The opening of NFL training camp signals a new beginning and renewed sense of optimism for all 32 NFL teams. But the offseason work is where superstar players and elite NFL organizations differentiate themselves. Here are my 2012 breakout and bounce back players Breakouts J.J. Watt, Houston Texans, DT Before the 2011 NFL draft, I stated J.J. Watt's game was energizer bunny-like, because he possessed a motor that just keeps going... and going. In his NFL freshman orientation, Watt did nothing to disprove that evaluation. During his first 16 games, Watt racked up 55 tackles and five and a half sacks. Watt, who spent his first year in college as a tight-end, is an athletic, relentless and versatile defensive lineman that possesses a penchant for setting up shop in the opponents backfield. Before last year's draft, Watt's versatility on the defensive line had me comparing him to Trevor Pryce. But if Watt continues to add strength to his relentless motor, he could develop into a Justin Smith type player. Last season's totals of 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks, should only be the starting point for Watt. If Watt's maturation process continues at the same rate, look for his double-teams to rise and his 2012 numbers to be in the neighborhood of 65 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Greg Little, Cleveland Browns, WR Greg Little is a big and physical possession receiver that excels in yards-after-the catch. At 6 foot-2, 220 pounds, Little is a beast that could potentially develop into an NFL number one receiver. Little's rookie statistics of 61 receptions for 709 yards and two touchdowns should only be an indicator of Little's potential. Little's ability to catch short passes and break tackles reminds me of Anquan Boldin. Little, a former college running back, is a sure handed and reliable receiver that has boundless potential. With the Browns drafting of Brandon Weeden at quarterback, look for the Browns passing game to take the next step and for Little to be his main target. So, it wouldn't surprise me if you saw Little's numbers rise to the neighborhood of 1,000 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Brooks Reed, Houston Texans, OLB Equipped with a relentless motor and polished pass rush moves, Brooks Reed must have been found out of pass-rusher's central casting. Reed, a former college fullback/tight-end, is an athletic pass-rusher that has a habit of harassing opposing quarterbacks. The 6 foot-3, 260 pound Reed is an energy and effort player that possesses enough potential up-side to lead the Houston Texans to feel comfortable letting Pro-Bowler Mario Williams sign elsewhere in free-agency. Reed's 45 tackles and six sacks in his rookie season should only be the beginning of a very productive career. Reed's unruly long hair, polished pass-rush moves and non-stop motor makes me view him as a cross between Kevin Greene and Clay Mathews Jr. With Wade Phillips in control of the Houston Texans defense, look for Reed to take the next step and become one of the NFL's premier pass-rushers. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings, TE Kyle Rudolph is a big, strong and athletic throwback NFL tight-end. At 6 foot-6, 258 pounds, Rudolph is a willing inline blocker and reliable red-zone threat. Rudolph's rookie tallies of 26 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns should only be the beginning for the talented Rudolph. Rudolph's blend of size and athleticism makes me see him as a blend between Jason Witten and Rob Gronkowski. Rudolph's reliable hands and ability to attack the football at its highest point make him a dangerous red-zone target. In NFL circles, tight-ends are known as the quarterback’s best friend. And with the Vikings developing young QB Christian Ponder, I believe that the connection of Ponder-to-Rudolph will start early and often, and look for Rudolph's numbers to spike to 700 yards and eight touchdowns. Bounce-Backs Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers There might be NFL quarterbacks with more career achievements than Philip Rivers, but there aren't many NFL quarterbacks that are better than Rivers. Known in NFL circles as a trash-talking swashbuckler, but Rivers' reputation may be misleading. What some see as arrogance, Rivers' teammates view as confident swagger. Rivers' 2011 dip in completion percentage and career high of 20 interceptions were mere aberration, and will serve as his career mulligan. Gone is one of Rivers' favorite targets Vincent Jackson, but new WR's additions Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem should help offset Jackson's statistical departure. Though Rivers lost Jackson to free-agency, he still has long time security blanket TE Antonio Gates. Couple that with the emergence of RB Ryan Mathews and the Rivers led San Diego offense could be dangerous. But, if the Chargers plan to ascend back to the top of the AFC west, it is going to because Rivers had a bounce back year and regained his top-5 NFL QB status. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans There's no two ways of slicing it, Chris Johnson still has a front row seat in the class of elite NFL running-backs. Johnson hasn’t lost any of his game-breaking speed and/or lighting quickness. Johnson hasn't lost his ability to make defenders miss in confined spaces. Last but not least, Johnson hasn't lost his special and elite running-back vision, which leads me to believe that the artist formally know as 'CJ 2K' hasn't lost his ability to be an elite NFL running-back. I believe Johnson's sub par season had to do with his preseason contract dispute and subsequent hold-out, which cost Johnson three weeks of training camp. Those lost three weeks led Johnson to be behind in his conditioning, which led to his slow 2011 start. In 2011, Johnson rushed for over 100-yards four out of five times when attempting 20 or more rushes. To me that would suggest Johnson suffered from a lack of touches, and not a down year. With Johnson's 2011 contract issues behind him, I fully expect Johnson to challenge for the 2012 NFL rushing title and in the process revert back to the artist known as 'CJ 2K'. Follow me on Twitter @AbubakrMara Comments at Abumara@ymail.com