5 Young NFL Stars Who Could Have a Breakthrough Season in 2025

McCarthy won the CFP title with Michigan, was selected by the Vikings in the first round, performed amicably well in the preseason, and nearly grabbed the starting QB job over Sam Darnold, ended up on rehab after suffering a torn meniscus in his knee. He became the first quarterback selected in the first round to miss his rookie season completely due to injury.

One year removed from his injury, McCarthy has reportedly been balling in the training grounds.

I’m having a blast coaching J.J. every single day. He came into camp prepared, ready to go and really gift himself the opportunity to have a great camp. He’s playing against one of the more talented, cohesive, high-level scheme defenses, in my opinion.

The Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell recently said

McCarthy received the same validation from his star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson.

We do have an expectation of him being great, him coming out here every single day and working and progressing every single day. And we do see that progression just on that second day of camp.

If the two important members are vouching for McCarthy, then it’s a sign that the Vikings fans are in for a treat. Heck, they turned down the chance to sign Aaron Rodgers because of how quickly McCarthy has learned O’Connell’s playbook.

Nate Wiggins (Baltimore Ravens)

The Ravens always managed to find gems in the secondary. Last year, they drafted Nate Wiggins from Clemson, who went under the radar. Wiggins played 14 games, starting 5, to record 32 tackles, 12 pass deflections, one touchdown, and one interception.

Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey have been impressed by Wiggins’ growth in the offseason.

Nate [Wiggins] has had a couple really good practices. Two [or] three really good practices in a row, both playing press and off and coverage. He’s also reacted nicely to underneath throws in the zone and made some nice tackles, too. … So, so far so good.

Head coach John Harbaugh told the Baltimore Sun

Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)

Penix threw 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in his three starts near the tail end of the Atlanta Falcons’ season, but it was enough to convince the brass that the 25-year-old was the future of the franchise. Kirk Cousins is still around, of course, earning a lot of money, but the onus has shifted in favor of Penix.

There’s no shortage of weapons in the offense for the Falcons. Drake London , Ray Ray McCloud, Kyle Pitts , and Bijan Robinson can be lethal on any given day.

We should be the best in the league with the guys we’ve got around us. We should be unstoppable. So that’s our goal. We want to be No. 1 in all categories.

Michael Penix Jr. said when asked by reporters (H/T: Associated Press)

It appears the NFL also wants the Falcons to challenge the Buccaneers in the NFC South by giving them the fourth-easiest schedule in the league. Penix will go against only three quarterbacks who recorded a .500-win margin in 2024.

Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers)

One player who must be on everyone’s fantasy team is Kaleb Johnson. The second-year running back barely got a look in during his rookie campaign due to the presence of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Harris left for the Chargers, leaving Johnson to fight for the starting back job with Warren.

The six-foot-1, 224-pounder is among the bigger backs in the league and could come in handy as a power back on third downs or quarterback sneaks.

The Steelers’ backfield became juicier when they signed Super Bowl winner Kenneth Gainwell , and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is already drawing plays in which he can use both of them.

Kenny G is a versatile chess piece. You can go to more two-back stuff… We have strength in certain positions. The depth in our tight end room, certainly our running back room.

Arthur Smith told Lancaster Online

Johnson, a third-round draft pick, played his college football at the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he had 2700+ rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in three seasons.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals)

The next wide receiver to take the giant leap in the NFL is Marvin Harrison Jr. There are always massive expectations from a son of a HOF WR. He posted 62 receptions for 885 yards and scored 8 touchdowns, which is a letdown considering his high ceiling.

MVJ’s biggest issue was his slender build, and the dropped catches. He rectified the first issue by putting on some serious muscle in the offseason and is working hard to reduce the number of dropped chances.

I feel great. I mean, I feel the same. I feel a little more faster, powerful, stronger, so I’m ready to showcase it.

Marvin Harrison Jr. said

Another big issue for the Cardinals was the lack of rapport between quarterback Kyler Murray and MVJ. However, that should have been solved after one year of training together in the trenches.