Every year, the league has more than its fair share of breakout players. Here’s the most likely candidate from all 32 NFL teams in 2021 to become that star.
In 2020, the NFL treated us to several breakout stars. There was a first-round rookie in Justin Herbert who was on fire for the Los Angeles Chargers once he took over as the starter.
There were also other stars that were more unexpected including Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson, Eagles wideout Travis Fulgham, and Miami edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah.
Now, it’s time to look ahead to the 2021 NFL season and identify one potential breakout star from each of the 32 teams in the league.
Arizona Cardinals: Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker
Last season, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons seemed lost at times during his rookie campaign. He was torched often in Week 1 by the San Francisco 49ers and ended up starting just seven of 16 games played.
He finished with 54 tackles, a pick, and two sacks as he improved throughout the season but he still never lived up to his status as the eighth overall pick in the draft.
Part of the problem was on the coaching staff though. Simmons, who was a Swiss Army Knife at Clemson proved to be capable of playing just about every position in college. That led to the Cardinals trying to do the same during his first season in the league.
Simmons has the talent and athleticism to do this one day in the NFL but with the lack of offseason workouts and preseason games, he might have been given too much too soon. Allowing him to master one spot before taking on more would have served him better and after a full season in the league, he should be able to start taking on more.
Once he does, Simmons is going to be a star and that could happen as early as 2021.