NFL Preseason: Stephen Nicholas and 10 Unknown Players Ready to Breakout

Every year in the NFL several numerous players break out of their shell.  Sometimes it just takes a new team, sometimes it takes a new coach, but whatever the case, there are plenty of players who are just waiting to become household names this season.

Stephen Nicholas is a name that most football fans outside of Atlanta probably aren't familiar with.  The 28-year-old linebacker has been playing backup for years, having spent the past two behind veteran Mike Peterson.  

Nicholas has been listed as the starter in the Falcons preseason depth chart, and according to just about everyone, things are not going to change.  Even Mike Peterson has been referring to himself as a backup.  

Nicholas has put up impressive numbers in the past two seasons, and if he starts every game for the Dirty Birds in 2011, he will be known by plenty more fans outside the Atlanta area.  

Stephen Nicholas is just one example.  Here are a few more players that are sure to have outstanding seasons, barring any unforeseen injuries, plagues, etc.  

Bernard Scott

Cedric Benson is barely hanging on to his starting job in Cincinnati.  He continues to disappoint football followers every season, especially when it comes to fantasy football (I would know).  

After averaging a mere 3.5 yards per carry in 2010, Benson followed up his season with another arrest. It just seems like a matter of time until the Bengals strip him of his leading role. 

So who will take over?  Bernard Scott has been waiting for a chance to shine, and this season could be it.  The speedy back from Abilene Christian will be in his third NFL season, and many believe he deserves a shot at the No. 1 spot.

Scott carried the ball 61 times last season and averaged nearly five yards per carry.  He also didn't fumble once, something Benson did a whopping seven times.  

The Bengals have made some strange decisions with their organization, but many hope they will wise up and put Scott in soon.  

Kendall Hunter

Kendall Hunter is not a well-known name due to the fact that he has never played in the NFL.  He was drafted in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers after completing a remarkable college career.  

At Oklahoma State he was a two-time First Team All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker award (top college football running back) his senior year.  

Obviously, Frank Gore stands in his way, but at the age of 28, he is going to need a replacement in a few years.  Gore also has been injury prone at times.  He fractured his right hip last season, ending his year as he was put on IR.  

Anthony Dixon is second on the depth chart right now, but after averaging 3.7 yards a carry last season, it seems very likely that Hunter could move up immediately.  

Expect big things from Kendall Hunter, as he should get a chance to show what he can do in 2011.

Danny Amendola

This is probably the best known name on the list.  

Danny Amendola will be playing in his third season for the St. Louis Rams, and if his chemistry with Sam Bradford is anything like it was last year, fans better be ready to see his highlights over and over.  

Amendola attended Texas Tech University, so we know just by that fact that he has seen a lot of action in the passing game.  He had 85 receptions in 2010, as he received plenty of targets due to the injuries of Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton.  

This season the Rams have also signed Mike Sims-Walker, another talented receiver.  

Amendola will most likely line up in the slot position this year, but as long as he continues to be a favorite of Bradford, he will quickly make the rest of the NFL aware of his talent.  

Brandon Pettigrew

The Detroit Lions didn't get a chance to have a regular quarterback last season.  

Matt Stafford injured his right shoulder on two different occasions and only played in three games. Shaun Hill fractured his non-throwing arm and was forced to sit several games, giving Drew Stanton a chance to play.  

Will all of this chaos going on, Brandon Pettigrew still managed to catch 71 passes, ranking third among tight ends in 2010.  

Another former Oklahoma State cowboy, Pettigrew was a favorite target of anyone playing QB for the Lions.  He and Calvin Johnson seemed to be their main outlet no matter what the situation.  If Matt Stafford can stay healthy, the Lions and Brandon Pettigrew can all benefit greatly.

Stafford appears to be at full strength currently, but after only playing in 13 of a possible 32 games in his career, you might want to wait before having complete faith in him staying this way.

Regardless of Stafford's health, Pettigrew should continue to flourish, as he is becoming one of the premier tight ends in the NFL.  

Eric Decker

Eric Decker had a phenomenal year in 2008.  

At the University of Minnesota he completed the season with 84 receptions, 1,074 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.  Things were going great until he suffered a foot injury that forced him to a large portion of his senior year.  

He was drafted by the Broncos in 2010, but after having surgery on his injured foot, it took him a while to get back to full health.  He did not play much in the regular season due to the Broncos deep receiver core, but he saw more action towards the end of 2010 when Demaryius Thomas went down.  

2011 looks to be a much more promising year for Decker.  Demaryius Thomas will be out with a torn Achilles tendon and Jabar Gaffney is now in Washington, so there is plenty of room for the sure-handed golden gopher.  

If Decker performs well in preseason, he will be the No. 3 receiver.  Now the question is, how much will the Broncos throw?

Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty may have broken out already, but there are still people that do not know his name.  That will change after this season.

McCourty's rookie season was an outstanding one, as he recorded 82 tackles, seven interceptions, and 17 passes defended.  New England seems to have found another great defender, and they will continue to ride McCourty's success this season.  

With some new additions to their defense, like Albert Haynesworth, the Patriots should be able to force quarterbacks to make erratic decisions, possibly opening up even more opportunities for McCourty to make a pick.   

Malcom Floyd

A hamstring injury ruined what could a been a Pro Bowl year for Malcom Floyd in 2010.  In just 11 games he caught six touchdowns and averaged 19.4 per catch.  An obvious downfield threat, Floyd became a primary target while Vincent Jackson was holding out.  

Phillip Rivers will continue to go to Malcom Floyd in 2011, who is back to full strength and ready to put up more 213 yard games.  That's right, Malcom Floyd caught eight passes for 213 against the Oakland Raiders last season.

 We can expect more of that as long as he stays healthy.  

Randall Cobb

Randall Cobb is probably well known around the SEC community, but in the NFL he is just a rookie. Seriously though, is there anything he can't do?

Last year at Kentucky, Cobb threw, caught, and rushed for a touchdown in the same game.  He averaged 5.8 yards per carry in college, and he also caught 84 passes in his last season as a Wildcat. 

Drafted as a receiver for the Green Bay Packers, Cobb is already impressing the folks of Packer nation. He caught three passes for 60 yards in his first preseason game and also returned kicks on special teams.

He might struggle to get playing time with such a crowded receiving core, but if he gets on the field, there is no doubt that Aaron Rodgers will find him.  Cobb possesses so much athleticism that even if he plays primarily on special teams this season, he can still have a breakout year.   

Brandon LaFell

Brandon LaFell may not know who will be throwing the ball to him, but he will still be a great receiver regardless of the man under center.  

LaFell caught 38 balls his rookie year and is very likely to increase that statistic this season.  David Gettis tore his ACL this past Wednesday, and he will be out for the season, moving LaFell up a spot in the receiving depth chart.  

LaFell will play alongside the veteran Steve Smith and will hope to continue his success as a pro. However, he only scored one touchdown last season.  

The Panthers offense was pretty disappointing in general, but if they can figure things out, LaFell will be seeing the endzone more often.  

Quentin Groves

Quentin Groves was traded in the 2010 offseason by the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Oakland Raiders. Groves will start at weakside linebacker in 2011, alongside Rolando McClain and Kamerion Wimbley, to make up a very solid linebacker unit.  

Groves tied the school sack record during his time at Auburn.  He finished his school career with 26 sacks, a record held by Gerald Robinson since 1985.  

He has not recorded any sacks in the past two seasons, but with the amount of playing time he is seeing in Oakland now, there is no reason to think that will not change.