nce the end of World War II.The easy part, the fun

From former first-round picks primed to take a leap forward to young players who have risen up the depth chart, NFL Nation reporters pick the players ready to break out in 2016.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysSafety Byron JonesJones did a little bit of everything as a rookie, playing outside cornerback, nickel cornerback, dime back and free safety. Jones will focus only on free safety in?his second season. He did not have a takeaway as a rookie, but the Cowboys believe his range will give them the ability to play him in center field to give help to the?cornerbacks. He also has shown a willingness to tackle. If the Cowboys are going to improve defensively, they have to give up fewer big plays and come up with some interceptions from their secondary. Jones has all of the ability to become a Pro Bowl safety. That might be a tall task in his first full year at the position, but the talent is there. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsCenter Weston RichburgThe 2014 second-round picks rookie year was spent at guard. He moved back to his natural position of center last season, where he flashed signs of being one of the leagues top players at his position. Well, this is the season where Richburg becomes a dominant center. Hes technically solid and much stronger than in years past. Dont be surprised to see him named to the Pro Bowl and possibly All-Pro team. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesDefensive end Vinny CurryThe former second-round pick out of Marshall has been used rather sparingly since being drafted by the Eagles in 2012, and he was stuck in a two-gapping system that didnt fit him for the past three seasons. Curry has still been productive despite those obstacles -- he posted 9.0 sacks in 2014. The Eagles saw the value and handed him a five-year, $47.5 million contract this offseason. Now in an aggressive 4-3 scheme that will maximize his quick get-off, Curry has a chance to bloom into one of the leagues most?productive pass-rushers. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsCornerback Bashaud BreelandRunning back Matt Jones is an easy pick to break out because hell be the primary back for the first time, but Breeland is the one who looks like a future Pro Bowler. Breeland studies the game quite a bit and has improved his technique each season. He already has learned lessons from fellow corner Josh Norman in terms of stance and how to use his hands better. Breeland had a terrific training camp -- he was beaten, but he also made plays. Hell continue to ascend. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsWide receiver Kevin WhiteWhite is off to an impressive start in the preseason after missing all of last season with an injury. The Bears have not pumped the brakes on the hype surrounding White, whom the organization took No. 7?overall in last years draft. White is expected to be the Bears No. 2 receiver after Alshon Jeffery, but given Jefferys history of injury issues, the West Virginia product could be forced to play an even bigger role. White is tall, fast and strong. The only problem is that he has yet to catch a pass in a regular-season game. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsCornerback Darius SlayThe fourth-year corner signed a $50.2 million extension before training camp started, in part because of the shutdown ability he showed the second half of last season. Now, he has a chance to put himself in a class of elite cornerbacks in the league. Hes going to be Detroits No. 1 corner this fall, and if the Lions are going to have success, hes going to have to shut down the middle of the field. He knows he needs to intercept more passes too, so expect him to take advantage of throws when they come his way. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersWide receiver Jared AbbrederisThe third-year receiver has built off the momentum that he established in the playoff loss at Arizona last year, when he came off the bench and caught four passes for 55 yards. Thanks to a strong showing in training camp combined with Jeff Janis broken hand, Abbrederis continues to move up the Packers depth chart. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsWide receiver Stefon DiggsDiggs?led the Vikings in receiving as a rookie and was second among rookie wideouts in receiving yards. Hell shift over to flanker, where he wont line up at the line of scrimmage and could get more free releases on defensive backs. Diggs and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater have worked well together during training camp, and Bridgewater figures to be looking for Diggs early and often in 2016. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsRunning back Tevin ColemanThe second-year back?could be a breakout star for the Falcons even as the complement to Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman. The coaches love Colemans big-play potential as a guy capable of taking it to the house with every touch. Coleman, who began last season as the starter, averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season. The Falcons also hope to utilize Colemans explosive speed in the return game as a kickoff returner. He?just needs to stay healthy and avoid fumbles. