- Young players headline the breakout list: Walter Nolen, Deone Walker and Dylan Fairchild are among the second-year players positioned to take another step in 2026.
- Expanded roles create opportunities: Josh Downs, Isaac TeSlaa and Gunnar Helm could benefit from clearer paths to increased playing time or opportunities.
- PFF Grades highlight emerging talent: Armand Membou earned 70.0-plus PFF grades in pass protection and run blocking as a rookie, while Kelvin Banks Jr. led first-year offensive tackles with a 73.5 PFF grade.
Some of the most important players of the 2026 season aren’t yet household names. From second-year linemen poised to take a leap to rotational pass-rushers and receivers stepping into larger roles, every roster has a player capable of breaking out.
Here is one breakout candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams.
Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen
Nolen showed some encouraging flashes during his rookie season in Arizona, but he played just 169 snaps, limiting his overall impact. He generated 15 pressures on 99 pass-rushing snaps, earned an 80.1 PFF pass-rush grade and recorded at least three pressures in three of the four games in which he had 15 or more pass-rushing snaps. The key for Nolen will be staying on the field, but if he can, there’s a chance he emerges as Arizona’s best defensive player by the end of the season.
Atlanta Falcons: Matthew Bergeron
Left guard Matthew Bergeron enters the final season of his rookie contract with an opportunity to earn a significant payday with a strong 2026 campaign. He has already played more than 3,000 snaps in his career and has earned PFF overall grades above 70.0 in back-to-back seasons. Bergeron has consistently graded better as a run blocker than in pass protection, but he has also earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 65.0 in each of the past two seasons. He allowed 28 pressures across 519 pass-blocking snaps in 2025.
Baltimore Ravens: Teddye Buchanan
Linebacker Teddye Buchanan had started to impress before a season-ending injury derailed his rookie campaign. After taking over a starting role in Week 2, the 2025 fourth-round draft pick earned a PFF overall grade above 60.0 in five of his final six games and ranked 31st among linebackers in PFF run-defense grade (70.8).
Buffalo Bills: Deone Walker
A fourth-round draft pick last season, Deone Walker showed some encouraging flashes during his rookie campaign. Despite what you might expect from a player his size, the former Kentucky Wildcat made his biggest impact as a pass-rusher, earning a 78.3 PFF pass-rush grade while generating 20 pressures on 283 pass-rushing snaps. A full NFL offseason should give him the opportunity to take another step forward and make an even bigger impact along the interior of the Bills’ defensive line.
Carolina Panthers: Jalen Coker
The Panthers have already demonstrated their belief in former undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, signing him to a three-year, $34 million extension this offseason. Through his first two NFL seasons, Coker has earned PFF receiving grades above 70.0 and averaged at least 1.60 yards per route run in both years. With Tetairoa McMillan established as the primary target, Carolina does not need Coker to lead the passing game. Instead, 2026 presents an opportunity for him to earn more recognition as a versatile secondary option who can make plays both from the slot and out wide.
Chicago Bears: Kyle Monangai
Luther Burden III could play a significant role in the Bears’ offense, but the same is true of fellow 2025 rookie Kyle Monangai at running back. The seventh-round pick averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a rookie while forcing 30 missed tackles. His 75.2 PFF rushing grade ranked 30th among the 65 running backs with at least 50 carries across the regular season and playoffs, and he formed an impressive backfield tandem with D'Andre Swift.
Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild
The Bengals drafted guard Dylan Fairchild with the 81st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the former Georgia Bulldog started 15 games as a rookie. Over the final eight games of the season, his 74.3 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked first among rookie guards and fourth among all rookie offensive linemen. He is capable of developing into the Bengals’ best offensive lineman by the end of the 2026 season.
Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. followed up an impressive college career by finishing fourth among all rookies in receiving yards (731). He earned a 76.4 PFF receiving grade, trailing only Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and Tetairoa McMillan among rookies to see at least 20 targets. Fannin fell in the draft because he was just an OK athlete, but his 3.77 yards per route run in his final college season was always a sign he could be a star in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku
Expectations are high for Donovan Ezeiruaku entering his second NFL season. He generated 36 pressures on 343 pass-rushing snaps as a rookie, showing flashes while earning a 66.8 PFF pass-rush grade. If he can develop into a consistent threat off the edge, it would go a long way toward easing concerns about the Cowboys’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey
Rookie running back RJ Harvey had a solid debut season, earning a 69.6 PFF rushing grade across 165 carries while showcasing his big-play ability with runs of 38, 40 and 50 yards. He also contributed in the passing game, with his 1.40 yards per route run ranking ninth at the position. With J.K. Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman sharing the backfield, Harvey is unlikely to take on a true workhorse role. However, he has the talent to emerge as Denver’s best running back in his second NFL season.
