tackling skills are where he makes his money. He is a true baller. He puts his nose down and blows up plays in the backfield, no matter where he started the snap. He had 8 TFLs last season along with 74 total tackles, 3 interceptions, and a forced fumble. I even had him graded than guys like Budda Baker and Justin Simmons last year, that’s how good this kid is.
Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Van-Ginkel, EDGE
Van-Ginkel has been so good for a few years now, and now he’s in an extremely blitz-heavy offense. He’s also back with his old coach, Brian Flores. I think the stars have aligned perfectly for AVG’s true breakout year. The speedy rusher was insanely productive in limited snaps with Miami, but now he’s got the position to himself and I’m excited to see what he can do.
