2011 Breakouts
WRS:
1. Dez Bryant DAL - Freak - thats the only way I know how to describe him. Dez was born to play WR. He has it all. Throw him the fade and watch him make a spectacular catch. Throw him a ten yard out and watch him break a tackle and take it to the house. He will go over the middle accelerating past many and stiff arming near by defenders to the ground. Hes a rare breed. His expected progression from last year to this looks a lot like Hakeem Nicks jump from his rookie season to last years. Nicks had 47 catches for 790 yards and 6 Tds in 14 games his rookie season. Dez posted 45 catches for 561 yards and 6 tds in 12 games ( he also missed camp due to injury stunting his rookie progression) Nicks entering last season as the number 2 to Steve Smiths more posession style exploded for 1052 yards and 11 tds in just 13 games emerging as not only the teams top wideout but one of the best in the NFL. Dez, now healthy and comfortable with the offense "(Missing camp was big," Bryant said. "I felt shaky. Now I'm more confident and a lot better than last year. ... I'm so excited. I can't wait to get on the field. I know the play book better. I was shy last year. Now its none of that. I feel good." ) should flat out dominate. Look at what Nicks did on a per game basis and thats what you can expect from Dez this season. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Big D but Feeding Bryant will lead to more wins and leave opposing coaches doing there best Alvin Gentry impersonation ( it didnt matter what he did there was just no stopping Kobe Bryant)
2. Mario Manningham NYG - Ok so maybe this is cheating considering he had 944 yards and 9 TDs last season. But part of the criteria I use defining breakouts is players yet to have a thousand yards or a 10 td season. Manningham just makes the cut. Uhh fun fact ya Mario Manningham has averaged 84.8 yards, and almost a TD per game in nine games missed by Hakeem Nicks and or Steve Smith the past two years (meaning he started) That projects to 1356 yards and 12 TDs over a full 16 games. Ohh Yeah and this season.... He's starting. Eli loves hooking up with manningham deep (he was second in the league in yards per target) but he also does much of his work on short passes and screens. Hes incredibly shifty, having the ability to make multiple defenders miss on any given play. He's also rumored to play the slot in three reciever sets this season which will only add to his catch total and solidify his floor of production. In the Jet Blue offense manningham will take his game to a new level in 2011.
3. Kenny Britt TEN - I believe Britt set a record this offseason. Many may say thats not a record you want (3 arrests in one offseason) but tell that too Happy Gilmore. And he went on to win a Green Jacket! Already been declared he wont be suspended for his "questionable" behavior we can simplify things. Kenny Britt is really good. He compares to Brandon Marshall on and off the field. A natural WR at 6'3" 215 and great after the catch ability as shown by his 18.5 yards per catch last season to go along with his 9 TDs in just 12 games. History shows that WRs tend to make big leaps in their 3rd season as a pro as displayed by Stevie Johnsons out of no where 1000 yard 10 TD breakout in 2010 (his 3rd season). Britt also plays in a division with mediocre defenses susceptible to big plays. Britt will exploit these weaknesses time and time again leading to added production. Teamate Jared Cook is likely to draw sizebale attention over the middle and underneath leaving Britt to do Irreputable damage vertically. Flashes of this was on full display in his 7 catch 225 yard 3 TD out burst against the Eagles last year. A game in which he didnt even start. Kenny Britt will be a star in 2011.
4. Percy Harvin MIN - Another player entering his 3rd season and primed to breakout. Already been annointed as such by QB Donavan McNabb: "there's no reason why Percy Harvin can't be a perennial Pro Bowler with 90-100 catches and over 1,000 yards." And there really isn't. With his migranes looking to be behind him, his trust worthy hands coupled with his game breaking skills make him lethal. He enters 2011 as the teams unquestioned number one Wide Out for the first time in his career with a QB on the decline, but still fully equipped with the attributes to take full advantage of Harvins skill set. If he can stay on the field all 16 games he will tally his first career 1000 yard season.
5. Marcus Easley BUF - Who? Its time to learn the name. Marcus Easley, former Uconn prospect, Is a 6'2" 220 lb reciever who as John Gruden would say "runs like a deer". He missed all of last season and much of camp this year due to knee injuries. He's healthy again and says he wants to make a "Blake Griffen like comback". Quite ambitious of the 23 year old, but with his talent and in Chan Gaileys Offense anything is possible. With Lee Evans gone via trade the door swung wide open for the youngster to make his way into the starting line up. In this past weeks preseason game, labled the week one "dress rehersal" Easley started oppositte of former breakout star Stevie Johnson. He totaled 51 yards and reeled in a nice leaping TD reception. With teams likley rolling coverages to Stevie Johnson this season Easley will be left matched up in one on one situations which given his size he should be able to take advantage of regularly. Look for Easley to bust onto the scene in 2011 on his quest for a "Blake Griffin like Comeback".
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