As minicamps approach, one can’t help but speculate which players could break out in the upcoming 2025-26 NFL season.
Whether it’s a first-time starter or a young player with upside, several players usually explode onto the scene each season. Some of them can come out of nowhere, but other future stars can be identified beforehand.
Here are potential breakout candidates to watch for all 32 NFL teams.
Breakout Players To Watch in NFL Minicamp
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Four rookies ended the 2024 season in the top ten in receiving yards. None of them was Marvin Harrison Jr., who entered the year as the most highly-touted prospect out of that draft.
He didn’t have a bad year, finishing with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. However, his production fell short of preseason expectations. He’s a big, strong, explosive receiver with a tremendous ceiling. With a full offseason in an NFL organization, Harrison has serious breakout upside in Year 2.
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr.
The Atlanta Falcons started the 2024 season incredibly hot, but they fizzled out in the year’s second half. Kirk Cousins’ collapse down the stretch led to Michael Penix Jr. taking over the starting job in 2025.
Penix started in just three games last year but showed tremendous promise. He could surprise some folks with a deep group of weapons to throw to. If he does, there’s little reason to think the Falcons can’t be contenders in the NFC South.
PENIX TO LONDON GIVES THE FALCONS THE LEAD.
📺: #CARvsATL on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/uaFaMt47qq— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
Baltimore Ravens: Andrew Vorhees
Andrew Vorhees was likely a Day 2 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft before a torn ACL dropped him to Round 7. After a quiet start to his career, he can show what he’s made of in 2025.
With Patrick Mekari leaving for Jacksonville, Vorhees projects as the Baltimore Ravens’ starting left guard this year. He only has three career starters through two years, but his college tape indicates much potential to tap into now that he can break out.
Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman
Amidst a loaded 2024 wide receiver draft class, Keon Coleman had a pretty low volume with just 29 catches. But he made the most of his targets, finishing third in the NFL with 19.2 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns.
The Buffalo Bills signed Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore in free agency, but Coleman projects higher than in 2025. A big-bodied target with tremendous ball skills and physicality, expect him to put up bigger numbers in Year 2.
Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu
The Carolina Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on Ikem Ekwonu in April. To those who might not have paid much attention to the team last year, that might come as a surprise.
Though Ekwonu struggled early in his NFL career, he leveled out in 2024. He ranked 11th among 140 eligible tackles with an 80.5 PFF run-blocking grade. Carolina has him under contract through 2026, but another strong year this season could earn him a massive extension.
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams
Arguably, no quarterback has benefited more from their team’s moves this offseason than Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears are bringing in Ben Johnson as their new head coach, which should improve their offensive play-calling. Revamping their offensive line in free agency and drafting pass-catchers with their first two picks should help, too. With Williams’ immense upside, he has breakout potential written all over him in 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy
Things were slow for Myles Murphy in 2024; he didn’t tally a single sack in 13 games. If there’s any time for him to live up to his first-round potential, it’s now.
With Trey Hendrickson’s future up in the air, the Cincinnati Bengals need Murphy to leap in Year 3. He’s big, strong, and quick. He just needs to put it all together technically.
Cleveland Browns: Cedric Tillman
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation is unenviable going into 2025. The eventual starter will have a solid group of weapons to throw to, including Cedric Tillman.
Tillman started in six games in 2024, tallying 29 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a big, intelligent receiver who can work himself open well. That skill set makes him a valuable security blanket for any quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Beebe
Cooper Beebe was a two-time All-American in college, and he stepped into the Dallas Cowboys’ starting lineup as a rookie in 2024.
He needs some work in pass protection, but he’s an intense, spatially aware center with refined hand usage. With a full offseason of preparation, he could make a big leap heading into his second year in the league.
Denver Broncos: Marvin Mims Jr.
As a two-time All-Pro returner, Marvin Mims Jr. has already broken out on special teams. Instead, he is a potential breakout candidate for his blossoming ability on offense.
Mims caught six touchdown passes on 39 receptions in 2024. The Denver Broncos have a savvy coaching staff and a good distributor at quarterback in Bo Nix. Mims could benefit from another offseason of gelling for the young unit.
