The NFL is a league of constant evolution, where players continually strive to improve and reach their full potential. Predicting which players will make the biggest leap forward in a given season is a challenging but exciting task. This article dives into the potential breakout stars of the 2025 NFL season, highlighting one player at each position who is poised to elevate their game.
From quarterbacks benefiting from new coaching and improved supporting casts to defensive linemen ready to unleash their disruptive abilities, several factors can contribute to a player’s improvement. We’ll explore the specific circumstances and skills that set these players apart and make them candidates for the most improved honors. Get ready to discover the names you might be hearing a lot more of in the upcoming season!
Quarterback: [Player Name]
[Player Name]’s rookie season presented a mixed bag of results. While his raw stats – a 62.5% completion rate, 3,541 passing yards, and 20 touchdowns against 6 interceptions – appeared promising, a deeper dive reveals a more nuanced story. His PFF grade of 67.6 placed him 32nd out of 44 quarterbacks, and he endured a league-high 68 sacks. Despite flashes of brilliance, he was often thrown into challenging situations.
The outlook for 2025 is significantly brighter. The [Team Name] have brought in [New Head Coach], formerly the offensive coordinator for the [Previous Team], to serve as their new head coach, generating considerable excitement in Chicago. The front office has also prioritized enhancing [Player Name]’s environment through strategic acquisitions in free agency and the draft, acquiring guards [Guard 1] and [Guard 2], who earned an impressive 80.0 grade in 2024, as well as center [Center Name]. Furthermore, the team used their first three draft picks to select [Rookie 1], [Rookie 2], and [Rookie 3].
[New Head Coach]’s offensive prowess with [Previous Quarterback] in Detroit was consistently among the NFL’s elite. Although [Previous Quarterback] isn’t considered a quarterback who can single-handedly carry an offense, he achieved an 85.4 grade during [New Head Coach]’s three-year tenure as the Lions’ primary play-caller. This track record bodes well for [Player Name], who seems destined to make substantial strides in his second NFL season.
Running Back: [Player Name]
The Dolphins’ selection of Wright in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft was driven by his exceptional speed, a trait highly valued by the team. However, his opportunities were limited during his rookie season, as he carried the ball only 68 times for 249 yards, averaging a modest 3.7 yards per attempt and earning a PFF grade of 65.3. Wright’s total touches amounted to just 71, compared to the 281 and 104 touches received by Mostert and Achane, respectively.
While Wright is unlikely to supplant Achane as the Dolphins’ primary running back (Achane boasts a 91.3 grade since 2023, ranking third among running backs), Wright is expected to see an increase in carries in 2025. Mostert’s departure to the [New Team] in free agency, coupled with the Dolphins’ acquisition of [Free Agent RB] in free agency, suggests a shift in the team’s running back usage. [Free Agent RB] is primarily viewed as a short-yardage specialist – a role the Dolphins have sought in the past – and averaged just 3.2 yards per attempt in 2024.
An improved interior offensive line is also expected to contribute to Wright’s predicted improvement. The Dolphins signed [Guard Name] in free agency and drafted [Rookie OL] in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and their presence is anticipated to create more exploitable gaps between the tackles. Wright will have ample opportunities to showcase his talent in 2025, and there’s reason to believe he’ll capitalize on them.
Wide Receiver: [Player Name]
Harrison was selected as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for good reason. Heralded as one of the greatest wide receiver prospects of all time, Harrison had a respectable rookie season, recording 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns while earning a PFF grade of 77.7. However, there was a sense that both Harrison and the Cardinals had more potential to unlock. He surpassed 100 receiving yards twice during his rookie campaign, but his catch rate was just 54.4%, ranking 102nd out of 112 receivers, though he only had one drop on the season.
An evident disconnect existed between [Quarterback Name] and Harrison, as the Cardinals quarterback seemed to have a stronger rapport with tight end [Tight End Name]. Harrison is too talented to not improve in his second season, but there are specific areas of his game where he struggled. He secured just 16 of 38 contested targets and only 10 of 28 targets that traveled over 20 yards. Enhancing his consistency and physicality at the catch point is crucial, and the Cardinals need to diversify how they utilize him – 25.8% of his targets came on go routes.
Harrison isn’t known for his blazing speed or exceptional separation skills at the top of his routes. He relies more on finesse and nuance than the average 6-foot-4 receiver. However, Harrison appears to have added some muscle mass during the offseason, which could improve his strength at the catch point and enable him to play with more aggression. Another offseason to fully integrate into the offense will greatly benefit Harrison, and with his innate talent, he could be poised for a 1,000-yard season in 2025.
Tight End: [Player Name]
Johnson played a role in [Previous Tight End]’s delayed breakout in the [Previous Team] offense until his senior season. The Giants’ fourth-round pick went on to start 11 games in his rookie season before a foot injury prematurely ended his season. Johnson recorded 29 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown, earning a PFF grade of 53.6.
