Soupermeister's Breakout Player of 2008 Poll

[JoeRedskin]

I don't think Wilson will ever be a 3-down starter. He's just too light (he's listed as 240lbs). If breakout means, "great situational player", perhaps - he could be the next Chris Clemons (let's hold onto this one).

I think Mix has the greater potential for a real "breakout" year, in the sense of being a good everydown player. I guess I think he has a better shot of taking over the No. 2 WR spot than Wilson has of being an everydown player.

I love Wilson. I think he will improve within his role, but only to a point. If he gets more than 8 sacks I'd be surprised, and he will never be a factor in the run defense (in fact, he would probably always be a liability). On the other hand, I just don't know what to expect from Mix - is he the next Kenaan McCardell or Rod Smith? Maybe. If that's the case, Mix still has a couple of years before his "breakout" should be expected:

Rod Smith (undrafted):
Year Age Tm G GS Rec Yds Y/R TD
1995 25 DEN 16 1 6 152 25.3 1
1996 26 DEN 10 1 16 237 14.8 2
1997 27 DEN 16 16 70 1180 16.9 12
1998 28 DEN 16 16 86 1222 14.2 6

McKardell (12 rnd pick)(by Washington):
Year Age Tm G GS Rec Yds Y/R TD
1992 22 CLE 2 0 1 8 8.0 0
1993 23 CLE 6 3 13 234 18.0 4
1994 24 CLE 13 3 10 182 18.2 0
1995 25 CLE 16 5 56 709 12.7 4
1996 26 JAX 16 15 85 1129 13.3 3
1997 27 JAX 16 16 85 1164 13.7 5

Mix:
Year Age Tm G GS Rec Yds Y/R TD
2007 24 NYG 4 0 3 39 13.0 0
2007 24 WSH 5 0 0 0 0 0

Let's keep Mix around, b/c it looks like WR's who are going to "breakout" do it around age 26-27 and are in their 3rd-4th year.

Bottom line, I don't think either player will have a "breakout" year this year. Hopefully Mix progresses and is servicable (if we get >30 receptions out of him, I will be on the Mix man's bus NEXT year) and Wilson proves a cabable situational rusher.

Expecting much more from either player is just wishful thinking without any real rational basis - which, of course, is why SS will tell you that Mix is the new Monk and Wilson the reincarnation of Manley.