Detroit Lions: Isaac TeSlaa
Isaac TeSlaa flashed impressive ball skills as a rookie, with five of his 16 receptions in 2025 coming on contested catches. He also did not drop a single catchable target, and with Kalif Raymond no longer on the roster, there is a clear path for him to emerge as the No. 3 wide receiver in the offense.
Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has impressed since entering the NFL as a second-round draft pick in 2024, earning PFF grades above 75.0 in both seasons. In his first year as a full-time starter, he ranked 17th in the NFL with 45 tackles resulting in defensive stops during the regular season. Another strong campaign could put him firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s top linebackers, behind only Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers.
Houston Texans: Aireontae Ersery
Aireontae Ersery made 17 starts as a rookie for the Texans, including 16 at left tackle. Heading into his second season, he is firmly established as the team’s starter, and there were plenty of encouraging signs during his rookie campaign. Excluding his lone start at right tackle, Ersery earned a 69.1 PFF pass-blocking grade, tied for 42nd among the 86 offensive tackles who played at least 300 snaps last season. If he builds on that foundation, he has the potential to finish 2026 as one of the NFL’s top 20 tackles.
Indianapolis Colts: Josh Downs
Michael Pittman’s departure should create more opportunities for Josh Downs in a contract year. The 2023 third-round pick has recorded at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons while dropping just 4.3% of his catchable targets over that span. In 2024, Downs averaged 2.20 yards per route run and saw 102 targets. With a clear path to the No. 2 receiver role in Indianapolis’ offense, he has a strong chance to return to that level of production in 2026.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Parker Washington
Parker Washington thrived in an expanded role after Travis Hunter’s injury, though his breakout season was somewhat overshadowed by the arrival of Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline. Washington averaged 2.19 yards per route run in 2025, 0.61 more than any other Jaguars pass-catcher. He also caught fire down the stretch, recording 507 receiving yards over Jacksonville’s final five games, including the playoffs — more than double any of his teammates during that span.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia
After a difficult rookie season at left tackle in 2024, Kingsley Suamataia made significant strides following a move to left guard in 2025. Across 1,090 snaps, he earned PFF grades above 60.0 as both a pass blocker and run blocker, while his 64.9 overall grade represented a significant improvement from the 37.9 mark he posted across 198 snaps as a rookie. Suamataia still allowed 35 pressures, so there is plenty of room for improvement. Given the progress he made in his second season, though, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take another significant step forward in 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty
It’s an easy choice, but the addition of Tyler Linderbaum at center gives Ashton Jeanty an excellent opportunity to take a step forward in Year 2. Jeanty was solid as a rookie, earning a 73.1 PFF rushing grade that ranked tied for 33rd at the position. However, the struggles of the offensive line contributed to him finishing just 18th with 975 rushing yards, despite his 815 yards after contact ranking eighth.
With an improved offensive line in front of him and a better situation at quarterback, Jeanty should have an easier time producing at a higher level in his second season.
Los Angeles Chargers: Charlie Kolar
Tight end Charlie Kolar is coming off a career-high 77.5 PFF grade and has the skill set to be a complete player in the Chargers’ offense. He is unlikely to lead the team’s tight ends in targets, but his 1.70 yards per route run shows that he can still contribute as a receiver.
Kolar’s biggest strength, though, is his blocking. His 71.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked 10th among tight ends in 2025, giving the Chargers an effective in-line option who can provide a boost to the running game.
Los Angeles Rams: Kobie Turner
Kobie Turner is set to hit free agency after the season, and if the first three years of his career are any indication, he’s about to earn a massive payday. He has earned PFF pass-rush grades above 80.0 in two of his first three seasons while generating 181 pressures, including 50 sacks and quarterback hits, on 1,654 pass-rushing snaps. With opposing offenses now likely to devote extra attention to Myles Garrett off the edge, Turner could see even more favorable one-on-one opportunities as a pass-rusher.
Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant
Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant endured a rough start to his NFL career, earning a 30.4 PFF grade over the first five weeks of the season. He steadily improved as the year went on, though, and his 62.0 PFF grade from Week 6 through the end of the season ranked third among the 14 rookie interior defensive linemen who played at least 200 snaps during that span. His 16 defensive stops over that stretch also ranked second in the group. With a full NFL offseason under his belt, expect Grant to continue that upward trajectory in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Redmond
An undrafted free agent in 2023, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond earned a 72.8 PFF grade across 793 snaps in 2025. It marked his second straight season with a PFF grade above 70.0, but it came over a significantly larger sample. He also developed into a more well-rounded player, generating 35 pressures on 369 pass-rushing snaps, with nine resulting in combined sacks and quarterback hits, while earning a 72.7 PFF run-defense grade.
