The NFL Players Who Are Poised for a Massive Breakout Season in 2025
The preseason is done, fantasy drafts are locked in, and now the real games begin. Every new NFL season brings players who come out of nowhere, dominate, and suddenly look like franchise cornerstones or fantasy gold.
In 2025, a handful of guys are set to take that leap. They’ve been role players, solid contributors, or promising prospects, but this year, they have the chance to turn into names every fan knows.
The Young Signal-Callers
Image via Wikimedia Commons/ZappaOMatic
A young quarterback breaking out is always worth watching. This season, several second-year players are set up to make a real jump. At the front of that group are last year’s top two draft picks. Caleb Williams had a low-key rookie year in Chicago, but the Bears spent the offseason adding pieces to give him a stronger chance to succeed.
The Bears traded for a star guard, Joe Thuney, and brought in a new head coach, Ben Johnson, who knows how to get the most out of his quarterbacks. He also has a great duo of receivers, including DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The pieces are in place for Williams to become the franchise guy everyone hoped for.
Michael Penix Jr. is another guy to watch. He had to wait to get his chance last year in Atlanta, but he’s the starter now. He showed some promise in his three starts, with a big arm and a lot of weapons around him.
Don’t forget the Patriots’ Drake Maye. He had some flashes of brilliance as a rookie, and he’s mobile, too. The Patriots gave him some much-needed help on the offensive line and at the skill positions. New coach Mike Vrabel is looking to turn the team around, and Maye could be the guy to lead the charge.
When Opportunity Comes Knocking
Sometimes the path to a breakout season is simple. It isn’t about measurables or upside. A starting spot opens up, and the right player is ready to take it. For the Steelers, that player is running back Jaylen Warren.
With Najee Harris moving on, the starting job belongs to Warren. He’s a dual-threat back who can run and catch the ball, and he’s proven he can handle the workload. With the quarterback situation still unsettled in Pittsburgh, you can expect Warren to be a huge part of the offense and get a ton of touches.
The Raiders, who are determined to lean on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, are also worth looking at. Jeanty was a monster in college, and the team used a high draft pick to bring him in. Given new Raiders coach Pete Carroll’s preference for a powerful running game, Jeanty has a clear path to becoming a star in his first season.
On the defensive side, Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks is a prime candidate. He worked his way into a decent role last year as a rookie, but the departure of veteran Justin Reid leaves a big hole in the secondary. Hicks’s ball-hawking skills and consistent development last season put him in a great spot to become a key player. He’s likely to get the chance.
The Metrics Guys
A lot of breakout potential is hidden in the numbers. These are the players who might have flown under the radar but are set up for a big leap. Keep an eye on Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu. His rookie stats were nothing to write about, but he ranked high in pass-rush win rate. This means he’s consistently winning his one-on-one matchups, and the production will follow.
The new Colts defensive scheme under Lou Anarumo should also give the defensive line more time to get to the quarterback, which could turn Latu’s wins into pressures and sacks.
Another data-backed player is Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. His rookie stat line was pretty average, but a defensive tackle’s real impact is often hard to measure with just tackles and sacks. Last season, it felt like he was on the verge of a breakout in multiple games. Now, with a full season under his belt and a much-improved defensive line, Murphy will get plenty of one-on-one opportunities to make plays.