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NFL Insider Ralph Mancini unveils his list of players primed to break out in a big way this season.
AFC EAST
 Photo Credit: David Gonzales/Stanford University
Miami Dolphins: WR Ted Ginn Jr.- The former Ohio State Buckeye enters his second professional campaign firmly entrenched in Miami’s starting lineup. The former #9 overall pick will look to build upon last year’s late-season heroics, which saw him catch a 54-yard reception and score on an 87-yard punt return. Ginn’s new coaching staff should help improve his route running.
New England Patriots: RB Laurence Maroney- At the end of the 2007 season, the young running back finally stopped dancing in the backfield. The former Golden Gopher turned into a more forceful and punishing back, hitting his holes more quickly as evidenced by his week 16 performance against the Dolphins (14-156). He should continue to see plenty of running room in New England’s high-powered attack.
New York Jets: ILB David Harris- The tough inside backer made the best out of operating behind an ineffective defensive line by becoming a sideline-to-sideline tackling machine. With better talent around him, Harris is primed for a breakout out season as New York’s designated run stuffer.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: OG Ben Grubbs- The former first-round pick showed constant improvement despite playing on an injury-ravaged offensive line. Grubbs made serious strides down the stretch in his run blocking and should play a key role in opening holes for Willis McGahee and Ray Rice with his superior strength and outstanding mobility.
Cincinnati Bengals: CB Leon Hall- The 5’ 11” cornerback took some time adjusting to the NFL, but once he did, he wasted no time in making plays on an inept defense. Hall’s extraordinary quickness allowed him to record a team-high five interceptions and deflect 12 passes. With a better understanding of offenses, the former Wolverine should be an even bigger asset to his team in 2008.
Cleveland Browns: CB Eric Wright- The 23-year-old is another defensive back who came on late to emerge as Cleveland’s shutdown corner. Wright’s impressive closing speed enables him to make plays whenever a ball is thrown in his vicinity.
Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB LaMarr Woodley- “Wood” quickly became a major factor in his limited playing time as a rookie in 2007 with four sacks and a forced fumble in the regular season, along with two sacks versus Jacksonville in the playoffs. The second-year defender will get more opportunities to rush the passer as he takes over Clark Haggans’s old spot in the starting lineup.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: DT Amobi Okoye/WR Jacoby Jones- The Nigerian made an immediate impact by flashing an explosive first step and tremendous strength with three sacks in his first three games. Jones’s rookie year was curtailed after separating his shoulder after an eye-catching preseason in which the wide out displayed downfield speed and tantalizing leaping ability.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Anthony Gonzalez/OT Tony Ugoh- The promising receiver filled in admirably for a hobbled Marvin Harrison, gradually becoming one of Peyton Manning’s favorite targets thanks to his capable route running and his talent to adjust to poorly thrown balls. Gonzalez also has the speed to make downfield plays. Teammate Tony Ugoh utilized his considerable wingspan and quick feet to give Indy some top-notch pass protection. The up-and-coming lineman will become a top tackle once he completely develops his ability to finish off foes.
Jacksonville Jaguars: FS Reggie Nelson- The hard-hitting safety became an integral part of Jacksonville’s defense by offering quality coverage skills. He will use those skills to improve upon the five interceptions he tallied last season.
Tennessee Titans: FS Michael Griffin- The versatile athlete settled in at safety after playing his first five games at corner and played an aggressive brand of ball while showing great instincts. Griffin has the tools to grow into the leader of Tennessee’s defensive backfield.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: TE Tony Scheffler– Scheffler bounced back from a broken foot to become one of Jay Cutler’s favorite options. From week seven on, the pass-catching tight end averaged 42 yards per contest which over the course of a 16-game season would total 772 yards.S
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Dwayne Bowe- After a successful season which saw the 6’2” 221-pound receiver catch 70 passes for 950 yards, Bowe should see even more passes go his way with a revamped offensive line that should afford Brodie Croyle more time to set up and scan the field. Look for the Chiefs to also draw up plenty of jump-ball plays in the end zone for the talented wide out.
Oakland Raiders: TE Zach Miller- The solid rookie finally brought some consistency to Oakland’s tight end position by registering 36 receptions for 360 yards--the most by a Raiders rookie since Tim Brown’s 43 grabs in 1988. Miller makes up for his lack of measurables with excellent route-running ability and soft hands.
