St. Louis Rams: Players Who Will Have Breakout Seasons in 2011

Every season each team has a couple guys come out of nowhere to become big factors for their squad.  Sometimes they are already well known players who just haven't quite reached their potential and sometimes they are players that are so low in the preseason fantasy rankings that even backup kickers are challenging them superiority. 

The Rams had plenty of breakout players last year.  Quarterback Sam Bradford emerged as a future star, DE Chris Long established himself as one of the better pass rushers in the NFL, and MLB James Laurinaitis looks to soon be considered one of the better linebackers in football. 

What about this season?  Who will be the Rams unexpected studs that aid them in their playoff run?  This list breaks down the top-5 potential candidates.  Lets go!

5. Craig Dahl, S

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - AUGUST 21: Craig Dahl #43 of the St. Louis Rams celebrates a fumble recovery against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

2010 Stats:

98 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Why he will break out:

I'm going to be honest with you here, this is a bit of a shot in the dark.  Dahl had his moments where I thought "you know, this guy could be pretty good", but he also had a fair share of moments that made me think "wow, this must be what it would look like if a baseball team put a catcher in center field".

Towards the end of the year however, it appeared Dahl was getting a better grasp of Spagnuolo and Flajole's system.  He is a guy with a solid work ethic and he has all the tools to have a much better season next year, especially now that he will be counted on more with OJ Atogwe gone.

At the same time, there are concerns.  The lockout could hinder his growth.  With young guys still trying to get a grasp of everything, all of the meetings and workouts have a huge impact on their progress.  Also, you have to wonder how he'll operate without Atogwe in the secondary with him.  The unquestioned leader of the secondary, Atogwe was the one making the coverage adjustments and making sure everyone was where they needed to be.

Like I said, Dahl really is a shot in the dark, but with the Rams desperate for someone to step up at safety, perhaps he will answer the call.

Breakout Meter:

4. Michael Hoomanawanui, TE

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ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Hoomanawanui #86 of the St. Louis Rams hauls in a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons at the Edward Jones Dome on November 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwana

2010 Stats:

13 receptions, 146 yards, 3 touchdowns

Why he will break out:

This one is tricky.  It really comes down to how Josh McDaniels utilizes the tight end position.  In Pat Shurmur's conservative, short pass offense, 'Illinois Mike' thrived.  Hampered by injuries most of the season, it would have been a lot of fun to see the kind of stats he would have put up if he had been healthy. 

If McDaniels finds a place for him in his spread offense, which I assume he will, and he finds a way to stay healthy, Hoomanawanui looks ready to have a big season. 

He has plenty of size, good enough hands, and enough speed to wreak havoc on opposing linebackers.  Bradford has also showed a lot of willingness to dump it off to his tight ends, especially in the red zone. 

Once again though it all comes down to whether or not he can stay healthy, which is something no one in Ram Nation is completely sold on. 

Breakout Meter:

3. Bradley Fletcher, CB

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Bradley Fletcher #32 of the St. Louis Rams breaks up a pass intended for Darrius Heyward-Bey #85 of the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/

2010 Stats:

75 Tackles, 4 Interceptions

Why he will break out:

In his rookie season, Fletcher missed a large amount of time from injury and looked like he would struggle to get into the swing of things: then 2010 happened. 

Last year, Fletcher emerged as a solid cornerback; not an elite cornerback by any means, but a solid one.  Fletcher, along with fellow cornerback Ron Bartell, produced one of the better duos the Rams have had at corner in awhile and they were able to keep most teams from launching full-on air assaults (something that had become common against the Rams for the last two or three seasons). 

Next season, with another year of experience in Spags' complicated defensive system, Fletcher should have a big season.  Will he overtake Ron Bartell as the number one corner?  It could happen.  Fletcher appears to have a very high ceiling and he might take a large step towards that ceiling next season.

Buckle up Rams fans, you're going to be hearing the name 'Fletcher' a lot next year.

Breakout Meter:

2. Donnie Avery, WR

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 16: Donnie Avery #17 of the St. Louis Rams looks on during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on November 16, 2008 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

2010 Stats:

Injured- Out for Season

Why he will break out:

Heading into 2010, Donnie Avery was the Rams' best receiver.  His elite speed mixed with his solid hands appeared to be a combination destined to have a breakout season with new quarterback Sam Bradford under center.

Then the Patriots game happened. 

In a preseason contest against New England Avery went up for a ball and came down awkwardly, messing up his knee in the process.  The MRI revealed a torn ligament and the end of a season that hadn't even started.

Avery appears to be healing nicely and has been training hard this offseason.

If he can return at full-health, expect him to make big things happen.  The speed and hands will still be there and his new quarterback throws a pretty nice deep ball.  If all goes to plan, Avery could be a player similar to DeSean Jackson, a consistent big-play threat. 

Breakout Meter:

1. Danny Amendola, WR

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 22: Danny Amendola #16 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome on November 22, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Rams 21-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Imag

2010 Stats:

85 Receptions, 689 yards, 3 touchdowns

Why he will have a big season:

Last season Amendola established himself as a solid slot receiver.  His solid hands and shiftiness made him Bradford's go to receiver, especially towards the end of the year. 

However, due to the lack of weapons the Rams had on offense, Amendola drew a large amount of double teams and ultimately saw his numbers plummet as the season went along.  

If the receivers can stay healthy, it will take a lot of focus off of Amendola and he should be able to post a solid season that leaves everyone finally giving him the recognition he deserves.

Breakout Meter:

90 percent

Closing Statement

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams stands on the field during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

With breakout players, all you can really do is speculate.  When the season comes to a close next year, a couple of these picks will make me look like a genius, and a couple will make me look like an idiot.  I'm okay with that.

The point is, there really are so many things that can factor in.  We could draft a player who unseats someone on this list, we could sign a big free agent, perhaps a trade goes down, and maybe, just maybe, there might be a complete dark horse storm out of nowhere and take Ram Nation by storm (I'm calling a Mardy Gilyard 1,000 yard season!  Who's with me!  No one?  Okay). 

Regardless, I can't wait for football.