Elijah Moore, NFL Players Primed for Breakout Seasons on New Teams in 2023

With the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise, the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, set to premiere later this month, it’s easy to forget that director Steven Spielberg originally cast Tom Selleck as the adventurous professor of archeology. His agreement to also play the starring role in Magnum P.I. prevented that from happening. Harrison Ford took the reins and an iconic film franchise emerged.

History can be made with the right person in the right place at the right time.

The same applies to the NFL, where the situation in which a player is placed is vital to whether he succeeds or fails. Sometimes, opportunities arise elsewhere beyond an individual’s first, second or even third stops.

A handful of players across the board are now stepping into better setups for their particular skill sets as minicamps ensue. They can be more than contributors. Each presents the potential to blossom into breakout performers and pillars of their respective rosters.

They just need to avoid the boulder that often comes with each year’s roster crunch and earn their golden idol.

RB D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 01: Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) participates in the Philadelphia Eagles OTA on June 1, 2023 at the NovaCare Training Complex in Philadelphia, Pa. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles already claimed the league’s best rushing attack, and the offensive scheme could be more diversified with D’Andre Swift now in the backfield.

“You saw the explosiveness when we played them,” general manager Howie Roseman said, per ESPN’s Tim McManus. “He had a heck of a game. Every time he touched the ball you knew there was a chance he could take it the distance.”

When the Eagles played Detroit Lions in Week 1, Swift gained 144 yards. The back also caught three passes for 31 yards.

The latter note is important, because the Eagles “are really excited” about Swift’s acquisition since he’s expected to make life easier on quarterback Jalen Hurts as a check-down option, according to Jeremy Fowler.

Swift averaged 52 receptions through his first three seasons. That skill set has been missing from the team’s approach during the same time frame, with Miles Sanders last catching 50 balls in 2019.

The concern is whether Swift can handle a full NFL season since he’s dealt with nagging injuries. A healthy version will thrive behind the league’s best offensive line and playing next to Hurts.

WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns