NFL Predictions: 8 Youngsters Whose Breakout Potential Is Being Overlooked

Overlooked NFL players who exceed all expectations provide inspiration to fans everywhere and give hope that dreams really can come true.

Maybe that's a bit melodramatic, but everyone loves a good underdog story, right?

Some players who bust out one season fizzle the next, but that's the nature of the beast. Regardless, it's fun to see a player suddenly burst onto the scene and take the sporting world by storm.

At the conclusion of the 2012 NFL draft, it seemed as though no team made any overtly boneheaded picks, which builds promise for one of the most competitive seasons ever—with a full offseason of training camps, burning anticipation and overanalyzing to boot!

Headliners of this year's draft were Stanford QB Andrew Luck and Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, who went Nos. 1 and 2 overall respectively.

Be it other skill players, bigger personalities in the locker room or any other myriad of reasons, there are other prospects quietly going about their business, ready to prove their worth this season on football's biggest stage.

And not all of them are rookies.

While it's nearly impossible to project the next Victor Cruz-esque explosion or the next sixth-round Hall of Famer such as Tom Brady, here is a look at one player from each NFL division whose 2012 breakout potential is being overlooked.

AFC East

Tavon Wilson, FS, New England Patriots

More than a few eyebrows were raised amongst scouts when general manager/coaching genius hybrid Bill Belichick selected the University of Illinois prospect with the No. 49 overall pick of this year's draft.

It was clear the Patriots needed to load up on defense, and Belichick did just that for a unit that was ranked 31st in the league against the pass. Wilson's versatility playing both safety and cornerback is similar to that possessed by Patrick Chung, the most consistent player in New England's secondary.

With much better personnel, Belichick and coordinator Matt Patricia will be able to coach up the youthful unit, aided by Wilson's ability to fill in at either one of the starting safety spots or as a nickel corner.

Even though Wilson is considered by scouts to be somewhat of a liability in coverage, his thick 6'0", 200-plus pound frame brings much needed physicality on the back end of the defense to step up in run support as well.

Watch for Wilson to reap the benefits from the coaching of Belichick thanks to his attitude. Wilson viewed position changes in college similarly to the "Patriot Way" approach that Belichick preaches to his team.

Wilson should plug into Patricia's scheme and make a surprise impact in 2012.

AFC North

Chris Rainey, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The University of Florida product was a low-risk option in the fifth round at No. 159 but is one of the most dynamic and versatile offensive weapons in the draft.

Without off-field issues, including a bizarre aggravating stalking charge, Rainey would have been selected much higher.

Not only will Rainey be able to contribute to return units that are already stellar, but he could also see significant time in the backfield on third down since he's an able receiver and can create yards after the catch. He would provide a nice change of pace for projected starting power back Isaac Redman.

Rainey will also be positively influenced by one of the greatest organizations in football. The Steelers wouldn't have taken a chance on him if they did not see something special.

With his top-end speed, elusiveness in the open field and the potential absence of typical starter Rashard Mendenhall for at least the start of the season, Rainey should see significant snaps and prove to be an explosive asset for the new-look Steelers offense under Todd Haley.

AFC South

Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee Titans

While it could be argued that he broke out last year as one of QB Matt Hasselbeck's favorite targets, the 25-year-old Cook could take yet another huge step this season and morph into a formidable All-Pro.

Cook only started five games last year, mostly due to his lackluster blocking and inconsistent effort, which he is determined to improve upon.

His receiving talent, however, is not at all in question.

The Titans drafted Kendall Wright No. 20 overall in this year's draft, and he should step in and contribute right away. The team also gets No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Britt back from injury and returns 1,000-plus yard receiver Nate Washington to the fold.

Even with superstar running back Chris Johnson having a horrible 2011 by his standards, the passing attack was formidable, and Cook was able to generate big plays vertically.

With so much attention concentrated on a stacked receiving corps, as well as the need to respect an eager CJ2K, Cook has the ability to light it up this season by getting even more open shots deep down the middle of the field.

At 6'5" and 248 lbs, Cook will also be a huge red-zone target and should vastly improve on the three touchdowns he caught in 2011.

AFC West

Kendall Reyes, DT/DE, San Diego Chargers

While much of the attention is focused on first-round pick DE Melvin Ingram of South Carolina, Reyes was drafted in the second round this year to provide even more punch and versatility to the Chargers' 3-4 defensive look.

Although he played defensive tackle in college, Reyes will likely line up at defensive end in the pros due to his unique athleticism, despite weighing approximately 300 lbs.

This will give the Chargers necessary bulk up front and should help a rush defense that ranked 20th in the league last year, giving up 122.2 yards per game.

Veteran Luis Castillo is coming off a season-ending fractured tibia he suffered last season in Week 2.

Even if Reyes can't beat him out, which isn't likely, he should start opposite Castillo at the other defensive end spot, replacing 2009 fourth-round selection Vaughn Martin.

