NFC East Breakout Players

We kick off the NFC today with a look at the NFC East.   The toughest division in football last year looks like it will be a dogfight again and these brejout players could make the difference in who makes the playoffs and who goes home.

Dallas Cowboys- Martellus Bennett

Bennett can silence the critics with his play this year.

Bennett has made a lot of noise this off season for his off the field antics but is also impressing on the field.  The talented tight end’s immaturity may be the only thing holding him breaking out.  With the rapid development of Bennett the Cowboys will use a two tight end  set as their base formation this season.  Combine that will the departure of Terrell Owens and Bennett will be looking at a lot more targets.  Even with Jason Witten ahead of him on the depth chart I wouldn’t be surprised if Bennett finished third on the team in receiving.

New York Giants- Terrell Thomas

Thomas has a nice season as a rookie last year and will look to build off that this season.  Playing mostly in a nickel and dime role Thomas impressed and even started two games due to injuries.  With Aaron Ross currently nursing a nagging hamstring injury Thomas has an opportunity to seize the starting job.  Playing opposite Corey Webster  will not hurt as well as having perhaps the best pass rush in the game.  A complete corner, Thomas could have a big season this year.

Philadelphia Eagles- DeSean Jackson

Jackson was electrifying as a rookie igniting the Eagles offense.  He finished the season just short of 1000 yards and looks like the number one receiver the Eagles have been searching for ever since Terrell Owens left town.  As good as he was last season he still made rookie mistakes, most noticeably prematurely dropping the ball before he crossed the end zone which could have been very costly.  With another year of seasoning Jackson should be even better this year as he becomes Donovan McNabb’s clear number one target.

Washington Redskins- Jason Campbell

This pick is the most surprising of the bunch but I believe Campbell has a good chance to break out this year.  In the off season the Redskins attempted to trade for Jay Cutler and draft Mark Sanchez but failed on both attempts leaving Campbell in a precarious situation. Campbell has kept his cool throughout the entire situation not lashing out to the media about the situation.  Knowing this is his last chance to impress Campbell will give it his all this season.  Another year in Jim Zorn’s system can’t hurt either.  The possible emergence of second year wide outs Devin Thomas and/or Malcolm Kelly would only help.  This also happens to be Campbell’s contract year.