NFC North: Jermichael Finley and the 5 Players Who Will Break out in 2012

In today's NFL, a "surprise team" is often the direct result of a "breakout season" from some of its players.

Last year's Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants, featured perhaps the league's two biggest breakout performers.

Wide receiver Victor Cruz, after appearing in only three games in 2010 without a single catch, spent much of last season salsa-dancing in the end zone after racking up 1,536 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while defensive end Jason Pierre Paul recorded a team-high 16.5 sacks after being just a situational player in 2010.

The NFC North had its fair share of breakout performers as well.

The 15-1 Green Bay Packers benefited from a breakout year from Jordy Nelson, whose offensive production increased by 681 yards and 13 touchdowns from the 2010 season. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford enjoyed a similar improvement, exploding for 5,038 passing yards and 41 touchdowns after he appeared in just 13 games in his first two seasons, in which he threw more interceptions than touchdowns.

With the NFL season just around the corner, every team in the NFC North hopes several of its players will "make the jump" in the 2012 season. While an abundance of players appear ready for an increased role with their team, let's take a look at the top five players who will break out in 2012.

5) TE Kellen Davis, Chicago Bears

The big catch (pun intended) for the Bears this offseason was WR Brandon Marshall. For perhaps the first time in the past decade, Chicago has a legitimate No.1 receiver.

As a vertical threat, Marshall will demand extra attention over the top, and with speedster Devin Hester on the other side of the field, the middle of the field will be wide open for Jay Cutler to complete passes underneath.

One such player that will benefit from Chicago's more explosive offense is tight end Kellen Davis.

Following the 2011 regular season, the Bears fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who rarely used the tight end in his offensive attack. Now with Mike Tice, a former tight end himself, in charge of the offense, the position should feature a larger role in the upcoming season.

Davis has had minimal production in his four NFL seasons, but he's coming off his best season as a professional in which he started 15 games and caught five touchdowns. The 6'7" tight end is hoping to have an even better year in 2012, and, with increased opportunities, he just might break out.

4) RB James Starks, Green Bay Packers

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has made it very clear: improving the running game is Green Bay's top priority on offense.

For the most part, McCarthy's comments have been taken somewhat lightly from Packer fans. Because as long as league MVP Aaron Rodgers is taking snaps, the Packers will be "Aaron it out" on offense. But despite the Packers' spread passing attack, which exploded 5,161 yards and 51 touchdowns last season, they have stayed true to running the football just enough to keep defenses honest.

Due to injuries and a lack of a clear-cut starter at the position, Green Bay has used a running back-by committee approach in recent years, combining for 1,295 yards in 2011 and 1,180 in 2010.

Given the fact that the Packers have yet to show serious interest in re-signing free-agent Ryan Grant, the door is wide open for James Starks to be the team's feature back. Starks is a far better receiver than Grant, and if he can stay healthy and make the most of his new opportunities, he could explode in 2012.

3) WR Titus Young, Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson is to the NFL what LeBron James is to the NBA.

No, Johnson never held a personal hour-long special to announce to the world that he was "taking his talents to the Motor City." However, he is the most athletically dominant player in football, just as James is in basketball.

The man known as "Megatron" constantly sees double coverage, yet the 6'5" 236-pound freak continues to dominate defensive backs all over the NFL. Because of the heightened attention on Johnson, opportunities for Detroit's other receivers are aplenty. Heading into the 2012 season, no Lions receiver looks more capable of having a breakout year than 2nd-year pro--and standout minicamp performer--Titus Young.

Young had impressive season as a raw and undersized rookie, catching 48 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns as the team's No. 3 receiver. Current starter Nate Burleson is approaching a crossroads in his career entering his 10th season at age 30, while Young is on the verge of an increased role with a year of experience under his belt.

2) CB Chris Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield has been one of the most under-appreciated players in the league for some time. After playing just five games in 2011, his return from injury will be a welcome addition to Minnesota's pass defense, which was perhaps the team's biggest deficiency last season.

However, at age 35, Winfield's days covering the game's most explosive receivers on the outside are dwindling.

Among cornerbacks, Winfield has long been among the league's best run defenders, and entering his 14th season, Winfield is better suited to play closer to the line of scrimmage, relying on his instincts to create turnovers. As a result, Minnesota will likely look to 3rd-year pro Chris Cook to match up against the opposing team's top receiving threat.

The former Virginia cornerback is entering his third season in the league, and despite not having a single interception on his resume, Cook was named the "secret superstar" for the Vikings by Pro Football Focus.

Competing twice a year against Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, the 6'2" Cook is clearly Minnesota's best option to combat the NFC North's bigger wide receivers. Cook must find a way to stay on the field this season, as battles with injuries and the law have impeded his development--but if he does, Cook could shine in 2012.

1) TE Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Between starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Matt Flynn, Green Bay's prolific passing attack in 2011 produced 5,161 team passing yards and 51 touchdowns, while throwing just eight interceptions. Without much help from their 32nd-ranked defense, the Pack went 15-1 and earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

As a result of the Packers' offensive dominance, their offensive coordinator earned a head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins, and their starting quarterback was named NFL MVP.

No offensive player improved more in 2012 than wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who caught 68 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. In many ways, Nelson had the breakout season that many were expecting from tight end Jermichael Finley.

Despite recording 55 catches, 767 yards and 8 touchdowns, a solid season for a tight end by most standards, Finley's 2011 campaign was clouded by a bevy of drops. Returning from a season-ending injury in 2010, Finley dropped 14 passes last year, 11 of which came in the team's final seven games of the regular season.

However, even with his struggles last year, Finley demanded more attention from defenses than any Packers' receiver. He hopes "freestyling"--as he put it--will reduce his drops and boost his production in 2012. Entering his fifth season in the league, the former Texas Longhorn is poised for his best year as a professional--and, if he puts it all together, as Brian Carriveau points out, Finley could be an All-Pro.