Breakout candidate for each NFL AFC North team in 2020

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 17: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a 24 yard touchdown reception ain the fourth quarter during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 17, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 17: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a 24 yard touchdown reception ain the fourth quarter during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 17, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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NFL: Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
NFL: Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Which NFL players from the AFC North are in for a breakout year?

Every year there are under the radar players who step up to the plate and contribute at a higher level than some may have expected. Whether it’s a rookie who was drafted late, not drafted at all, or a veteran whose role has expanded, there will be guys who force themselves into the national spotlight for the first time in their careers.

Entering 2020, the AFC North has loads of talent and the potential for 3 teams to make the postseason, something that hasn’t been done since 2017. With the expanded playoffs featuring 3 wild card spots, getting 3 teams into the postseason is more likely to happen than ever before.

The Ravens are locked and loaded once again looking to make a Super Bowl run, the Steelers get back Ben Roethlisberger to pair with a dominant defense, the Browns think they’ve fixed the offensive line and coaching situation, and who knows, maybe Joe Burrow continues what he did at LSU in Cincinnati and the Bengals make an unexpected playoff push.

Examples of breakout players from 2019: Raheem Mostert, Shaquil Barrett, Anthony Harris, Darren Waller, Michael Gallup