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersWide receiver Devin FunchessHe is playing so well there is reason to believe he could outperform No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Receivers often dont come into their own until their second year. Funchess started to show his potential in the regular-season finale of his rookie year, catching seven passes for 120 yards. Hes another big (6-foot-4) target for quarterback?Cam Newton, and Funchess likely will draw a lot of single coverage with Benjamin and Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen on the field. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsWide receiver Brandin CooksThe Saints third-year wideout had?1,138 receiving yards and nine touchdown?catches (eight of them over the final nine games), but Im putting him here because he still hasnt made a Pro Bowl or become a household name.?He doesnt turn 23 until next month. If you want to go a little further off the radar, fellow wide receiver?Michael Thomas looks ready to burst on the scene too. The rookie from Ohio State has been the talk of training camp with one spectacular catch after another. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersDefensive end Robert AyersSure, a guy who had 9.5 sacks last season in New York and signed a lucrative contract this offseason?should?be a star, but Tampa Bays recent track record with high-priced free agents, including one at his very position, hasnt been good. The Bucs signed Michael Johnson to a five-year deal worth $43 million and they cut him after just one season. In the case of Ayers, his impact was felt the very first snap of training camp, and it has?made the whole defensive line better. Defensive tackle?Gerald McCoy?might not see as many double-teams, which frees both of them up. Ayers also is?really helping along rookie Noah Spence, who could?have a breakout season as well. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsOutside linebacker Markus GoldenHe may not the be the star of the Cardinals pass-rushing corps -- that honor belongs to Chandler Jones -- but Golden, a second-year player?out of Missouri, has the tools to become a star this year. He had four sacks and two forced fumbles last season, but his role will increase in 2016. With offensive lines expected to pay a lot of attention to Jones, the hype for Golden to have a huge season among the players?in the locker room is growing. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsQuarterback Jared GoffThe No. 1 overall pick is the obvious choice here, largely because the Rams so badly need him to be their breakout star. They gave up a ream of draft picks for the right to select Goff because they believe he can develop into their franchise quarterback. But it will take time. Goff not only must adapt to the speed of the NFL; he needs to grow accustomed to relaying plays and taking snaps from under center, after running a no-huddle offense primarily from the shotgun at Cal. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersRunning back Carlos HydeHyde looked poised for a breakout last season?but injuries limited him to seven games. Now, Hyde is healthy and hoping to keep it that way so that he can fully blossom in Chip Kellys up-tempo offense. Hydes experience running out of the shotgun at Ohio State and functioning in zone-heavy run schemes make him an intriguing fit for Kellys system. He has set two goals for himself: stay healthy and rush for 1,500 yards. If he does the first, the second could follow, and that would most certainly make him a breakout star. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksWide receiver Tyler LockettHe caught 51 balls for 664 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. In Year 2, Lockett will be on the field more, and coach Pete Carroll has said that hes in the middle of all of the Seahawks offensive plans. Lockett has shown the ability to play both outside and in the slot. He can test defenses vertically and should get plenty of looks on screens and other plays that allow him to gain yards after the catch. Look for Lockett to get consistent touches and be one of the key playmakers on the offense. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsCornerback Ronald DarbyDarby was far from a household name as a rookie last season, but he was among Pro Football Focus top-ranked cornerbacks. He finished second to Kansas Citys Marcus Peters for defensive rookie of the year voting, which can partly be explained by Peters eight interceptions compared to Darbys two. But the numbers dont tell the entire story: Darby has shown the requisite ball skills, confidence and aggressiveness that star NFL cornerbacks possess. If he continues on his current path, he will be a star. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsWide receiver DeVante ParkerParker flashed in the final six weeks of the season, registering 445 receiving yards over that span. The second-year wideout, however, has been an under-the-radar stud for the Dolphins in practices and training camp for more than a year. Parker has the size, athleticism and hands to become a dynamic playmaker. Can he stay healthy and?put it all together this season? -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsDefensive tackle Malcom BrownThe teams 2015 first-round pick quickly emerged as a starter in his rookie campaign. Brown has the combination of power and athleticism to be a factor against the run and also as a pass-rusher at times. He led all Patriots defensive tackles in snaps played last season (46.5 percent), and that number only figures to rise in the coming years. