New York Giants: 6 Players Who Could Have a Breakout Year in 2012

A breakout star can really define an NFL team's season.

Usually, they come out of nowhere and turn some heads by breaking onto the scene.

The New York Giants had a few of those in 2011.

Victor Cruz was by far the biggest breakout star with 82 catches for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011.

During the summer, we all wondered who could take Steve Smith's place and then who would step up in Domenik Hixon's spot when he was injured in Week 2, but Cruz put all those worries to rest with his season.

You can say the same thing about Jason Pierre-Paul being a breakout star, but he started his potential in the second half of 2010.

JPP had 16.5 sacks, leading the Giants in that category and, at times, was unstoppable on the field.

And although his season ended with injuries, Jake Ballard had the potential for a breakout year, catching 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns. Ballard took over as the full-time tight end after Kevin Boss departed as a free agent.

Who will be the next breakout players for the Giants in 2012?

Here are six possibilities.

Prince Amukamara

The first-round pick of the Giants in 2011 didn't make his debut until November against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a broken foot in training camp.

In his first game, Amukamara showed his potential by getting his first ever NFL interception off of Vince Young.

He seemed a step off at times, only because he didn't get to start participating in actual football until November, and by that time, everyone is into the full swing of the season.

But now with Aaron Ross departing to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Amukamara's playing time will increase in 2012.

With an entire training camp to prepare and get ready, I think the Giants can expect great things from Amukamara in 2012.

Marvin Austin

Marvin Austin never got to play a snap of his rookie year with the Giants because he tore his pectoral muscle against the Chicago Bears.

Austin had high expectations coming into the NFL, despite losing value in the draft because of character issues.

Austin was dismissed from the University of North Carolina football team due to receiving improper benefits from boosters, which dropped his value from a potential top-10 pick to the second round.

Austin has a lot of potential, and former college teammate Hakeem Nicks highly recommended him to Giants GM Jerry Reese before the team drafted him in 2011.

The Giants already have one of, if not the best defensive lines in the NFL, and if they can get Austin to play to his potential, that can only add to the havoc that the Giants' line can create.

Ramses Barden

The 2012 season is put up or shut up for Ramses Barden.

Since being drafted by the Giants in 2009, Barden has barely been a factor for the team, whether it's due to injuries or just not being able to be productive enough to get on the field.

When Barden was drafted, everyone thought he could be the next Plaxico Burress for the Giants, but he has been anything but that.

In three years, he has played in just 17 games, catching 15 balls for 174 yards and no touchdowns—not exactly making Tom Coughlin put him into more games.

With Mario Manningham going to the San Francisco 49ers, Barden now has a chance to step up into the No. 3 receiver spot.

If he lives up to his potential, Barden could be a huge red-zone threat and target for Eli Manning.

If not, Ramses Barden could be in the same category as Sinorice Moss as draft picks who never lived up to the hype.

Martellus Bennett

Martellus Bennett was never going to be the Dallas Cowboys' premier tight end as long as Jason Witten is there.

He knew that, which is why he bolted on the second day of free agency.

The Giants needed help at tight end after both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum tore their ACL during Super Bowl XLVI.

So the Giants brought in Bennett on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, and he will have the opportunity to be the starting tight end in 2012.

Bennett wanted to be a tight end who catches at least 60-plus catches a year, and he's going to have that chance with the Giants.

Eli Manning likes to utilize the tight end in the offense, and if Bennett can step up and be productive, he could be that type of tight end for the Giants.

He already possesses the blocking skills to help in the running game. With help from Eli and company, he could be effective in the passing game as well.

Jerrel Jernigan

In 2011, Jerrel Jernigan was primarily used on special teams as a kick returner, so he never really got the chance to be a wide receiver in 2011.

Jernigan, like Ramses Barden, may get that chance in 2012 with Mario Manningham bolting for the 49ers.

When drafted, Jernigan drew a lot of comparisons to DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith as a speedy playmaker in the open field.

He was a four-year starter while at the University of Troy, so 2012 may be the time to see what Jernigan can do as a wide receiver.

If he can play anywhere near the level of Jackson or Smith, then the Giants have another really good playmaker on their hands to go along with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.

I'm sure Jernigan will still be used for kickoffs, but with a spot open, he could evolve into the No. 3 receiver.

Da'Rel Scott

The Giants have an opening at running back following Brandon Jacobs' release this month.

He, just like Mario Manningham, left to join the 49ers, so the Giants need a complement to go with Ahmad Bradshaw.

While I do feel the Giants will draft a running back in next month's NFL draft, they will take a long look and see what Da'Rel Scott can give them.

He got a couple of touches in 2011, but nothing that warranted any type of impact on the offense.

At 5'11" and 211 pounds, he's big for his height and very strong, plus he's got a ton of speed and could really be an explosive player if he ever develops.

Against the Bears in the preseason, he showed off his speed at MetLife Stadium with a 97-yard touchdown run. Against the Patriots in the preseason, he took a direct snap on a fake punt 65 yards for a touchdown.

So the breakaway speed is most certainly there. Now it's putting the whole package together to become a star running back in the NFL.

If Scott can do that in 2012 and team him with Ahmad Bradshaw in the backfield, that could be a deadly combination for defenses to try to deal with.