Welcome to the halfway point! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Today, we’re looking at the AFC South. I hope you stick with me to the end! If not, don’t tell me you left. I like to stay positive.
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts
Player — WR Donte Moncrief, 4th season, age 23
This will probably be my most well-known breakout candidate. Sure, you could say he already broke out in his career, hauling in seven touchdowns last season in nine games played. But everything is different now.
Here’s the reason why I think this year is big for Moncrief — he’s going to break 1,000 yards.
Let’s think about this. Moncrief is healthy, it’s a contract year and he’ll definitely get his chances on the field (all fingers crossed Luck comes back healthy).
Moncrief is putting serious work in this offseason in order to shine this year.
Donte Moncrief has looked really, really good this week.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) June 14, 2017
The hard work caught Colts GM Chris Ballard’s attention. Check his thoughts on Moncrief this offseason.
“I thought Donte Moncrief had an outstanding, outstanding offseason. I want to see it continue into camp and into the season, but we think he’s got great upside and I really appreciate the way he’s worked.”
Don’t sleep on Moncrief.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Player — DE D.J. Reader, 2nd season, age 22
When I think of D.J. I usually think of D.J. Tanner (if you don’t get it, you’re too young). Thankfully, there’s another D.J. on the block and he’s ready to step up and help me forget about the Tanners.
A fifth-round pick in 2016, Reader enters his second season as a key starter for the Texans defensive line. He’s been earning high praise this offseason.
Jadeveon Clowney said that D.J. Reader is the “Secret Weapon” of the defense. Clowney all about the work Reader has been putting in. #Texans
— patrick (@PatDStat) June 13, 2017
Clowney didn’t stop there with the praise.
“I expect him to come out and play like he did last year. He gave us big minutes last year. He played good. He’s a great run stopper. It’s only up for him. I think he’s going to be one of the best interior run-stopper guys in this league. If he keeps playing the way he’s playing, eventually it’s going to show and he’s going to be there.”
One of the best interior run-stopper guys in this league, huh? Not too high of expectations for a second-year guy. But hey, I’m predicting him to breakout so it looks like everyone is expecting something great.
You may not be much of a reader, but expect D.J. to give you something to read about in 2017. (I think Reader would appreciate that line.)
TENNESSEE TITANS
Player — FS Kevin Byard, 2nd season, age 23
The bandwagon is still hot from a Nashville Predators Stanley Cup run and there’s reason to believe the Titans will get people back on it in ’17. If they want to make any sort of run in the playoffs (yes, they’ll make it), then they’ll have to be better on defense. In ’16, the Titans ranked 30th in pass yards at 269.2 and 20th in yards per game at 357.5.
There’s reason to believe they’ll improve this year. Second-year guy Byard is one reason.
Appearing in all 16 games and starting in the last seven as a rookie, check out what he accomplished, per Pro Football Focus.
- He gave up the second-fewest receiving yards per snap in coverage (0.22) in the NFL
- QBs targeting a player in his coverage had a QB rating of 60.4, the seventh-lowest rate in the NFL
- His 6.3 run-stop percentage and 38 yards allowed after the catch were top marks for rookie safeties that played a minimum of 188 coverage snaps
When your team’s defense is one of the worst in the league, those numbers won’t get the attention they deserve.
After watching Byard in OTAs and minicamp, Jim Wyatt of Titans Online thinks Byard is much more comfortable now.
“Byard is much more sure of himself these days, and surrounded by plenty of newcomers – from veterans to rookies – he looks like a guy who knows what he’s doing by making plays.”
With a revamped Titans defense for ’17, look for Byard to build off his rookie campaign and help lead his Titans to a playoff berth.
I know one guy that would like to see that happen.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Player — DE Dante Fowler, 3rd season, age 22
For this pick, I decided to go with a guy that believes he will breakout this year. Surely he’s a man of his word, right?
Fowler missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL and saw the field for the first time last year, finishing with 32 combined tackles and four sacks. Those really aren’t bad numbers, but for a guy taken at third pick in the ’15 draft, we expect more.
Fowler was asked during OTAs if he would take a step forward in ’17 and his response was confident.
“I think it will happen. It was a big learning experience for me last year on and off the field. That was my first year on the field. I was like a freshman in college all over again, getting used to the guys at this level. It gave me an idea of how big and strong some of these guys are.”
Another good sign of a breakout year– the guy is in good shape.
“I feel as strong as I’ve ever been and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. I dropped a couple pounds. I’m getting it back. I’m 248 now and trying to be at least 250-255 so I can hold my ground in the trenches and be able to be ready for those offensive linemen.”
With a full season and offseason (barring no injuries) under his belt, look for Fowler to produce the best numbers of his career in ’17.
Next stop: NFC East.