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsDefensive tackle Leonard WilliamsThe sixth overall pick in 2015 was solid as a rookie, particularly against the run, but he will be more of a factor as a pass-rusher in 2016. Hes stronger, quicker and more decisive than last year, so look for him to double his rookie sack total (3.0). -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensTight end Maxx WilliamsThe highest drafted tight end from a year ago, Williams is looking to carry over last years strong finish into his second season. He set the Ravens rookie tight end record with 32 catches for 268 yards receiving and one touchdown. The challenge for Williams is a crowded tight end group that includes Benjamin Watson, Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore. But Williams was having a very good camp before suffering an undisclosed injury. Williams will make an impact in the passing game if he can stay healthy. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsWide receiver Tyler BoydThe rookie receiver already has shown flashes in the preseason. Boyd has stood out in a thin group of wideouts. He had a sliding over-the-shoulder catch that set up a touchdown in the first preseason game against?the Vikings, and he converted a third down with a diving catch to set up a touchdown against the Lions in the second preseason game. Thats not surprising, as the second-round pick did that often in college and could keep it?going in the NFL. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsWide receiver Corey ColemanThere isnt a lengthy list of options for a breakout player on the Browns roster. Coleman, the teams first-round pick, has the best chance. He has shown talent, speed, good instincts and good hands in the time he has practiced. The fact he has been sidelined for a little more than a week with a hamstring strain highlights the one thing that could keep him from breaking out: staying healthy. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersDefensive end Stephon TuittTuitt is poised for a major jump in his third season. He recorded 6.5 sacks in 14 games last season, and he pairs with veteran Cam Heyward to form one of the leagues most formidable bookend duos in a 3-4 defense. Tuitt has speed and agility at 300 pounds, which allows him to rush the passer and stop the run with equal effectiveness. Linebacker Ryan Shazier already has found stardom, and Tuitt plans to join him. Wide receiver Sammie Coates is another candidate. He has the highest ceiling among Pittsburgh receivers not named Antonio Brown. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansRunning back Lamar MillerMiller was underused in Miami, averaging just 196 carries per season in his final three years with the Dolphins. This season, playing for a team that will give him?a bigger workload, he?will hit his stride and become a Pro Bowler in Year 5 of his career. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsWide receiver Donte MoncriefMoncrief had 733 receiving yards while catching passes from five different quarterbacks last season. Quarterback?Andrew Luck is healthy, and Moncrief has the size and speed to be the quarterbacks possession receiver similar to the way Reggie Wayne was during most of Lucks first three seasons. Moncrief might?not lead the Colts in receiving yards, but it wouldnt be surprising if he leads the team?in receptions. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsDefensive end Dante Fowler Jr.Fowler, who missed all of his rookie season because of a knee injury, has been the most impressive defensive player in training camp. He beat offensive tackles?Luke Joeckel, Jermey?Parnell and Josh Wells with his quickness and spin moves off the edge, and he showed off a surprising amount of power by bull rushing Wells -- who outweighs him by 55 pounds -- back into the quarterback in one-on-one drills. The Jaguars havent had a player record double-digit sacks since 2007, and Fowler can be a special pass-rusher. He could end that eight-year streak. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansQuarterback Marcus MariotaThe No. 2 overall pick in last years draft?had a solid rookie year, but he missed four games and fumbled 10 times. Now he has two upgrades at receiver with Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe. If the Titans smashmouth run game is effective, Mariotas?play-action opportunities will help lift him to another level. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosRunning back C.J. AndersonAll of the elements are in place for Anderson to have his best season as a pro, to go from believing he is a potential 1,000-yard rusher who powers an offense to actually being that guy. The Broncos are intent on running the ball more because?they have retooled the offensive line and even drafted a fullback. So while rookie Devontae Booker will get some carries, Anderson is in position to be the breakout star. He has worked as the teams No. 1 back through the offseason and arrived to training camp after an offseason in which?he worked hard to be ready for this chance to eclipse his career high in carries (179) and rushing yards (849). -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsDefensive lineman Chris JonesThe rookie second-round pick?might not wind up starting, but he could still have a big impact. Jones was impressive at training camp and in the preseason opener against the Seahawks, particularly as a pass-rusher. Jones showed a consistent ability to push the pocket, and he has a knack for getting a hand into the throwing lane and knocking down passes. