Breakout Player

[RunNGun]

Now that the regular season is almost underway and we have seen some of the youngsters in action, who is going to breakout this year?

On offense, I would love for it to be Jesse James. He could really set this offense on fire if he's a reliable target for Ben. However, the signing of McDonald and the unimpressive preseason of James makes me think he probably won't turn the corner.

Ben is in need of a possession target, whether that be a TE or WR. I believe JuJu will be that guy. I predict he will pass Rogers on the depth chart before week 4. We may even see more 4 WR sets to get him on the field. He's going to be that reliable security blanket Ben desperately needs. I'm not saying JuJu will have a 1,000 yards, or even 800, but I think his impact will be evident. Hoping he can stay healthy.

Defense is a much tougher selection. I'd like to think 4 or 5 guys could breakout. So much young talent on that side it's difficult to choose one. I would pick Shazier, but we all know what he is capable of, just a matter of staying on the field.

I debated between Burns and Dupree, but I went with Burns. If we finally have corner who can consistently lock down his side of the field it could make this defense top 5. With him guarding AB in practice I look for him to keep growing and having a pro bowl caliber year.

[polamalubeast]

Eli Rogers on offense
Burns and Dupree on defense

[Mojouw]

Offense - Martavis Bryant. His two seasons showed a phenomenal amount of potential, but really didn't rack up the stats. I think if everyone stays healthy and "Road Ben" kinda takes a season off, Bryant can post a young Randy Moss type line of 70 catches, 1200-1400 yards, and about a dozen touchdowns.

Defense - It is all about health on this side of the ball. I also agree with RunNGun - a handful of guys have flashed the potential to be big-time players. Davis, Burns, Hargrave all seemed primed for big sophomore campaigns. Tuitt should move from being a name Steelers fans know to a name NFL fans know. Dupree appears to be ready to emerge as a monster. Watt could be the rookie of the year on defense if Myles Garrett gets kidnapped and held hostage for the next 18 weeks. BUT IF (this is the key) he stays health -- Ryan Shazier will win DPOY. I'm going to call my shot now. 16 games of Ryan Shazier can redefine middle linebacker play the same way that 16 healthy games of Troy Polamalu redefined safety play. Will we, as Steelers fans and football fans ever get to see that? I have no idea. Looks doubtful...but I honestly believe it would be something to see.

[Born2Steel]

Offense - Bell

Defense - Hargrave

[86WARD]

Offense - Even with McDonald in house, James will be the breakout guy.

Defense - Cam Heyward will go beyond the next level.

[polamalubeast]

I would be surprised if Jesse James become good....Not even 6 yards per target last year.

I hope that McDonald will help us and be good for us!

[DesertSteel]

Offense: Conner. Bell will find himself injured for 3-4 games and Conner will save the season with a handful of 100-yard games.
Defense: Gravedigger. He's a thumper.

[teegre]

OFFENSE:
This one is easy:
Martavis Bryant
I said earlier in the year that I expect him to have the two greatest back-to-back season that a WR has ever had (37 TDs)... and then, become the highest paid free agent in history (Dallas).

DEFENSE:
Man alive, there are so many possibilities.

Burns covering AB during camp gives me hope that we have the best CB on our roster since Rod Woodson (Burns = Ike with better hands).

Davis has so much potential.

Shazier has DPOY written all over him.

Watt is a splash play waiting to happen.

Dupree: if he can get an inside pass-rush move, he might be unstoppable.

Heyward just gets gets better and better, and with Tuitt & Hargrave, he might go from great to HOLY CRAP!!!

Tuitt is on the cusp of league-wide stardom.

Hargrave might be the best D-lineman of the bunch (which is saying something considering how good Heyward & Tuitt are).

But... my final answer is:

Mike Hilton
I think that we see a corner blitz for a sack about 12 time at his year. I see him creating 8 turnovers (fumbles, INTs). And, I see him breaking up 90% of the passes thrown his way. Sure, he is "only" a slot guy, but covering slot receivers is just as important as covering the stars (a catch is a catch). Oh... and he'll wreak havoc on special teams, to boot.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Hilton is my choice as well and some of the others mentioned pretty much broke out already. They may have not reach there full potential yet but already pretty good players.

[Shoes]

Once Bryant gets his sea legs back-look out!

With a motor that doesn't stop, Watt will cause a major positive change for the defence.

[SteelerCountry58]

Once Bryant gets his sea legs back-look out!

With a motor that doesn't stop, Watt is cause a major positive change for the defence.

I agree!��

[st33lersguy]

Offense: MB, he is dynamic, he just has to put it together.
A dark horse candidate I think is very much possible, Vance McDonald, the new TE. May be able to make a leap with Ben instead of Gabbert/Kaepernick

Defense: Hargrave, he came on strong near the end and I think he is ready to break through. He's a wrecking ball

[ALLD]

If we count until after the bye it could be Watt. He could help the DBs too.

[BurghBoy412]

Offensively. Ben, Ben it's gotta be Ben!

