Every NFL season brings a fresh wave of potential breakout stars, players who step beyond expectations and turn into difference-makers.
For the Cardinals, a franchise in the midst of rebuilding while aiming for long-term competitiveness, these breakout performances are crucial. They energize fans, lift locker room confidence, and, perhaps most importantly, shape how oddsmakers evaluate the team’s chances week to week.
Heading into 2024, several Arizona players stand out as poised for significant improvements. Some arrive with veteran experience and a new role; others bring rookie hunger and athletic promise. Together, they form the backbone of optimism for the desert’s team. For fans, recognizing these breakout candidates can provide early insight into where the franchise is headed in the future.
Here are four players who could define the Cardinals’ season by breaking through in significant ways.
Chad Ryland: Kicker With Something to Prove
Special teams often fly under the radar, but for the Cardinals, Chad Ryland could become a difference-maker.
After an inconsistent rookie campaign in New England, Ryland arrives in Arizona with a fresh opportunity and a chip on his shoulder. His leg strength has never been in question; he boasts deep field goal range and the ability to flip field position on kickoffs. What he needs is consistency, and the Cardinals are providing him with the platform to achieve it.
For a team expected to play in tight contests, a reliable kicker is invaluable. Ryland’s growth could swing close games, directly influencing outcomes and the momentum of the season.
Fans tracking Arizona Cardinals odds know how much special teams matter, particularly when spreads hover within a field goal. If Ryland stabilizes and finds rhythm, his breakout season won’t make highlight reels, but it could quietly reshape how competitive the Cardinals are week to week.
Trey Benson: Rookie Running Back With Explosive Upside
Few rookies generate as much intrigue as Trey Benson. Drafted to add depth and dynamism to the backfield, Benson brings a blend of speed, power, and agility that instantly energizes the Cardinals’ offense.
His college tape shows a runner capable of breaking tackles and exploding for big gains, a style that translates well in today’s NFL.
What makes Benson such a compelling breakout candidate is his fit. With defenses keying on James Conner, Benson steps in as the change-of-pace back who can punish tired defenders late in games. His ability to burst through the line and turn small holes into 20-yard gains makes him a weapon the Cardinals cannot afford to keep off the field.
For fans, Benson represents potential volatility in offensive production. If he delivers on expectations, the Cardinals’ attack looks more balanced in weekly matchups.
Baron Browning: Defensive Spark With Star Potential
Defense wins games, and the Cardinals need disruptive forces to tilt momentum. Enter Baron Browning. The young linebacker, acquired to bolster Arizona’s pass rush, arrives with raw athleticism and the versatility to impact multiple phases of defense.
Browning thrives as a hybrid player, equally comfortable rushing the passer as he is dropping into coverage. His motor runs relentlessly, and his ability to collapse pockets creates opportunities for turnovers.
For a Cardinals defense that struggled with consistency last season, Browning’s breakout potential could prove transformative.
Bettors should watch how Browning’s emergence affects game totals and spreads. A stronger defensive presence keeps Arizona in closer contests, something oddsmakers consider when setting Arizona Cardinals odds. If Browning delivers on his upside, he doesn’t just pad the stat sheet; he changes the Cardinals’ entire defensive identity, giving the team the disruptive edge it desperately needs.
Owen Pappoe: Speed and Tenacity in the Middle
Owen Pappoe may not yet be a household name, but his trajectory suggests he soon will be. The second-year linebacker enters the season with a bigger role, and his combination of speed, instincts, and tackling range makes him a natural breakout candidate.
Pappoe shines in pursuit, closing down runners before they hit the second level. His sideline-to-sideline presence gives the Cardinals’ defense a much-needed athletic boost. Coaches rave about his work ethic, and his increased reps this year mean more opportunities to showcase his skill set.
For bettors, Pappoe’s rise matters. A linebacker who can neutralize short passing games and limit chunk plays reshapes how opponents attack Arizona. That defensive improvement often translates into tighter lines and value in unders. As Pappoe matures into a centerpiece, his breakout season could redefine the defense’s ceiling and subtly improve the team’s perception in betting markets.
Why Breakouts Matter for the Cardinals
Breakout seasons are more than highlight reels; they’re catalysts. Trey Benson injects explosiveness into the running game, Baron Browning energises the pass rush, and Owen Pappoe stabilizes the second level of defense. Together, they give Arizona balance, upside, and a chance to exceed expectations.
For fans, these players bring hope. For bettors, they offer insight into where the Arizona Cardinals’ odds may not yet reflect on-field improvement. Breakouts shift not only games, but also perceptions, and perceptions drive betting lines.
Identifying these players early gives sharp bettors the chance to seize value before sportsbooks catch up.
Betting on Breakout Seasons
The Cardinals may not enter 2024 as Super Bowl favorites, but breakout performances have a way of flipping narratives quickly. Whether it’s Trey Benson turning into a rookie sensation, Baron Browning emerging as a defensive menace, or Owen Pappoe cementing himself as a leader, Arizona has plenty of talent ready to surprise.
For sports fans, it means excitement. For bettors, it means opportunity. And for the Cardinals, it means a more straightforward path toward competitiveness and respect in a league that rewards resilience and growth.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/08/29; subject to change.
