10 2024 NFL breakout candidates from the 2023 draft class

The Cardinals swapping their 2023 first-round deal with over to the left facet of the offensive line ought to formally cement Johnson as one of many true-blue breakout candidates for 2024. Returning to his pure spot on the offensive line and having a 12 months of beginning reps underneath his belt ought to skyrocket Johnson into the dialog of nice offensive tackles, and his stalwart play ought to assist this Arizona offense (and quarterback Kyler Murray specifically) attain a lot greater heights.

Harrison got here on sturdy for the Falcons on the finish of 2023, scoring three sacks final December for an Atlanta staff that desperately wants extra strain coming from the defensive entrance. The brand new Falcons regime has Harrison enjoying everywhere in the defensive position this offseason, and it’s attainable that enjoying with a lot expertise (Grady Jarrett, Matt Judon, David Onyemata to call a number of) may assist Harrison rack up his sack numbers and emerge as one of many breakout defensive lineman this fall.

The Ravens at all times appear to discover a approach to elevate their linebackers into the higher echelon of the place, and Simpson seems like the following man as much as inherit this annual custom. He was everywhere in the area in Baltimore’s second preseason recreation in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons, and we guess that enjoying subsequent to celebrity Roquan Smith will make this among the best duos within the league by season’s finish.

You can’t think about a worse rookie scenario for Younger than what he had final 12 months, however having Dave Canales as his coach, an improved offensive line and higher passing choices ought to assist the previous Alabama quarterback present extra of why he was worthy of a high draft decide. We’re not saying the Panthers will make the playoffs, however we do assume Younger will rebuild his status this fall in a significant approach. After such a nightmarish first season, the one approach to go is up for Younger.

With the Chargers doubtlessly nearing the tip of their time with each Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, Tuipulotu has the possibility to emerge as Los Angeles’ premiere pass-rusher for the long run. He tallied 4.5 sacks in a formidable rookie marketing campaign, and having former Michigan defensive mastermind Jesse Minter calling the performs on protection ought to set the sophomore expertise up for plenty of success.

Gonzalez wouldn’t be on this checklist if he hadn’t gotten harm in his rookie season. He was enjoying like one of many true rising stars on the place earlier than his first 12 months obtained reduce quick, and we really feel like he’s going to leap proper again to the place he was and set up himself as a lockdown nook. Even when the Patriots won’t be excellent this 12 months, we really feel like Gonzalez could have a Professional Bowl-ready season.

Benton has all of the instruments to be the following monster to take up residence on the Pittsburgh defensive position. His rookie season confirmed that he meshes fairly effectively with the Steelers’ defensive scheme, and he’s going to be inevitably elevated by the excellent expertise round him. Opposing offensive traces are going to dread going up in opposition to Pittsburgh this fall, and Benton might be a giant cause as to why.

Corridor has earned reward from new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald for the way he’s developed all through this 12 months’s Seattle coaching camp. With the way in which Macdonald maximized the expertise on his protection throughout his excellent years with the Ravens, we received’t be shocked to see Corridor explode onto the scene as a worthwhile a part of the Seahawks defensive position. His manufacturing in 2024 will skyrocket from the place it was final 12 months (38 tackles, one go defended), if solely by default.

Diaby would possibly technically qualify as a breakout candidate for 2023 along with his 7.5-sack season. Nevertheless, he seems like he’s destined for extra as maybe the very best pass-rusher on the Tampa Bay roster. He’ll undoubtedly begin for the Bucs and will very effectively hit double digits in sacks this fall.

Skoronski performed completely effective throughout his rookie season with the Titans, however he’s obtained the potential to emerge as an elite guard underneath the tutelage of legendary offensive line coach Invoice Callahan. Tennessee desperately wants improved offensive line play to assist second-year quarterback Will Levis, and having Skoronski taking the elite leap could be an enormous enhance for the Titans.