Every season there is always a player or two that exceed expectations. If you break down all 32 teams, you can find breakout players on every roster. As the Miami Dolphins enter week 2 of training camp, beat reporters, NFL analysts and coaches all have their own take on who will breakout in ’23, here’s our take on breakout candidates for the upcoming season:
Jevon Holland (FS): Seeing Holland on this list will probably draw a few questions among readers and fans but while Holland has shown himself to be one of the better young safeties in the league, being the roving piece in Vic Fangio’s defense should see Holland take his play to another level in ’23, likely landing himself a Pro Bowl nod. Fangio’s defense is built on defensive backs, especially safety. The big difference going into this season is Holland is a candidate to breakout from good to great this year, likely landing himself among the top 5 at his position.
Kader Kohou (CB): Kohou was a revelation for the Dolphins last year. As injuries mounted in the secondary, Kohou, the undrafted corner out of West Texas A&M, proved that the transition from division 2 college to NFL was not too big for Darth Kader. Splitting time between boundary and nickel, Kohou displayed solid tackling ability for a corner, not shying away from the physicality of the pros. Going into his second year and having his focus being shifted to being the lead nickelback, Kohou is poised to breakout into one of the Dolphins integral pieces in the secondary.
Raekwon Davis (DT): Playing nose tackle is a crucial but unheralded position in today’s NFL. Where sacks, fumbles, and tackles behind the line of scrimmage gather the most attention, deservingly so, players like Raekwon Davis take on two lineman every snap, clearing the way for the linebackers to chase the ballcarrier and make plays. Davis has been a crucial piece in the Dolphins turnaround on run defense. Going into a contract year, its safe to bet that Davis displays more of his pass rushing ability while clearing lanes for his linebackers to make plays. Lacking any depth behind him, Davis is poised to see a ton of snaps and have the opportunity to exceed expectations in a new defense.
Erik Ezukama (WR): Picked in the 4th round of last year’s draft, Ezukama surprised many fans and analysts alike when selected, after all, the Dolphins just added Cedrick Wilson and Tyreek Hill, giving the team one of the most talented receiver groups its had in a long time. Ezukama found his learning curve more challenging than expected and was a non factor as a rookie. Reports this camp have been very encouraging going into EZ E’s second season. With Waddle and Hill being one of the league’s most explosive and elite receiving duos, the Dolphins truly lack size at the position, especialy when factoring in the red zone. With Gesicki gone, Sherfield in Buffalo, Ezukama is poised to breakout and provide some much needed size and depth for the Dolphins in ’23.
Austin Jackson (RT): Probably the most surprising name on the list, AJ has been trying to establish himself since entering the league in 2020. Expected to be Tua’s blindside protector, Jackson has bounced from Left Tackle to Guard to now being the favorite to play Right tackle for the team. Going into a contract season should provide a little more motivation, in addition to Isiah Wynn and Kendall Lamm being more than willing competition to take the job should Jackson falter. Jackson looks to be in the best physical shape of his career and showed promise before a high ankle sprain sidelined him most of the year. Jackson is being given another lifeline in ’23 and there is confidence to be had that Jackson’s athleticism and another year of familiarity with the blocking scheme will improve the likelihood that Jackson proves himself in year four and earns an extension.
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