Note: This is a four part breakdown of the best sleeper players on every NFL team most likely to have a breakout season in 2021. Each part will contain eight players from the same AFC/NFC divisions. You can read part one here
Part two of the best sleeper player for every NFL team continues with the AFC and NFC East squads. This list will include the Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets from the AFC and the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, and the Football Team from the NFC. Eight players, one from each team, that will be listed in order of making the case for an outstanding season.
8. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo
Now a fan may ask themselves, “How can a player that led his team into the playoffs and in the MVP conversation a year ago be on this list?”. It is simple, he wins the MVP. His already high level of play brings him onto this list but his limited ceiling that he creates for himself from his astounding play leaves him at No. 8. Allen is a huge winner this offseason in Buffalo as the team signs two offensive lineman and pick up another in the draft. The Bills grab Gregory Rousseau out of the University of Miami in the first round to bolster the defensive line.
Allen is now in his second year with top-tier wideout Stefon Diggs, that they got from Minnesota before the start of last season. Allen made a statement last year completing nearly 70 percent of his passes — a jump from 58 percent the year before — with Diggs on board. He threw for nearly 1,500 more yards in his third season for 4,544 with 37 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. Only two quarterbacks threw for more touchdowns and less interceptions during the 2020 season: Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. This is the season that Josh Allen makes a deep playoff run and claims the Most Valuable Player award.
7. Mac Jones, QB, New England
The first article came before the NFL Draft, this one — yes, I know it has taken a while — comes after the NFL Draft. Mac Jones, Tom Brady 2.0, Mac Attack; whatever you want to call him, has a huge chance in New England. The nicknames that are shown — not directly from me — show the promise that the Patriots fanbase have around this young quarterback from the University of Alabama. In my belief, this is a perfect system for Jones to fall into under Bill Belichick; a great arm, that plays pro style football and has the IQ along with the playmaking ability that resembles a former Patriots quarterback. He is number seven on this list because of the chances that he actually starts. New England resigned Cam Newton to a one-year deal this offseason along with having Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham in the locker room.
Mac Jones landed at the No. 15 pick for the Patriots to grab, however that does not mean that he will be a day one starter. Newton is a 32 year-old quarterback that threw for 368 pass attempts but only logs 8 touchdowns with 10 interceptions; not great for a starting quarterback, definitely under Belichick. Newton underwent shoulder surgery prior to the 2020 season and if he does not bounce back quick this season, Jones could be fighting for a shot at the starting position. However, Belichick is not known for playing his young quarterbacks until a problem occurs such as a Drew Bledsoe injury. If that injury never occurs, maybe Tom Brady never becomes Tom Brady. Jones is one of the highest quarterback finalists for the Heisman under Nick Saban and garnered a huge season in 2020 despite the awkwardness of the season en route to a National Championship. Jones may have a shot early if Newton cannot bring back the glorified Patriots name, however it could be a couple of games before we see ‘Mac Attack’ in action.
6. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington
This is RB1 for the Football Team from here on out; Antonio Gibson is a monster. He lands in the top-5 rookie running backs from a season ago with 795 yards and 11 touchdowns on 170 attempts. The four running backs ahead of him from his rookie class were Jonathan Taylor, James Robinson, J.K. Dobbins and Clyde Edward-Helaire; if Gibson would have added 10 more yards on the ground, he would have finished in the top-3 for yards. After the 2020 season, he ties for first in touchdowns among rookies and ties for sixth among NFL running backs overall.
However, the best statistic for Gibson is not the yards or touchdowns, but his carries. Robinson led all running backs in carries with 240, if Gibson would receive those same amount carries in 2020 with his 4.7 yards per attempt, he would finish his rookie campaign with 1,124 rushing yards. This would have been the second leading rookie rusher behind Jonathan Taylor with one less game on his resumé. The third round selection from Memphis will have a huge season ahead of him as he has another potential ‘stop-gap’ quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick after Alex Smith retired. Gibson has a chance to be a top running back in the upcoming season with a chance to breakout for the Washington Football Team.
5. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia
It is time. It is now the Jalen Hurts era for the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson Wentz ships off to Indianapolis to fill in for Philip Rivers and hopefully become the answer to the questionable end of the Andrew Luck era. Howie Roseman did something right this time, he made a noteworthy selection in the NFL Draft instead of throwing them away. During the draft, he trades with NFC East rival the Dallas Cowboys to move up to select Heisman wining receiver Devonta Smith. He grabs a top IOL in Landon Dickerson who can play all across the board on the offensive line. Both of these players know Jalen Hurts pretty well since they were college teammates at the University of Alabama before Hurts transferred to Oklahoma.
In 2020, Jalen Hurts came off the board at the 53rd pick in the NFL Draft and instantly Eagles fans scratched their heads. Why would Roseman select a quarterback when you have the No. 2 selection from the 2016 draft that has not materialized yet? Well now, fans see why with Hurts as the hopeful starter to start the 2021 season. Hurts did not have the best 2020 season, however he only became the starter in week 13 against the Green Bay Packers. He played in 15 games for the 2020 season but saw his role that resembles that of Taysom Hill. A multi-functional athlete that can throw, run, and even catch if need be; a wildcat quarterback, if you will. Hurts completed 52 percent of his passes for 1,061 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He added 354 yards on the ground and three touchdowns but did fumble six times. Overall, 10 turnovers for the upcoming second-year player and nine scores; not great statistics.
This is a huge season for Hurts as the Eagles seem to be making the right moves in helping the skill around him with additions to both the running back room and receiving core. Roseman adds several defensive players to help the team as well. The best team from the NFC East a year ago finished 7-9; Hurts now has a chance to make a run at that top spot if he officially settles into the starting role.
