Five Wide Receivers Primed for a Breakout Season in 2010

Each season, a handful of unexpected wide receivers steal the NFL limelight to contribute immensely to their respective teams' success. In 2009, the league's list of pleasant, pass-catching surprises most notably included the Cowboys' Miles Austin, the Vikings' Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, and the Jaguars' Mike Sims-Walker, as well as number of other young receivers to a lesser extent. Expect a new wave of young talent to similarly captivate the professional football landscape in 2010. The following receivers serve as the NFL's most likely breakthrough performers.

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants: After a respectable '09 season (47 receptions, 790 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns), Nicks appears primed for a giant leap forward in production, particularly as Eli Manning's most talented red zone target. Expect double-digit touchdowns from the second-year receiver, ala Plaxico Burress in 2006 and 2007. Additionally, Nicks impressively ranked No. 4 in yards-per-reception in 2009 amongst receivers totaling at least 40 receptions. The future remains bright for the former UNC standout... and for Nicks, the future is now.

Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers: With Chargers' top receiver Vincent Jackson facing suspension and threatening to hold out, Floyd's role in San Diego's wide-open offense should be expanded immensely. According to ESPN's Christopher Harris, Floyd led the NFL in percentage of yards through the air at an astonishing 87.2% clip, reflecting the 6'5" receiver's prowess as a downfield threat. A 9-reception, 140-yard performance in week 17 versus Washington powerfully provided a glimpse of Floyd's ceiling. In 2010, opportunity is knocking for Floyd, likely resulting in the receiver's first 1,000-yard season.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers: After a lengthy rookie holdout, Crabtree quietly averaged 56.8 yards per game in 2010. With a full off-season in San Fransisco, Crabtree will likely emerge as the Niners' leading receiver this season. The former first-round pick impressively totaled at least four receptions in nine of eleven games played last season. In 2010, anticipate an 85-catch, 1,100-yard breakout campaign from the young, yet polished Crabtree.

Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals: For the past several seasons, Breaston has performed admirably as an unsung hero in Arizona. Due to Anquan Boldin's departure to Baltimore, Breaston will likely assume the envied role of starting receiver, opposite of Larry Fitzgerald this season. In 2008, the former Wolverine totaled nine starts for the Cardinals, while recording career highs in receptions (77) and receiving yards (1,006). Expect a similar output for Breaston this season, if new starter Matt Leinart can keep the Cardinals' vaunted aerial attack alive in 2010.

Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys: As one of the draft's premier game-breakers, Bryant should challenge for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year crown in 2010. With expectations high in Dallas, the spotlight will be focused intensely on Bryant, ala Percy Harvin in 2009. Bryant should gel perfectly within Jason Garrett's wide-open offense, while likely benefiting considerably from single coverage mismatches, due to the Cowboys' talented cast of explosive playmakers. A "Vincent Jackson-esque" 65-reception, 1,100-yard, 8-10 touchdown season could be in the works for Bryant in 2010, if Bryant asserts himself early in the season.

References: All player statistics as referenced on Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Harris, Christopher. "What's YACo got to do with it?" http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=nfldk2k10advancedstats.