New England Patriots: Craig Woodson
A fourth-round pick out of Cal in the 2025 NFL Draft, safety Craig Woodson played 1,202 snaps across the 2025 regular season and playoffs as a rookie. His 89.7 PFF run-defense grade far outpaced his 63.0 PFF coverage grade, making him better suited to playing in the box. The addition of Kevin Byard III in free agency should allow him to continue to thrive in that role. Even a modest improvement in coverage could see Woodson begin to earn more recognition.
New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr.
Rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. led all first-year offensive tackles in PFF grade in 2025 (73.5), performing well both as a run blocker and in pass protection with grades above 70.0 in each facet. He enters his second season with more than 1,000 NFL snaps under his belt and an improved situation alongside him following the addition of left guard David Edwards. Banks earned PFF grades above 70.0 in six of his final nine games, and if that late-season progress carries into 2026, he could begin to establish himself as one of the league’s better young offensive tackles.
New York Giants: Tyler Nubin
Tyler Nubin put together a promising rookie season in 2024, earning a 65.8 PFF grade across 789 snaps. His overall production dipped in Year 2, though he did improve in coverage, raising his PFF coverage grade from 58.1 to 60.0. Entering his third NFL season, don’t be surprised if Nubin generates more buzz, particularly if he can recapture the level of run defense he showed as a rookie.
New York Jets: Armand Membou
Right tackle Armand Membou hit the ground running as a rookie, with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft becoming one of just 22 offensive tackles to earn 70.0-plus PFF grades both in pass protection and as a run blocker. He improved as the season went on, allowing just two pressures on 146 pass-blocking snaps over the final four weeks of the regular season. Don’t be surprised if he establishes himself as one of the best tackles in football by the end of his second season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Moro Ojomo
With former first-round picks Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter also on the defensive line, it’s easy for a former seventh-round pick like Moro Ojomo to fly under the radar. The former Texas standout has quietly developed into one of the Eagles’ most reliable interior pass-rushers, earning PFF pass-rush grades above 70.0 while generating 93 pressures over the past two seasons. As he enters a contract year, don’t be surprised if Ojomo starts to draw much more attention if he maintains that level of production.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Washington
The Steelers rewarded tight end Darnell Washington with a contract extension for his solid performance over the first three years of his career, but 2026 could be the year he gets more national attention as one of the better players at the position. He set a career high with 1.72 yards per route run last year and ranked seventh among tight ends in PFF run-blocking grade (73.1).
San Francisco 49ers: Dominick Puni
Dominick Puni impressed at right guard as a rookie in 2024, earning an 80.5 PFF grade that ranked sixth among qualified guards. He took a slight step back in 2025, with his 69.2 PFF grade ranking 27th at the position. Even with that regression, Puni has already put together two seasons as an above-average starter. Entering his third NFL season, he has a chance to establish himself as a top-15 guard before heading into a contract year in 2027.
Seattle Seahawks: Derick Hall
Derick Hall took a significant step forward in his third NFL season, setting career highs with a 73.9 PFF run-defense grade and a 72.6 PFF pass-rush grade. The Seahawks rewarded him with a contract extension before he could reach free agency, and with Boye Mafe departing this offseason, Hall is in line for an even larger role in 2026. His career high is 45 pressures in a season, but if he continues on his current trajectory, reaching 60 is well within reach.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tykee Smith
After two solid seasons to begin his NFL career, 2026 could be the year Tykee Smith starts to receive more league-wide recognition. The 2024 third-round pick out of Georgia has earned PFF grades of 72.0 and 65.8 in his first two seasons. Smith is at his best playing close to the line of scrimmage, and his 23 tackles resulting in a defensive stop in 2025 ranked 21st among safeties. Another step forward in Year 3 could establish him as an important piece of Tampa Bay’s defense.
Tennessee Titans: Gunnar Helm
There were plenty of encouraging flashes from rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm in 2025. The former Texas Longhorn earned a 69.3 PFF receiving grade in his first NFL season, and while his campaign was overshadowed by several standout rookie tight ends, his 1.45 yards per route run ranked 23rd among all players at the position. With Chigoziem Okonkwo no longer on the roster after seeing 76 targets in 2025, Helm has a clear opportunity to take on a much larger role. A jump to 100-plus targets is well within reach, and that workload would have ranked among the NFL’s top 10 tight ends last season.
Washington Commanders: Trey Amos
A broken leg cut Trey Amos’ rookie season short in Week 10, but there were encouraging signs before the injury. Although he finished with a 58.8 PFF coverage grade, he earned a grade above 70.0 in four of his 10 starts. Amos also entered the NFL off an outstanding final season at Ole Miss, allowing just 280 receiving yards on 515 coverage snaps in 2024.
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