Nobody saw Zack Baun’s breakout coming last season.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a one-year deal and turned the career special teamer into a starting inside linebacker. Baun ended up being the most unlikely member of last season’s All-Pro team, and he was a big part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory. In the offseason, he signed a three-year, $51 million deal.
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That type of extreme breakout is rare and hard to predict, but there will be plenty of players who will go from virtual unknowns or unproven commodities to stars. Here are the top 10 breakout candidates for this season:
Vikings QB JJ McCarthy
It has been hard for many fans and observers to wrap their heads around a simple concept: Why is it impossible to believe that McCarthy, the 10th pick of a 2024 NFL Draft that had a loaded quarterback class, is actually better than Sam Darnold? Darnold had an excellent season but that was due in part to Minnesota having an excellent environment. That Vikings might be better this season with an improved offensive line. McCarthy has elite talent. He’s with a very good team. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he had a breakout season, though it will be a shock to many of those sleeping on that possibility.
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Patriots QB Drake Maye
The Patriots’ situation was so bad last season, many wondered if the team should basically redshirt Maye and sit him all season. Maye started 12 games and he overcame that situation to play fairly well as a rookie. He was solid as a passer and added value as a runner. Now with a better coaching staff and better talent around him, Maye should take off. The Patriots are going to feel very good about their quarterback situation by the end of the season, not that they don’t already.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is looking to build off a productive rookie season. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Steelers RB Jaylen Warren
For years, fans wondered what Warren could do with a bigger role. But he was stuck sharing time with Najee Harris. Harris left in free agency but the Steelers poured cold water on Warren’s breakout by drafting Kaleb Johnson in the third round. Or did they? All indications are that Warren will begin the season ahead of Johnson, and perhaps we will see him thrive in a big role and keep Johnson to a limited share of the backfield. At age 26, with a 4.8-yard average per carry in his first three seasons, this is Warren’s time to break out.
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Bills WR Keon Coleman
Coleman’s surface stats as a rookie weren’t great, with 29 catches for 556 yards. That doesn’t tell the story. Coleman was starting to emerge before a wrist injury in Week 9. He had 342 yards and two touchdowns in the six games before that. He played more than 80% of the team’s snaps his final two games before missing four due to the injury. Instead of improving as the season went on, he struggled a bit upon his return and in the playoffs he didn’t play more than two-thirds of the snaps in any postseason game. This season the Bills need him to have a bigger role, and he could have a nice season with Josh Allen throwing him the ball.
Titans OT JC Latham
Latham was never in a position to succeed last season as a rookie. He was moved to left tackle, a position he didn’t play in college. The Titans reversed that this season, signing Dan Moore Jr. to play left tackle to allow Latham back to his normal right tackle spot. Latham also dropped about 30 pounds, which should help him be more mobile. Latham should look more like the top 10 pick he was in the draft.
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Colts DE Laiatu Latu
Latu was the first defensive player drafted last season (15th overall) in what was a weak class on that side of the ball, and he was passed by Jared Verse, the Rams’ pick later in the round who won Defensive Rookie of the Year. Latu had only four sacks. But he flashed at times, and there is usually an adjustment period for most edge rushers entering the NFL. Latu was a standout in training camp and the Colts should see him take a big step forward this season.
Buccaneers OLB YaYa Diaby
Diaby had 7.5 sacks as a rookie, then that dropped to 4.5 last season. The underlying numbers were much better his second season, an indication the sack numbers were a bit unlucky and could jump way up in 2025. Diaby is far from the first player to proclaim he’s in the best shape of his life, but he said he cut about 10 pounds to 260 while adding muscle. He said his speed and flexibility has improved. Diaby could be a huge asset for the Buccaneers’ defense.
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Steelers LB Payton Wilson
Wilson probably would have been a first-round draft pick last year with a better health grade. Everyone knew he was a potential steal for the Steelers in the third round, and that should be apparent this season. He started just four games as a rookie but did well. He had 78 tackles on 492 snaps, which was 45% of the Steelers’ defensive plays. If he keeps up anywhere near that production in a full-time role this season, he could be among the league leaders in tackles, and he also has plenty of big-play ability.
49ers LB Dee Winters
For more than a decade, the 49ers have generally fielded two standout linebackers. Fred Warner is a given; he is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Dre Greenlaw is gone, the 49ers drafted Nick Martin in the third round, but Winters refuses to give up the spot. Winters got his first 10 NFL starts last season and held his own, and had 22 tackles in the 49ers’ final three games. San Francisco will be young on defense, and Winters could establish himself as a long-term starter in the NFL.
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Chiefs S Jaden Hicks
Hicks didn’t play much last season as a fourth-round draft pick on a loaded Chiefs team. He still had three interceptions in limited work. The Chiefs saw veteran safety Justin Reid leave in free agency, which opens up a big opportunity for Hicks. There are high hopes for him in his second season.
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