Every NFL season produces a handful of players who take the “leap” from a promising player to a star. Sometimes this happens immediately as a rookie takes over the league, for others, it takes a full season of development.

In 2025, it was Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba who won Offensive Player of the Year. His breakout was a great example of the right pieces falling into place, allowing for a talented player to become a superstar.

So who are these players that will take that leap in 2026?

10. CB Upton Stout

San Francisco 49ers slot cornerback Upton Stout didn’t just become one of the league’s best rookie cornerbacks; he developed quickly into one of the league’s better slot corners.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

At only 5-foot-9, Stout stepped up in a big role. The rookie cornerback played bigger than his small frame and played physically. It isn’t just in coverage that he impressed, either. Stout is a willing tackler and will fight through blocks from much bigger players to make a play.

Pro Football Focus gave the rookie cornerback a 62.0 overall grade in 2025, ranking 59th among all eligible corners. Going into 2026, Stout has earned the right to start and will surely see a big jump in development in year two.

2025 stats: 5 PD, 43 Tackles, 1 Sack

9. CB Jacob Parrish

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish had an underrated rookie season. In limited snaps, Parrish earned a 68.5 grade from PFF, ranking 32nd among 114 eligible cornerbacks. Not bad from the rookie.

The Buccaneers were able to utilize the young defensive back in various ways. He rushed the passer, earning 2.0 sacks on the season, played lockdown in coverage, snagging 2 interceptions, and logged 76 tackles on the year.

His role in Tampa Bay’s defense should only increase as they make a pending decision on veteran cornerback Jamel Deal. With a season of experience under his belt and an increased role in 2026, Parrish will have the chance to cement himself as one of the best young defensive backs in the NFL.

2025 stats: 2 INT, 7 PD, 76 Tackles, 2 Sacks

8. RB RJ Harvey

Running back RJ Harvey had a mediocre rookie season. He logged 540 rushing yards but was able to find the endzone seven times. What’s unique about Harvey’s game is his versatility. The rookie running back also brought in 47 receptions for 356 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Harvey is a breakout candidate, not just because he showed flashes as a rookie, but also because of the offense he’s in. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton knows a thing or two about utilizing versatile running backs. He molded Alvin Kamara into an All-Pro and was the leader of the dual-threat running back movement.

Harvey’s efficiencies weren’t that great as a rookie, but another season in Payton’s offense and being a reliable safety net for Bo Nix set the second-year running back up for a breakout season.

2025 stats: 540 Rush YDs, 7 Rush TD, 47 Rec, 356 Rec YDs, 5 Rec TD

7. RB Omarion Hampton

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton‘s season was plagued by injuries, but when he was healthy, he was electric.

Hampton played in nine games for the Chargers in 2025, starting in six. The rookie running back finished the year with 545 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Hampton was also efficient as a runner, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

It’s hard to imagine Hampton won’t have a big year in Jim Harbaugh‘s system in 2026. The Chargers desperately need to set up the run game to lighten the load on Justin Herbert. With Najee Harris entering free agency, the carries will mostly be allocated to Hampton.

While Kimani Vidal played well in 2025, Hampton is the clear RB1 in Los Angeles.

2025 stats: 545 Rush YDs, 4 Rush TD, 32 Rec, 192 Rec YDs, 1 Rec TD

6. LB DeMarvion Overshown

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is set for a big year in 2026.

Overshown had a solid rookie season in 2024 before he suffered a season-ending injury late in the season. It wasn’t until November of 2025 that Overshown was able to return to play.

The second-year linebacker didn’t play great in his return. Understandably, he was getting back to form after suffering a major injury and took time to get back to normal. But once Overshown gets fully healthy for 2026, he’ll be in a position to take over for the Cowboys defense, which desperately needs someone to step up.

2025 stats: 28 Tackles, 1 TFL, 

5. WR Rome Odunze & Luther Burden III

The Chicago Bears‘ offense took off under Ben Johnson. Chicago finished with the sixth-best offense in 2025, and it’s mostly thanks to Caleb Williams‘ development.

