Top 5 year 2 NFL defensive breakout candidates.

Kyle Alexander
Aug 6, 2020
5 min read

Here we take a look at defensive players players from the 2019 draft class and see who has the most potential for their sophomore year.

Seahawks S Jamal Adams (left) and Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy (right).

Becoming a defensive star in the NFL can take time. Seattle Seahawks All-Pro S (safety) Jamal Adams struggled his first year but quickly became a Pro Bowler and top player at his position. Miami Dolphins LB (linebacker) Kyle Van Noy was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2014 but didn’t make a lasting impression. He then went to the New England Patriots and became a key piece for the team as they defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53. With the 2020 season coming up and certain players opting out of playing, we look at the 5 best breakout sophomores on the defense.

1. Mack Wilson, LB, Cleveland Browns

Mack Wilson was looked at as a top LB in the beginning of the draft process, but his stock fell quickly. The Cleveland Browns saw the value and potential as they selected the Alabama product 155th overall. Wilson made some buzz in the preseason and got the nod to start alongside Pro Bowler Joe Schobert. Wilson played in all 16 games and racked up 82 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Wilson was impressive for a 5th round pick playing next to a Pro Bowler. While he did give up 715 completion, he only allowed 2 touchdowns. With Joe Schobert taking a contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Christian Kirksey going to the Green Bay Packers, and add that the Browns didn’t draft or sign a LB capable of starting, Mack Wilson is expected to become the number 1 LB for the team. With Schobert out of the picture and DE (defensive end) Myles Garrett leading the pass rush unit, Wilson will break out on the scene and can become Cleveland’s next Pro Bowl caliber defender.

2. Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders

The then Oakland Raiders were looking for pass rush help after trading 3x All Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. The team had 3 first round picks in 2019 and used number 4 overall to select DE Clelin Ferrell from Clemson and let edge rusher Josh Allen fall to the Jaguars. Allen ended the year with 10 sacks while Ferrell only got a measly 4.5 sacks. While he didn’t live up to his draft position, they got someone who surpassed their position as the Raiders took Eastern Michigan DE Maxx Crosby 106 overall. Crosby got some spotlight as the team was on the famous HBO installment of “Hard Knocks” and showed people of glimpse of what he could be. He played the whole season and accumulated 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and even got 4 pass deflections. The 4th round edge was tied for most sacks by a rookie last year with Josh Allen, but couldn’t get the Raiders to the playoffs. The Raiders were ranked 25th in the league for sack totals, but with their hidden gem in Crosby and the LB help they got in Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton, Maxx Crosby will have more time to get to the QB and rack up more sacks and pressures. Crosby showed that he was worth the late pickup and is now going into this season as the team’s best pass rusher and the heir to Khalil Mack.

3. Dre Greenlaw, LB, San Francisco 49ers

Last offseason, the San Francisco 49ers focused on building the defense. The team’s first move was to trade for former Kansas City Chiefs 1st round pick DE Dee Ford. The next move was to get a veteran LB as they signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Kwon Alexander to help lead the front 7. General manager John Lynch solidified his defensive line by drafting star DE Nick Bosa from Ohio State to pair with 3 other former first round picks. The team wasn’t done as they selected Arkansas LB Dre Greenlaw with the 148th pick. Greenlaw was starting along Kwon Alexander and breakout star Fred Warner as he was able to collect 92 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 2 deflections as he helped his team win their first 8 games straight as the 49ers finished with a 13-3 record. He also made a game winning tackle at the goal line against the Seahawks to clinch the 1st seed in the playoffs. Greenlaw and the rest of the defense was a key part in the 49ers going all the way to the Super Bowl but ultimately lost to the Chiefs. The late round pick that nobody knew helped the team reach the top as the 49ers had the 2nd best total defense in the league. This team is looking to run it back and finally win it all, so don’t be surprised if you see Dre Greenlaw racking up tackles and shutting the middle down with the LB corp known as the “Hot Boyzz.”

4. Brian Burns, DE, Carolina Panthers

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera decided to switch his defense to a 3-4 instead of staying with the 4-3. The team needed edge help so they went after Florida State pass rusher Brian Burns as they took him 16th overall. Burns was playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and started in 5 games as he had a hot start. He played the rest of the year but was coming off the bench as he had a wrist injury that slowed his hot streak down. Even then, the rookie finished the year with 25 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Burns had a decent year but the Panthers ended up finishing last is the division and having the worst run defense. With new head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow taking the team’s reigns, the Panthers have switched back to a 4-3, putting Brian at DE. The young pass rusher even said he gained 15 pounds this offseason as he claims he wants to be around 250-255. With the new coaching scheme and his bulk up, Burns is primed to reach double digit sacks this year.

5. Trayvon Mullen, CB, Las Vegas Raiders

Like Mack Wilson, cornerback (CB) Trayvon Mullen was looked at as a top player at his position. His stock fell over the course of the draft process and was a projected 2-3 round pick. The Raiders saw an opportunity and selected Mullen 40th overall in the 2nd round. Trayvon was originally a backup or rotational corner for the Raiders until the team traded former first round pick Gareon Conley to the Houston Texans. Since that move, Mullen was thrown right into the starting role and has held his own. The 2nd round talent finished the year with 50 tackles, 1 interception, and 10 deflections. He only allowed 55.9% completion and a 79.7 passer rating as he only gave up 2 touchdowns. This under the radar performance by Trayvon is what made him the 50th best overall rookie and 7th best rookie corner by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Mullen is primed to breakout as one of the team’s top corners. The addition of S Damarious Randall, CB Prince Amukamara, and Ohio State CB Damon Arnette gives him better secondary help and veteran leadership. With a revamped defense and a young corner in Arnette, Mullen can become a leader and take the next step to become a lockdown corner for the long run.