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The potential breakout player from all 32 NFL teams
Daniel Bartel/USA Today Images

The potential breakout player from all 32 NFL teams

Every new NFL season brings with it breakout performances, with players hoping to take their team to the next level. These are the top breakout candidates for each team entering the 2025 season.

 
1 of 32

Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR

Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Harrison didn't quite live up to expectations in his rookie season, as a former college star and son of a Hall of Famer. Arizona has high hopes for his second season, as he finds more comfort with Kyler Murray.

 
2 of 32

Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB

Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

It was expected that Penix would effectively take a redshirt year behind Kirk Cousins last season, but he was thrust into action late in the year. He showed flashes but will now get the keys to the kingdom as Atlanta's starting quarterback.

 
3 of 32

Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB

Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Wiggins had a strong rookie campaign, but the first-round pick was worked in somewhat slowly, seeing only 68% of defensive snaps. He should take on a bigger role in his second season.

 
4 of 32

Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR

Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR
Ed Mulholland / USA Today Sports Images

Coleman was drafted in the second round last year to help fill the void after the Bills lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. He was a major deep threat and has the potential to be Buffalo's No. 1 wideout this season.

 
5 of 32

Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB

Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

After an early-season benching, Young started to find his footing in Dave Canales' offense last season. There's further progress to make, and the team has helped him by adding Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the draft.

 
6 of 32

Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB

Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Williams looked like a deer in the headlights at times during his rookie season. Chicago has added support for him in the offseason, hiring offensive mastermind Ben Johnson and fixing their offensive line issues. Perhaps no player in the NFL has higher expectations of a breakout than Williams in 2025.

 
7 of 32

Cincinnati Bengals: Joseph Ossai, DE

Cincinnati Bengals: Joseph Ossai, DE
Katie Stratman / USA Today Sports Images

Ossai has been used as a situational pass rusher in his first three seasons, recording 9.5 sacks. He's set to be used more following the retirement of Sam Hubbard, and the Bengals are counting on him, along with rookie Shemar Stewart.

 
8 of 32

Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT

Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Cleveland retained franchise player Myles Garrett despite his trade demands in the offseason, and that should certainly benefit the rest of the defensive line. Graham as high hopes as a first-round pick, and should get opportunities to pressure the quarterback while Garrett draws most of the attention.

 
9 of 32

Dallas Cowboys: George Pickens, WR

Dallas Cowboys: George Pickens, WR
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Pickens always flashed star potential in Pittsburgh, but capped out at 63 catches as his max in a season. With CeeDee Lamb drawing more attention, Pickens has a chance to post a monster season for his new team as he heads toward free agency.

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB

Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB
Mike Watters / USA Today Sports Images

Denver showed off an elite offensive line last season, and has leaned in on the running game by adding Harvey in the second round. He should be at the head of the running back committee along with Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin, garnering most of the opportunities.

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, WR

Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, WR
Junfu Han / USA Today Sports Images

Williams emerged as Detroit's No. 2 wideout last season with more than 1,000 yards receiving in 15 games. That play might have only scratched the surface for the speedster, and the Lions should manufacture more ways to get the ball in his hands.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, DE

Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, DE
Morgan Tencza / USA Today Sports Images

Van Ness has wreaked havoc at times since being drafted in 2023, but it hasn't always shown up on the stats sheet. Green Bay expects bigger things this year as he earns more snaps.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Stroud won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, but took a significant step back last season in large part due to the team's poor offensive line play. Houston made a change at offensive coordinator, addressed their offensive line, and also drafted multiple wide receivers. The moves should help Stroud get back on track as one of the top quarterbacks in football.

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE

Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Colts still have issues at quarterback with a battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, but the weapons are improved with the addition of Warren. The former Penn State star should be a great outlet receiver for whoever is under center.

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB

Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB
Travis Register / USA Today Sports Images

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Hunter is expected to see most of his rookie work at wideout. Joining second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas, Hunter could be set for a huge rookie season in Trevor Lawrence's return from injury.

 
16 of 32

Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR

Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

While Worthy showed flashes in his rookie season, his play was inconsistent. The team expects him to be a bigger deep threat with Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown back from injury.

 
17 of 32

Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB

Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Jeanty was a star at Boise State, and should be able to make an instant impact on a Raiders team that looks more capable of moving the ball this season with Geno Smith under center. He should emerge as the bell cow back immediately.

 
18 of 32

Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB

Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers showed run-first tendencies last season under head coach Jim Harbaugh, and their focus on the run shows with the addition of Hampton in the first round. The bruising back is expected to get his fair share of work in his rookie season.

 
19 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, OLB

Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, OLB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Verse won Defensive Rookie of the Year as part of a dynamic front seven, but he has more room for growth. He had 66 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, and has a chance to become a star in LA soon.

 
20 of 32

Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane, RB

Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane, RB
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

With better health last season, Achane finished just short of 1,500 yards from scrimmage. The speedster did see his rushing yardage decline, however, and has a chance to be a bigger part of the team's offense as Tyreek Hill ages.

 
21 of 32

Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB

Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

With McCarthy sidelined for his entire rookie season, the Vikings found gold in Sam Darnold. McCarthy returns to a great infrastructure in Minnesota, including star wideout Justin Jefferson.

 
22 of 32

New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB

New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

The Patriots liked what they saw in Maye's rookie season, but he lacked support around him. The hiring of coordinator Josh McDaniels and the addition of Stefon Diggs give him a better chance to succeed.

 
23 of 32

New Orleans Saints: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB

New Orleans Saints: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

The Saints saw flashes of McKinstry's ability in nine starts last season, but there's more upside. He should see a bigger role in his second season, and has the support of a veteran safety pairing with Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid.

 
24 of 32

New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy, RB

New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy, RB
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

New York's starting quarterback is unclear this season, but Tracy should see most of the work at running back. The dynamic second-year player had over 1,100 yards from scrimmage last season and has more ability.

 
25 of 32

New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB

New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Fields has struggled as a starter in Chicago and Pittsburgh, but the Jets clearly believe in him. It's not an easy situation, but the team is set to see him sink or swim with capable weapons around him.

 
26 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, OLB

Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, OLB
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Smith already took a big step forward last season, recording 6.5 sacks. The former first-round pick should see even more snaps and opportunities for a breakout in 2025.

 
27 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB

Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Steelers have moved on from Najee Harris, but Johnson is a similar back. The rookie is expected to step in as the lead back and see plenty of work.

 
28 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR

San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

Pearsall had a whirlwind rookie season, surviving a robbery attempt and eventually producing in 11 games. He will be a key part of the team's offense this season as the 49ers traded Deebo Samuel and have Brandon Aiyuk returning from injury.

 
29 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy, NT

Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy, NT
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Murphy has a key role at the center of Seattle's defense, and that role will only grow this season. He saw only 49% of defensive snaps last season but will be tasked with plugging up the middle more often.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DE
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

Kancey took a big step forward last season with 7.5 sacks in only 12 games. With a full season of health, the Bucs have much larger expectations in what's become one of the top defensive lines in football.

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB

Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

The first overall pick in the draft, Ward adds hope for a Titans team that has floundered over the last two years. There will likely be hiccups, but the dynamic quarterback brings big upside.

 
32 of 32

Washington Commanders: Mike Sainristil, CB

Washington Commanders: Mike Sainristil, CB
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

Sainristil helped revive Washington's defense in his rookie season, and could emerge as a top cornerback this year. With additional comfort in Dan Quinn's defense, Sainristil should continue his progress.

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