Bucky Brooks · Jul 19, 2026
Brooks laid out his NFL.com "All-Breakout Team" on defense, predicting big years for Abdul Carter, Walter Nolen, Darius Alexander, Jihaad Campbell, Cedric Gray, Travis Hunter, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Upton Stout, Kevin Winston Jr. and Craig Woodson. He also expects Dexter Lawrence to thrive in Cincinnati, Deshaun Watson to open as the Browns' starter, Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers receiving corps to be fine, and the Jets to improve with Geno Smith.
“This is easy to say that Abdul Carter should break out.”
said on air or in an interview · Fox Sports Radio (podcast) · read the original →
17 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Sleeper CallsAbdul CarterNew York GiantsJul 19, 2026
Abdul Carter to outplay his draft cost
“to me this is. No brainer this. Is easy to say That abdu carter. Should Breakout”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsWalter NolenArizona CardinalsJul 19, 2026
Walter Nolen to outplay his draft cost
“the disruptive flashes from his rookie season and that small sample size of games is enough to make you want to bet big. ON him”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsWalter NolenArizona CardinalsJul 19, 2026
Walter Nolen to be 1st on the depth chart
“he, to me is their best. Defensive lineman they're gonna showcase him”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsDarius AlexanderNew York GiantsJul 19, 2026
Darius Alexander to outplay his draft cost
“I think this is opportunity a great opportunity for the second year pro to kind of. Step up”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsJihaad CampbellPhiladelphia EaglesJul 19, 2026
Jihaad Campbell to outplay his draft cost
“He will find a way To Make john campbell a very effective player by deploying him the. Right way”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsCedric GrayTennessee TitansJul 19, 2026
Cedric Gray to outplay his draft cost
“I expect his production to continue to go up as he's given a little more freedom”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsTravis HunterJacksonville JaguarsJul 19, 2026
Travis Hunter to outplay his draft cost
“expect him to make be a major factor going forward in terms of how this, team operates”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Kool-Aid McKinstry to outplay his draft cost
“he has a chance to do this now it's his. Third season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Kool-Aid McKinstry to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think it's interesting with him being elevated to the. Number one”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsUpton StoutSan Francisco 49ersJul 19, 2026
Upton Stout to outplay his draft cost
“Look For upton stout to have plenty of opportunities to rush off, the edge and he's good enough to make. It happen”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsKevin Winston Jr.Tennessee TitansJul 19, 2026
Kevin Winston Jr. to outplay his draft cost
“I think he has an opportunity to, make it make, his Mark.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsCraig WoodsonNew England PatriotsJul 19, 2026
Craig Woodson to outplay his draft cost
“woodson is that... one person in the back end has to be the. Stabilizing FORCE when i Watched, the patriots, to me he's. That guy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Sleeper CallsDexter LawrenceCincinnati BengalsJul 19, 2026
Dexter Lawrence to outplay his draft cost
“this would be the best version that we've seen A dexter Lawrence in cincinnati”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland BrownsJul 19, 2026
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I Think deshaun watson at least starts to season as the starter and maybe eventually gives it away to the. Young guy”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Emeka Egbuka to be 1st on the depth chart
“now he gets full autonomy to own that role as. The ze he'll be AT The Z chris godman will be in the slot”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Surprise Team CallsNew York JetsJul 19, 2026
New York Jets to beat expectations
“okay they're gonna be much better. This year doesn't mean that they're reflecting their record, per se but they're gonna be much better”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Positional FinishesJared GoffDetroit LionsJul 19, 2026
Jared Goff to finish top 9 at his position, by passing yards
“the quarterback is right because he's underrated but still one of the top eight or nine quarterbacks in. The. League”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.