On the "D" I'm looking forward to watching Javon Hargrave become one of the NFL's premiere interior lineman. Eat up those blockers young man!

[Mojouw]

OFFENSE:
This one is easy:
Martavis Bryant
I said earlier in the year that I expect him to have the two greatest back-to-back season that a WR has ever had (37 TDs)... and then, become the highest paid free agent in history (Dallas).

DEFENSE:
Man alive, there are so many possibilities.

Burns covering AB during camp gives me hope that we have the best CB on our roster since Rod Woodson (Burns = Ike with better hands).

Davis has so much potential.

Shazier has DPOY written all over him.

Watt is a splash play waiting to happen.

Dupree: if he can get an inside pass-rush move, he might be unstoppable.

Heyward just gets gets better and better, and with Tuitt & Hargrave, he might go from great to HOLY CRAP!!!

Tuitt is on the cusp of league-wide stardom.

Hargrave might be the best D-lineman of the bunch (which is saying something considering how good Heyward & Tuitt are).

But... my final answer is:

Mike Hilton
I think that we see a corner blitz for a sack about 12 time at his year. I see him creating 8 turnovers (fumbles, INTs). And, I see him breaking up 90% of the passes thrown his way. Sure, he is "only" a slot guy, but covering slot receivers is just as important as covering the stars (a catch is a catch). Oh... and he'll wreak havoc on special teams, to boot.

Did you know that Teegre and Mojouw have never been seen in the same place at the same time? Just like Batman and Bruce Wayne!

what I'm trying to say is that I think T is Bruce Wayne.

Dude, can I borrow a few hundred million?

i also totally agree with your breakout post.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I'm still waiting for Shazier to break out. Play 16 regular season games and lead the team in tackles.

That and somebody to record double digit sacks in a season.

[teegre]

Did you know that Teegre and Mojouw have never been seen in the same place at the same time? Just like Batman and Bruce Wayne!

Well, I do stay up late at night and make soap.

[86WARD]

I'm still waiting for Shazier to break out. Play 16 regular season games and lead the team in tackles.

That and somebody to record double digit sacks in a season.

Shazier will "break" out...he always "breaks" out...

[pczach]

Did you know that Teegre and Mojouw have never been seen in the same place at the same time? Just like Batman and Bruce Wayne!

what I'm trying to say is that I think T is Bruce Wayne.

Dude, can I borrow a few hundred million?

i also totally agree with your breakout post.

Holy shit Batman!

[Steeldude]

Off: James

Def: Hargrave

Dark Horse: Matakevich

I guess it depends on what people think breakout means. Isn't Bell already a breakout player?

[Born2Steel]

Off: James

Def: Hargrave

Dark Horse: Matakevich

I guess it depends on what people think breakout means. Isn't Bell already a breakout player?

Bell goes over 2000 yards puts him in a different category.

[RunNGun]

Off: James

Def: Hargrave

Dark Horse: Matakevich

I guess it depends on what people think breakout means. Isn't Bell already a breakout player?

I would exclude from the breakout list Ben, Bell, Brown, Heyward, Harrison, Gay, and Mitchell.

Interesting dark horse pick. I could see Matakevich taking over for Vince before the seasons end. He has a knack for being where the ball is. Kind of reminds of Larry Foote. He's a smart player.

[Hawkman]

I would exclude from the breakout list Ben, Bell, Brown, Heyward, Harrison, Gay, and Mitchell.

Interesting dark horse pick. I could see Matakevich taking over for Vince before the seasons end. He has a knack for being where the ball is. Kind of reminds of Larry Foote. He's a smart player.

Not sure he will "take over" but I'm certain he will see playing time.

[Craic]

Bell goes over 2000 yards puts him in a different category.

Yeah, well, we play the Browns in the first game this Sunday. He'll probably get most of those then.

[polamalubeast]

Bell goes over 2000 yards puts him in a different category.

1000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards is more likely for Bell

[FrancoLambert]

Not sure he will "take over" but I'm certain he will see playing time.

Re: Matakevich

If he takes over at ILB as a starter, we're in trouble.

I think he's starting to become overvalued by Steelers fans, similar to what happened with Ross Cockrell.

He's a great story. A low draft pick, great character guy, decent on special teams, but he's not very good in coverage and is handled pretty easily when engaged one on one.

[Mojouw]

Re: Matakevich

If he takes over at ILB as a starter, we're in trouble.

I think he's starting to become overvalued by Steelers fans, similar to what happened with Ross Cockrell.

He's a great story. A low draft pick, great character guy, decent on special teams, but he's not very good in coverage and is handled pretty easily when engaged one on one.

Couldn't agree more. Don't get the Matakevich love. Good story - meh player.

[BlackAndGold]

Couldn't agree more. Don't get the Matakevich love. Good story - meh player.

Fort >>> Matakevich

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

I'm really liking that Hunt for KC.

[FrancoLambert]

Fort >>> Matakevich