Five breakout players to watch for next season

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com, FootballDiehards

Last week we reviewed five players who might be solid 2007 values coming off season-ending injuries.

This week, I have five young prospects that came up a bit short this season but who appear to be on the verge of breakout 2007 seasons.

The Panthers should make DeAngelo Williams their featured back next season. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
As the Charlotte Observer suggested this week, Williams is much more explosive than DeShaun Foster -- a trait Carolina's offense desperately needs. He is dangerous outside but also is effective between the tackles. Although he'll need to improve as a pass blocker, Williams is already a solid receiver out of the backfield.

Remember, team officials favored Williams over Laurence Maroney, who was chosen by New England six spots before Carolina picked, and LenDale White, a second-round pick by Tennessee back in April's NFL Draft.

I would suggest that Williams' Week 14 effort against the Eagles -- he totaled 175 yards from scrimmage -- is the kind of output the Panthers will find very alluring next summer as the team regroups and tries to rebound following a disappointing 2006 campaign.

And make no mistake about it: Head coach John Fox won't be afraid to make the adjustments necessary to turn things around. Giving Williams a featured role should be adjustment No. 1.

Chad Jackson, WR, New England Patriots
The Boston Herald reminded readers this week that Jackson has had a rough rookie season largely because of hamstring and groin injuries, but the Patriots still like him.

They've liked him all along. During his first workout as a pro, Jackson flashed the skills that led the Pats to trade up to the 36th pick in the second round to nab him. His speed and hands were obvious, and he ran crisp routes. He made some nice grabs on passes over his head and at his feet, and not one ball that touched his body hit the ground.

As I noted in this space back in October, Jackson was asked to describe his best attributes shortly after the draft. He replied: "Running fast and catching the ball."

Big at 6-1, 213 pounds, fast and boasting good hands, a healthy Jackson could be the answer to one of the team's most glaring weaknesses this year: lack of a big-play threat.

Sinorice Moss, WR, New York Giants
In an article published this past Monday, the New York Daily News pointed out that Moss was supposed to be a big part of the offense this season. The paper added that team officials envisioned him as a Steve Smith type who could use his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big gains.

I believe that assessment is correct. Based on the rather limited look we've been able to get in the last two weeks -- once Moss got past the nagging quadriceps injury that limited him since July -- he clearly has the quickness necessary to handle that king of role.

Despite his lack of size or superstar-level numbers, the Giants felt highly enough about Moss that they traded up in the second round to take him with the 44th overall pick, envisioning he would beat out incumbent Tim Carter for the No. 3 spot behind Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.

Next year, he'll head to training camp as the No. 3 receiver and will provide the kind of explosive threat that will be sorely lacking without Tiki Barber in the lineup.