Maybe it's the fantasy football manager in us or maybe it's just the infusion of young talent in the NFL, but we are more keenly aware of breakout stars than ever before.
The league is littered with elite quarterbacks, but we want to find the next great one. And what second-round pick is the Offensive Rookie of the Year dark horse? I have been fortunate that my predictions in this column over the previous two seasons have turned out to be accurate, so let's take a crack at the third. I had to give some love to the defensive guys, too.
NFL Breakout Stars 2014
Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (01 of18)
I loved Bernard last year, but in 2014, he'll take it to another level. BenJarvus Green-Ellis will not be a goal-line vulture to Bernard's touchdowns this year. If you play fantasy football, get this guy! Quarterback Andy Dalton loves to check it down, and Bernard, in addition to being a terrific runner, is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. (credit:Associated Press)
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints(02 of18)
New Orleans traded up to get this kid with the 20th pick because he will change the offense that much. Cooks, who stands just 5-foot-10, led the nation at Oregon State and set Pac-12 records with 128 catches for 1,730 receiving yards. He set a school record with 16 touchdown catches. He also ran a stunning 4:33 40-yard dash. With Darren Sproles traded to Philly and Drew Brees under center, Saints rookies have had huge success (e.g., Kenny Stills, Marques Colston and Reggie Bush). Cooks is next. (credit:Stacy Revere via Getty Images)
Toby Gerhart, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (03 of18)
I love the Jaguars' rookie receiver Marqise Lee, too. The Jags hope Gerhart will fill a hole from the departure of Maurice Jones-Drew. What Gerhart lacks in pizzazz and speed, he makes up for in toughness and, possibly, production. It's hard to blame him for playing a highly limited role as Adrian Peterson's understudy in Minnesota. Also, don't forget that Gerhart was remarkably productive at Stanford and that the Jags have a revamped offensive line. The 6-foot, 231-pounder could be on track for a big season. (credit:Associated Press)
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings(04 of18)
Patterson was deemed a huge gamble when the Vikings nabbed him at 29th overall a year ago. As a rookie, he went to the Pro Bowl, but that was as a return man. Patterson has blazing speed. Now, with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner at the helm, the 23-year-old could legitimately lead the league in all-purpose yards. Patterson made 24 of his 45 catches on the season and three of his four receiving touchdowns in his last six games. (credit:Associated Press)
Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Titans (05 of18)
I love his teammate Kendall Wright (fantasy plug), but Hunter, at 6-foot-4 with speed and hands, averaged nearly 19 yards per catch as a rookie in 2013. He is excellent inside the 20s and will only improve as a route-runner. The only question mark here is whether fourth-year signal caller Jake Locker can deliver him the ball. (credit:Associated Press)
Kenny Vaccaro, S, New Orleans Saints (06 of18)
Vaccaro can really run, hit and cover. If you're looking for the next Earl Thomas, this second-year safety -- also from Texas -- may be it. (credit:Associated Press)
Byron Maxwell, CB, Seattle Seahawks(07 of18)
Maxwell's stellar play made former Pro Bowler Brandon Browner expendable. Like teammate Richard Sherman, Maxwell possesses superb size for a corner, at 6-foot-1, and the physical prowess to match. The 26-year-old has all the necessary tools to become Seattle's latest shutdown cornerback. (credit:Associated Press)
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins (08 of18)
Tannehill enters the all-important third year and does so under lofty expectations. The former collegiate wide receiver improved his accuracy last season. (He also nearly missed the 4,000-yard mark.) Now -- under new Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor, who coached Nick Foles with Chip Kelly in Philadelphia -- Tannehill needs to take the next step. He will lean heavily on wide receiver Mike Wallace to have a much improved season catching the deep ball. (credit:Associated Press)
Sio Moore, OLB, Oakland Raiders (09 of18)
I was rather bullish about Moore when he came out of the University of Connecticut just one year ago, and after a terrific rookie year (49 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks), you can see why. With linebacker Khalil Mack roaming free alongside him, Moore will shine even more this season. (credit:Brian Bahr via Getty Images)
Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (10 of18)
Wheaton, the second-year speedster from Oregon State, will be the target more often after the departure of free agent Emmanuel Sanders to Denver. Remember, Wheaton endured significant finger injuries last season, but he gives Ben Roethlisberger a very nice option alongside Pro Bowler Antonio Brown. (credit:Associated Press)
Montee Ball, RB, Denver Broncos(11 of18)
Knowshon Moreno is gone, and the running back position is all Ball, who has hopefully recovered from a rookie case of "fumbleitis." I'm most excited about his ability to excel in the short passing game and off of screens, a staple of any Peyton Manning offense. (credit:Associated Press)
Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers (12 of18)
I love Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph, but Green is super trendy (yeah!) and San Diego's latest big and nimble star to excel at tight end. Antonio Gates remains the starter, but Green will see plenty of playing time in two tight end sets and possibly even line up at receiver. He's 6-foot-6 and quick, making him a matchup nightmare. His 376 yards and three touchdowns a year ago were just the tip of the iceberg. (credit:Associated Press)
Jamie Collins, OLB, New England Patriots (13 of18)
I highlighted Collins (No. 91) a year ago as an unheralded rookie. Collins is one of the most athletic and versatile linebackers in pro football and should enjoy a big second year as a star for New England. (credit:Associated Press)
Ben Tate, RB, Cleveland Browns(14 of18)
Tate is simply too talented not to put on this list. The former Auburn star was known as a fantasy vulture to Arian Foster in Houston for a reason. Now, as a feature back for a team that wants to run, look out. (Just watch for rookie runner Terrance West, too.) (credit:Associated Press)
Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals (15 of18)
Rashard Mendenhall retired and Ellington, who quietly had a very nice year averaging 5.5 yards per carry and can catch the ball, should be in line for a breakout second season. Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has gone on record saying he wants to give Ellington 25-30 carries a game. Now, he has the defense to control tempo, a big boon for Ellington. (credit:Associated Press)
Terrance Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys(16 of18)
I've been on the Williams bandwagon for a while and, now that Miles Austin is gone, Williams will play opposite Dez Bryant. We know quarterback Tony Romo likes to distribute the ball all over the field, and Williams' fantastic after-the-catch game (he averaged 16.7 yards per catch) and dangerous red-zone ability make him a prime breakout candidate. (credit:Associated Press)
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins(17 of18)
Ignore the concussion issues from last year (he missed 10 games) and understand that Reed will be buoyed this year by a healthy RG3 and the recently signed DeSean Jackson. The former Florida Gator is still just 24 years old and learning the tight end position, but Reed's 499 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games were hardly a fluke. (credit:Associated Press)
Bishop Sankey, RB, Tennessee Titans (18 of18)
We've seen less heralded rookie running backs surprise as rookies, and Sankey might be next. He was the first running back off the board in the draft, and he has excellent hands and vision, despite a lack of breakaway speed. Remember, Chris Johnson has gone to the Jets. (credit:Frederick Breedon via Getty Images)
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