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersMiddle linebacker Ben HeeneyHow much faith did the Raiders show in the second-year player from Kansas? They released Curtis Lofton in March and then did not draft an inside linebacker until the sixth round in Cory James. Heeney, who had 38 tackles last season, will wear the green dot and is primed for a 100-tackle season in the middle of a fast, disruptive and renovated defense. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersWide receiver Tyrell WilliamsWilliams, who?joined the Chargers a year ago as an undrafted rookie out of Western Oregon, has been impressive in training camp. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Williams possesses the top-end speed and short-area quickness of a smaller receiver, yet plays with the physicality and strong hands of a bigger target. 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CLEVELAND -- The doctors told Kyle Schwarber the day after the Chicago Cubs slugger tore two ligaments in his left knee on April 7 that his season was over.Funny how months of relentless rehab and a chance to play in the World Series can speed up the healing process.Schwarber batted fifth and got his first hit of the season -- a double off the wall in right field in the fourth inning -- for the NL champions in a 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 on Tuesday night.The designated hitters lined shot came 201 days after a frightening collision with teammate Dexter Fowler while chasing down a fly ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks.He hardly looked rusty while going 1 for 3, getting his moneys worth in two showdowns against Cleveland uber reliever Andrew Miller with a walk in the seventh then a swinging strikeout in the eighth with two on and two out in a 3-0 game. Schwarbers final at-bat included a massive swing at a meaty 2-1 slider that Miller uncharacteristically left over the plate. Asked if that swing in particular had a little extra on it, Schwarber couldnt suppress a laugh.I mean, thats a normal swing, he said.And precisely why manager Joe Maddon put Schwarber in the lineup in the first place.He definitely passed the eye test for me regarding swinging the bat at the plate, said Maddon, who added Schwarber will absolutely play in Game 2 on Wednesday.Heady territory for a guy who was convinced he wouldnt see a batters box until 2017.I took regular visits to the doctor every month or two, and he kept telling me, `Its going to be spring training, Schwarber said a few hours before Game 1. Then this past doctors visit I had right before we went to LA for the (NLCS) he looked at my knee, hes like: `Man, its great. Youre strong. Im not going to hold you back from doing anything.Certainly not the chance to end Chicagos century-plus championship drought. After two games in the Arizona Fall League, the guy who blasted a club-record five home runs during the 2015 playoffs found himself on the World Series roster, giving the Cubs another powerful left-handed bat and making Chicago reliever Pedro Strops prediction come true.He said all along, `Man, youre going to be back for the World Series, Schwarber said. But the process was a long time. I mean, at first I didnt think I was ever going to have a normal knee again.Schwarber struck out in his first at-bat before doubling off Kluuber.ddddddddddddThe only rust he showed was on the bases, when he sprinted away from second without tagging up on Willson Contreras flyout to center in the seventh -- Rajai Davis threw home with a man on third, giving Schwarber time to get back to the bag.While Schwarber is healthy enough to swing the bat, its unlikely hell have much of a role outside pinch hitting when the series shifts to Chicago for Games 3-5. Schwarber hasnt been cleared to play defense.Regardless of how much you practice and attempt to simulate a game in practice, you cannot, Maddon said. That quick movement, that sudden burst that you derive in a game, you cannot simulate that in practice. Its impossible.Schwarber spent the first six weeks of his rehab off his feet completely, his surgically repaired knee ramrod straight. Then he had to learn to walk again, careful to not push things too hard, too fast. Not exactly an easy thing to do for a 23-year-old desperate to get back and join the summer-long party that ended with the Cubs posting a major league-best 103 wins before rolling through the Giants and the Dodgers on their way to their first World Series appearance since the end of World War II.The easy part, the fun part, came when he was allowed to put a bat in his hands and swing away. The self-proclaimed baseball rat would arrive at the ballpark well before his teammates and spend hours in the cage, to the point where first baseman and good friend Anthony Rizzo jokingly urged Schwarber to get a life.Im like: `Schwarbs what are you doing? Just watch baseball and enjoy it, Rizzo said.No chance. His biggest issue in the final days of his rehab came from the blisters on his hands, collateral damage from working in the cage. He estimated he tracked 1,300 pitches off a machine trying to get his timing back while in Arizona.Unlike many injured players, Schwarber would stick around to watch the games, and sitting through a dream season wasnt easy.Then again, the season isnt over, is it?Game 1 didnt provide a magical finish. Considering the path to this moment, Schwarber is hardly complaining.I could beat myself for not getting that knock against Miller in the eighth with two guys on, he said. But its baseball, whatever. Its going to happen. Weve just got to move on to the next day. ' ' '