2025 NFL Breakout Players: AFC West

AFC West Breakout Players

Each year, there is a crop of NFL players who have a breakout season. Breakout players come in many forms: a sophomore breakout, a player on a new team, or even a veteran who is finally given his opportunity to excel.

In the weeks leading to training camp, Blitz Sports Media’s NFL team will assist me in determining who the potential breakout candidates on each team are for the 2025 season. Each week, we’ll post breakout candidates by division.

Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Let us know on X @JLSports24 or @BlitzSM_

Kansas City Chiefs

Jaden Hicks | S

This 22-year-old safety is in store for a big season on the Chiefs’ defense in his second season out of Washington State. As a rookie, he contributed heavily, playing 330 snaps despite starting only one game. He finished 35th among all safeties with an overall grade of 72.2, 71.7 against the run (49th), and 72.0 in coverage (26th) per PFF.

Jaden Hicks’ versatility allows him to line up all over the field, which makes him the perfect match for the Chiefs’ complicated defense. In 2024, he lined up at free safety 154 times and as a box safety 126 times. His versatility was proven further as he also took snaps at nickel, outside corner, and even defensive line.

The sophomore safety fills a prominent position on the Chiefs defense, though, one held formerly by Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid, who combined for five Super Bowl appearances. Reid, who signed with the Saints in free agency this offseason, thinks that Hicks is up for the task.

He can fill, he can tackle, he’s athletic, he’s willing to learn, he listens, and he plays hard so he has all the tools to be successful.

Jaden Hicks is listed as the starting strong safety for the Chiefs, per ESPN, and all signs point to him carrying the torch from Justin Reid into continued Super Bowl success.

Denver Broncos

Troy Franklin | WR

Troy Franklin, a second-year wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, is primed for a breakout 2025 season due to his elite speed, growing chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix, and untapped potential.

Franklin had a relatively quiet rookie year with 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns until he turned heads in the playoffs..

His standout playoff moment a 43-yard touchdown catch from Nix against the Bills, highlighted their Oregon-honed connection.

With a crowded receiver room, including Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims, Franklin’s role as a vertical threat could open up Denver’s offense, especially with new tight end Evan Engram creating mismatches. Bo Nix’s familiarity with Franklin from their days together at Oregon could help him see even more targets.

Denver’s offense is poised to take the next step in Bo Nix’s second season, and Troy Franklin could be a massive beneficiary of their success.

Los Angeles Chargers

Junior Colson | LB

Since arriving in Los Angeles from the University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh has only selected two of his former players in the NFL Draft, and only Junior Colson remains on the team.

Since being selected 69th overall in 2024, Colson has had a challenging start to his NFL career. His rookie year was immediately hindered due to an appendectomy, which caused him to miss the start of training camp. He also had a mid-season stint on injured reserve, causing him to miss four games.

Colson is now healthy heading into his second season as a pro and has been working hard to match the speed of the NFL game, and get his body ready, per linebacker running-mate Denzel Perryman:

I’m pretty sure last year didn’t go the way he wanted it to go with the injuries and everything like that, and he’s working also,Perryman said. “He’s been in here every day during the offseason.” Perryman concluded with: “I would say he’s locked in. He’s been in the building every day; he’s here before I am sometimes. He’s locked in.”

There is plenty of room for growth. When Colson was on the field, he only garnered an overall grade of 38.0, which was 180th of 189 linebackers. Despite the poor grade, he showed an ability to tackle at an elite level, missing only two all season, for an impressive 6.1% missed tackle rate.

Colson’s familiarity with the defensive scheme should help him continue his transition to the NFL. It will be his fourth consecutive year playing in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme, dating back to their time together at Michigan. The Chargers are poised to take the next step as a playoff team and Super Bowl contender, and Junior Colson’s development could be a big factor in their success going forward.

Las Vegas Raiders

Jackson Powers-Johnson | OL

Analysis from Blitz Sports Media’s Las Vegas Raiders writer, Dan Loya

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round, 44th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, the versatile offensive lineman appeared in 15 games, starting eight games at left guard and one game at right guard.

Due to an injury to Raiders’ starting center Andre James, Powers-Johnson made his first career start at center in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, earning an elite 90.6 overall PFF grade.

While James was recovering from an ankle injury, the rookie started six straight games at center, earning an overall PFF grade of 70.7. According to Pro Football Focus Data Analyst Dalton Wasserman, Powers-Johnson’s 2.4% pressure rate allowed at center was the sixth best among the position (minimum 200 snaps).

With the departure of Andre James in free agency, Jackson Powers-Johnson has a clear opportunity to become the Raiders’ starting center in 2025. The former Remington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American from the University of Oregon is poised to break out in his second season. All signs point to Jackson Powers-Johnson anchoring the Raiders’ offensive line for years to come.

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