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5 offensive players ready to break out this season

Getty / Michael Zagaris / theScore

The NFL changes at a rapid rate. Players with loads of potential and ability have short-lived careers, and coaches lose their jobs all the time. But every year, players step up for their respective teams and personal careers.

Here are five offensive players who are on the verge of a breakout:

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

It would be easy to put Blake Bortles, Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, or Marcus Mariota here - and all should absolutely continue to ascend in 2016. But let’s go out on a much weaker limb and pick a more maligned signal-caller.

To his credit, Tannehill has had to endure several coaching staffs and systems. And remember, he spent much of his time at Texas A&M as a wide receiver. Then again, you could call him a coach-killer if you like the other side of the argument. But either way, Tannehill will truly have optimal conditions to succeed going forward, especially with Adam Gase now running the show in Miami.

The Dolphins were proactive in upgrading their offensive line and receiving corps this offseason. Some questions remain at the running back position, although Jay Ajayi almost made this list. But now is the time for Tannehill to become what he is capable of becoming.

Talent has never been a problem. It's put up or shut up time for Tannehill. My bet is that he and Gase get it right in 2016, and the Dolphins have their first franchise quarterback since Dan Marino.

Duke Johnson, Browns

With the exception of Joe Thomas, Johnson is ready to become Cleveland's best and most important offensive player. A 22-year-old do-it-all running back, Johnson will be the player the Browns' quarterback, whomever that may be, will lean on for consistency and big plays.

Johnson, who has often been compared to Giovani Bernard, is great in the passing game and is more than just an outside gimmicky runner. He runs low, with power and conviction, and has superb balance and burst. This guy is ready to explode onto the scene in year two of his career. Carlos Hyde is another running back that could be primed for a monster breakout season.

Donte Moncrief, Colts

The NFL is loaded with promising young wide receivers, and there were many that qualified for this distinction. But at 22 years old, and with Andrew Luck as his quarterback, Moncrief has just scratched the surface of his potential.

While he might not eclipse T.Y. Hilton as the Colts' best wide receiver, Moncrief is certainly ready to complement the much smaller Hilton, and provide a go-up-and-get-it weapon in the red zone. Moncrief is a field-stretcher, and though he's nursing a turf toe, it isn't considered overly serious. Hopefully the Colts are cautious with him, because it could pay off huge.

Terron Armstead, Saints

Earlier this month, the Saints gave Armstead a $65-million contract over the next five years, with $38 million guaranteed. So maybe he has already "broken out." But the general public doesn't know what a great player this young man is, and how much better he can be.

Armstead was a combine freak coming out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 2013 NFL Draft, when New Orleans used the 75th overall selection to bring this project to the Big Easy. Now it's Armstead who is making it look easy, and his smooth athleticism leaps off the screen when you watch him on tape.

Armstead, along with Dallas' Tyron Smith, very well could be in line to take over for greats Joe Thomas and Jason Peters as the premier left tackles of this generation.

Trai Turner, Panthers

Turner is a wide-bodied power-based guard who is ideal for Carolina's diverse and power-driven running game. This is a guy who can really uproot defensive tackles.

But what sets Turner apart is that he's also very nimble, athletic, and impressive in protection. A third-round pick in the 2014 draft, he is astonishingly only 22 years old. Imagine what he'll be like on the field once he grows up.

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