Every NFC team's top breakout candidate for 2025 season

Every NFL season brings an opportunity for a new group of young players to make names for themselves. Some emerging stars are easy to predict, and others less so.

After starting with the AFC on Monday, here is each NFC team's most exciting breakout candidate heading into the 2025 season. No rookies allowed.

Harrison finished the 2024 campaign with 885 receiving yards, fifth among rookie pass-catchers. That's not quite what we were expecting for a player who was hailed as a generational prospect coming out of Ohio State, but nobody should be overreacting here. For what it's worth, Harrison's Hall of Fame dad didn't break out in earnest until his fourth season with the Colts. The Cardinals sophomore likely won't need nearly as long before carving out his own path to superstardom. Another full offseason to develop a connection with Kyler Murray should have Harrison in position to become a legitimate No. 1 receiver in Year 2.

Penix didn't start until the final three games of his rookie season. His numbers were nothing spectacular, but the eye test was more than enough to ramp up the hype train. The Washington product's arm talent, most notably, is every bit as impressive as we thought. While patience will be key as he continues to get a feel for the professional level, those natural gifts will allow the Falcons to open up the offense in a way that wasn't possible with a declining Kirk Cousins last year. Penix will deliver his fair share of big plays this fall.

Young was a completely different player after returning from last year's benching. A particularly strong finish saw the former Heisman Trophy winner produce 0.13 EPA/dropback from Week 12 through the end of the regular season, tied with Patrick Mahomes for 14th over that span, according to TruMedia. The renewed sense of confidence, another year in Dave Canales' system, and the arrival of a potential No. 1 target in Tetairoa McMillan could have him poised for a season in which he establishes himself as the face of the franchise.

It would be wildly unfair to blame Williams for the way his rookie season turned out. Could he have been better? Sure. But it's not like he stood much of a chance with the circus going on around him. The Bears have taken every necessary step to address those issues this offseason, making meaningful upgrades to the coaching staff, offensive line, and his group of pass-catchers. Williams still has the talent to be the best quarterback from a stacked 2024 class, and that should begin to shine through this year.

Guyton had a rough introduction to the NFL last season. Despite starting in only 11 of 15 appearances, his 18 penalties were one shy of the a league-high among offensive linemen. No need to hit the panic button, though. An outstanding athlete who needed to iron out his technique, Guyton was an upside pick in the first round of the 2024 draft. And if there's one thing the Cowboys know how to do, it's develop offensive linemen with traits. Look for their young left tackle to make some major strides in Year 2.

It's typically a stretch to consider a receiver coming off a 1,000-yard season as a breakout candidate. Williams is a unique case. A productive 2024 campaign doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of his potential at this level. His rare speed makes him a true difference-maker before and after the catch. The numbers could explode as the Lions continue to expand his role in the offense.

Wicks has to be better with his hands. Last season's 18% drop rate - worst among all qualified receivers, according to PFF - won't do him any favors when it comes to earning the trust of his quarterback or coaching staff. But the Packers are going to be patient here. His route-running skills really are that special. Wicks finished the 2024 campaign ranked second among all receivers in PFF's separation metric, beating coverage on 75% of opportunities. Even a slight improvement at the catch point could allow him to parlay that route savvy into some consistent production.

Kinchens always felt like a bit of a steal in the third round of last year's draft. The Miami product made an impact as the Rams' third safety during his rookie season, tallying 56 tackles while tying for a team-high four interceptions. His role will only continue to grow heading into Year 2, giving him the chance to emerge as a leader on the back end.

It took me a while to buy into McCarthy as a quarterback prospect last year. After finally getting through enough Michigan tape to have enough of a throwing sample, though, it was easy to see the potential. The Vikings have put on a roster-building clinic to surround their young quarterback with a championship-caliber roster. That level of talent, along with the support of Kevin O'Connell's QB-friendly system, should allow McCarthy to hit the ground running as a starter.

Fuaga was a serviceable left tackle as a rookie after playing on the right side in college. He could take a big step forward in Year 2 because the Saints drafting Kelvin Banks in the first round means Fuaga will be heading back to his natural position. Fuaga's size and power should make him a particularly strong run blocker at this level.

The idea of a receiver breaking out in his seventh pro year probably seems strange. While Slayton has yet to top 800 yards in a season, he's also never had a quarterback capable of taking advantage of what he does best: taking the top off the defense. The veteran wideout ranks ninth in yards per reception since he was drafted in 2019. That ability will make him a particularly strong fit with Russell Wilson, who still specializes in those moon balls down the sideline. And considering the Giants brought Slayton back for $12 million per season, it appears the team is expecting big things, too.

The Eagles' defense took a hit in free agency when Milton Williams left for New England. It's tough to replace a Super Bowl hero who is good enough to command $26 million per year on the open market. But what if I told you Philly has another ascending young defensive tackle who might be on a similar path? Ojomo made the most of his opportunities in rotation last season, ranking second behind only Chris Jones among qualified defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate at 18.2%, according to PFF. For reference, Williams was fourth at 17.6%. The Eagles' defense won't be slowing down anytime soon.

Pearsall didn't make his NFL debut until Week 7 because of a gunshot wound suffered during an attempted robbery at the end of August. His involvement in the offense was understandably sporadic from that point forward. But a strong finish, including a 141-yard effort against the Lions in Week 17, provided a reminder of the upside that made him a first-round pick. Deebo Samuel's departure pushes Pearsall into a top-3 receiver role for his sophomore season, and he could be a featured target while Brandon Aiyuk works his way back from last year's knee injury.

Some might consider Murphy's debut season a disappointment. Granted, it was probably reasonable to expect more than 0.5 sacks from the No. 16 overall pick. But injuries played a role, as did the attention he was getting from opponents despite his rookie status. Murphy's impact should begin to show up in the stat column in Year 2. It's only a matter of time for a talent like this.

Kancey was a bit of a polarizing pick coming out of Pitt in 2023. The freaky athleticism allowed for an enticing ceiling, but concerns about his 6-foot, 280-pound frame were totally reasonable. Two years in, the pass-rush upside is on track to compensating for what he might lack as a run defender. Kancey posted 7.5 sacks in 12 games last season. If he can stay on the field for a full year, the Bucs could be looking at their first double-digit-sack interior lineman since Warren Sapp in 2000.

Newton managed just two sacks during his rookie season. His 7.8% pass-rush win rate was tied for 80th among all interior defenders, according to PFF. Not the best of starts, but it's early. Everyone should still be betting on the talent that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of Illinois last year. Newton was my No. 1 tackle in the class, and it shouldn't be long before he's turning his natural rush skills into consistent production at this level.