Second Year NFL Players Poised for a Breakout Season

The NFL season is still a few months away, but while we wait, here are five second-year players who I believe are primed for a breakout year in 2025.

Marvin Harrison Jr

There is plenty for Cardinals fans to be excited about heading into the new season, and a breakout season from wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr could be on the cards.

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Despite a respectable rookie year, the expectations on last year’s fourth draft pick’s shoulders were even greater, due to him being the son of a former NFL star. 

Now with the possible edition of Keenan Allen, a veteran wide receiver, he could help unlock all the potential in Harrison, adding experience and leadership to the offence.

Harrison has also bulked himself up over the offseason, so we could see a potential beast unleashed for Arizona in 2025. 

Caleb Williams

An obvious pick for a breakout year as last year’s first overall pick, Caleb Williams had an indifferent rookie season, coming out the other side with a 5-12 record.

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However, the Chicago Bears have undergone plenty of changes, top to bottom, including the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson. These changes can only benefit Williams, and his growth, development, and production should be taken to the next level.

Last year, he managed 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, but he struggled in parts due to a below-par offensive line, another issue that has been addressed over the summer.

Now Williams has almost everything he needs, it’s down to him to prove his hype.

Xavier Legette

Xavier Legette was taken by the Carolina Panthers as the final pick in the first round of last year’s draft, but suffered a quiet rookie season, recording just 497 yards and four touchdowns.

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However, you could put this down to a lot of factors. The Panthers swapped between Bryce Young and Andy Dalton throughout the season before Young finally cemented the spot, showing plenty of glimpses towards the end of the campaign of the prospect he was marked as before the 2024 draft.

With Young coming off the back of a breakout season and the addition of Tetairoa McMillan, who could take some pressure off of Legette, he could thrive with less pressure and more support for the offence.

Laiatu Latu

Edge Rusher Laiatu Latu was the 15th pick in the 2024 draft for the Indianapolis Colts and the first defensive player taken in the draft. However, his rookie season didn’t make any waves.

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He managed just four sacks and five tackles all year, registering only one start. 

The Colts have further improved their secondary this offseason, signing free agents Camryn Bynum and Charvarius Ward. Their presence could help propel Latu’s numbers.

They’ve also hired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo from the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Bengals had statistically one of the worst defences in the league last season, Anarumo oversaw Trey Hendrickson’s 17.5 sacks in each of the past two campaigns, and Latu will be hoping these numbers translate to Indianapolis.

Michael Penix Jr

Many were puzzled and still are that the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr in 2024, especially after handing Kirk Cousins a massive contract. But in hindsight, it may have been a savvy move.

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Penix was able to sit for 14 games while learning from the veteran before taking the Quarterback role. He showed flashes of brilliance in his limited rookie campaign.

Penix spent most of his rookie year sitting behind Cousins before stepping into the starting role for the final few games, where he showed glimpses of star potential. First, he dropped 34 points on the New York Giants, before two overtime losses against the Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers, where they scored a combined 62 points on offence.

With the Falcons desperate to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, Penix has pressure on his shoulders, it appears they have been rebuilding ever since their devastating Super Bowl defeat, but if he has a breakout year, could he be the man to dethrone the Tampa Bay Buccaneers atop the NFC South finally.

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