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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FrankRizzo" data-source="post: 449137" data-attributes="member: 2232">You're not the only one who seems to love Cobb's prospects this year:  JUNE 8, 2012 ESPN INSIDER Top 10 NFC breakout players Randall Cobb, Kyle Rudolph among players who could have big seasons Originally Published: June 8, 2012By <a href="http://search.espn.go.com/gary-horton/" target="_blank">Gary Horton</a> | Scouts Inc. [ATTACH=full]10698[/ATTACH]AP PhotoRandall Cobb is another explosive player in the Green Bay Packers' offense. Every year in the NFL, there are players who take their games to the next level. They go from role players to difference-makers, consistent players to stars. They become players their teams can count on to make the difference in a close game. Below is my list of 10 NFC players, both offensive and defensive, who I think will break out this coming season. NFC breakout players  1. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14053/randall-cobb" target="_blank">Randall Cobb</a>, WR, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/gb/green-bay-packers" target="_blank">Green Bay Packers</a>He was a dynamic return specialist as a rookie and showed a lot of explosiveness in the open field. He caught 25 passes in 2011, and his quickness and yards-after-catch ability are off the charts. But more importantly for a young player, he had few drops. With so many weapons in this spread passing game, it will be tough to give Cobb any more than single coverage from the opposition's third- or fourth-best corner. 2. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13284/sean-lee" target="_blank">Sean Lee</a>, ILB, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys" target="_blank">Dallas Cowboys</a>Lee made a bit of a name for himself in 2011, and surprised everyone by leading the team in tackles (105), tackles for loss (10) and even interceptions (four). By the end of 2012, everyone will know about him because I believe he can get even better. For a young player, he showed a lot of consistency. He is a terrific athlete with great range and a real nose for the ball. While a lot of people see him as a finesse player, he has more physicality at the point of attack than you might think. He has terrific composure and is capable of making the defensive calls. 3. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14124/jason-kelce" target="_blank">Jason Kelce</a>, C, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles" target="_blank">Philadelphia Eagles</a>He was a sixth-round pick in 2011 and started every game as a rookie but played like a veteran. His guru offensive line coach, Howard Mudd, developed longtime center <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2055/jeff-saturday" target="_blank">Jeff Saturday</a> at Indianapolis, and Kelce's skill set is similar. He doesn't have great size, but he is very savvy and he can get to the second level and block in space. Best of all, the coaches trust him to make the line calls and adjustments, which is a huge help to QB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2549/michael-vick" target="_blank">Michael Vick</a>. He can become an anchor of a vastly improved unit. 4. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14054/kyle-rudolph" target="_blank">Kyle Rudolph</a>, TE, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings" target="_blank">Minnesota Vikings</a>This offense really wants to utilize its tight ends more in the passing game and will show a lot of two-TE sets. Rudolph is a huge target (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) who has excellent hands and should be a good red zone jump ball target. He also can be effective on those seam routes inside the hashes. He isn't an overpowering blocker, but that's why the Vikings acquired <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11272/john-carlson" target="_blank">John Carlson</a>. Rudolph won't dazzle you with explosiveness, but he should become a comfortable target for QB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13966/christian-ponder" target="_blank">Christian Ponder</a>. 5. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13967/gabe-carimi" target="_blank">Gabe Carimi</a>, OT, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bears" target="_blank">Chicago Bears</a>He is the best player of this much-maligned unit, but he gives this O-line hope for the future. His 2011 season was cut short by knee problems, but he should be fine in 2012. He has good feet and athletic ability, and his long arms give him good separation from the defender. He is also mentally and physically tough. While he seems to be most comfortable at right tackle, there is talk he could move to left tackle to protect QB <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9597/jay-cutler" target="_blank">Jay Cutler</a>'s blind side. Carimi and this entire unit will benefit from a shorter passing game in which the ball comes out quicker. 6. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14009/rob-housler" target="_blank">Rob Housler</a>, TE, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/ari/arizona-cardinals" target="_blank">Arizona Cardinals</a>He might be the ultimate sleeper to the outside world, but not within this organization. The coaches really like his skill set, and they have high hopes for him as a pass-catcher. He has the size (6-5, 250) and speed (4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to be a tough matchup for opposing defenses. The TE position is a little crowded at Arizona, but Housler will play at least in the spread receiver packages, and if veteran <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2579/todd-heap" target="_blank">Todd Heap</a> isn't healthy, he will step right into the lineup. Look for the coaches to motion and flex him to put him in the best position to make plays. [ATTACH=full]10699[/ATTACH]Dennis Wierzbicki/US Presswire     -Gabe Carimi needs to stay healthy for the Bears. 7. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14034/titus-young" target="_blank">Titus Young</a>, WR, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/det/detroit-lions" target="_blank">Detroit Lions</a>If he can stay out of fights with his teammates and learn to control his temper, he can become a special player. His statistics were solid in 2011, with 48 catches for 607 yards and six TDs as the No. 3 receiver. With WRs <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10447/calvin-johnson" target="_blank">Calvin Johnson</a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4529/nate-burleson" target="_blank">Nate Burleson</a> on the outside, he can be very effective out of the slot, especially on third down. He has really good speed and vertical skills, usually versus a No. 3 corner, but he must play with more discipline and avoid the nine penalties he committed in 2011.</blockquote>

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