Sportsnaut
Now that the NFL preseason is over, it’s time to predict which players are set for a big year. While all athletes spend the offseason fine-tuning their craft, not everyone returns as an improved player ready to make a bigger impact.
Below, you’ll find a player from each AFC East team who is most primed to have a breakout season. Stay tuned, as we’ll continue releasing one division each day, resuming with the AFC South tomorrow after publishing the AFC North yesterday.
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As the big spellback who can give James Cook a breather, Ray Davis could see some increased opportunities this season. While Josh Allen has proven he’s more than capable of picking up the hard-earned yardage on QB sneaks, the 5-foot-8, 220-pound Davis is more equipped to convert short-yardage situations.
He already impressed as a rookie after rushing for 442 yards and three touchdowns on 113 attempts, but we believe he’ll be asked to shoulder more of the load in his second season. Starting the season with the coaching staff’s trust is much different than still having to prove it, so Davis should already be one step ahead of his results as a first-year player.
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There are already rumors of Tyreek Hill becoming available via trade if the Miami Dolphins‘ season goes awry. Yet, even if the Dolphins’ receiving corps isn’t thinned down, second-year player Malik Washington could still have a big year ahead.
Despite being just a sixth-round pick a season ago, Washington not only managed to make a strong impression on the coaching staff, he actually saw action in 14 games and even drew three starts. While Washington was buried behind Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Washington still recorded an impressive 223 yards on 26 receptions. With another year in the system and virtually no one else ahead of him, Washington should be able to make an even bigger impact in 2025.
Related: NFL Teams Prepping for Tyreek Hill Trade in Near Future
At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Keion White is a physical specimen. No wonder the New England Patriots made him the 46th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. While he’s steadily improved each season, going from one sack as a rookie to five last year, he’s in for an even bigger increase in 2025.
The Patriots finally have a formidable front seven, and first-year head coach Mike Vrabel will find creative ways to put his players in a position to succeed. That includes White, who’s projected to resume his role as a starting defensive end in a much-improved defense.
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There have been some rumors that the New York Jets could move on from Breece Hall...
