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_
Los Angeles Rams
Omar Speights | LB
Omar Speights, an undrafted rookie linebacker from LSU, is a prime breakout candidate for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025 due to his impressive 2024 performance and increased opportunity. Stepping into a starting role after Troy Reeder’s injury, Speights started 10 of the Rams’ last 11 games, where he tallied 66 tackles, with a missed tackle rate of only 5.7%.
The Rams signed Nate Landman from the Falcons and drafted Chris Paul Jr. in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, both adding to the competition in the linebacker room. ESPN’s projected depth chart has Speights starting next to Troy Reeder, who is playing on a one-year deal, suggesting that the Chris Paul Jr. selection may be with an eye toward the future. Speights is under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season.
In his second season in the NFL, and under defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Speights looks to build on his 66.8 defensive grade, which is impressive for an undrafted rookie linebacker. He boasted a 78.3 run defense grade, which was 33rd among all NFL linebackers. His 53.9 coverage grade leaves much to be desired, but that should improve with time in the NFL and under Shula.
The Rams finished 17th in points allowed per game (22.7) and 14th in forced turnovers (20), but with returning young players like Omar Speights and 2024 DROY Jared Verse, the defense should continue to improve. With four scheduled primetime games in 2025, look for #48, Omar Speights, to be all over the field, making a name for himself as a Rams linebacker for years to come.
Arizona Cardinals
Garrett Williams | CB
Contributed by Blitz Sports Media’s Arizona Cardinals affiliate, Daniel Loya.
Garrett Williams flourished in his second year. He played in 16 games, recording 45 solo tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Williams was the highest-graded defender for the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. He finished with an 83.7 coverage grade, which ranked fourth out of 222 cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus.
The slot cornerback excels in zone coverage. Last year, Williams led the NFL with a 90.6 zone coverage grade. The 2023 third-round pick out of Syracuse continues to improve every season. Remember the name, an All-Pro season could be in store for the 24-year-old cornerback in 2025.
Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III RB
Kenneth Walker III is a prime breakout candidate for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025 due to a combination of new scheme fit and raw talent. The 24-year-old running back will be healthy for training camp after an injury-plagued 2024 season, which has become a theme throughout his brief NFL career. Walker has started only 37 of a possible 51 games and will need to stay healthy in a pivotal contract year this season.
The arrival of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who brings a zone-heavy, run-focused scheme that aligns with Walker’s strengths and should maximize his explosiveness and tackle-breaking ability. The Seahawks’ shift to a ground-and-pound offense, bolstered by the addition of rookie guard Grey Zabel to address their weak offensive line, creates better running opportunities.
Despite limited playing time due to injuries, Walker finished the 2025 season with the 6th-best overall grade (88.5) among running backs, per Pro Football Focus. His rushing grade (91.3) was 3rd-best, and his receiving grade (72.9) was 11th 11th-best among running backs.
If Walker stays healthy, he could see 300+ touches in 2025, which, factored in with his 4.2 career YPC, could result in over 1,200 rushing yards and double-digit TDs. The Seahawks may finally get the feature back results they were hoping for when they selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
San Francisco 49ers
Ricky Pearsall | WR
Ricky Pearsall was drafted 31st overall by the 49ers after completing his 5th year senior season at the University of Florida. Before his life as an NFL player began, it almost tragically ended. On August 31st, 2024, Pearsall was shot in the chest as the victim of an attempted robbery.
“He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back.”
Pearsall’s Mother, Erin, added to her comments, which explained the severity of the situation.
“Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs. He is in good spirits right now.”
The 49ers placed Ricky Pearsall on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List, which delayed the beginning of his NFL career. Finally, in week 7 of the 2024 season, Pearsall played in his first NFL game. His career was off to a slow start on the struggling 49ers. Before his week 17 breakout game, where he went for 8 receptions, 141 yards, and a TD, Pearsall averaged less than 2 receptions per game.
The 49ers traded longtime wide receiver Deebo Samuel, which opens up the field for more playing time for Pearsall. He’ll be on the field for all 3-receiever sets, where he’ll have to compete for targets with an uber-talented core of eligible receivers, including running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle.
In his limited playing time in 2024, Pearsall excelled as a perimeter receiver against man coverage. He averaged 2.11 yards per route run again man-to-man, which was more than a full yard higher than his average against zone coverage (1.09). His masterful Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan, will surely put Pearsall in the best situation to be successful.
With fellow offensive teammates Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk each receiving contract extensions within the last calendar year, Pearsall figures to be part of the 49ers’ core group of receivers and has a golden opportunity to excel for years to come.
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