San Diego Chargers: 5 Players Most Likely to Break Out in 2011-12

Predicting which players are poised for greatness prior to the start of the regular season is iffy business at best. This may be the reason that each and every year a handful of players fly under the radar, emerging out of nowhere, into the NFL spotlight.

However, the fact that it always seems obvious in hindsight, suggests that it is possible to predict which players are most likely to take the league by surprise. With this in mind, here's my call on the five most likely players to break out for San Diego this season.

1. Vaughn Martin

DE Vaughn Martin is beginning to show signs of the kind of potential that inspired GM A.J. Smith to expend a fourth-round pick on the very raw prospect out of Western Ontario University. Drafted in 2008, the Jamaican born, hockey playing, academic standout is now entering his third season with the Chargers, and just may finally be coming into his own on the field.

Martin, who has seen his playing time increase steadily over the course of the last two seasons, has been a force during the preseason this year, recording three sacks in the last two games, in limited action.

No one's ever questioned Martin's tremendous potential. His coaches have gone on record, on multiple occasions, testifying to the freakish combination of size, strength and foot speed he possess. What has been in question is whether or not the 6'4", 330-pound, fleet-footed Goliath could overcome the nearly vertical learning curve required in order to make the unlikely transition from Canadian Collegiate football to the NFL.

But Martin, sharper than the average cookie by all accounts, seems as though he may be turning the corner as we speak. In any case, if his dominant play of late is any indication, Vaughn Martin may very well be poised for a breakout season in 2011.

2. Donald Butler

Although not the most obvious candidate for a break-out player prediction, Donald Butler, the 6'1", 248-pound former Husky taken in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, may be in the best position of all to have a breakout year in 2011.

There's no question that the Chargers have struggled to fill the “Mac” position ever since running Donnie Edwards out on a rail in 2006. The Matt Wilhelm experiment proved to be short lived (thankfully), prompting the Chargers to make a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for the rights to LB Kevin Burnett in 2008. But Burnett was not the answer either, ultimately lacking the kind of physical presence sought at the line of scrimmage, which prompted the Chargers to go in another direction in 2011. San Diego had hoped to bring Butler along slowly last season, playing behind Burnett on the depth chart. However, Butler was placed on IR for the year after being injured during last year's preseason.

It's hard to say just what kind of player the Chargers have in Butler, given that he's had so little playing time. So what then, you might ask, makes Donald Butler a player to watch in 2011? Because, as it stands, Butler is a near lock to start in the Chargers base set to begin the season.

The Mac position, by its nature, provides more than its share of opportunities to make plays, perhaps more so than any other position on the defense. Illustrating this point is the fact that, in each of the last three consecutive seasons, 14 of the top 20 leaders in tackles played the inside (3-4), or middle linebacker (4-3) position.

With only rookie second-round pick Jonas Mouton to compete with, barring a last minute deal for a veteran, Butler may only need to start in a dozen or so games this year in order to have a very good shot at being among the team leaders, if not league leaders, in tackles in 2011.

3. Ryan Mathews

RB Ryan Mathews is in an equally strong position to break out for the Chargers in 2011. The second-year back, selected in the first round of the 2010 draft, has struggled, at least in part due to the pressures of following in the foot steps of greatness. As such, Mathews has been scrutinized by the fans accordingly.

No one's going to confuse Mathews with LaDainian Tomlinson anytime soon. However, the fans can expect to hear more comparisons being made between the two this upcoming season. Now that some of the pressure has been released and the expectations have come floating back down to earth in San Diego, Mathews seems to be responding. His 109 yards on 19 carries gives him a whopping 5.7 yards-per-carry average through three preseason games, and may be an indication that Mathews is beginning to find his groove.

He's starting to display signs of the sort of potential that inspired A.J. Smith to use a first-round selection on the running back. Given Smith's unprecedented knack for evaluating running-back prospects, I'm compelled to give Mathews the benefit of the doubt and here's why: Since taking over as the Chargers GM in 2003, Smith has transformed the team into a veritable running-back factory, hitting on virtually every back he's brought in.

