NFL's Breakout Players in 2008

Every year a player will come out of nowhere and put up huge numbers.

Sometimes they are an expected source of big numbers and take that next step to stardom, and others realize their potential and pull out of mediocrity.

This list contains both. Seven players that will break out from mediocrity, or improve to pro bowl caliber.

7) Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota Vikings

As a former fourth-round pick with character concerns, Edwards has yet to prove himself.

I don’t know if he’s noticed that yet.

He has been quoted as saying he is going to break Michael Strahan's single-season sack record. I wouldn't go that far, but don't sleep on him.

With Erasmus James gone to Washington and Kenechi Udeze fighting Leukemia, Edwards will be the starter opposite of newly acquired Jared Allen.

He’s a physical specimen at 6’5" and 270 pounds, with a good pass-rush set, and with all of the attention being paid to Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, and Allen on the line, he should be able to break out with anywhere from eight to double-digit sacks.

6) Michael Huff, FS, Oakland Raiders

Finally, the Raiders have realized this guy was born to play free safety.

He’s been playing strong safety since being drafted as the seventh-overall pick in 2006 and has yet to see any success. That will all change this season when he starts at free safety.

Oh, and their secondary is sick.

Pro Bowl corner DeAngelo Hall was added this season to play opposite of fellow Pro Bowler Nnamdi Asomugha, another shutdown corner. On top of that, Al Davis signed Super Bowl champion Gibril Wilson from the Giants this offseason to a six-year deal.

Since the secondary is now one of the top five in the NFL, Huff will be allowed to roam the field and be the ball-hawk that Raiders fans have always envisioned him as being.

5) Tamba Hali, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

For a defense that lost sack leader Jared Allen, the Chiefs have a lot to look forward to in the future.

You could look to their 2008 draft, in which they selected Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Flowers, DaJuan Morgan, and Brian Johnston. You could look to stud outside linebacker Derrick Johsnon.

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