Each year, new breakout players emerge throughout the NFL, whether it’s a sophomore success, a player on a new team, or a veteran who finally got his chance to shine. Each week leading up to training camp, I will post an article with potential breakout players for every team, division by division.
Connect with me on X to let me know how you feel about my selections, or to announce your own breakout players. @JLSports24
Denver Broncos
Drew Sanders | OLB
Drew Sanders is entering his 4th season of professional football, but will be looking to complete just his 2nd full season. The former Razorback was selected in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft following an All-American season where he was voted the Bednarik Award winner after a 103-tackle, 9.5 sack season.
As a rookie, Sanders showed plenty of promise, playing in all 17 games as a reserve or starter. Four games into his second season, he tore his Achilles tendon, ending his year. He then missed the entire 2025 season due to a foot tendon issue.
Sanders enters the 2026 season healthy and in a contract year. His ability to contribute from the edge and as a stand-up linebacker increases his chances of significant playing time. Although his career is off to a sloppy start due to injuries, the coaching staff has not lost faith.
Although he may not be a 17-game starter, Sanders has an opportunity to shine on a really good Broncos defense. It could earn him more playing time and a contract extension, or a starting job on another team after free agency in 2027. With a healthy season, he could quickly become a breakout player in 2026.
Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton | RB
Chargers 2025 first-round pick, Omarion Hampton, had an injury-plagued rookie year, where he looked impressive when on the field. Appearing in 9 games and starting 6, he ran for 545 yards and 4 TDs with a 4.4 YPC. Many believe that is just scratching the surface for Hampton, and I’m one of those people. I had him ranked as the 8th best prospect in the entire 2025 NFL Draft.
His speed, strength, and vision will serve him well in the Chargers’ new run scheme, brought over by new Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel. The former Dolphins head coach made a name for himself in the league as the run game coordinator for the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan, whom he had worked with for 15 years.
McDaniel’s scheme features zone running, allowing Hampton to use his vision and burst to explode through the line of scrimmage and into the open field. He has the strength and toughness to take on defenders and finish runs strong. Omarion Hampton himself talked about his excitement for the new rushing scheme:
Hampton has all the makings of a true bell-cow back, and a full season leading McDaniel’s attack could give him Pro Bowl-caliber numbers, putting him on the map as one of the best running backs in the AFC.
Kansas City Chiefs
Contributed by Ryan Linkletter, Chiefs Writer for Blitz Sports Media. Connect with him on X @blitzlink_
There are a few different players that can qualify as breakouts for the Chiefs this year, but the favorite has to be second-year cornerback Nohl Williams.
The Chiefs this offseason lost both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, forcing a complete rehaul of the secondary. Williams is one of the few returning pieces in the secondary from last year and showed promise during his rookie season. He finished the year as the 17th highest graded cornerback according to PFF, while having a 76 coverage grade.
Williams will likely be the opposite starter of 1st round draft pick Mansoor Delane and be heavily targeted in year two. Based on the team’s track record of developing cornerbacks, there is a strong chance that Nohl Williams takes another step in 2026, and the turnover in the Chiefs’ secondary no longer becomes a concern.
Las Vegas Raiders
Tre Tucker | WR
Contributed by Dan Loya, Raiders Writer for Blitz Sports Media. Connect with him on X @DLoya_NFL
The Raiders have plenty of breakout candidates. First-round picks Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers come to mind, but in my opinion, these players are already stars.
A player who has flown under the radar is Tre Tucker. Last season, the speedy receiver quietly led the Raiders in receiving yards.
Tucker showed a glimpse of his potential in Week 3 against the Commanders when he exploded for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
So far, the 25-year-old playmaker has already made a strong impression on head coach Klint Kubiak.
“He can run all day. He is a quiet leader, a guy who is going to be put in a leadership role. He has to be a playmaker for us, and he has been. Now let’s go see what else we can get out of him.”
“When you have a guy who is that size, that competitive and works that hard, there aren’t a whole lot of humans on the planet who can gain as many yards at that speed. He has been really impressive.”
Keep an eye on Tre Tucker in 2026.
