Every NFL preseason comes complete with anticipatory excitement, but 2025 feels special. The league is overflowing with new talent ready to break out and change the fortunes of their teams. After a rookie season filled with growing pains and glimpses of brilliance, several breakout candidates are ready to take the torch in the 2025 NFL preseason.
From quarterbacks fighting for a place in the starting lineup to defenders eager to stake their claim, these rising stars are poised to transform potential into production.
Michael Penix Jr. Commanding the Falcons’ Huddle
Fans in Atlanta are hyper-focused on Michael Penix Jr., who is set to enter his second year as the Falcons’ starting quarterback. Penix showed raw promise in 2024, highlighted by a final game in which he averaged 8.2 yards per attempt for 312 yards, delivering seven prime-time throws without a single turnover-worthy play. Despite a completion rate just above 55% in that contest, his aggressive approach and live arm turned heads, both among fans and analysts.
Given how much his performance could swing team outcomes, it’s no surprise that FanDuel NFL preseason odds have factored in his growth as a major storyline for the Falcons. With an offseason to develop chemistry with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts, Penix has the pieces around him to accelerate his growth.
Now entrenched as the starter, Penix’s mobility and willingness to take shots downfield could make the Falcons’ offense one of the league’s most dynamic stories this preseason.
Rome Odunze As Chicago’s Next Great Receiving Threat
Rome Odunze enters his sophomore season with Chicago set for a starring role. Despite his rookie campaign flying under the radar compared to other first-round wideouts, Odunze finished with 734 receiving yards, only 134 yards behind the much-hyped Marvin Harrison Jr. Notably, he excelled in contested-catch situations, hauling in 73% of such targets, and generated 4.8 yards after catch per reception.
With Keenan Allen departing, the Bears’ revamped offense should give Odunze even more opportunities.
Partnered with Caleb Williams, who himself displayed a league-best 3.9% big-time throw rate among rookies, Odunze is positioned to thrive in an offense designed to maximize his expansive catch radius and route-running ability. Early preseason action may reveal just how large a leap he needs to take.
Byron Murphy II Anchoring Seattle’s Interior Defense
The Seahawks selected Byron Murphy II in the first round for his disruptive potential, and year two may bring the payoff. Murphy’s rookie season did not produce gaudy numbers, but he registered an 8.6% pressure rate and flashed a 10% pass-rush win rate on true pass sets, both percentages that suggest an approaching breakout.
Murphy has had the luxury of an entire offseason to build strength and immerse himself in Mike Macdonald’s scheme. With that under his belt, he’s expected to be a key figure on Seattle’s defensive line. His combination of quickness off the snap and anchor strength against the run indicates that he might be the kind of player who can turn the tide in the trenches.
If his development continues, preseason games could be his launching pad to a double-digit sack campaign.
Malik Washington Could Be Miami’s Underrated Offensive Weapon
Miami’s offense is often defined by the star power of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but Malik Washington is emerging as an intriguing candidate to carve out a significant role.
At a hair under 5-foot-9 and weighing in at 191 pounds, Washington combines compact strength with explosive athleticism. It’s noteworthy that he recorded a 42.5-inch vertical at the combine and ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash.
Washington saw most of his rookie production in the season’s closing stretch, where he latched onto 16 catches for 169 yards over four games. In Mike McDaniel’s system, which emphasizes yards after catch and quick separation, Washington’s skill set is a natural fit.
As the preseason unfolds, watch for Washington to become a go-to option and a name that moves beyond local recognition.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu is Building a Wall in New York
Offensive linemen often break out more quietly than skill players, but Olumuyiwa Fashanu of the Jets is primed for a major step forward.
Fashanu’s rookie year showed the athleticism and power that made him a standout at Penn State, despite the ups and downs of a rebuilding Jets unit. Now, with New York shifting away from veteran tackles and embracing a mobile quarterback in Justin Fields, Fashanu is poised to become the anchor at a premium position. His youth (he’s only 22 years old) and readiness to take on elite pass rushers give him a unique trajectory.
In preseason matchups, Fashanu’s performance in both run blocking and pass protection could set the tone for a much-improved Jets offense and a long-term solution at left tackle.
Kris Abrams-Draine Adding to Denver’s Secondary
Denver’s secondary has been a revolving door in recent seasons, but Kris Abrams-Draine, a fifth-round pick in 2024, has the potential to become a mainstay.
Despite playing only 10.6% of Denver’s defensive snaps, most coming toward the end of the year, Abrams-Draine recorded nine tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups. His knack for making plays even when faced with limited opportunities stands out in a defense searching for reliable contributors.
If granted a larger role, Abrams-Draine could seize the moment and prove himself as one of the draft’s best Day 3 values. Preseason games will give him a platform to convert moments of brilliance into sustained impact and push for a full-time spot in the Broncos’ starting lineup.
The Road Ahead in 2025 NFL Preseason: Opportunity and Uncertainty
The 2025 NFL preseason isn’t just a proving ground; it’s an opportunity for young talent to redefine expectations.
As the first toss of the coin takes place, these players will know that the margin between promise and production is going to be measured by every snap.
For fans and front offices alike, the preseason offers a rare window to see the league’s next stars before their names become Sunday Night Football favorites. For the rookies and sophomores spotlighted here, what happens in August could set the stage for entire careers.
Main photo credit: © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
