Dec 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) is injured after being sacked by Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) in overtime at Nissan Stadium. credits: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Every NFL season, players emerge that few people forecasted during the summer.
It’s a physical game, and injuries create opportunities—hello, Brock Purdy—and players need to take advantage when their chance comes.
Other times, a player getting a larger role breaks out. Or perhaps it’s a player finally living up to previous billing.
A number of players are certain to break out this season, and here are 10 to keep an eye on:
QB Will Levis, Titans
There will be no waiting in the wings this time. After replacing Ryan Tannehill last season, Levis passed for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. While his completion percentage was low (58.4 percent), he displayed big-time competitiveness. The Titans astutely got him with the first pick of the second round last season.
QB Bryce Young, Panthers
Bryce. Young throws at practice for the Carolina Panthers | Photo source: AP The No. 1 overall pick last season was one of the worst QBs in the league. He completed just 59.8 percent of his throws for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He tied for second in the league with three pick-sixes—not a stat to boast about. Oh yeah, Carolina also selected him right before C.J. Stroud went to the Houston Texans.
RB Zamir White, Raiders
Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) is pushed out of bounds by Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (41) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports The third-year pro will receive most of the carries for a team that needs a new bell cow back after Josh Jacobs’ departure. White passed his audition over the final four games of 2023, when Jacobs was hurt. He averaged 21 carries during that span and accumulated 391 yards, including outputs of 145 and 112.
WR Khalil Shakir, Bills
Ex-Buffalo wideout Stefon Diggs slumped late last season, and Shakir stepped up with 105 receiving yards in the season finale and caught scoring passes in both of Buffalo’s postseason games.
The third-year pro will get plenty of chances this season due to his speed and shiftiness. Shakir should easily surpass last season’s 39 yards, 611 yards and two touchdowns.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. credits: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports The first-round pick last season had decent numbers — 63 catches, 628 yards, four touchdowns — and the view is he should be a 1,000-yard threat moving forward. He had a preseason wrist injury that contributed to a slow start.
His high yardage output was just 63, and he averaged only 10 yards per reception. He should improve in both categories.
WR Jameson Williams, Lions
Aug 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) walks off the field after their pre-season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field. credits: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports Now in his third season, Williams stood out in OTAs, and he will enter this season distraction-free. He missed the first 11 games as a rookie due to the ACL tear he sustained in Alabama’s national title game loss in January 2022. Last season, he missed four games for violating the NFL gambling policy. He had 24 catches for 354 yards and should shatter those numbers in 2024.
C Cam Jurgens, Eagles
The retirement of Jason Kelce has put Jurgens in the spotlight of having to replace a near-certain Hall of Famer. Jurgens, a second-round pick in 2022, backed up Kelce as a rookie and then moved to right guard and started 11 games last season. Now he’s back at center and trying to trim down comparisons, but he should be a capable replacement for Kelce.
DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars
After a quiet rookie season, Walker erupted with 10 sacks last season amid the feeling he’s only scratching the surface of his skills. A 15-sack season is possible, as new Jacksonville defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has pledged to do everything possible to take advantage of Walker’s abilities. Walker could join the upper tier of pass rushers.
DT Jalen Carter, Eagles
Jalen Carter looks to have a bounce back year for the Philadelphia Eagles. Photo source: Getty Images The No. 9 overall pick in 2023 should be a major force after the retirement of Fletcher Cox. Carter had six sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble return for a touchdown last season and was runner-up for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Carter is primed to double last season’s sack total with the increase in playing time.
CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers
The No. 8 overall pick in 2021 has played in just 22 games over three seasons. A fractured foot limited him to three games as a rookie; he had a rib injury and also a late-season broken wrist while playing 13 games in 2022; and a hamstring injury left him healthy for just six games last season. He has four interceptions and has flashed abilities, but he must stay on the field.
