These NFL Players Have the Best Odds to Turn Into Superstars in 2025
Some players edge closer to stardom without the weekly spotlight, while others already contribute in meaningful ways but haven’t yet achieved household status. But this could be their year!
Here are the top names whose next steps could reshape how fans talk about them.
Calen Bullock
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Bullock’s knack for baiting quarterbacks feels years beyond his rookie status. Five picks and a stingy completion rate hint at instincts that can’t be taught. With Derek Stingley Jr. commanding coverage elsewhere, Bullock’s sideline range may soon force coordinators to rewrite plans before daring to test Houston deep.
Zach Frazier
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Frazier stabilized the Steelers’ line almost immediately and gave up only a dozen pressures in 15 starts. Centers rarely get wide acclaim, but his command of protections and steady improvement hint at an All‑Pro ceiling. This could be the season his name starts circulating nationally, with Pittsburgh’s offense leaning on his calls.
Paris Johnson Jr.
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Left tackle is a brutal spotlight, yet Johnson handled the switch and surprised evaluators. He halved his sacks allowed and finished 2024 on a clean run. With college mentor Justin Frye now in his ear, his technique has sharpened. If Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. keep the offense humming, Johnson’s growth could finally draw league‑wide recognition.
Yaya Diaby
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Though his sack total slipped to 4.5 last year, Diaby’s pressure rate spiked. Six hits and multiple sacks came in his last three games. Todd Bowles credits his improved strategy, and if he converts those near‑misses into finishes, he could headline Tampa Bay’s defensive resurgence.
Bucky Irving
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Irving spent December slipping through tackles and piling up nearly 500 scrimmage yards. He averaged 5.4 per rush behind one of football’s steadiest lines, and he looks ready for heavier work. Soft run defenses within the division make it likely his highlight reel grows, even if he stays an under-the-radar storyline.
Malik Nabers
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Catching 109 passes on a struggling Giants team made Nabers stand out even before adding Russell Wilson to the mix. His rookie film shows sudden breaks and strong hands in traffic. If New York’s offense finds rhythm, Nabers’ production and highlight plays should propel him into regular Sunday headlines.
Xavier Worthy
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Speed alone doesn’t make a star, yet Worthy’s postseason stretch turned heads: 243 yards and three scores in two massive games. Kansas City’s receiving group still looks unsettled beyond Travis Kelce. If Worthy builds trust with Mahomes in camp, those explosive glimpses could become weekly fixtures by midseason.
Jared Verse
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A rookie season producing 76 pressures is no accident. Verse spent entire quarters dictating protection slides even without padding his sack total. Los Angeles continues rebuilding around him, and a stronger supporting cast should create more cleanup chances. His impact has been obvious to linemen; stats might finally match it.
Brian Thomas Jr.
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Late last season, Thomas became Jacksonville’s go-to option by claiming nearly a third of the team’s targets. His sixth-place finish in yards after catch underlined his dynamic skill set. Once Jacksonville stabilizes its quarterback play, Thomas’ numbers could climb into the elite tier among receivers.
Bo Nix
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Three December games transformed Nix from question mark to rising star in Denver, with a 126.0 rating and near-flawless reads. Sean Payton’s scheme finally seems tailored to his rhythm. With a top-tier defense buying him chances, a solid push in the AFC West could bring him into sharper focus.
Aidan Hutchinson
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Before a midseason injury halted his 2024 surge, Hutchinson already had 7.5 sacks in six games. His burst off the line created constant headaches for blockers. Now healthy and set to resume in Detroit’s ascending defense, Hutchinson has the talent to push toward double-digit sacks and national awards chatter.
Jalen Carter
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Carter’s late-season push helped Philadelphia secure another title. His run defense improved week by week. Entering his third year, Carter’s ceiling could push him into the defensive elite if he maintains that postseason form over a full campaign.
Ja’Marr Chase
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Last season’s triple crown—catches, yards, touchdowns—reaffirmed Chase’s hold on elite status. With Joe Burrow healthy again, Cincinnati’s offense regains balance and lets Chase exploit single coverage far more often. His footwork and separation already challenge defenders.
Josh Allen
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Forty-three touchdowns and an MVP lifted Allen into rarified air, but his growth didn’t stop there. He sharpened his reads and trimmed risky throws. A steady season with similar efficiency could make him one of those quarterbacks even casual fans follow weekly.
Patrick Mahomes
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Mahomes remains the league’s quarterback benchmark. His numbers dipped slightly in recent years, but film shows a player still capable of manipulating defenses with ease. With upgraded protection and improved receiving options, another title run would not only preserve his top ranking but expand his growing legacy.