NFC East

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins

The former undrafted free agent out of Mount Union College always played second fiddle to Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis and decided to sign with the Redskins in the offseason.

This will be the first time the 25-year-old Garcon is viewed as the No. 1 option in an offense suddenly loaded with weapons.

Catching balls from the likes of Kerry Collins, Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky in 2011, Garcon still managed a career-high 947 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

With his blazing speed and years of knowledge delegated to him by former quarterback Peyton Manning, Garcon brings a lot to the table for talented rookie Robert Griffin III, who has the deep accuracy to make the most of Garcon's talents.

The running game should also be much improved with the incredibly athletic Griffin III and a one-two punch of Evan Royster and Roy Helu, which will open up the passing game.

Look for Garcon to benefit from lots of one-on-one coverage, as defenses will be focusing on matchup issues with tight end Fred Davis and H-back Chris Cooley.

All of these factors should allow Garcon to flourish and have his first 1,000-yard season as a pro, and prove himself comparable to the best receivers in the division.

NFC North

Riley Reiff, OT, Detroit Lions

Although the franchise thought a lot of his talent by drafting him in the first round, it can't be minimized how much Reiff means to the Lions' success next season.

As high-powered as the offense was in 2011, bringing Reiff to the fold could help it even more. He is an extremely athletic tackle prospect that could play really any position on the line and might even start Week 1 in place of Jeff Backus, protecting Matthew Stafford's blind side.

Where Reiff will really help is the running game, which ranked dead last in the NFL. Part of that can be attributed to Jahvid Best being out the majority of the season with post-concussion symptoms, and also last year's second-round investment Mikel Leshoure missing his entire rookie campaign.

The offensive line is also partially to blame, though. With Reiff on either side, it will allow Best to do what he does best: use his speed to get out on the perimeter, which will be sealed off by whichever side Reiff is on, and be able to get to the edge more to use his speed and elusiveness to break off huge runs.

Even though Leshoure is still a question mark due to some poor choices early in the year involving marijuana, Reiff will certainly enhance the strengths of Best's game. Both backs can catch the ball out of the backfield, and Reiff can use his athleticism to get down the field and block on screen plays.

Stafford, because the team was behind a lot last season and couldn't run the ball, threw an NFL-high 663 passes in 2011, and while he only took 36 sacks, he took quite a bit of pounding due to below-average pass protection.

The all-around game and impeccable technique of Reiff received high marks from NFL.com's Mike Mayock, and his high football IQ should translate to a starting role.

Reiff's play will allow the Lions' young offense to be more balanced in 2012, which may make it borderline unstoppable.

NFC South

Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With a new coaching staff led by head coach Greg Shiano, the Bucs have been aggressive this offseason.

Left guard Carl Nicks, wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and cornerback Eric Wright were brought in during free agency.

University of Alabama safety Mark Barron and Boise State running back Doug Martin were both selected in the first round of the 2012 draft.

These are just some of the big names the new-look Bucs have welcomed to the team.

One player who flies under the radar a bit is David, who was drafted in the second round out of the University of Nebraska.

Although a little bit smaller at 6'1", 235 lbs, David uses his football savvy and speed to find his nose around the football frequently.

According to a report by NBC Sports, via Tampa Bay Times beat writer Stephen Holder, Schiano has already plugged David in as the starting weakside linebacker during OTAs.

It seems the playmaking David has already laid claim to starting as a rookie, and he should immediately improve a defense that yielded an NFL-worst 30.9 points per game and 156.1 yards rushing per game.

NFC West

Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks

I know what you're thinking (unless you live on the West Coast...but even then): Who is that?

Sherman is a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, who was selected in the fifth round of last year's draft and quietly came on strong at the end of 2011.

In only 10 starts, Sherman recorded 55 tackles, 17 pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble.

What makes Sherman unique is his incredible height. At 6'3", he is able to get a good jam on wide receivers at the line of scrimmage and lock down the opposing team's top wideout with aggressive press coverage.

This is the prototype corner for the man-to-man style Pete Carroll prefers, and Sherman has incredible built-in anticipation on routes due to playing receiver his first three years of college at Stanford.

Thanks to his experience on the offensive side of the ball, Sherman also possesses great ball skills and hands, especially for a defensive back.

That offense Sherman played in at Stanford, and went up against in practice his senior year, was a complex pro-style system, which shows that Sherman's success is no accident as he has a high football IQ.

Think about it: Who did he learn from? Jim Harbaugh and Andrew Luck. 2010 was his fifth year in school, and he returned not only to be a part of the 12-1 Stanford team, but also to pursue a master's degree.

All these indicators seem positive for the prospects of Sherman's future. There probably isn't a route on any route tree he won't know, even though he's only 24 and entering his second year as a pro.

2012 should end with Sherman in the Pro Bowl (if there still is one) and hopefully a nickname in the vein of Revis Island...

The Shermanator.