2025 Top Five NFL Rookie Breakout Candidates
This year's 2025 NFL Draft was full of nothing but speculative talent. Each player had proved themselves beforehand and had shown all 32 teams what they had to offer. The top five were picked in the first round of this year's draft, and many fans are looking forward to seeing what they have got later on in the season. They won’t start right away, but they do have it in them to break the ice and begin a new era in the coming NFL season. Each one is destined to be the possible rookie of the year at the end of the season. Here are the top five possible rookie breakout candidates.
1. Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward was the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft. He has already proved to the Titans that he can turn things around, especially during the team's OTAs this year and the mandatory minicamps. He entered the league with very high expectations, and nearly everyone was in a debate over him before the first pick even happened. This young rookie has a rocket arm and a quick release, and he has what every team is in the market for: a mobile quarterback. The Titans have already decided to start him in week one of this season, given his impressive performance so far. He’s promising for them, and they may finally have their long-term answer that they have been looking for.
2. Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is another notable name mentioned on the rookie board as a potential breakout player for this year. He may have been the 25th pick of the first round, but he has already been the big talk of Big Blue. The Giants have stated that veteran quarterback Russell Wilson may start at the beginning of the season, but if the franchise and fans look in all directions, Dart may begin on the Giants' field before the end of the season. Everyone is worried, but given how well he has impressed the coaches with his passing attempts and mobility as a quarterback, he may take the field sooner than anyone thinks. With the way Dart makes the connections, the Giants may see fireworks from this young rookie this season.
3. Travis Hunter and the Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter was another player whom everyone had been keeping their eye on before the draft. He is a two-way player and is considered to be one of the most athletic rookies within this rookie class. There are big expectations for him this coming season. The Jacksonville Jaguars were already experimenting with him in both the wide receiver and cornerback positions. Two areas in which he excels. Being able to play both is huge for any NFL team. Whether Hunter can lock down receivers or he can make highlight reel catches, he is already destined to be a breakout player for this season. He can be very creative on all sides of the ball. Jacksonville may have gotten the steal of this year's NFL draft.
4. Ashton Jeanty and the Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty has also been hard at work when it comes to playing the football game. He wasted no time becoming a valuable asset to the Raiders and making some significant noise. This running back brings visions, bursts of energy, and the ability to catch the ball when it's passed to him. He has already been seen starting reps at the Raiders OTAs, and it’s thrilling the team. If he can keep this up, his breakout season may start even before the regular season begins. Jeanty may become the Raiders' go-to guy before anyone even knows it.
5. Tetairoa McMillan and the Carolina Panthers
Tetairoa McMillan is also destined for a breakout season this year with the Carolina Panthers. He was drafted to become a personal asset for the Panthers' starting quarterback, Bryce Young. McMillan is one of the larger players added to the team during the draft. One that the Panthers are happy they were able to pick up for this season. McMillian has already been making strides and has been one of the bigger conversations among the Panthers during this offseason. He has strong hands and has already run major routes on several occasions. Many have already started saying that McMillan and Young are connecting well and that McMillan may be a starting receiver for Carolina this coming season.