Detroit Lions: Terrion Arnold
Terrion Arnold’s rookie season saw plenty of ups and downs. He broke up 10 passes and started 15 games for the Detroit Lions, but graded well below-average in coverage.
There’s a lot of potential with the 2024 first-round pick. Historically, rookie cornerbacks have a steeper learning curve than most other positions. In Year 2, Arnold could break out working in a talented Lions secondary.
Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper
One of the highlights of the Green Bay Packers’ 2024 season was the strong play of Edgerrin Cooper as a rookie. The former Texas A&M linebacker could take another leap in Year 2 of his NFL career.
His disruptive style of play stood out as a rookie, as he finished with 13 tackles for a loss. If he can build off his strong 2024, he could end up in Pro Bowl conversations in 2025.
Houston Texans: Henry To’oTo’o
Henry To’oTo’o entered the Houston Texans’ starting lineup in 2024 and finished his second NFL season with 105 tackles.
Going into Year 3, To’oTo’o has an opportunity to solidify himself as an impact player at linebacker. Working behind a talented Texans defensive line, he should have plenty of opportunities to make big plays.
Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu
Despite staying healthy for all 17 games in 2024, Laiatu Latu only had four sacks as a rookie. That said, there’s still plenty of reason to be optimistic about his long-term upside.
With a deep arsenal of pass-rushing moves, Latu enters the Indianapolis Colts’ starting lineup in Year 2 now that Dayo Odeyingbo departed for Chicago. The former UCLA standout should have plenty of chances to break out and show why he was the first defender drafted in 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brenton Strange
With Evan Engram no longer on the roster, the Jacksonville Jaguars have paved the way for Brenton Strange to take over as their new starting tight end.
Strange took a back seat in 2023, catching just five passes. However, with Engram’s injury issues last year, he was pivotal in the Jaguars’ passing attack. Now that he’s the full-time starter, expect Strange to continue to grow this season.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia
Kingsley Suamataia’s rookie year at left tackle wasn’t as good as the Kansas City Chiefs likely anticipated. That said, he has a significant opportunity to bounce back in 2025.
The Chiefs kicked Suamataia inside to left guard after trading away Joe Thuney this offseason. Playing along the interior could better mask the BYU product’s deficiencies and help him live up to his potential.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Powers-Johnson
Jackson Powers-Johnson heads into the second year of his NFL career as a prime breakout candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders.
He started in 14 games, splitting time between left and right. The Raiders traded for Geno Smith and drafted Ashton Jeanty, which should put more eyes on their offense. If Powers-Johnson stays at one position all year, he could leap to a better unit in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers: Tarheeb Still
A fifth-round pick in 2024, Tarheeb Still ended up being one of the biggest steals in last year’s draft. He started in 12 games for the Los Angeles Chargers, intercepting four passes as a rookie.
Can still play in the slot or out wide, though he’s expected to play more in the slot in 2025. That’s where he played his best ball as a rookie, which bodes well for a true breakout season.
Los Angeles Rams: Omar Speights
Not only did Omar Speights crack the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2024, but he also started in 10 games. That’s impressive, immediate contributions from a UDFA signing.
Speights was impressed with run support as a rookie. There’s little reason to think that it shouldn’t continue in 2025. Working behind a talented Rams defensive line, he’ll have many chances to boost his tackling numbers in Year 2.
Miami Dolphins: Kader Kohou
With the looming trade of Jalen Ramsey, Kader Kohou figures to be the leader of the Miami Dolphins’ secondary in his fourth year with the team.
Kohou is currently one of the better slot cornerbacks in the league. Coming off a career-high two interceptions in 2024, he should have more opportunities to make a name for himself in 2025.
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy
Sam Darnold is no longer on the Minnesota Vikings, paving the way for J.J. McCarthy to start at quarterback. Despite his season-ending injury as a rookie, there’s plenty to be excited about.
McCarthy has a great head coach in Kevin O’Connell and a tremendous group of weapons to throw to. He’s in a great position to succeed in 2025 and could break out significantly.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye
It’s hard to call a Pro Bowler a “potential breakout candidate” in most cases. With Drake Maye being an alternate, I think there’s still plenty more room for him to grow.
