Every year in the NFL some players have breakout seasons. Some of the breakouts are anticipated, whether it is a player moving into a starting lineup for the first time or a new coaching staff better-utilizing someone.
2021 will be no different. There will be plenty of players that make a name for themselves this season. When attempting to pinpoint who may have those breakouts, a good place to start is with younger players that are acclimated to the NFL.
Last year’s offseason was drastically different for rookies in the 2020 class because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Now heading into their second season, they had an offseason that was much closer to how things were previously.
Which of the players from the 2020 NFL Draft class are worth keeping an eye on? Here are three second-year players primed for a breakout in 2021.
3. Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Henry Ruggs III with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. To the surprise of some, he was the first wide receiver off the board, ahead of his Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy.
Ruggs had a difficult rookie season, catching only 26 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He fell woefully short of expectations, as Nelson Agholor and Darren Waller dominated the target share last season.
Heading into 2021, Ruggs is primed to break out. Agholor is no longer on the team, as he signed with the New England Patriots. The team would love for the speedy Ruggs to take over as the main long-ball threat in the offense, the role that Agholor filled last season.
If he can improve his catch percentage, Ruggs is going to have a big season as the Raiders No. 1 wide receiver, helping take attention away from Waller in the process.
2. Xavier McKinney, Safety, New York Giants
The New York Giants had high expectations for Xavier McKinney when they selected him with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. It was surprising to see him fall into the second round, as he was regarded as the best safety prospect in the draft class. Everyone else’s loss was the Giants’ gain.
McKinney began the season on IR after breaking his foot during training camp. He was penciled in as the starter alongside Jabrill Peppers in the Giants’ secondary. McKinney returned for six games and showed a glimpse of what he could do.
He was eased into things, but by the final game of the season, he was nearly an every-down player for the team’s defense. He was excellent in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys, totaling eight tackles, one tackle for a loss, with one interception and one pass defended.
That was only the beginning, as a talented Giants defense will be even better with McKinney available to play from the start this year.
1. Laviska Shenault Jr., Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars bolstered their receiving core last year when they selected Laviska Shenault Jr. out of Colorado with the 42nd overall pick. He had a solid rookie season given the circumstances in Jacksonville.
Shenault caught 58 passes for 600 yards and five touchdowns, adding 18 rushes for 91 yards. While not eye-popping at first glance, they are strong numbers when you consider the Jaguars looked to be actively tanking to secure the top pick.
They landed the No. 1 pick and selected Trevor Lawrence, one of the best quarterback prospects ever. His presence will help Shenault and the entire offense elevate to another level along with their new head coach, Urban Meyer.
The No. 1 spot in the pecking order for targets is up for grabs and Shenault has the skill set to take that job. With much-improved quarterback play and veterans Keelan Cole and Chris Conley going to other teams this offseason, expect Shenault to open some eyes in his second season in the NFL.
