Victor Cruz: Top 10 Potential Breakout Stars of the NFL Preseason

Most expect stars to take center stage when the New York Giants and New York Jets meet in their annual preseason contest.  This year, however, it was the relatively unknown Victor Cruz that stole the spotlight with an eye popping and stat-sheet filling performance against the Jets in the Giants' 31-16 victory.

Cruz's performance is the stuff most rookies hope to attain as they work to impress coaches and land a job on the final roster.

But Cruz is just one name of a number of players, rookie or otherwise, hoping to land or reinforce their job with a breakout performance during the preseason.

10. Victor Cruz

Cruz, an undrafted rookie from UMass, broke through with a very impressive performance on Monday against the Jets. His six catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns stole the show including a highlight grab that landed him at the front of the highlight shows.

The Giants have a very deep stable of wide receivers including young guys like Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden and Derek Hagan. However Cruz also provides flexibility in special teams, a role he could possibly fill for the departed Dominek Hixon. 

Performances coming close to matching his debut against the Jets will likely secure his future.

9. Devin Thomas

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ASHBURN, VA - JULY 30: Wide receiver Devin Thomas #11 of the Washington Redskins catches a pass during drills on the second day of training camp July 30, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Thomas enters his third season with the Redskins and is now being looked at as an answer at receiver for new quarterback Donovan McNabb.  Thomas has been able to hide under the guise of the team's subpar quarterback play during his first two seasons, but Thomas will be expected to play a bigger role in 2010.

Thomas got the ball rolling with three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins' first preseason game.

8. Daryl Washington

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FLAGSTAFF, AZ - AUGUST 02: Linebacker Daryl Washington #58 of the Arizona Cardinals practices in the team training camp at Northern Arizona University Walkup Skydome on August 2, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Washington was a 2010 second-round pick out of TCU who may have slipped under the shadow of teammate Jerry Hughes.  But Washington, who is competing for a starting linebacker spot with the Cardinals, needed one game to get his name on the radar.

Washington recorded 13 tackles (nine solo) and one pass defended in the Cardinals 19-16 victory over the Texans.  The Cardinals need an impact linebacker to step up following the loss of Karlos Dansby.  Washington may be that guy.

7. LeSean McCoy

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 27: LeSean McCoy #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Denver Broncos on December 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Broncos 30-27. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

McCoy had a very impressive rookie season in which he recorded 945 yards combined rushing and receiving. McCoy figures to make an even bigger leap in 2010 as he takes on more of a workload especially in support of first-year starter Kevin Kolb.

McCoy will be looked upon to fill the void of Brian Westbrook and it so far looks like the Eagles are developing a carbon copy of their former All-Pro. 

6. Vontae Davis

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 08: Vontae Davis #21 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball after he intercepted a pass intended for Randy Moss of the New England Patriots on November 8, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Im

Vontae Davis had a good rookie season in 2009.  He totaled four interceptions and 53 tackles but 2010 is the season Davis is expected to make the jump to a true shutdown corner.  The Dolphins have made steps to remain in lock step with the Jets as far as offseason moves are concerned specifically on defense and at wide receiver.

Watching Davis develop into their own version of Darrelle Revis would be a huge boost for this year's Dolphins team.

5. James Laurinaitis

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 06: James Laurinaitis #55 of the St. Louis Rams plays against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 6, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Rams 17-9. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Laurinaitis recorded only two tackles in the Rams first preseason game, but coming off a 120-tackle season in 2009 bigger things are expected of the former Ohio State All-American.

The Rams defense is being built around Laurinaitis' potential and following an impressive rookie season, Laurinaitis could be ready to make the leap among the best young linebackers in the league.

4. Jermaine Gresham

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Cincinnati Bengals gets tackled after catching a pass by Wesley Woodyard #59 of the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals wo

The Bengals will rely on two aging wide receivers in Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens to carry much of the offense, but Greshman will be one of two important young pieces the Bengals need to breakout immediately.

Gresham gives the Bengals something they've lacked in recent years and that's a big, athletic target down the middle of the field.  Gresham can meet those expectations by understand the offense and getting on-board as quickly as possible.

3. Jordan Shipley

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Jordan Shipley #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks for room after catching a pass during the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 33-24. (Photo

Shipley is one of the sexy picks of all rookies to have a big rookie season. Like Gresham, Shipley gives the Bengals something they lacked in recent years and that is a security blanket, possession receiver with excellent hands. 

Shipley is an excellent complement to Ochocinco and Owens and come January could find himself as the Bengals leading receiver.

2. C.J. Spiller

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 13: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills hands the ball off to C.J. Spiller #21 during the preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on August 13, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Spiller was selected ninth overall in the 2010 Draft and is expected to be a versatile weapon in the Bills offense. The chances of that are greater considering the Bills questions and uncertainty at quarterback. Spiller will not only be used as a rusher, but as a receiver out of the backfield and possibly as a special teams weapon. 

Spiller may not be a 1,000-yard rusher right off the bat, but he as the ability to produce 1,500 yards from scrimmage right off the bat which is an enormous boost for the Bills offense.

1. Sam Bradford

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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 14: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the preseason game at Edward Jones Dome on August 14, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Vikings defeated the Rams 28-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Get

We do not quite know what we will see out of Sam Bradford during his rookie season.  Nevertheless, no teams needs their most notable player to have a breakout season more than the Rams and Bradford. 

The number one overall pick went 6-for-13 with 57 yards in his preseason debut. His production moving forward won't mirror that, but the Rams need at least a consistent season Bradford if they are to get over the hump of six combined wins over the last three seasons.