The New England Patriots improved the offensive infrastructure around Maye this offseason. Most notably, they acquired Stefon Diggs as their star pass catcher and drafted Will Campbell to protect him up front. Maye looked good as a rookie and inherits a much better situation in Year 2.
New Orleans Saints: Kool-Aid McKinstry
The New Orleans Saints got strong early returns out of Kool-Aid McKinstry, as he started in nine games as a rookie. Now, they’ll need him to step into an even bigger role.
Since the start of 2024, Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo left the Saints. That leaves McKinstry, who broke up six passes as a rookie, in a position to serve as a key contributor for their secondary.
New York Giants: Theo Johnson
As a fourth-round rookie in 2024, Theo Johnson started 11 of the 12 games he played in before a season-ending injury. Most notably, he caught 26 passes between Weeks 5-13.
The New York Giants value Johnson; he played in over 70% of their offensive snaps every game he played. He’s a freak athlete at tight end who should benefit from a new quarterback throwing to him in Year 2.
Theo Johnson is a TE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.93 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 9 out of 1141 TE from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/sVZgB7wazA pic.twitter.com/w6G9FoVDVs
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 28, 2024
New York Jets: Justin Fields
Do I dare say it? Justin Fields has been a breakout candidate for a few years, but it just hasn’t happened yet.
After signing him to a two-year deal, the New York Jets have given him a clear path to be their starting quarterback for 2025. With a solid offensive line and a true WR1 to throw to in Garrett Wilson, one could argue this is Fields’ best supporting cast since entering the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Steen
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Tyler Steen in the third round back in 2023. He’s only started in three career games thus far, but he’ll have time to shine in Year 3.
Mekhi Becton’s departure has opened a starting spot for Steen as right guard. With how good the Eagles’ offensive line is around him, he has great mentors to learn from to help him break out in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Payton Wilson
Though he only started in four games in 2024, Payton Wilson played a significant role on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense as a rookie. Expect that role to grow this season.
Wilson ended up with 78 tackles and had a 75.3 PFF grade. He’s a big sideline-to-sideline linebacker with the range to make plays anywhere on the field. Keep an eye on him as the biggest breakout candidate on the Steelers in 2025.
San Francisco 49ers: Renardo Green
The San Francisco 49ers drafted Renardo Green with the final pick in Round 2 last year. They got good early returns out of him, as he started seven in games and broke up 13 passes.
Green should take on a bigger role for the 49ers in Year 2. He showed he can start at a high level when Charvarius Ward got hurt last year. Now that Ward’s gone, Green has a full-time starting role outside all to himself.
Seattle Seahawks: Christian Haynes
Christian Haynes didn’t start as a rookie but took 167 total offensive snaps as a reserve. Now, he figures to be a starter for the Seattle Seahawks’ interior offensive line.
Haynes’ rookie season didn’t come without bumps, as he allowed six pressures on just 113 pass-blocking reps. He’s a gifted athlete with dominant college tape at UConn who should improve with a full offseason in Seattle’s program.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey
It feels wrong calling a defensive tackle who had 7.5 sacks last year a “breakout candidate”. But despite that success, Calijah Kancey isn’t talked about as much as he should be.
An explosive defensive tackle who can create backfield penetration, Kancey has already proven he can rush the passer. If he continues to grow against the run, the sky’s the limit for him in 2025.
Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski
Peter Skoronski struggled as a rookie in 2023 but improved in 2024. His 76.3 PFF pass-blocking grade placed 12th among 136 eligible guards last season.
The Tennessee Titans added Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler to improve their offensive line this offseason. These additions should help the unit as a whole. Skoronski should only continue developing as he enters Year 3 of his NFL career.
Washington Commanders: Quan Martin
After serving as a rotational defender in 2023, Quan Martin stepped into the Washington Commanders’ starting lineup in 2024. After spending most of his rookie year in the slot, he looked comfortable as a deep safety.
The Commanders’ stellar offense means opponents could be playing from behind often. The more opposing teams pass the ball down late, the more opportunities Martin will have to cement himself as a breakout talent.