The summer of guessing games and arbitrary predictions is officially upon us, so I figured I’d join in on the fun. These five players are all guys who I believe can make the jump from starter to star in 2019, after having decent but not exceptional 2018s. That’s the definition of a breakout, right? Alright, cool. Here are five NFL breakout players for the 2019 season.

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

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Coming out of college Sutton was viewed as a high-ceiling player who could be bound for stardom in the right system. As soon as he was drafted to Denver, it was obvious that he’d have to fight for touches on the outside behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Even after Thomas was traded, Sutton failed to find a real rhythm with Case Keenum.

A lot has changed in Denver. Instead of coming into the season as the WR3, Sutton is going to be the WR2, opposite Sanders. And instead of Keenum, it’ll be either Joe Flacco or Drew Lock throwing to him. Whether they’re better is up for debate, but it’s obvious that Sutton and Keenum never got on the same page.

I believe Sutton will have a similar second-year jump to Kenny Golladay. Upon further review, the two have a lot more in common than I realized. Both were Day-Two draft picks, who followed impressive training camps with average seasons as rookies. On a per game basis, as a rookie, Golladay averaged 2.55 catches, 43.36 yards, and .28 touchdowns. Sutton averaged 2.63 catches, 44 yards, and .25 touchdowns. In other words, they’re very similar.

If Sutton continues down this path, he could top 1,000 yards, just as Golladay did in year two. That alone would merit the “breakout” designation, as Sutton was 50th in yards last season and only 20 players had over 1,000 yards.

Matthew Judon, OLB, Baltimore Ravens

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The reasons I believe Judon will breakout is a healthy combination of talent and opportunity. Judon has recorded 15 total sacks over the past two seasons while starting 20 of the 32 possible games. However, he’s slated to be a full-time starter this season, as Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith are no longer in town.

There’s really no pattern that indicates that an uptick in snaps results in more production for Judon, however. In his game with the most snaps (59 vs KC), he only had one sack. Against Oakland (his fourth-fewest snaps – 36), he had three sacks.

As I said, it’s about his talent and opportunity. Suggs and Smith combined for 15.5 sacks last year as the starters, and it’s obvious that Judon (seven sacks) is right in that threshold with them. Assuming Baltimore’s coaching staff can use some of the new talent behind Judon to help rush the passer, he should be the star now, build on his seven sacks, and finally reach double digits.

Similar to Sutton, Judon should have that number in mind this season. Only 22 players reached double digits last year, and if Judon does so he’d undoubtedly be considered a breakout.

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills

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Here’s your stat of the day. Only two players last season had at least 100 tackles, in addition to multiple sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. One was All-Pro rookie LB Darius Leonard. The other, as you can tell by the heading, was Tremaine Edmunds.

That stat perfectly embodies Edmunds’ fascinating rookie season. He was productive and versatile, but he was overshadowed by one of the best rookie classes of recent memory. To put that into context, Leighton Vander Esch, a Second Team All-Pro, didn’t get a single vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Essentially, despite his well-rounded game, Edmunds was never bound for immediate stardom.

I’m among those who believe that the Bills will take a great leap forward after a successful offseason. That jump is going to start with their defense, and that defense is going to be led by the middle. Edmunds is right in the nucleus of it all, and remember, he started last season as a 20-year-old rookie. He’s shown what he can do already, and now it’s just a case of whether he can continue to mature at such a young age.

Cory Littleton, LB, LA Rams

via Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times

Sticking with the linebackers, this time we have a player with a great story. From undrafted to Super Bowl starter, Littleton has made it all the way to the top and is on the brink of superstardom.

Littleton got better with every game, recording two interceptions in the season finale before dominating the playoffs. Against Dallas, he was among the group who held Ezekiel Elliot to 47 yards. And, against New Orleans, he led the way for the Rams with 12 tackles, including two on Alvin Kamara on third downs. In the Super Bowl, despite the score, he was the guy who picked off Tom Brady. If that trend continues the Rams might have another star on their hands.

He’s, once again, going into the season knowing that he’s the starter. That should give him the ability to focus on being a leader for a hungry Rams team. Wade Phillips has shown his own confidence in Littleton, and I don’t expect that to change.

I think this breakout can reach as far as Littleton being an All-Pro player next year. He’d be the first Rams linebacker to do so since 1976. If not, I at anticipate Littleton to reach career-highs across the board, at the very least. I think he can be that special.

Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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It may seem unfair to place a former first overall pick as a breakout, but Winston is far from an ordinary first pick. His four years have been filled with more valleys than peaks, but he’s somehow done just enough to earn a fifth season in Tampa. Winston won’t be alone, however.

Just like every team with a young QB, the Bucs front office was looking for a “QB-whisperer”. Unlike every team, however, Tampa brought in a head coach who has a proven track record of creating quarterback efficiency, Winston’s biggest struggle. Take a look at Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer. Both produced their highest QB rating while with Bruce Arians.

With their new HC, Tampa is hoping that Winston can become consistent. Over his first four starts, Winston threw six TDs to an absurd 10 INTs, resulting in a two-game benching. However, the former Heisman winner came back with a vengeance, throwing 13 TDs to just four INTs in his last six starts. The hope in Tampa is that Arians can build on that fiery finish and turn Winston into the quarterback he was destined to be.

I expect career highs across the board, and for Tampa to improve as a whole because of not only Arians but Winston as well.

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