Photo Credit: Fox Sports
0
0
Every NFL season produces a new group of breakout stars. Some players simply need more opportunities. Others need another year to adjust to the league. The 2026 season features plenty of candidates for major jumps. Several young players already showed flashes during their rookie seasons. Others could benefit from larger roles and improved surroundings. Here are 10 players who could become household names this season.
- Jaxson Dart, Quarterback, New York Giants
Jaxson Dart enters 2026 with enormous expectations. The Giants handed him the starting job during his rookie season. However, injuries and missing weapons limited his production. Dart still showed enough to create excitement around his future. Now, he enters his second season with more experience. The Giants also have a new coaching staff led by John Harbaugh. Dart has the mobility and arm talent to create problems. If he improves his consistency, Dart could become one of 2026’s biggest quarterback stories. NFL.com also ranks him among the league’s top second-year breakout candidates.
- Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka already showed tremendous potential as a rookie. He finished just shy of 1,000 receiving yards despite missing time. A hamstring injury also disrupted his momentum. His early-season numbers suggested even bigger production. Egbuka averaged strong efficiency before the injury slowed him down. Now, he enters Year 2 with Mike Evans no longer in Tampa Bay. That change could create a massive opportunity. The Buccaneers will need Egbuka to become a major offensive weapon. If he stays healthy, another 2026 leap could put him among the NFL’s best young receivers.
- Tyler Warren, Tight End, Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren already made an impressive rookie impact. The Colts tight end earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2025. He also led Indianapolis with 112 targets. Now, Michael Pittman Jr. plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That move creates additional opportunities for Warren. The second-year tight end could see his target total climb significantly. NFL.com believes Warren could approach 120 targets or more. With improved efficiency and more touchdowns, Warren could enter the elite tight end conversation.
- Cam Ward, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward has an excellent opportunity to make a huge leap. The Titans selected Ward first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, he enters his second season with Brian Daboll calling the offense. That pairing could become extremely important for Ward’s development. Tennessee also added weapons around its young quarterback. The Titans selected receiver Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick. They also added Wan’Dale Robinson during the offseason. Ward now has better support around him. That should help him attack defenses more aggressively. NFL.com believes Ward could reach Pro Bowl level in 2026.
- Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Arizona Cardinals
Walter Nolen could become one of the NFL’s breakout defensive linemen. His rookie season never developed because of injuries. Nolen played only six games and recorded 169 defensive snaps. However, his limited sample showed tremendous potential. He produced an 80.1 PFF pass-rush grade during those snaps. Nolen also posted a 14 percent pressure rate, according to NFL Pro. That mark ranked second among rookie defensive tackles in the Next Gen Stats era. Now, Nolen enters 2026 healthy and ready for a larger role. If his health holds, he could become a disruptive force inside.
- Jalon Walker, Edge Rusher, Atlanta Falcons
Jalon Walker showed flashes during his rookie campaign. The Falcons selected him 15th overall in the 2025 draft. Walker recorded 5.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. He also earned an impressive 81.3 run-defense grade from PFF. However, Walker played only about half of Atlanta’s defensive snaps. That number should increase this season. The Falcons need Walker to become a centerpiece of their defense. More snaps could produce significantly better statistics. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah compared Walker’s potential trajectory to Vic Beasley’s second season.
- Malaki Starks, Safety, Baltimore Ravens
Malaki Starks could become the next great Ravens defensive back. Starks played more than 1,000 snaps as a rookie. He also earned a respectable 68.9 PFF grade. His run defense stood out even more. Starks posted a 79.9 run-defense grade during his rookie campaign. Now, he gets another year in Baltimore’s defensive system. He will also continue working alongside talented defensive backs. That experience should help him become more consistent in coverage. The Ravens have a strong history of developing defensive talent. Starks has the tools to become a major part of that tradition.
- Deone Walker, Defensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills
Deone Walker looks like another second-year defender ready to explode. The Bills selected Walker in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. He immediately outperformed his draft position. Walker played 549 defensive snaps during his rookie season. He also posted a 78.3 PFF pass-rush grade. The rookie generated 20 pressures and two sacks. He also batted five passes at the line. Walker even intercepted a pass during Buffalo’s playoff loss to Denver. Those numbers suggest much more could come in Year 2. With more experience, Walker could become one of Buffalo’s best interior defenders.
- Josh Downs, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs has quietly built a strong NFL résumé. He has recorded at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. His efficiency also separates him from many young receivers. Downs has posted a 27.6 percent target rate across the last two seasons. He also owns a 66.7 percent catch rate during that span. Now, Pittman has moved to Pittsburgh. That change should create more opportunities for Downs. The Colts could give him more routes and targets this season. That makes Downs one of the safest breakout candidates on this list. He could finally turn steady production into a major statistical season.
- Gunnar Helm, Tight End, Tennessee Titans
Gunnar Helm could become a major weapon for Tennessee. The young tight end enters a favorable situation with Ward at quarterback. He also plays in an offense that should continue evolving under Daboll. Helm has already shown enough to attract attention from NFL analysts. Bucky Brooks included him among his top offensive breakout candidates. That endorsement carries plenty of weight. Helm could benefit from increased opportunities in Tennessee’s passing game. If Ward takes the expected leap, Helm could benefit as well. The Titans need more reliable weapons around their young quarterback. Helm has a chance to become one of those players.
The 2026 Breakout Class Could Be Special
The NFL always finds a way to introduce new stars. This year’s group could become especially interesting. Dart and Ward could establish themselves as franchise quarterbacks. Egbuka, Warren and Downs could become major offensive weapons. Meanwhile, Nolen, Walker and Starks could emerge as defensive cornerstones. Walker could also become a much bigger factor for Atlanta. Helm remains one of the more intriguing young tight ends. Ultimately, opportunity will determine which players make the biggest jumps. However, each player already has reasons for optimism. The 2026 NFL season could turn several of these promising players into stars.
I like these ten players, but I want to know who are your 10 players?
Author Profile
-
Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
Latest entries
FootballSeptember 4, 202610 NFL Breakout Players Ready to Shine in 2026
FootballSeptember 4, 2026Tennessee Vols Honor Dolly Parton with Butterfly Helmet Sticker
FootballSeptember 4, 20262026 College Football Hot Seat: Six Games That Could Decide Coaches’ Futures
AAC FootballSeptember 3, 2026Florida Gators Open 2026 Against Dangerous FAU
About the Author
