Second-Year Breakout: Akeem Ayers of the Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans had an incredibly productive draft in 2011, landing talent all over the field. While Jake Locker is the player that most would love to see get on the field more, he's not my breakout pick.

When you see a young player at a difficult position playing well in his rookie year, you often find a candidate for second-year stardom. Akeem Ayers fits that bill for the Titans.

The linebacker out of UCLA started all 16 games in his rookie season and made his presence felt. He had a couple of sacks and a forced fumble to go with 48 tackles. He was a stout run defender but got lost in pass coverage. Ayers often bit on play-action fakes and found himself out of position.

Struggling in coverage is not at all unusual for a rookie backer, and on the whole the Titans have to be pleased with what they saw from Ayers in 2011.

It's his production coupled with his ability to stay on the field for his full rookie year that makes him a prime breakout candidate in 2012. A year in the Titans' system can only help him master the assignment breakdowns that were a natural part of the learning process in year one.

Perhaps most intriguing is the fact that, because the Titans didn't get any pass-rushing help in the draft, Ayers could be a candidate for more blitzes next year.

He showed big-play ability last season with two sacks. However, should Tennessee use him as an edge rusher on third-and-long, his impact plays could skyrocket.

The Titans think they got a steal in Ayers, and his early production has confirmed that belief. Experience and more pass-rushing opportunities in 2012 make him a potential star. Look for him to double his sack total and pose a matchup dilemma for opposing offenses.