NFL · 1 month ago

Top 25 Breakout NFL Stars to Watch in the 2025 Season

Gabriel Santiago

Host · Writer

25. BUF CB Maxwell Hairston
Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston is looking to showcase his elite ball skills. Over his final two seasons in college, the 6-foot-1 defender swiped six total interceptions. Of those, he produced three pick-sixes. Hairston's top-end athleticism will be showcased in various ways. At the most recent NFL combine, he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash to add to his 39.5-inch vertical jump.
1. JAX CB/WR Travis Hunter
Reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Travis Hunter has arrived in Duval County to make a real difference for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A one-of-one player, Hunter is taking on the unprecedented feat of starring on both sides of the football in the NFL.

His proven talents at the University of Colorado will bode well, as the 6-foot-1 athlete has astonishing ball skills. With the Buffaloes, Hunter produced 20 total touchdowns and nearly 2,000 receiving yards. On defense, he contributed 66 tackles, 16 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He'll continue to dominate both ways until proven otherwise.

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2. NYG EDGE Abdul Carter
New York Giants rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter will surely make an impression in 2025. Carter was a three-year superstar at Penn State and has intentions of bringing that same dominance to the NFL. Standing at 6-foot-3, Carter has the speed, strength, and skills to be the next great defender for the Football Giants. Pro Football Focus asserts that Carter's defensive versatility will work wonders in the league. Simply, the future is bright for Big Blue!
3. CHI QB Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is preparing diligently for his sophomore campaign as a professional. Despite a turbulent 2024 season, Williams and a revamped Bears offense are garnering attention around the NFL. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner showed progress from start to finish as a rookie, and with improved protection going forward, we'll see what Williams can do as he enters his physical prime; he's only 23 years old. There is a fair chance he becomes Chicago's first-ever 4,000-yard passer in 2025.

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4. LV RB Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders — an organization with a rich history of talented tailbacks — appear to have their next home-run hitter in Ashton Jeanty. Raider Nation loves to run the rock, and I don't see that changing much with the current roster under Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll. As advertised in a record-breaking season at Boise State, Jeanty has speed, power, agility, and endurance. He is the highest-drafted running back since 2018, and he'll look to justify that going forward. In July, Jeanty is FanDuel Sportsbook's favorite to win the 2025 OROY.

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5. TEN QB Cameron Ward
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward has earned his way to the NFL through the road less traveled. After beginning his collegiate career at FCS Incarnate Word, Ward's efforts with the Miami Hurricanes landed him as the most recent No. 1 overall pick.

His past three seasons in FBS showcased an 87-23 TD-INT ratio on 66% passing. On the ground, Ward provided 17 additional touchdowns throughout that span. Can he be the signal caller to finally turn the tables in Nashville? We'll find out soon enough.

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6. CAR WR Tetairoa McMillan
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has all the tools to be great in the NFL. Right off the bat, his 6-foot-4, 212-pound frame gives him a natural advantage over opposing defensive backs. From there, McMillan's incredible jumping ability, combined with 4.53 speed, makes him a dynamic threat. He averaged 16.1 yards per reception over three years with the Arizona Wildcats, which led to him being the highest drafted offensive player in U of A history.
7. MIA LB Chop Robinson
Linebacker Chop Robinson had an impressive rookie season for the Miami Dolphins in 2024. Despite registering only one start, he logged 26 tackles, eight TFL, and six sacks. He also saw action in every game. Standing at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Robinson is poised to make improvements in Year Two with Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Robinson is strong, explosive, and a disruptive force.
8. BAL CB Nate Wiggins
Heading for the 2025 campaign, the Baltimore Ravens arguably have the strongest secondary in the league. Cornerback Nate Wiggins is a key cog of the defensive backfield, and he will continue to grow under Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Last year with Baltimore, the Clemson alum issued 33 total tackles, 13 pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He also returned his only NFL interception for a touchdown. Keep an eye on the speedy Wiggins in 2025.
9. SEA QB Jalen Milroe
There is certainly a world where rookie-quarterback Jalen Milroe winds up taking the majority of snaps for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025. He may be buried on the depth chart to start training camp, but that does not mean he will be cemented there. The 6-foot-2 Alabama alum boasts remarkable athletic traits, including a rocket-throwing arm and a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. Milroe is a true football player, so don't be surprised to see him on the highlight reel.
10. CLE QB Shedeur Sanders
Similarly to Milroe, there is a scenario where Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is thrust into action. Neither signal caller ahead of Sanders on the depth chart appears to be a long-term solution in Cleveland, and Sanders proved at Colorado that he can accurately deliver footballs within an offensive scheme; he showcased a 71.8% completion clip over two campaigns with the Buffs. Do not rule out future success as a professional.
11. SF DE Mykel Williams
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams has potential for a major year as an NFL rookie. Measuring at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Williams should be a complementary weapon alongside former DPOY Nick Bosa. San Francisco DC Robert Saleh will find which roster combination works best, and I'd expect the 21-year-old Williams to be an integral part of that.
12. IND TE Tyler Warren
The Indianapolis Colts feel they have their next Dallas Clark (or perhaps more) in former-Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 257 pounds, Warren already has prototypical size for his position, which will allow him to thrive in the passing game as well as a run blocker. For his final campaign with the Nittany Lions, he caught 104 passes for 1,233 receiving yards and eight scores; that's certainly NFL-level production.
13. ATL OLB Jalon Walker
Selected by the Atlanta Falcons last April with the 15th overall pick, outside linebacker Jalon Walker has all the talent to thrive in the modern NFL. Walker is fresh off a season with the Georgia Bulldogs wherein he was designated as a First-Team All-American in addition to winning the Dick Butkus Award. If he can fly around the field like he did out in Athens, he'll be one of Atlanta's most popular players.
14. NYG QB Jaxson Dart
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has a shot to be the next "dude" in the Big Apple. The 6-foot-2 signal caller is also hoping to be the next Ole Miss star to get Big Blue over the hump. Dart is a high-volume passer, throwing at least 355 footballs in all three of his seasons in Oxford. He completed his collegiate career with nearly 12,000 yards through the air while completing 65.2% of his passes.
15. IND DE Laiatu Latu
Despite making just one start in 17 appearances for the Indianapolis Colts last year, defensive end Laiatu Latu still managed to force three fumbles while recovering one. From there, Latu issued 32 combined tackles, five TFL, and four quarterback sacks. Look for the 6-foot-5 game wrecker from UCLA to have a jump in production this upcoming season.
16. MIN QB J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings are certainly ready to commence the J.J. McCarthy era, especially after the CFP national champion was robbed of his rookie season. McCarthy has worked his way back from a significant knee injury to his plant leg. He looked solid in his 2025 preseason debut, completing four of seven pass attempts for 30 yards. However, he can't wait to show the NFL community what he can do with the Vikings' hyper-talented skill group. Remember: this is a player who completed 72.3% of his throws for his final collegiate campaign.
17. SF WR Ricky Pearsall
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who saw his rookie campaign cut short by injuries. Still, Pearsall showed flashes of his upside at various moments in 2025, including a 46-yard touchdown reception in Week 10 and a 141-yard performance in Week 17. Given the condition of San Francisco's receiving corps, he'll have to be the go-to guy in Northern California. Pearsall's speed and athleticism are top-notch, so look for him to build on his 12.9 YPR clip from a year ago.
18. SEA DT Byron Murphy II
After an underwhelming 2024, Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Byron Murphy II is looking for more in the upcoming season. Murphy produced 36 tackles (two TFL) as a rookie, but playing in a run-heavy NFC West, he'll have every opportunity to make his presence felt going forward. He stands at a stout six-feet, 305 pounds and boasts the required athleticism to thrive at the nose position; watch out for big #91 in the middle.
19. BAL S Malaki Starks
The Baltimore Ravens added another dynamic athlete to their secondary via safety Malaki Starks. Over three seasons playing at Georgia, Starks issued 197 total tackles while winning one CFP National Championship (2022) and one All-American designation (2023). He also displayed quality ball skills by swiping six interceptions for the Bulldogs. In 2025, Starks will have every opportunity to thrive alongside other talented defensive backs.
20. PHI LB Jihaad Campbell
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell will immediately enter a favorable situation for a player of his abilities. Campbell joins the defending champions, a unit that boasts talent across all three levels on defense. He offers a prototypical mold for the modern mikebacker, standing at 6-foot-3 while running a 4.52 40-yard dash. He should also be a cultural fit in the "City of Brotherly Love," as Campbell plays with the same raucous energy that Philly is known for.
21. CAR QB Bryce Young
One could genuinely argue that Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young should be higher on this list, but you could also argue that he had his "breakout" over the final seven games of 2024. Young passed for 1,583 yards (226.1 YPG) in that span while producing 16 all-purpose touchdowns. For the upcoming campaign, the third-year signal caller will have his best skill group yet. Count on Young to handle business with increased confidence going forward.
22. ARI WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Arizona Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. certainly showed flashes of his high upside in 2024. However, the son of a HOFer only produced two contests with 100 or more receiving yards. Undoubtedly, Harrison's familiarity with the offense improved as the year progressed, as he was still able to haul in eight touchdowns (tied for second amongst all NFL rookies). The football world needs to be ready for the 6-foot-3 Harrison moving forward.
23. CIN DL Shemar Stewart
With the 17th overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected defensive lineman Shemar Stewart. Seemingly, Stewart has all the intangibles to thrive on Sundays. He stands at a whopping 6 feet 5 inches, weighing 278 pounds. To up the ante, Stewart ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds at the NFL combine. From there, he recorded a 40-inch vertical leap. Opposing quarterbacks and offensive tackles should make finding Stewart a top priority.
24. CHI WR Rome Odunze
The Chicago Bears have high hopes for wide receiver Rome Odunze in 2025. Last year, Odunze appeared in all 17 games for Chicago, posting 734 yards, 37 first downs, and three scores. The Bears' offense is expected to improve going forward, with significant reinforcements being brought in along the offensive line. Ideally, that will give Odunze more time to showcase his athleticism downfield.
25. BUF CB Maxwell Hairston
Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston is looking to showcase his elite ball skills. Over his final two seasons in college, the 6-foot-1 defender swiped six total interceptions. Of those, he produced three pick-sixes. Hairston's top-end athleticism will be showcased in various ways. At the most recent NFL combine, he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash to add to his 39.5-inch vertical jump.
1. JAX CB/WR Travis Hunter
Reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Travis Hunter has arrived in Duval County to make a real difference for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A one-of-one player, Hunter is taking on the unprecedented feat of starring on both sides of the football in the NFL.

His proven talents at the University of Colorado will bode well, as the 6-foot-1 athlete has astonishing ball skills. With the Buffaloes, Hunter produced 20 total touchdowns and nearly 2,000 receiving yards. On defense, he contributed 66 tackles, 16 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He'll continue to dominate both ways until proven otherwise.

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Top 25 Breakout NFL Stars to Watch in the 2025 Season

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