Identifying breakout candidates in the AFC comes with a certain degree of difficulty.
Some seem as obvious as the last piece of a puzzle, such as the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens inserting first-round draft pick Matt Elam at the strong safety spot that became vacant by the departure of controversial Bernard Pollard.
Others are not so obvious, such as fourth-year cornerback Brandon Ghee of the Cincinnati Bengals, second-year kicker Randy Bullock of the Houston Texans or fifth-year receiver Kenny Britt, who hopes he has finally overcome injury issues and a series of off-field incidents with the Tennessee Titans.
Here is a closer look at potential breakthrough players in the AFC, based on results from a survey of team correspondents for The Sports Xchange:
BALTIMORE — Rookie safety Matt Elam.
First-round pick Matt Elam is athletic, aggressive, hard-hitting and is expected to take over at strong safety for Bernard Pollard, who was cut and signed with the Tennessee Titans.
BUFFALO — Rookie wide receiver Robert Woods.
Woods, one of the team’s second-round picks, steps into a dream situation after starring for USC. He joins a team desperate for receivers and willing to give newcomers a lot of playing time under a new coaching staff. Woods should flourish opposite veteran Stevie Johnson.
CINCINNATI — Fourth-year cornerback Brandon Ghee.
Ghee, a third-round pick in 2010, has been beset by injuries in training camps. Last year a wrist injury ended his season. He seems to have improved his coverage skills.
CLEVELAND — Second-year safety Johnson Bademosi
Bademosi was a special teams star last season and saw some brief action at cornerback. Used at safety in minicamp, he seems to have found a permanent position. At the very least be could be part of a rotation in the nickel and dime defense.
DENVER — Second-year defensive end Derek Wolfe.
Wolfe had six sacks as a rookie while rotating between defensive end and tackle. Linebacker/defensive end Von Miller figured that Wolfe would have finished with 10 sacks and teammates compare Wolfe to Houston’s J.J. Watt, the 2012 Defensive Player of Year.
HOUSTON — Second-year kicker Randy Bullock.
Bullock, a fifth-round pick in 2012, suffered a groin injury in camp and was placed on injured reserve. Bullock has a good leg for kickoffs and coaches feel he will be steady for years.
INDIANAPOLIS — Second-year nose tackle Josh Chapman.
Chapman missed his rookie season after undergoing knee surgery before the draft to repair an injury he played through at Alabama. Team officials say Chapman is 100 percent and is expected to make a major contribution to the Colts’ defense, especially against the run.
JACKSONVILLE — Rookie offensive tackle Luke Joeckel.
The No. 2 overall pick in the draft, he appears as good as his pre-draft hype suggested. In offseason workouts, Joeckel showed he has the footwork to be solid at that position and, if so, that should finally free up tight end Marcedes Lewis to do less blocking and more as a receiver.
KANSAS CITY — Second-year defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
Poe, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2012, had a serviceable rookie season playing in the two-gap 3-4 defense of former head coach Romeo Crennel. New defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s defense may be better for Poe’s ability to be disruptive with his quickness.
MIAMI — Rookie defensive end Dion Jordan.
Jordan, the No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft, showed intriguing versatility in college. If it translates to the NFL, he could be a pass-rushing terror opposite Cameron Wake.
NEW ENGLAND — Third-year running back Shane Vereen.
Vereen enters his third NFL season with the opportunity of a career because Danny Woodhead moved to San Diego. The former Cal star will be leaned on heavily to make plays in a revamped Patriots’ offense, and worked in recent minicamps at wide receiver and as a third-down back.
N.Y. JETS — Third-year defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
Wilkerson is already a star, he just doesn’t have the Pro Bowl accolades that most people associate with stardom. Being snubbed in the Pro Bowl balloting has motivated Wilkerson and should fuel his rise to the next level.
OAKLAND — Rookie linebacker Sio Moore.
Moore flashed talent while working under the Raiders’ coaching staff at the Senior Bowl. They immediately saw him as an explosive player who could make an immediate difference and as a third-round draft pick.
PITTSBURGH — Rookie running back Le’Veon Bell.
Bell has a chance to boost the Steelers’ ground game to where Art Rooney says it should be. The second-round draft choice looked good in the spring, albeit in shorts, but he should start a year after the Steelers survived with a patchwork rotation at the position.
SAN DIEGO — Third-year wide receiver Vincent Brown.
Brown is under the radar, after his season last year was derailed by a broken ankle suffered in the preseason. An excellent route-runner with great hands, he should be a prime target for Philip Rivers.
TENNESSEE — Fifth-year wide receiver Kenny Britt
Yes, a fifth-year player can be a breakthrough player. Britt has shown flashes of his ability, but injuries and bad judgment held him down. During offseason work he showed the form he displayed in 2011 prior to tearing his ACL.