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Every NFL Team's Breakout Player from the 2025 Season - All 32 Franchises. Every NFL team's top breakout player from the 2025 season include Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, more
Every NFL Team's Breakout Player from the 2025 Season - All 32 Franchises
With the NFL Playoffs now just days away, it is time to take a look at every team’s breakout player of the season. While some of the players may have had previous successes in the NFL, they took their opportunity to an entirely new level in 2025. Who did we leave out? Let’s dive in!
All Stats are updated as of Tuesday, December 30
Arizona Cardinals
Michael Wilson, WR
Michael Wilson averaged just 556.5 yards during his first two seasons in the NFL and nearly doubled that total in 2025. Entering Week 18, Wilson has totaled an impressive 907 yards and has already set a season-high in touchdowns (6). More importantly, Wilson has done most of this production in the second half.
Over his first nine games, he averaged just 25.7 yards per game. However, over his last seven, he has totaled 96.6 yards per game.
Atlanta Falcons
James Pearce Jr., LB
The 26th overall pick had a slow start to his rookie season but has taken a massive leap forward down the stretch. After totaling just 0.5 sacks through his first eight games, the Tennessee product has flipped the script, tallying eight over his most recent eight games, entering Week 18.
The 22-year-old looks like a budding star on this defensive line.
Baltimore Ravens
Nate Wiggins, DB
Wiggins had a strong showing in his debut season in 2024, totaling 33 tackles with one interception and 13 deflections. However, as a second-year defensive back, Wiggins has emerged as a legit every-down corner. In 2025, Wiggins doubled his tackle total, tallying 72 total with 56 solo. Wiggins has also added three interceptions with 12 pass deflections.
According to PFF, his solo tackle count places him fourth at the position.
Buffalo Bills
Cole Bishop, S
Cole Bishop took a massive step forward in his second NFL season. In 2024, Bishop totaled a solid 40 tackles, operating in a depth role in the Buffalo secondary. However, in 2025, the former Utah standout would lead the team in tackles (entering Week 18) with 85 and also be the only player on the club with over 50 solo tackles.
Bishop also showed elite playmaking, adding two sacks and forcing three interceptions.
Carolina Panthers
Nic Scourton, LB
While fellow rookie Tetairoa McMillan was in consideration, the team’s second-round selection will hold the spot on the list. Similar to Pearce on the Atlanta Falcons, Scourton had a slow start to his debut season but has found his footing in the second half. Over his last 10 games (entering Week 18), the 51st overall pick has tallied 33 tackles with 4.5 sacks.
His 4.5 sacks are just 0.5 behind star lineman Derrick Brown for the most on the team. Over his last three games, he has begun to take on a near every-down role, logging at least 65% of the snaps in all but one game.
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams, QB
While Caleb Williams did not have the worst rookie season when looking at his box score, he took his quality of play up a serious level as he led the Bears to an NFC North title in 2025. Through 16 games, Williams has totaled 3,750 yards with 25 passing scores, three rushing scores, and six interceptions.
While his 57.9% completion rate does need some work, the former first-overall pick appears to be just scratching the surface of his true potential.
Cincinnati Bengals
Myles Murphy, DE
Myles Murphy opened the season in a rotational role but has joined a dominant second half due to the absence of star Trey Hendrickson. Entering Week 18, the 23-year-old has already set a season-high in sacks (5.5), which currently stands as the most on the team. In addition, Murphy has logged 47 tackles, more than double his previous season’s high (20).
According to PFF, Murphy’s solo tackles place him fifth among defensive linemen in the sport.
Cleveland Browns
Harold Fannin Jr., TE
The rookie tight end enjoyed a very impressive campaign, despite having subpar QB play. The former third-round pick entered the NFL as a raw talent but wasted little time making an impact. In his NFL debut, he brought in seven of his nine targets for 63 yards. Down the stretch, he would begin to form a serious connection with fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders as he brought in four scores with 53.8 yards per game from Weeks 13 through 17.
