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_
Philadelphia Eagles
Nolan Smith was selected 30th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 draft, though being a first-round pick didn’t automatically guarantee him playing time. He managed only 18 tackles and one sack while backing up Haason Reddick, who made the Pro Bowl. Reddick was eventually traded, which opened the door for more playing time for Smith in the 2024 season.
Smith had a respectable campaign, logging 7 sacks and 21 QB hurries as he earned more playing time throughout the season. Heading into his third season, the former first-round pick is yet to reach his full potential.
Throughout the 2024 regular season, Smith earned more playing time as the season went on. In the first nine games of the season, Smith averaged 25.2 snaps per game, but in his final seven games, he leaped up to 45.5 snaps per game. In 2025, he will be given every opportunity to take over as the weak-side linebacker full-time.
The trajectory of Smith’s career could not look better. Throughout his first two seasons, he has earned more playing time and has improved his game and his production. Per PFF, in his rookie year with limited playing time, he finished with a pass rush grade of 53.9, a run defense grade of 59.6 for a total of 50.5, which is poor, even for a rookie. What is promising his the big leap he made in his sophomore season. He improved his pass rush grade to 70.2, run defense grade to 77.6, and overall grade to 76.1 – a seismic leap.
Entering his third season at just 24 years old, Smith has an opportunity to become a household name as a breakout player. He plays on a star-studded defense, for one of the greatest defensive minds in the league, and has shown his ability to improve his game. It’s time for Nolan Smith to become the next Eagles star defender.
Washington Commanders
Jer’Zhan Newton was the Commanders’ second-round pick in the 2024 draft. He was an important depth piece who could be ready to take a step forward in his second season. In his rookie year, Newton was second on the team in snaps (515) among interior defensive linemen, trailing only Daron Payne (742), the former Pro Bowler.
The best game of his young career came in week 8 classic against the Chicago Bears, where he tallied seven pressures, three QB hits, and a sack. He was awarded an 89.2 defense grade that week by PFF.
Although the Commanders added the veteran, Javon Kinlaw, in free agency, it should not hinder Newton’s potential as a breakout player. Kinlaw provides quality depth, which is important for keeping men fresh throughout a game and season. Newton recorded just two sacks in 2024, but his hurries (11) were 2nd best on the team among defensive linemen, again, behind only Daron Payne.
Rushing the passer is Newton’s strength, which is a perfect fit for the Commanders’ attacking style. Dan Quinn’s defenses are known for their relentless pass rush, which is married perfectly with the Commanders’ high-powered offense, which scored 28.5 points per game in 2024. The defense should be hunting QBs looking to keep up with the Commanders’ offense once again in 2025.
After reaching the NFC Championship in 2024, the Commanders have Super Bowl aspirations in 2025. To reach that goal, players like Jer’Zhan Newton need to take a significant step forward. He has that potential and could become a key player on the Commanders’ defense this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Beebe was a 2024 third-round pick out of Kansas State, where he was a 2023 Consensus All-American in his senior season. Beebe had an up-and-down season as a rookie, along with the entire Dallas Cowboys offensive line. Fellow rookies Tyler Guyton (LT) and second-year player Tyler Smith (LG) helped mold a stronger offensive line as the season progressed, rushing for an average of 132 YPG and allowing only 8 sacks in their final 6 games.
The run game should become even more prominent for the Cowboys as new Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer takes over the offense after the departure of Mike McCarthy. Along with the new Head Coach comes a familiar Offensive Line Coach, Beebe’s former Offensive Coordinator at Kansas State, Conor Riley. Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones also added more help on the offensive line in a big way through the draft.
This gives the Cowboys three first-round picks on the offensive line, including one at each guard position. Beebe finished with a respectable 65.4 (20th among centers) overall grade for his rookie season, per PFF, but that should improve in his sophomore NFL season. The Cowboys will be implementing more gap scheme run plays, which benefits Beebe’s play style more than the zone blocking he was asked to do last year.
Cooper Beebe has an opportunity to make a big leap in 2025 as this new-look offensive line meshes together. Without adding a prominent running back, it appears the Cowboys are playing the long game and allowing the offensive line to become a dominant unit before adding a true game-changer in the backfield. Look for the Cowboys’ offensive line to be a strength again by the end of the 2025 season, led by their man in the middle, Cooper Beebe.
New York Giants
The Giants’ offensive line continues to be a weakness, and for a successful 2025 season, not only do they hope John Michael Schmitz has a breakout season, but they need him to. Drafted out of Minnesota in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Schmitz became the immediate starting center. Although he largely struggled in his rookie year, he continued to improve throughout the season. He posted an abysmal 41.4 overall grade (PFF) for 2023, but improved majorly in 2024, progressing to a 61.4 rating.
Schmitz should receive more help on the offensive line than in previous years, which is imperative to his success. Andrew Thomas, the Giants’ lockdown left tackle, should return to the lineup after missing the final 11 games of the ’24 season due to injury. Marcus Mbow was added from Purdue in the 2025 draft and should compete for a spot as a starting guard.
The Giants also added Jaxson Dart, who figures to take over as QB1 eventually, and Cam Skettebo, who will bring toughness to the run game. A young center can be a big benefactor of a strong run game and steady QB play. Should John Michael Schmitz continue the trajectory his career is on, he will become one of the young bright spots on this Giants team moving forward.
