With preseason nearing dress rehearsals in Week 3, The Big Guy takes a look at potential breakout offensive players in 2013. These players showed signs of promise in 2012 or enter their rookie seasons in a particularly promising position to demonstrate their abilities. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments.
Quarterback: Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
The first pick of the 2005 draft looked like he had developed into a reliable mid-level starter in 2011, throwing for 17 touchdowns and five interceptions in a 13-3 season. In his two playoff games he produced six touchdowns without a turnover. Things were going well in 2012 until a concussion knocked him out of the starting role that backup Colin Kaepernick would never relinquish. Now a Chief, Smith is a perfect fit for Andy Reid’s West Coast offense. According to CBS Sports, Reid made multiple attempts to acquire Smith when Reid was in Philadelphia. Barring injury, Kansas City has too much talent to not improve dramatically on a 2-14 record last year.
Running Back: Daryl Richardson, St. Louis
The 252nd pick of last year’s draft, Richardson carried the ball 98 times for 475 yards last season. A capable receiver as well, Richardson has locked up the starting role for the Rams with the departure of Steven Jackson. The Rams are my pick to breakout in the NFC this season and Richardson is one of several reasons why.
Running Back: Lamar Miller, Miami
Another second-year back, Miller will be the primary rusher for the Dolphins this season following Reggie Bush’s move to Detroit. Miller earned a meager 51 carries last season, but averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He averaged 5.7 ypc in his two seasons at Miami. He only has seven carries through the first two preseason games, but look for him to get plenty of chances to show off his 4.4 speed in Week 3 against Tampa Bay.
Wide Receiver: Michael Floyd, Arizona
The 2012 first-rounder emerged late last season after struggling to ingratiate himself into the Cardinals offense. From Weeks 1-7 he was targeted more than three times only once. In the last nine games of the season he caught 37 balls for 471 yards. He went out with a bang in Week 17 against the 49ers when he hauled in eight catches for 166 yards and a touchdown. With Carson Palmer spinning it, look for both Larry Fitzgerald and Floyd to significantly improve their numbers.
Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery, Chicago
This guy oozes talent. The 6’3″, 216 pounder had 1,517 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his second season at South Carolina. Knee problems limited him to ten games his rookie year for the Bears, finishing with 24 catches for 367 yards and three touchdowns. If new coach Marc Trestman’s offense is going to succeed in 2013, Jeffery has to produce as Chicago’s second receiver. Much of that will depend on quarterback Jay Cutler’s willingness to throw to Jeffery. Cutler threw all five of his Week 2 passes to Brandon Marshall and Jeffery has only one catch so far in preseason. Keep an eye on Jeffery in Chicago’s Friday dry run against the Radiers.
Tight End: Zach Sudfeld, New England
The undrafted tight end from Nevada has turned heads throughout training camp in Foxborough and suddenly looks like a valuable commodity considering Rob Gronkowski’s uncertain recovery timetable following offseason back surgery and Aaron Hernandez’s murder trial. At 6’7″, 225 pounds, he he could very well file into Hernandez’s former role. Sudfeld had two receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Pat’s second preseason game against Detroit.
Offensive Line: Pittsburgh
The Steelers struggled to run the ball in 2012, finishing 26th in yards per game with 96.1. A full season from 2012 first-round pick David DeCastro will help Pittsburgh reclaim their identity as maulers. Led by three-time All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey, the average age of the starting unit will be 24.4. Starting right tackle Mike Adams is said to be healthy and strong seven weeks after being stabbed twice in a carjacking, according to ESPN.
The Sports Guys 