Fannin is a budding star in this young Cleveland offense.
Dallas Cowboys
George Pickens, WR
Some may argue that George Pickens already broke out in 2023 when he totaled 1,140 yards with five scores. However, during his debut season in Dallas, Pickens would crush those totals, bringing in 92 passes for 1,420 yards and nine touchdowns (through 17 weeks). Pickens posted five 100+ yard games and even caught a touchdown pass in every game during Weeks 2 through 6.
Expect Pickens to be the story of the offseason in Dallas as he will look for a massive contract extension.
Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin, WR
After a quiet rookie season in which Franklin caught just 28 passes for a mere 263 yards, the Oregon product has emerged as a legit No. 2 WR in this Denver offense. In fact, during this season, Franklin was even being viewed as Bo Nix’s top target, over Courtland Sutton.
Entering Week 18, Franklin has caught 65 passes and tallied 709 yards and six touchdowns. He has been a major big-play threat, catching nine passes for greater than 20 yards and two for greater than 40 yards.
Detroit Lions
Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE
It’s not often a player truly “breaks out” as a 30-year-old, but Al-Quadin Muhammad proved that theory to be incorrect. In his age-30 season, the former sixth-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft turned in a massive career season and served as a potent pass rusher opposite of Adrian Hutchinson.
Muhammad totaled an impressive 11.0 sacks, placing him just two behind Hutchinson for the team lead. PFF grades Muhammad as the 24th overall defensive lineman in the sport with a 75.3 overall score.
Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson, WR
Despite missing the first seven games of the season as he was recovering from an ACL injury, Christian Watson has wasted little time in claiming the No. 1 role in this offense. Through just 10 games this season, the former first-round pick has totaled 611 yards and found the back of the end zone six times.
He needs only nine yards to match his previous season-high (620 yards), which he set last season across 15 games played. Watson’s 16.6 YPR since Week 8 places him fourth among WRs who have caught at least 45 passes during this stretch.
Houston Texans
Kamari Lassiter, DB
There were many breakout picks to choose from the top defensive unit in the sport. Defensive back Kamari Lassiter turned in a solid rookie campaign in 2024, totaling three interceptions with 58 tackles. In 2025, Lassiter has taken on an even larger role in this secondary and has emerged as one of the sport’s top defensive backs.
In 2025, PFF graded the former Georgia Bulldog with a stellar 75.9 overall grade, placing him 10th among defensive backs. Through 17 weeks, he tallied four interceptions and nearly doubled his tackle total, logging 91.
Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren, TE
The former Penn State standout entered his rookie season with high expectations after being selected with the 14th overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. However, the young tight end exceeded all expectations and had one of the best seasons by a rookie tight end in the game’s history. Entering Week 18, Warren’s 791 yards place him fifth at the position. He caught five passing scores and even punned in one with his legs.
Warren was on pace to have an even more productive campaign if it wasn’t for Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles injury.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Parker Washington, WR
Following Brian Thomas Jr.’s breakout rookie season and the midseason acquisition of Jakobi Meyers, many did not expect Parker Washington to be the team’s No. 1 WR heading into the postseason. However, despite playing in a crowded pass-catching room, Washington has emerged as a legit WR1 in this league.
Over his last eight games, Washington has totaled 553 yards and three scores. Since Week 9, the 23-year-old has tallied the 13th-most receiving yards in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs
Jaylen Watson, DB
The Chiefs had a very disappointing 2025 season as they failed to reach the postseason for the first time with Patrick Mahomes under center. However, their defense remained above average, and a major reason was defensive back Jaylen Watson. Watson has spent all four seasons of his career with the Chiefs, but turned in his best statistical campaign in 2025.
Through 15 games, Watson posted a season-best 64 tackles and 42 solo tackles. He also set a season-high in interceptions (2) and sits 12th overall in PFF’s defensive back grades.
Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty, RB
While Ashton Jeanty did not have the most dominant rookie season, the former Boise State standout turned in an impressive rookie season, especially given his offensive environment. Playing one of the worst teams in the sport, Jeanty managed to total 88 yards on the ground and 339 through the air (through 17 weeks).
Jenty punched in eight TDs and remained involved in all aspects of the game, taking 15.0 attempts per game and 4.3 targets per game. He flashed elite vision and agility, generating the fifth-most missed tackles at the position, according to PFF.
Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal, RB
Vidal opened the season as the No. 3 option on the depth chart, sitting behind Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. However, after numerous injuries, Vidal was pushed up to the starter’s role for nearly half of the season and did not disappoint. On 152 carries, Vidal posted a solid 4.2 YPC and tallied 631 yards with three scores.
While Hampton remains the RB of the future in Los Angeles, Vidal showed he can be one of the sport’s most reliable No. 2 options.
Los Angeles Rams
Blake Corum, RB
Another No. 2 running back who proved his worth in 2025 was Blake Corum of the Los Angeles Rams. Corum took just 58 carries in his debut season in 2024 and was deployed as the clear backup to Kyren Williams. However, in Year 2, Corum began to carve out a sizeable role and made a strong case to make this backfield a committee.
Over his last eight games (Weeks 9 through 16), Corum averaged an elite 5.6 YPC with five rushing scores and a strong 59.5 yards per game despite only logging 10.6 attempts per game.
Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane, RB
While De’Von Achane turned in a strong showing in 2024, he cemented himself as a legit top-5 running back in the league in 2025. During this season, Achane posted his first 1,000-yard campaign on the ground and remained elite in the passing game, catching 68 of his 85 targets for another 488 yards.
Entering Week 18, Achane holds 1,838 total yards from scrimmage with 12 total TDs.
Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Turner, LB
The 22-year-old doubled his production in his sophomore campaign and will represent the Minnesota Vikings on this list. In his rookie season in 2024, Turner tallied just 20 tackles and a mere three sacks. However, in 2025, Turner took a key role in defense, logging 65% of the team’s snaps and totaling 60 tackles (25 solo) with six sacks.
Turner has also been effective when forcing turnovers, adding three forced fumbles and tallying three pass deflections.
New England Patriots
Drake Maye, QB
This was one of the easiest choices on this list. After posting a modest 15:10 TD:INT as a rookie, Maye went from development project to MVP candidate in just one calendar year. In 2025, Maye has totaled 4,203 passing yards with 409 rushing yards across 16 games. He has tossed 30 passing scores and added another four with his legs while only turning the ball over eight times.
The Patriots enter the postseason as legit Super Bowl contenders with their franchise QB leading the way.
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough, QB
Tyler Shough did not step into the starter role until the midway point of the season, but he has established himself as the late-season favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. From Weeks 8 through 17, Shough has shown steady improvement and has posted an 11:5 TD:INT with 236.1 passing yards and 16.9 receiving yards per game.
Shough has been even more impressive in the stretch, totaling 304.3 passing yards per game over his last three games with a perfect 4:0 TD:INT. The Saints may have found their franchise QB.
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart, QB
While fellow rookie Cam Skattebo and even wideout Wan’Dale Robinson made a strong case to be on this list, the rookie QB will narrowly take the spot. Entering the season, there was real discussion that the former 25th-overall pick out of Ole Miss would not even see the field this year, as Russell Wilson was expected to be the starter.
However, the Wilson experiment lasted all but three games as Dart took over the starting job in Week 4. While he has dealt with concussions, Dart has shown high upside in his debut campaign playing without top wideout Malik Nabers. Dart has totaled 22 total TDs entering Week 18 with only five interceptions.
New York Jets
Adonani Mitchell, WR
The Jets had a year to forget, but one of their more substantial moves was the trade of Sauce Gardner that netted them two first-round picks and young guard Aodni Mitchell. Mitchell never found his footing in Indianapolis but has begun to show flashes with his new club.