4. Denzel Mims, WR, New York Jets
The new look Jets. New head coach in Robert Saleh. New quarterback in Zach Wilson. It is time for something good to happen in New York to one of the two teams. Denzel Mims only saw action in nine games this past season recording 23 receptions for 357 yards and no touchdowns. His average yards per catch came in at 15.5, only five of the top-50 receivers had a better average during the 2020 season.
Now, Mims and the Jets have a chance to be a decent team for the 2021 season. Saleh is a defense first coach who has lots of success on his resumé from his time with the San Francisco 49ers. The offense will improve with a Sam Darnold trade on the books, the No. 2 selection of Zach Wilson, the addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker from USC, Elijah Moore out of Ole Miss and Michael Carter, one-half of the North Carolina running back room. This allows Mims to not be the only threat on the field and gives Wilson a chance at not being left out to dry on every play like Darnold.
The second round product from Baylor stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 207 pounds. Mims will be a huge target for rookie quarterback Zach Wilson and great counterpart to Elijah Moore. Nevertheless, Mims needs to put together a complete, healthy season to become a problem in the NFL. While at Baylor, he became the only receiver in the NCAA to catch at least eight touchdowns from 2017-2019. If he plays a full slate of games in 2021, watch Mims become the superstar that the Baylor Bears once knew.
3. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas
Four straight seasons of 16 starts for the Mississippi State product, then all of a sudden it becomes five. Dak Prescott went to scramble against the New York Giants in week five of the regular season. He would end up being brought down with a gruesome ankle injury that cost him his 2020 campaign. Before week five, Prescott led the Cowboys to a 1-3 record which is not his fault; the defense behind him for 2020 was dismal, at best. However, Prescott posted some of his best games from weeks two through four with three consecutive games of 450-plus yards through the air. It looked to be his best season yet as he finishes 20th in the league for most yards with 1,856 at the end of the season. He had nine touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes.
Remember, he saw four and a half games of action during 2020 but still finishes 20th for passing yards by the end of the season. If fully healthy, Prescott would throw for 32 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and 4,268 yards in 2020. These would be careers highs in touchdowns, interceptions, yards per game, completion percentage and second in yards. He potentially could be amongst the top players in the MVP conversation as well. Does it sting Dallas?
Now it is time for him to breakout. Prescott got the deal that he wants from Dallas and it looks like the Cowboys got a defensive presence after the defense-heavy draft. A healthy offseason mixing in with Amari Cooper, Ezekiel Elliot, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallups and Tony Pollard can create a huge success for Dak Prescott in 2021. Mentioning the same fact here, the NFC East’s record in 2020? 7-9. The NFL knows that Prescott and the Cowboys are capable of much, much more.
2. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami
Personally, he needed to ride the bench the entire year; Brian Flores thought different. Now, I am not saying that Tagovailoa is not a phenomenal quarterback or a bust. Personally, coming into the league he should have stayed on the bench behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. The only reason being is the injury during his senior year at the University of Alabama. However, he got thrown into the starting role in week six against the Los Angeles Rams. He needed to learn the playbook more, he needed a full season of being healthy. Tua Tagovailoa’s injury resembles one of a superstar: Bo Jackson. Jackson and Tagovailoa both had hip injuries, the difference being is that Jackson’s hip injury ended his career. Thanks to modern technology and medicine, Tagovailoa is able to play the game that he loves.
In his 10 games, Tagovailoa shows promise, completing 64 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Dolphins add two offensive tackles in the draft to pair with the offensive line signings and draftees from a year ago. Miami grabs a huge first round this year in pairing Tagovailoa with his former teammate Jaylen Waddle. The electric receiver from Alabama comes early in the first round along with Jaelan Phillips, the defensive end from Miami. The Dolphins draft is one that is building for the future as they make several trades to gain more draft capital but build around Tagovailoa for the future.
If Tagovailoa can stay upright for 16 games, he has a chance to be a star quarterback this next season. He finishes his rookie season with a 7-3 record and a near playoff birth before a bitter loss to Buffalo. Flores and Miami put the talent around Tagovailoa, now it is boom or bust.
1. Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
Do you notice the trend here? Lots of quarterbacks are on this list. The East Divisions of the NFC and AFC have a lot to prove at quarterback; a lot. Jones lands at the top of the list because the Giants picking him at number six in the 2019 NFL Draft. The second quarterback taken out of the 11 overall from the draft, this is most likely the worst quarterback draft in recent memory beside Kyler Murray.
David Gettleman took Saquon Barkley instead of a quarterback in the 2018 draft, leaving him with Eli Manning who was soon to retire at the time. The sixth overall selection from Duke University caused fans to scratch their heads and not understand why Dwayne Haskins was not the pick. Gettleman took Jones instead who, with the eye test, resembles that of the great Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Same body type, size, arm, play style and game management seems to be the reason why Jones would become the successor.
Jones is 8-18 in his career since becoming the starter after the retirement of Manning. The only team to not beat Jones to date, is the Washington Football Team. He has thrown for 35 touchdowns in his two seasons with the team, but has 36 total turnovers including fumbles in the two seasons. Yes, New York has not given him the best help and Barkley went down last year with an ACL tear early in the season.
However, this is his make or break(out) season; the Giants have given him the tools he needs. Saquon Barkely, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, John Ross, Adoree Jackson, Kyle Rudolph and Azeez Ojulari are some names that notice. His returning ace at running back, every receiver he may need and the defensive additions to make the Giants competitive are in tow. Daniel Jones has the chance to have one of the best seasons for the Giants in recent memory. Nevertheless, it will come down to if Jones is the quarterback for the future or just for now.
