San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Lynch, OLB: A lot of people might say this is a copout, because he had a very good rookie season, but I think he will be substantially better in 2015. I'm expecting at least double digit sacks, and for him and Aldon Smith to challenge Tamba Hali and Justin Houston for the best pair of edge rushers in the NFL. Lynch is big for an outside linebacker (6'5/270 lbs), but he is surprisingly quick too, and the more pass rush moves he develops in his arsenal, the bigger a threat he will be.
Eric Reid, FS: Usually I will only do one breakout player, but I can't choose just one player for the 49ers. Reid took a step back in 2014, but that can be partially attributed to the entire team having a rough season. He still has a lot of talent, and could be one of the elite ball hawking free safeties in the NFL. I think he will have over 5 interceptions in 2015, and establish himself as a top 10 safety.
Seattle Seahawks
Ahtyba Rubin, DT: This is the toughest team to predict a breakout candidate for. Most of their defense is playing at such a high level that I couldn't predict one of their sure fire starters to breakout because they have already broken out. Their offense doesn't have any stand out candidates either (there was no way I was picking Tyler Lockett because he's a rookie, but I do think he'll have a great year). Some would say Rubin is too old to break out, or that he has already had his breakout year because he was terrific in 2010 and 2011. He's fallen off in recent years, but he is still a very talented run stuffer, and can be a sneakily threatening pass rusher too. He's behind Brandon Mebane right now, and there is no way he will pass him on the depth chart, but in limited snaps he could be a huge difference maker for a team that struggled up the middle when Mebane went down with an injury last year. I think he'll pick up a few sacks, but he'll have a big impact against the run. The only question is how many snaps he will get.
St. Louis Rams
Brian Quick, WR: He was oh so close to breaking out last season. Barring another injury, Brian Quick passed the eye test last season and he looked like he could be the St. Louis Rams number one guy at receiver. Nick Foles has a good arm, and I expect this offense to try and stretch the field a lot so they can open up more lanes in the run game. While Quick isn't the fastest guy, he's a big (6'3/220 lbs) and strong receiver that can go up and get those 50/50 balls that Nick Foles likes to throw. Quick has the talent, and in a small sample last season he showed that he looks the part too. I'm predicting a 1000 yard 8 touchdown season for a player clearly in a run first offense.
Arizona Cardinals
Tyrann Mathieu, FS: Part of me was thinking John Brown, but Mathieu is going to explode this season. He had a terrific rookie season, but was hampered last season by a knee injury he suffered at the end of his rookie season. His raw skills are already elite, he just needs to feel comfortable with his knee and he will be unleashed. Arizona lost Antonio Cromartie and has some questions at the second CB spot, so they will rely on Mathieu to play big this year. I'm predicting for him to lead the entire NFL in forced turnovers, and I'm confident that he will establish himself as an elite safety.
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