NFC breakout candidates: A new potential star for every team

Now is the time for boundless optimism.

Preseason highlights are running rampant on social media, and training camp scouting reports are spiking expectations throughout the league.

So, let's lean into it. As long as we're hyped about new possibilities, let's examine them. This week, we'll seek to identify a potential breakout star — a player who might not be well-known beyond his own fan base, but soon can be.

Today we'll look at the NFC, with the AFC to follow.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys : WR Jalen Tolbert

Third time's the charm, right? Big expectations have followed Tolbert since his 2022 rookie campaign, when he had a chance to grab a starting job right away. Two years and 24 career catches later, it just hasn't materialized. But hope springs eternal. The word coming out of training camp is that Tolbert has raised his game, and maybe this time it's true. If the Cowboys offense is going to improve this fall, Tolbert needs to be more involved.

New York Giants : CB Deonte Banks

The Giants' 2023 first-round pick had an encouraging rookie season. It'd be a big, big deal for Shane Bowen's defense if he does more than that now. The pass rush figures to be fearsome, but Banks represents the Giants' best chance at a true difference-maker on the back end.

Philadelphia Eagles : LB Nolan Smith

It feels fair to point out that Philly's platoon of Georgia defenders has not taken over the league the way many predicted following Day 1 of the 2023 draft. Jalen Carter had a strong rookie season, yes, but it'd be nice if he had some help. Enter Smith, who averaged just 11 snaps per game last year. Between Carter, Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat, the Eagles definitely have pass-rushers — they just feel a bit thin compared to recent