It’s hard to pick one of the Bears’ promising receivers. Both Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze put up 650+ yards and are set up for big seasons in 2026. While D.J. Moore is still rostered all the way through 2029, I don’t expect him to slow their development.

Odunze has the traits of a WR1. He has the size and frame to be an outside receiver, and has the rare ability to create separation despite lacking top-end speed. Burden is a different type of receiver. The former second-round pick is a big run-after-catch threat and takes the top off of defenses.

While it is a crowded receiver room in Chicago, there’s enough diversity of receivers, and each pass catcher fits the offense differently. Entering a second season in Johnson’s offense, the young wideouts are set for big seasons.

2025 stats (Odunze): 44 Rec, 661 Rec YDs, 6 Rec TD
2025 stats (Burden): 47 Rec, 652 Rec YDs, 2 Rec TD

4. RB Oronde Gadsden II

Oronde Gadsden II only started in seven games for the Chargers as a rookie, yet he finished with the 11th most receiving yards among tight ends.

The Chargers’ offense had its struggles in 2025. The offensive line couldn’t protect Herbert, and the gameplan had to switch to getting the ball out quickly. This allowed for Gadsden to shine. The rookie tight end brought in 49 receptions for 664 receiving yards.

It’s hard to list Gadsden as a breakout candidate; he practically broke out as a rookie. If he was able to muster nearly 700 receiving yards while starting half the year, imagine what he could do in a full 17-game season.

2025 stats: 49 Rec, 664 Rec YDs, 3 Rec TD

3. QB Tyler Shough

The 2025 NFL draft class had a surprising turnout for rookie quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward have already cemented themselves as promising quarterbacks of the future for their franchises, and Tyler Shough looks like he could be that for the New Orleans Saints.

Shough earned the keys to the offense in Week 9 after Spencer Rattler failed to win more than one game as the starter. Despite a loss in his opening start, Shough didn’t look back. The second-round pick finished the year 5-4 as the starter. New Orleans finished with a 6-11 record.

Many wonder how the Saints could’ve performed in 2025 if Shough was the Week 1 starter. He was clearly capable of elevating the offense in a way Rattler wasn’t, and he put together a decent season statistically. Shough threw for 10 touchdowns to 6 interceptions while adding another three scores as a runner.

With a full offseason and quality starts, Shough is eyeing a breakout in 2026.

2025 stats: 2,384 Pass YDs, 10 Pass TD, 6 INT, 186 Rush YDs, 3 Rush TD

2. TE Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. finished the season leading the Browns in receiving yards. Despite the quarterback carousel, Fannin remained each quarterbacks go-to target.

With veteran tight end David Njoku set to hit free agency, Fannin is set up to be the tight end of the future for the Browns. In 16 games, Fannin brought in 72 receptions for 731 yards and 6 touchdowns as TE2. Now entering his first season as the starter, Fannin will see a significant uptick in targets.

No matter if it’s Shedeur Sanders or a different quarterback, having a reliable tight end is strong for a young quarterback’s development, solidifying Fannin’s targets in 2026.

2025 stats: 72 Rec, 731 Rec YDs, 6 Rec TD, 1 Rush TD

1. RB Ashton Jeanty

Despite the Las Vegas Raiders‘ offense being a mess, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty had a solid season. Jeanty rushed for 975 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. The rookie running back was also a threat as a receiver, finding 5 touchdowns through the air.

The Pete Caroll and Geno Smith offense just happened to be a disaster. The Raiders ranked as the worst offense in the NFL in yards per game and had the worst rushing attack, averaging 77.5 rushing yards per game.

So where’s the light for Jeanty to break out? New head coach Klint Kubiak. The former Seahawks offensive coordinator is one of the league’s top up-and-coming offensive-minded coaches. The Las Vegas offense is expected to see a big transition in 2026, especially with the likely acquisition of Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.

Kubiak’s offense has a heavy emphasis on the run and was able to help Kenneth Walker III to a career season while in a contract year. Under his new head coach, Jeanty is set up for a breakout season in 2026.

2025 stats: 266 ATT, 975 Rush YDs, Rush TD, 3.7 YPC, 55 Rec, 346 Rec YDs, 5 Rec TD