With LT in New York, Michael Turner in Atlanta, Darren Sproles in New Orleans and Tolbert splitting time with Mathews in San Diego, it's difficult to argue against Smith's ability to evaluate talent at the running-back position. With this in mind, no one should be surprised if Mathews breaks out for the Chargers this year. Based on Smith's record at developing running backs, the odds are in Mathews' favor.

4. Corey Liuget

The Chargers coaching staff has made one thing crystal clear: the Chargers didn't spend a first-round pick on Corey Liuget to admire how well he fills out a pair of football pants. Judging by the amount of playing time the youngster out of Illinois has seen, it would seem that it was his job to lose, the moment he was drafted. And, although he has yet to put up huge numbers, he has been an increasingly disruptive force, demonstrating the ability to blow-up double-teams on more than one occasion.

True, eight tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in three preseason games does not a break-out player make. However, keep in mind that he's been splitting time with both Jacques Cesaire and Vaughn Martin, all of whom are battling it out right now for the same RDE spot. If Liuget can continue to demonstrate an ability to draw and shed double-teams, with as well as Vaughn Martin seems to be progressing, veteran DE Jacques Cesaire may end up being the odd man out in San Diego.

While it remains to be seen whether or not the rookie is up to the task but whether Liuget swims or sinks, it won't be for lack of opportunity. At least for now, the Chargers seem perfectly content on throwing him into the pool and waiting to see if he floats.

5. Bryan Walters

A virtual unknown up until just a few weeks ago, Walters was originally invited to camp in 2010 as an undrafted rookie free-agent out of Cornell University. Released prior to the start of the regular season last year, the former ivy leaguer cleared waivers and was promptly signed to the Chargers practice squad.

Still widely considered a long-shot to make the team coming in to camp this year, especially considering the Chargers depth at receiver, Walters may just have made a case for himself by turning out a very impressive performance through three preseason games.

The 103-yard kick-off return for a touchdown in Game 1 against the Seahawks probably didn't hurt his chances any. It just so happens that the Chargers are in the market for a return man having lost specialist extraordinaire Darren Sproles to free agency during the offseason.

Walters did an outstanding job of pushing his blocks up field on the play, timing his break and burst to perfection. Nearly tripped up by an attempted arm tackle just south of the mid-field hash, he managed to regain his balance with enough wheels left to take it the rest of the distance untouched.

Walters is acutely aware of the fact that his best shot at making the final 53 is as a return specialist. Nevertheless, he demonstrated an ability to contribute as a receiver off of the bench too, by putting on a clinic for the fans at University of Phoenix Stadium last week.  

After already having given notice with a tough third-quarter catch across the middle and a sweet down-field block on a second-quarter pass play, Walters saved the best for last. With under 10 seconds remaining, and the game on the line, Walters made a catch that was the very definition of clutch. The acrobatic tip-and-catch demonstrated both high levels of athleticism and concentration, not to mention giving the Chargers a first-and-10 at the Cardinals 14.

On the ensuing play, the Chargers ran a crossing pattern with Walters in the slot and WR Seyi Ajiratutu lined up out-wide. Ajirotutu cleared out the safety over the top, leaving Walters open underneath. Walters ran a perfect route into the corner of the end zone and Volek hit him in stride for the go-ahead score.

Of course, you can only put so much stock into preseason performances, but Walters has demonstrated a certain degree of potential that may prove too difficult for the Chargers to pass on. He showed that the NFL game is not too big or too fast for him, and that he's both willing and capable of contributing on special teams.

Finally, to all the draft-nicks, combine geeks and fantasy freaks out there scoffing at Walters' measurables while, simultaneously, preparing to bombard me with a flurry of cynical smiley faces, riddle me this: What two things does Bryan Walters have in common with All-Pro players Chris Dielman, Wes Welker and Antonio Gates?

Each player entered the league as an undrafted free agent and all were considered long-shots, at best, by most to make the final roster heading into their respective breakout seasons.