Johnson caught just 11 passes for 115 yards in his first seven games of the season before increasing his production to 18 receptions for 216 yards in the subsequent five games. In essence, Johnson’s season concluded just as he was beginning to find his rhythm, unfortunately halting his momentum. However, the circumstances surrounding his return and the offensive environment he’ll encounter in 2025 are significantly improved. The Giants’ offensive grade of 64.4 in 2024 ranked 29th in the NFL, but with [Quarterback 1], [Quarterback 2], or even [Quarterback 3] at quarterback, there should be greater consistency on offense.
The hope is that Johnson can build upon his performance in the latter half of the 2024 season and continue to develop into a reliable secondary pass-catching option for the Giants. [Star Player Name] will naturally be the primary focus of the offense, but with a full offseason of preparation, Johnson has the potential to become a valuable asset in 2025.
Tackle: [Player Name]
Across town, the Jets are preparing for a potential offensive resurgence of their own. New York selected Fashanu with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the former Nittany Lion didn’t see consistent playing time early on, despite starting at right tackle in Weeks 4 and 5. Even then, his performance was inconsistent. Between Weeks 3 and 9, Fashanu earned a PFF grade of 47.1, ranking 73rd out of 79 tackles, and his pressure rate allowed of 9.2% was the sixth-highest among tackles.
Fashanu stepped into the starting lineup when [Veteran Player Name] sustained a neck injury, and the long-term plan was for him to eventually replace the veteran at left tackle – it simply happened sooner than anticipated. What followed was the typical progression of a rookie playing one of the most demanding positions in football. Fashanu allowed 10 pressures in five games, reducing his pressure rate allowed to 5.5%, which, while still in the top-30 for highest rates, represented a significant improvement. From Week 11 to 16, Fashanu earned a PFF grade of 67.8 and frequently displayed exceptional pass-blocking skills.
With [Quarterback Name] at quarterback, the Jets are likely to emphasize their running game in 2024, and while Fashanu has shown flashes of promise in college, he enters the 2025 season as the undisputed starter at left tackle for the Jets with Smith retired. There’s a real possibility that he emerges as the league’s next great blindside protector.
Guard: [Player Name]
As a draft prospect, Skoronski was considered one of the safest picks available. The former [College Name] had the highest pass-blocking grade (93.0) in his final year of college and was drafted by the Titans with the No. 11 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Drafted as a tackle, Skoronski played the first two seasons of his NFL career at left guard, earning a 61.6 grade in 2023 and a 60.3 grade in 2024, allowing nine sacks and 60 pressures in two seasons.
Despite the below-average grade, Skoronski took real steps forward as a pass-blocker in the second half of the season, demonstrating the excellent footwork and hand-usage that saw him drafted in the top-15 more consistently. His season-long 76.3 pass-blocking grade was seventh at the position, but Skoronski dominated in the final seven games of the season, allowing just one sack and five pressures while earning a league-high 88.2 pass-blocking grade.
The Titans’ commitment to improving the offensive line could help Skoronski’s improvement in his third year, too. After all, the offensive line is an ecosystem where chemistry and cohesion matter significantly. The front office added [Guard Name 1] and [Guard Name 2] to the offensive line, and both will be starters in 2025, providing veteran experience. [Guard Name 2]’s 86.5 grade in 2024 was third among guards. Skoronski looks in prime position to fully break out in 2025, capturing his pass-blocking form from the back end of last season, and hopefully benefiting from an improved unit.
Center: [Player Name]
Powers-Johnson was the Raiders’ second-round pick in 2024 and was arguably the top-rated center in the class. The former [College Name] had a tumultuous rookie season, swapping his time between left guard and center while still earning a solid 68.3 pass-blocking grade and allowing two sacks and 23 total pressures. Powers-Johnson grew as the season went on and earned a 90.6 grade in his first game at center in a Week 9 loss to the [Team Name].
The Raiders released starting center [Previous Center Name] just one year into a three-year contract extension this offseason, paving the way for Powers-Johnson to enter the season as the team’s starting center after showing promise in his rookie season. Sticking at center and being able to settle into the position instead of bouncing between guard and center is a huge gain for Powers-Johnson and the Raiders.
Powers-Johnson played six games at center for the Raiders in 2024, earning a 65.4 grade while allowing just 7 total pressures and a pressure rate of just 2.4%. His 73.9 run-blocking grade was also 20th among interior offensive linemen, despite the Raiders having one of the worst run games in the NFL. The 2025 season will be a big year for Powers-Johnson. With [Quarterback Name] at quarterback and [Running Back Name] in the backfield, the offense will be improved, and Powers-Johnson could play a big part in that improvement.
Defensive Tackle: [Player Name]
The Commanders entered the 2024 season with [Defensive Tackle 1] and [Defensive Tackle 2] as their starting defensive tackles, and adding Newton to the fold in the 2024 NFL Draft felt like a case of the rich getting richer. Newton was a force on the [College Name] defensive line, notching 102 pressures and 11 sacks in his final two seasons in college while earning 91.5 and 84.9 grades in 2022 and 2023.