San Diego Chargers: FS Eric Weddle- Despite receiving sporadic playing time for much of his rookie season, the California native made a noticeable impact by playing both safety positions and delivering a number of thunderous hits. Weddle’s one-handed interception of Peyton Manning in the playoffs is further evidence of his physical gifts.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: NT Jay Ratliff- This former seventh-round pick was a pleasant surprise as Jason Ferguson’s replacement last season. His relentless motor and athleticism allowed him to become an effective pass rusher in addition to being strong versus the run despite his 298-pound frame. Ratliff’s recent multi-year extension confirms Dallas’s high hopes in the young lineman.
New York Giants: WR Steve Smith- The unheralded athlete came on strong late in the season after a series of bedeviling injuries in 2007. Smith established himself as Eli Manning’s security blanket over the middle throughout New York’s successful playoff run. The young wide out’s short-area quickness and run-after-catch prowess will allow him to maintain a prominent role in Big Blue’s attack.
Philadelphia Eagles: DE Victor Abiamiri- The ex-Golden Domer made quite an impression on his coaching staff during the preseason, but strangely received little-to-no playing time on defense. That shouldn’t be the case in his second campaign, as defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has already announced that Abiamiri will be in the running for the starting job at left end. Abiamiri has the agility and overall physical tools to be a lethal pass rusher.
Washington Redskins: QB Jason Campbell/FS LaRon Landry- Campbell made serious strides toward becoming a true field general last season by exhibiting tremendous poise in the pocket and completing 60 percent of his passes. The big quarterback will have an embarrassment of riches to throw to in Jim Zorn’s aggressive, quick-strike offense, while the sky’s the limit for free safety LaRon Landry, who has the closing speed and hitting ability to become an all-time great.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: TE Greg Olsen- The former Hurricane showed flashes of his ability to stretch the field in 2007 and ended up leading all rookie tight ends in receiving yards with 374. Early-season knee woes prevented Olsen from posting better numbers. An improved running game should afford the tight end more opportunities to get open.
Detroit Lions: WR Calvin Johnson- A chronic back injury was all that stood in the way of Johnson becoming an all-out menace to smaller defensive backs. The young Lion’s outstanding height, acceleration and soft hands will soon have fans talking about Johnson in the same breath as Randy Moss.
Green Bay Packers: WR James Jones/SS Atari Bigby- Jones’s run-after-catch skills made him a perfect fit for Green Bay’s West Coast offense last season. With a year under his belt, the powerfully-built receiver should be better equipped to avoid careless errors. Bigby, on the other hand, not only led his team with five interceptions, but also laid the lumber with some punishing hits. The undrafted free agent has become an intimidating presence.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Sidney Rice- While rookie teammate Adrian Peterson has already reached superstar status, Rice may not be far behind. The 6’ 4” receiver made his share of downfield plays by gaining 396 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Rice has the size, hands and explosiveness to make him virtually impossible to cover one-on-one.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: WR Laurent Robinson- After spending a good part of his rookie campaign languishing on the bench, Robinson finally broke out in week 16 by catching seven balls for 114 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown. The 6’ 2” speed demon will see his share of single coverage playing alongside number one wide out Roddy White.
Carolina Panthers: MLB Jon Beason- Formerly an outside backer, Beason quickly took to his new position by becoming a sideline-to-sideline tackling machine, posting 140 tackles. The instinctive defender will be looking to add to that total on a Carolina team that has strengthened itself in a number of areas.
New Orleans Saints: RB Pierre Thomas- Reggie Bush’s limitations and Deuce McAllister’s questionable durability will create an opportunity for Thomas to receive added carries in his team’s well-balanced attack. Last year’s undrafted rookie is a nice blend of power and quickness that will be called upon to gain yardage inside.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: G Arron Sears- As a starter from day one, Sears used his talent as a pull blocker to open big holes for Tampa Bay’s runners. With continued progress in pass protection, Sears will become one of the very best at his position.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: QB Matt Leinart- The 25-year-old will be looking to put his off-the-field concerns behind him and reclaim his role as the unquestioned leader of Arizona’s offense. If given ample time in the pocket, Leinart has the tools to make accurate throws to arguably the NFL’s number one receiving tandem, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
San Francisco 49ers: OT Joe Staley- As the newly-installed left tackle, Staley has all the talent to come close to matching the exploits of star linebacker Patrick Willis on the other side of the ball. In addition to being very light on his feet, Staley has an unmatched work ethic to continually enhance his play.
Seattle Seahawks: FB Leonard Weaver- A career-ending injury to Mack Brown forced Seattle to insert Weaver into the starting lineup and the team then watched him become a reliable triple threat capable of blocking, catching and running. Weaver will play in an important role in 2008, as Seattle will look to revive their dormant ground game.
St. Louis Rams: DT Adam Carriker- With improvements in his technique, the 6’ 6” Carriker has the long arms and unusual strength to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. The second-year player must learn to stay lower to reach his true potential.
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