The National Football League is filled with so much incredible talent. The league has a massive amount of skilled players, each competing for their moment to shine. Every year, certain players unexpectedly take major steps forward with a breakout season. While these guys might not have been the favorites on sportsbooks with the highest odds to win awards, they have established themselves as stars in the league this year and are now competing to lead the league in several major categories.
Let’s look at some of the NFL players who have used this season as a launch pad to break out and establish themselves as stars. Rookies are not included.
NFL Players With a 2023-24 Breakout Season
Josh Allen
While the Josh Allen in Buffalo was a certified superstar before this year began, there is another Josh Allen who is cementing himself as one of the best players in the league.
Josh Allen is a defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a high first-round pick with plenty of expectations, and he has played well, with a 10.5-sack rookie season in 2019. But this year, Allen has a breakout season. He has 12 sacks in 11 games, a career high. He is dominating on the defensive line for Jacksonville, who is as competitive as they have been for ages. It is great timing for him, as he is set to enter free agency this summer.
Sam Howell
If you were to wager on most betting sites before the year on who would lead the league in passing yards, you’d have likely seen the usual names. Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Joe Burrow were the likely favorites. However, through almost three-quarters of the season, the player leading the league in passing is Sam Howell.
Howell has a gunslinger mentality and has played some massive games for the Commanders. While the team has struggled and turnovers have been a problem, he has outperformed expectations massively. Considering he is a second-year, former fifth-round pick getting his first career starts, he has actually been exceptional.
Nico Collins
The future looks incredibly bright for the Houston Texans. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is having an all-time rookie season, and that has lifted the team to unexpected heights. Collins is one of the players who has benefitted from this.
Collins is a young wide receiver who has shined this season. In his third year in the league, he has set career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns, and he has only played in nine games. Collins is one of the league’s leading receivers, and he has shown a rare size-speed combo. Collins, Stroud, and Tank Dell appear to be a combination for a winning formula for the Texans. With a great breakout season from Collins, look for the Texans to continue their ascent.
Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert: 65 missed tackles forced on runs and receptions this season
2nd in the NFL 💪 pic.twitter.com/uANFV6SoZt
— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) December 20, 2023
It is rare that running backs have their best season after their 30th birthday, but that is what we are witnessing with Mostert. Raheem Mostert had been a journeyman throughout his career, but he is shining in Mike McDaniels’ offence this year.
Mostert is on pace to shatter his career high in rushing yards, and he has already drastically surged past his previous touchdown pace. He is one of the league leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns. Considering the Dolphins are one of the best teams in the league, Mostert has a national spotlight. He is showing that age might just be a number during a breakout season.
DaRon Bland
DaRon Bland had an excellent rookie season last year after being a 5th-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys. He had five interceptions, but most fans were still unaware of his game. He has certainly announced himself to the world this year.
Bland has eight interceptions through 12 games, leading the league in that important category. But most impressively, he has returned five of those interceptions for touchdowns, breaking the NFL record for a single season. He is an incredibly dynamic young superstar, and he is now finding himself high up for the top odds to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Justin Madubuike
The average NFL fan was likely not aware of who Justin Madubuike was until very recently. Madubuike was a solid interior defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens over the first three years of his career. However, he has been completely unleashed this year.
Madubuike has ten sacks this season, more than he had the entire rest of his career combined. He is a dominant interior pass rusher for a Ravens defense that is one of the best in the league. Madubuike is another player who is setting himself up very nicely for free agency after an incredible breakout season.
