Three second-year NFL players primed for breakout seasons

Only one season has passed, but the 2023 NFL Draft class appears to have produced a number of current and future stars. 

Texans QB C.J. Stroud, Rams WR Puka Nacua and Lions TE Sam LaPorta are just a few names who solidified themselves as premier players at their respective positions last season. However, there are still several other players who showed flashes or simply didn't impress as rookies, but have the potential to break out in 2024.

With that in mind, here are three second-year players who could be on their way to enjoying a breakout 2024 season. 

Quarterback Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers 

Things can't get much worse for Young and the Panthers, who are coming off a nightmare season, finishing with the worst record (2-15) and lowest-scoring offense (13.9 points per game) in the NFL.

Young didn't perform like a No. 1 overall pick, completing just 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while posting a 33.4 QBR, which ranked 29th among signal-callers. Even so, it's undeniable that Young was set up to fail as a rookie. He entered the most dysfunctional situation in the league. In addition to putting him behind an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks (65), Carolina did Young no favors by firing Frank Reich 11 games into his tenure as Panthers head coach.

It's impossible to predict just how improved the Panthers will be in 2024, but the team has taken some much-needed steps this offseason to surround Young with better resources to succeed. In addition to making their next head coach former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales, who was instrumental in helping QBs Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield turn their careers around, Carolina bolstered its offensive line and receiving corps this offseason.

In free agency, the Panthers spent $153 million to land guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, who combined to allow four sacks last season. Carolina also acquired WR Diontae Johnson via trade and selected Xavier Legette in the first round of April's draft, giving Young two weapons with the potential to serve as the team's No. 1 wideout.

Due to their draft capital and the stark differences between the seasons they experienced as rookies, Young and 2023 No. 2 overall pick Stroud will forever be connected. Young might not deliver a 2024 season comparable to Stroud's stellar rookie year, but he should make significant strides and prove he was worthy of being the No. 1 pick in last year's draft. 

Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks 

Smith-Njigba, the 20th overall pick and first wide receiver selected in last year's draft, failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him as a rookie. Operating as Seattle's No. 3 wideout, Smith-Njigba caught 63 passes for 628 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games last season.

While his lackluster production is concerning, Smith-Njigba had to deal with a number of obstacles in 2023. After entering the NFL coming off a hamstring injury that cost him all but three games in 2022, the Ohio State product suffered a broken wrist last preseason that affected him early in his rookie season. When he was on the field, Smith-Njigba was vastly underutilized, finishing the season with just 93 targets and a shallow aDOT of six yards.

However, Smith-Njigba still showed flashes of high potential, stepping up in clutch moments. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Smith-Njigba became the first rookie since 1960 to score two game-winning touchdown receptions in the final minute of the fourth quarter in a single season. 

Although Smith-Njigba will still compete for targets with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett this season, new OC Ryan Grubb's scheme should allow the second-year wideout to make more of an impact, particularly down the field. Considering the 31-year-old Lockett has seen his receiving yards total decline over the last two years, Smith-Njigba could emerge as Seattle's No. 2 wideout and make a push for the first 1,000-yard season of his career. 

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots 

A promising talent whose rookie season was derailed by injuries, Gonzalez figures to be one of the most important cornerstones of New England's rebuild. Despite being considered the top-ranked cornerback in the 2023 draft by many analysts, Gonzalez was the third player at his position to come off the board.

Even though he played just four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, Gonzalez looked the part of being the top cornerback in his draft class. In the 209 snaps he played last season, Gonzalez racked up 17 tackles, one for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and one interception. For his efforts, Gonzalez was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.

With edge-rusher Matthew Judon having been traded to Atlanta and DT Christian Barmore out indefinitely with blood clots, New England desperately needs Gonzalez to become a difference-maker for its defense. Gonzalez's performance so far in training camp provides optimism that he could be just that as he drew praise from Eagles star wideout A.J. Brown for his outstanding play during Tuesday's joint practice session.

"[Gonzalez is] a great player," Brown told reporters. "I had picked him coming out two years ago as the best defensive back in the draft. He's a great player. He gave me good work today."