Since joining the Jets, Mitchell has seen 8.0 targets per game and has eclipsed 60 receiving yards in two games. He has punched in two scores and holds an impressive 12.5 YPC. In Week 13, he totaled a season-high 103 yards. Expect the former first-round pick to continue operating as the bona fide No. 2 opposite of Garrett Wilson.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalyx Hunt, LB
Rookie Jihaad Campbell made a strong case to be on this list, but instead, fellow linebacker Jalyx Hunt will hold Philadelphia’s spot. Hunt joined the Eagles in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Houston Christian. As a rookie, Hunt tallied 1.5 sacks with 21 tackles.
However, in his second NFL season, Hunt became an impact player on this elite defense, tallying 50 tackles with two interceptions and 6.5 sacks. Hunt enjoyed one of his best showings in their thrilling Week 17 victory over the Bills, as he tallied 2.0 sacks on Josh Allen with seven tackles.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenneth Gainwell, RB
The 26-year-old has typically been deployed as a change-of-pace option throughout his time with the Eagles. However, with his new club in Western Pennsylvania. Gainwell took on a three-down role and enjoyed a massive breakout season.
Entering Week 18, Gianwell has taken a career-high 109 rushing attempts for 527 yards and four scores. This was the first time in his career he hit the 100-carry mark. Through the air, Gainwell was heavily involved, drawing 76 targets and catching 65 of them for 422 yards and no other two scores.
His 65 receptions place him fifth at the position.
San Francisco 49ers
Tatum Bethune, LB
After a quiet rookie season in 2024, where Bethune appeared in just 11 games and tallied a mere seven tackles, the second-year linebacker is in a position to hit the 100-tackle mark in Year 2. Entering Week 18, Bethune has logged an impressive 87 tackles (37) during his breakout campaign.
His 87 tackles place him just 12 behind Dee Winters for the team lead. PFF has given him a 63.7 overall grade, placing him within the top 40 among linebackers in the sport.
Seattle Seahawks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
Like Pickens earlier on this list, the case can be made that Jaxon Smith-Njigba already had his “breakout” season. In 2024, the former Ohio State standout totaled 1,130 yards and six scores on 100 receptions. However, in 2025, Smith-Njigba took another massive step forward in his development.
With Sam Darnold under center, Smith-Njigba would catch 113 passes (third-most entering Week 18) for 1,709 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is the only wideout to hit the 1,700-receiving-yard mark this season, entering Week 18.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka, WR
Even though Emeka Egbuka had a disappointing second half to the season, the first-round pick made a significant mark in the first half and will still represent the Buccaneers on this list. Over his first nine games, Egbuka was widely considered to be one of the best WRs in the league, as he averaged 75.2 yards per game with six TDs.
However, once Chris Godwin Jr. and Mike Evans returned to the offense, Egbuka would tally just 36.1 yards over his last seven games (entering Week 18). Despite this, he still drew a high target share (6.9 targets per game) and remains a key option in this passing attack.
Tennessee Titans
Chimere Dike, WR
The fourth-rod rookie broke records in his NFL debut season. During their Week 17 loss, Dike eclipsed Tim Brown’s 2,317 all-purpose yards from his 1998 rookie season, pushing his total to 2,269. While Dike showed promise as a pass catcher, tallying 396 yards through 17 weeks, he made his mark on special teams, totaling two punt return touchdowns with an eye-catching 1,568 kickoff return yards.
Washington Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB
Even though Croskey-Merritt was demoted to the No. 2 role in the middle of the season, the seventh-round rookie surpassed all expectations as he finished the season leading the team in all rushing statistics. Entering Week 18, Croskey-Merritt has logged 162 carries and totaled 776 yards with eight touchdowns.
He has flashed solid breakaway upside, posting runs for greater than 20 yards, and two runs greater than 40 yards. Down the stretch, the Arizona product has taken an even larger step forward, averaging a stellar 6.1 YPC over Weeks 15 through 17.
