5 breakout candidates for the 2nd half of the NFL season
The summer heat has given way to crisp autumn mornings and the leaves have fallen, which means we're just about at the halfway point of the NFL season. The first eight games provided fans with several unexpected new stars to cheer for, including Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, Dolphins sophomore tailback Jay Ajayi, and Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander - who leads the NFL in sacks and at age 33 is one of the oldest breakout players ever.
Who are the players who will star over the second half of the season? Here are five breakout candidates to watch:
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
A popular breakout pick in the summer, Lockett was largely irrelevant over the Seahawks' first seven games, catching just 17 passes for 197 yards and no touchdowns. Those low numbers are almost entirely attributable to the fact that Lockett battled a PCL injury - an ailment head coach Pete Carroll says has almost completely healed. Lockett's return to health, combined with quarterback Russell Wilson's, could combine to produce big things for the Seahawks' offense.
Khalil Mack, DE, Raiders
For a second straight season, Mack is off to a slow start. In his first five games, Mack registered only one sack. But he's heating up and has four sacks since then, including two in Week 8. Mack had four sacks through eight games in last year, then put up 11 more over the second half of the season - including five in a game against the Broncos. The Raiders play the Broncos this week, providing Mack the perfect launching point for another streak of November and December domination.
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been less involved in the Titans' offense than many expected after he looked great in the preseason. The primary reason for that is how well starter DeMarco Murray has run. The Titans simply haven't had a good reason to take Murray off the field. But now Murray is showing signs of wearing down, and Henry looks ready for a much bigger role. Henry's 16 carries for 60 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Week 8 probably won't stand as career highs for long.
Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Cowboys
After returning from a four-game suspension in Week 5, Lawrence has yet to register a sack. If the Cowboys fancy themselves legitimate Super Bowl contenders, they need to find a consistent pass-rush - and it probably has to come from Lawrence. The third-year lineman has promised his sacks will "come in bunches" over the second half of the season. Lawrence had seven of his eight sacks after Week 10 last year, so he might be the kind of player who takes a while to get rolling.
Corey Coleman, WR, Browns
Coleman's breakout might have already happened had he not broken his hand in practice after a 103-yard, two-touchdown outburst in Week 2. Coleman hasn't played since, but is ready to return to the lineup this weekend. It doesn't matter who plays quarterback for the Browns - the team will make sure its prized first-round receiver sees enough deep targets to make a breakout likely.