Each year the NFL sees players break out. Here are the top candidates of 2024.
Each year, there are NFL players that jump into the public’s eye. Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua went from being a fifth-round rookie to having one of the best rookie receiving seasons ever. New York Jets LB Quincy Williams finally ascended to one of the best WILL linebackers in the game who packs a punch as a tackler. Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku cemented his place as one of the best tight ends in football after a big year with multiple QBs at the helm.
As the 2024 season rolls around, there’s a new crop of players ready to break out. From defensive linemen who have slimmed down and are in better shape, to tight ends who finished the season strong, the future of the NFL is held in their hands as the next ones up. These are The Worst Generation, a group of players ready to take the NFL by storm.
Pittsburgh Steelers DT Keeanu Benton set to breakout in 2024
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When old folks talk about “biblical strength”, they’re talking about Keeanu Benton. The second-year defensive tackle from Wisconsin can play the three-technique, but is best suited as one of the most athletic nose tackles and one-techniques in the league.
Read more about what makes Benton special here.
The Chicago Bears’ defense is ready to make the leap, and DT Gervon Dexter Sr. is a big part of that.
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The defensive tackle in the 4-3 is a staple of Chicago Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus’ defense. When Eberflus was in Indianapolis with the Colts, Indy traded for impact DT DeForest Buckner who raised the ceiling of the Colts’ defense through pressure from the interior. The Bears’ defense is ready to make a similar leap after finishing fifth in EPA/play allowed and 10th in Success Rate allowed from Weeks 9-18. A large part of that is pass rusher Montez Sweat joining the team at the trade deadline. Sweat gave Eberflus and the Bears a legit star on the edge, and one person who benefitted from that is rookie DT Gervon Dexter Sr. Dexter has all the athletic potential in the world, standing at 6’6 and being in the 70th percentile in both the broad and vertical jump, but before Sweat joined, he only had nine pressures. After Sweat, he finished with 20 and showed flashes of a guy who can breakout in a defense that has seen interior defensive line play flourish.
Read about how Gervon Dexter holds the keys to a Chicago Bears breakout in 2024 here.
Arizona Cardinals’ TE Trey McBride already has the rapport with Kyler Murray down
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If his 2024 is anything like his [McBride’s] finish in 2023, he’ll make his way into the elite ranks at the position. A major part of this breakout is QB Kyler Murray coming back into form. After Murray returned in Week 10 of 2023, McBride truly hit his McStride, finishing the season third in targets and yards among tight ends, and finished in the top three in Yards per Route Run among all tight ends (min. 20 targets). McBride is a favorite target of Murray, and their rapport as Murray returned back to form was super fun to watch.
Read here about how Trey McBride and Kyler Murray already have built a strong bond on the field.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ RT Anton Harrison can be special
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With NFL pass rushers getting better on both sides of the line, the right tackle can no longer be a weak point. Teams are placing a high priority on the right side of their line, even switching the elite athletes coming out of college as left tackles over to the right and trusting in their development. Detroit Lions’ supernova Penei Sewell is the best example of this, but down in Jacksonville, Anton Harrison is making his case to be the next breakout star at right tackle.
Read about how Harrison turned in a top tier season in his first year at right tackle here.
Andre Cisco could save his best year for his contract year with the Jacksonville Jaguars
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Now, entering a contract year with the Jaguars, Cisco is coming off the best year of his young career and looking to be a defensive centerpiece for the Jaguars. In fact, the Jaguars’ EPA per play is better with Cisco on the field compared to when he was off. His range and ability to wear multiple hats for Jacksonville helped the Jaguars get off to a great start in 2023 before injuries made the wheels fall come off his season.
Read about how a new defense will help Andre Cisco take the next step here.
Paulson Adebo is next up at corner for the New Orleans Saints
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When the New Orleans Saints draft a defensive back, it’s best that you keep your eyes on them. The Saints have a history of bringing in quality defensive backs and turning them into stars in their man coverage heavy system. Marshon Lattimore and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson definitely come to mind when thinking about recent hits in New Orleans’ secondary. Soon you will be able to add Paulson Adebo to that list. Adebo was healthier last season, and he made the most of his opportunities on the outside. Adebo played in and started 15 games for the Saints, and his play took off. He led the Saints in interceptions and pass deflections, and with Lattimore missing time due to injury, Adebo stepped up to defend most of the top receivers New Orleans faced. Now entering a contract year, Adebo might be set to play his best football of his career, a needed boost for a Saints team that’ll more than likely be very good on defense again.
Read about how Paulson Adebo can become a great NFL corner here.
