5 defensive players ready to break out this season
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. Every year, though, players step up to help their respective teams and individual causes.
We covered five offensive players on the verge of a breakout earlier this week. Now let's take a look at the next wave of defensive stars:
Vic Beasley, Falcons
The eighth pick in last year's draft, Beasley is moving from defensive end to strong-side linebacker in 2016. His role really shouldn't be a whole lot different in this Seahawks-like defense, but Beasley might be more Bruce Irvin than Cliff Avril, especially on early downs. Not nearly as powerful up the point of attack as Avril, Beasley might benefit a great deal from the change.
Atlanta clearly prioritized getting better and more athletic on the second level and at strong safety in the draft. But still, on a team desperate for a pass rush, Beasley will make a living coming after quarterbacks. A combine wonder with loads of ability, Beasley was too reliant on speed and getting off the ball quicker than his opponent, rather than counter moves or great technique during his rookie year. It's been reported that Beasley played his entire rookie season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, which had to be a massive hindrance in terms of the more physical aspects of the game.
Jadeveon Clowney, Texans
The first overall pick in the 2014 draft hasn't yet broken out. Not by a long shot.
Injuries - namely a major knee injury to start his career and most recently a Lisfranc injury - stunted the beginning of Clowney's career and forced him to miss 15 games in his first two seasons. But we've seen glimpses of what the Texans (and everyone else for that matter) saw in Clowney at the University of South Carolina, and those glimpses have become more and more frequent.
What few realize is that Clowney has already established himself as an excellent perimeter run-stopper. Now injury free, he's ready to explode on the world (and opposing quarterbacks). The Texans may finally have the amazing J.J. Watt/Clowney combination going forward that they envisioned on draft day in 2014.
Stephon Tuitt, Steelers
The Steelers' second-round selection in the 2014 draft came on strong last year. Historically, it takes defenders in Pittsburgh's scheme quite some time before they're truly comfortable and "playing fast."
Tuitt already teams up with Cameron Heyward to comprise a very good set of ends in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme and interior pass-rushers when they have extra defensive backs on the field. Tuitt may actually have more ability than Heyward - who's an excellent and underrated player in his own right - and should be in for a massive third season in the league.
The sky's the limit for Tuitt as an interior pass-rusher with his length, power, quickness, and fluid change-of-direction skills. One note here, though, is both Tuitt and Heyward were asked to play an awful lot of snaps last year and the Steelers' depth is worrisome.
Kendricks, Barr, etc., Vikings
The Vikings used their second-round pick last year on Eric Kendricks, the ninth pick overall in the 2014 draft on Anthony Barr, and their two 2013 first-round selections on Xavier Rhodes and Sharrif Floyd. Now, Minnesota's ready to truly reap the rewards of those picks.
Mike Zimmer is an excellent defensive mind and this defense is on the cusp of becoming one of the best in the league. In place already are guys like Harrison Smith, Linval Joseph, and Everson Griffen. And while Kendricks, Barr, Rhodes, and Floyd have been contributors, each of these young men is poised to take a giant step forward.
Kendricks is an every-down, run-and-hit second-level player who's all over the field and should really improve in coverage against running backs and tight ends. Barr can be used off the ball or as a very threatening edge-rusher; right now, he's the best player of the four.
Cornerbacks take time to develop in the NFL, but Rhodes is progressing well in a system that can put a lot of pressure on its corners. Rhodes has the size you look for to deal with the bigger wide receivers in the league and within the NFC North.
Meanwhile, Floyd could be Zimmer's version of Geno Atkins as an attacking 3-technique, but with more bulk and less pure explosion.
The Vikings' defense has a ton of promise. We saw where Denver's defense took the Broncos last year. Could Minnesota be next?