With the 2013-2014 NFL season coming to an end, we look to the NFL off-season and the ensuing draft. Each year we analyze those young players with the most upside who could very well become the best at their respective positions and the next crop of budding superstars.
With that being said, the NFL is loaded with players who, for a variety of reasons, have break-out seasons after having already played in the NFL – and in some cases, that break can even happen late in one’s career. On that note, let’s take a few moments and look at 5 players who showed they have the skills to climb to the top in 2014 after excellent 2013 seasons.
Percy Harvin: WR, Seattle Seahawks
Traded by the Minnesota Vikings, Percy Harvin suffered throughout 2013 with a labrum tear in his hip. He was sidelined for almost all 16 of Seattle’s games, only making an appearance against his former team in Week 11.
But in Super Bowl XLVIII, we saw a different side of Percy Harvin. Although he was not a big factor in the Seahawks passing game, he was a key component in helping his team win a Super Bowl in different positions. On the rushing side, he put up 54 yards in 3 carries, averaging 18 yards per carry. Harvin also helped seal the Super Bowl for the Seahawks with an 87-yard kick return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the 2nd half. It was that play that really sunk the Broncos.
Watching Harvin play, I saw an incredible athlete with raw speed. His ability to outrun defensive players is amazing. My advice would be to make Harvin a slot back/kick returner (as well as move him around in different positions to try and allow him to make some plays in open space). As a returner with the Vikings, he put up 3,183 yards and 5 TD’s. Considering he’s suffered numerous injuries in his career, these are very impressive stats.
This dude is a monster and could be a huge factor in Seattle’s offense as long as he stays healthy. Percy Harvin is too talented of a player not to produce when healthy, and it would be in Seattle’s best interest to keep him long term. Harvin was great with Minnesota, and could have a breakout year with Seattle in 2014 with improved strength and health.
Josh Gordon: WR, Cleveland Browns
Despite missing the first 2 games of the regular season due to suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy, the Browns WR Josh Gordon in his 2nd year came completely out of nowhere and led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013, putting up 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and 9 touchdowns. And what is truly remarkable is that he did this in 14 games. Antonio Brown (Steelers) and Calvin Johnson (Lions) each had 110 receptions for 1,499 yards and 84 receptions for 1,492 yards in 16 games respectively.
Keep in mind Josh Gordon led the NFL in receiving yards with a disastrous QB situation in Cleveland as well. With even a decent QB (could Brian Hoyer stay healthy and live up to his potential?), we could see Gordon’s already impressive numbers skyrocket, as long as he stays out of trouble off the field. Reports have also said he has recently been training with receiving greats Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald in the off-season.
Averaging 18.9 yards per catch in 2013 (2nd in the NFL, only behind Saints WR Kenny Stills, who averaged 20.0 yards per catch), Gordon was unquestionably the biggest star for the Browns, and he was excellent at running his routes and using his great speed to get open, giving Cleveland 64 first downs in 2013. If the Browns can produce a talented QB and make sure he’s healthy, Gordon will be dangerous for years to come.
Alshon Jeffery: WR, Chicago Bears
This WR won our hearts with some of the game’s most mind-blowing catches in only his 2nd year in the NFL. Jeffery put up 89 receptions for 1,421 yards (6th in the NFL) and seven touchdowns in 2013, averaging 16.0 yards per catch.
What makes Jeffery such a reliable receiver is his wingspan. His ability to get open, run routes and make circus-like catches is something he does better than most receivers in the NFL. But none of these things would happen without such an impressive wingspan, which makes it possible.
Jeffery also is able to lead the QB into throwing a pass-turned-into-a-touchdown with seemingly little effort. That’s how good he is at running routes. Bears QB Jay Cutler has proven to be a bit inconsistent, yet highly underappreciated, so with a little more improvement, we could see something special made out of Alshon Jeffery. And we all know we want to see that.
Jamaal Charles: RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaal Charles is entering his seventh year in the league and has certainly been on our radar for a long time. In addition to an established running game, Charles has also shown that he is a dangerous receiver. He led the Chiefs in not only rushing yards (1,287 yards as well as 12 TD’s), but also receiving, where he put up 693 yards for seven touchdowns, bringing his 2013 total to 19 touchdowns. He is the first player to lead a playoff team in rushing and receiving since Roger Craig did it in 1985 for the San Francisco 49ers (via Elias Sports).
Charles is a special case because he’s a dual threat in rushing and receiving, and manages to succeed in both categories thanks to his speed and strength. Putting 5.0 yards per carry on the rush and 9.9 yards per catch on the receiving end. In addition, he led the NFL in TD rate, scoring once every 17.32 touches (via FantasyInsiders.com).
Kansas City making him a dual threat in 2013 was the best thing the team could’ve ever done. The MVP trophy is up for grabs, and few players deserve it more than Jamaal Charles. Charles has been great for some time, but he was that much better with Andy Reid on the sideline.
Nick Foles: QB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles QB, in his 2nd year, grabbed the attention of many football fans with a breakout year in 2013. Throwing 27 touchdowns (including tying a single game record with seven TD’s in week nine against the Oakland Raiders) with just 2,891 yards was impressive enough, but consider that he also threw only 2 interceptions and finished with one of the best single season passer ratings in of all time (119.2). His 27 TD’s and 2 interceptions are the best TD-INT ratio in the league’s history. Those are some impressive stats.
The only way to explain Nick Foles’ breakout 2013 season is that he was very accurate. Finishing eighth in completion percentage among QB’s in 2013 (64.0), he also had seven games with a completion percentage of at least 65%, and a passer rating of at least 100.0 in 10 of his 13 games played. In the seven touchdown game against the Raiders, he posted a perfect passer rating (meaning he put up more TD’s than incompletions) of 158.3 (22/28 completions).
It’s too early to consider Nick Foles as one of the elites, but I think he’s got a lot of talent in him, especially with the way he fits into Eagles HC Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offensive scheme. He’s terrific at the read, and if he does not fix what is not broken, could be a viable MVP candidate. There’s still judgment that needs to be settled in 2014, but with the mass potential Foles has, it looks like he has a bright future.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @HSN_NEWS. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our Football writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
Main Photo Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