[Defensive Tackle 1] was restricted to just right games in 2024, and that paved the way for Newton to start earlier than initially expected. In 16 games, Newton earned a 52.7 grade, 95th out of 143 defensive tackles, though his 23 quarterback pressures were 49th at the position. He flashed his pass-rushing traits in a seven-pressure game against the Bears, and moments like that are indicators of Newton’s potential, potential that can be matured in 2025.
Newton won’t play every down for the Commanders – they still have [Defensive Tackle 2] on the roster and added [Free Agent DT] in free agency, but he’ll provide valuable reps as a pass-rusher while hopefully continuing to grow against the run. That’s plausible, too. Newton’s 5.9% missed tackle rate was low, and he has the physical tools to impress. A big season in 2025 could be on the horizon for Newton and the Commanders.
EDGE: [Player Name]
Thibodeaux hasn’t quite hit the heights you’d expect from a top-five pick, earning a 68.7 grade in his first three seasons in the NFL – 68th among all edge rushers – but he impressed at times in 2024, generating 38 total pressures and six sacks in just 12 games. That didn’t stop the Giants from drafting [Rookie Edge] with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and [Rookie Edge] will likely enter the season starting ahead of Thibodeaux, along with [Other Edge]. That could be damaging, but it could also serve as a fresh opportunity for the former [College Name].
The snap reduction, if anything, means Thibodeaux will be fresher and hopefully more liable to be a difference-maker when he’s on the field. From Weeks 13-18, Thibodeaux earned a 79.2 pass-rushing grade, 13th among edge rushers in the NFL, generating 21 pressures and 11 stops in that time. Ending the season on a high, playing some of the best football of his career, only serves as a positive for Thibodeaux.
The strength of the Giants’ defense could help. The defensive front could be one of the best in the NFL in 2025 with the three edge defenders, [Defensive Tackle], whose 93.4 grade is the highest among defensive tackles since 2022, and excellent depth along the line. More players capable of rushing the passer means higher quality pass-rushing opportunities. Thibodeaux could finally start to prove his worth as a former top-five pick.
Linebacker: [Player Name]
The Seahawks drafted Knight in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the former [College Name] impressed in his four years in college. Knight earned a 65.4 grade in his rookie season, starting nine games in the process and flashing the same production that brought him to the NFL. In 16 games, Knight had 84 tackles while generating 10 quarterback pressures, showing that he can be an above-average tackler while also knifing through offenses to make plays.
The next step for Knight is to continue to grow and play more within structure – he’s often caught losing his run fits and isn’t a natural in coverage. However, Knight gets stops. He had 20 stops in 16 games in 2024 and will enter the season as the starting weak-side linebacker for the Seahawks.
There’s a lot to like about Knight’s game, and the Seahawks could look to utilise him as an off-ball blitzer more in 2025. His 73.3 pass rushing grade was 20th among linebackers, and another season in head coach Mike MacDonald’s system will go a long way to helping Knight break out in 2025.
Cornerback: [Player Name]
It’s hard to look at the Saints’ current situation and feel optimistic about the 2025 season. [Quarterback Name] has his fans, but as a soon-to-be 26-year-old rookie quarterback, the learning curve could be tough for him. Along with that, the Saints are lacking youth across the board. However, McKinstry stepped into a starting role midway through the season and impressed.
McKinstry earned a 66.1 grade, 52nd out of 128 cornerbacks, in 2024, and his 67.1 coverage grade was 45th. In coverage, he allowed just 33 receptions on 57 targets for 404 yards, and he is a smart football player with the strong athleticism to match. That’s why it’s easy to bet on McKinstry taking a big step forward in 2025.
With [Veteran Cornerback 1] and [Veteran Cornerback 2] out of the building, McKinstry is now the Saints’ top cover-corner, and the former [College Name] corner showed enough in his rookie season to believe that he could be in for a big sophomore year.
Safety: [Player Name]
Bullard was a two-time National Champion with the [College Name] before being drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. From Day 1, Bullard was a starter for the Packers defense, splitting time between the slot, split safety and in the box, earning a 54.2 grade in the process.
There’s a lot to like about Bullard’s game. He racked up 83 tackles in his rookie season and should stand to grow in a Packers’ defense that could be one of the stronger units in the NFL in 2025. Bullard started 11 games in his rookie season, but could be in line for a snap reduction. The Packers signed [Free Agent Safety] in free agency, and a strong cast at safety means Bullard could be used more rotationally and given more opportunities to play closer to the ball.
That’s where Bullard can be best. His 67.7 grade against the run was sixth among rookie safeties, countering his struggles in coverage. Bullard might be more of a one-dimensional player, but his excellent tackling ability and instincts mean he could be an exceptionally useful tool for a Packers defense that has struggled against the run in recent years.
Predicting the NFL’s most improved players is a mix of evaluating potential, opportunity, and the right circumstances. The players highlighted here each possess the talent and are entering situations that could lead to significant growth in the 2025 season. From quarterbacks finding stability under new coaches to defensive players poised for increased roles, these are the names to watch as they strive to reach new heights.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, these players have the potential to become household names and elevate their teams to new levels. Keep an eye on their progress, as they embody the spirit of improvement and the pursuit of excellence in the NFL.
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