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One Player on Every NFC Team Most Likely to Step Up in 2025

March 18, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT

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Marvin Harrison Jr. had a good rookie season, but it feels like he left meat on the bone. The Ohio State product finished with 62 receptions, 885 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns on the year. Considering his pedigree and raw talent, the 4th overall pick could really take off in Year 2. Harrison experienced some highs and lows as a rookie. He caught just one pass for four yards in his NFL debut, and he failed to reach 50 receiving yards in nine games.

Arnold Ebiketie’s NFL career got off to a slow start after the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started just one game as a rookie, but he notched 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Ebiketie made a leap in the sacks department in Year 2, finishing with six in 2023 but with the same amount of pressures as the season prior (28). His 2024 campaign featured another slow start. Ebiketie turned up the heat toward the end of the season, though. He recorded five sacks between Weeks 13 and 18.

The third-round pick from Kentucky recorded 63 sacks, two for loss, two forced fumbles, and one sack last season. Wallace started eight games and rose to the occasion with Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell out due to injuries. He really shined in Week 5, recording a career-high 15 tackles against the Bears. There were some issues in pass coverage, as he allowed a passer rating of 133.7 on 235 coverage snaps. Still, he gained valuable experience early on, which could translate into another step in his development in 2025.

Jaquan Brisker’s 2024 campaign was unfortunately cut short after five games due to a concussion he suffered during a collision with Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble. When Brisker went down, he had 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception, a sack, and a forced fumble on the season. The former Penn State standout was making plays across the board, and he shined in pass coverage. He allowed a 41.7 passer rating and target EPA of -8.2 on 161 coverage snaps, according to Next Gen Stats.

Marist Liufau was a pleasant surprise for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. The 3rd-round pick out of Notre Dame started nine games during his rookie campaign, finishing with 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Liufau logged just nine snaps in Week 1, but his opportunities increased as the season went on, and he made the most of them. Liufau outplayed Damone Clark. Over the last four games of the season, he recorded 24 tackles. Liufau’s late-season surge may have solidified his place as a starter in 2025.

Rookie Christian Mahogany made two starts late in the season and showed signs of being capable of taking over one of the starting spots. Mahogany stepped in for the injured Glasgow in Week 16, and he started at right guard for Zeitler in the playoff loss to the Commanders. The Boston College product played a total of 143 snaps and allowed one sack and four pressures.

Valentine, a 7th-round pick out of Kentucky in 2023, has made 19 starts over the past two seasons. He was projected as an excellent athlete with some technique issues, but he has exceeded expectations. Through two seasons, he has 76 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. As the nearest defender, Valentine allowed a passer rating of 69.0 and -13.1 target EPA (30 targets) in 2024. Given his performance early in his career, the upside for 2025 and beyond is undeniable.

Speights worked his way onto the Rams’ active roster, appearing in all 17 regular season games, including 10 starts. The former LSU linebacker registered 66 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pressures, and two pass breakups. In two playoff starts, he recorded 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Speights has already proven people wrong, but who’s to say he won't make another leap in 2025? He gained valuable experience in Year 1 and should have an opportunity to earn a full-time starting role next season.

Jackson, a former 6th-round pick of the Titans, has been waiting his turn since entering the league in 2022. He played 75 snaps in 2024, including playoffs, recording 11 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups. Jackson has also been a contributor on special teams. Now that Bynum is gone, Jackson’s role appears set to increase alongside Harrison Smith and Joshua Metellus. It’s a small sample size, but the Vikings are betting that he’s ready.

Bryan Bresee had a good season for the Saints in 2024. The 2023 first-rounder made 11 starts and recorded 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He also had 38 pressures and 15 quarterback hits. While Bresee impressed as a pass rusher, he left much to be desired as a run defender. Bresee has largely been a productive rotational piece in his first two seasons. He’s had some flash plays but has yet to put it all together for a full season. The 2025 season could be that moment for the 23-year-old.

Nubin, a second-round pick out of Minnesota, started 13 games for the Giants in 2024 before an ankle injury ended his season. He finished the season with 98 tackles, including four tackles for loss. The Giants moved on from Xavier McKinney last offseason, and he earned his first All-Pro selection in his first season in Green Bay. Time will tell if Nubin can turn into that caliber of player, but he displayed flashes in Year 1. In his sophomore campaign, he’ll look to build on that success and become more of a leader on defense.

Jalyx Hunt is a player who could be primed for a breakout next season. Philadelphia selected Hunt in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 22 games last season (including playoffs), totaling 370 defensive snaps. The Houston Christian product finished with 32 tackles, three sacks, 21 pressures, and six quarterback hits. He posted a 10.2% pressure rate (205 pass rush snaps). Similar to last season, we can expect Hunt to rise to the occasion when faced with more expectations. The 24-year-old’s production in a crowded room could be a sign of great things to come in the future.

Mustapha, a fourth-round selection in last year’s draft, far exceeded expectations in Year 1. He started 12 games and registered 71 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and five pass breakups. He played 728 snaps in 2024, but he stands to have even more opportunities next season. The 49ers lost Talanoa Hufanga to free agency (Broncos). Mustapha projects as the starting free safety next to Ji’Ayir Brown. The 49ers’ defense took a massive step back in 2024, but Mustapha proved to be a huge steal, and his role is set to increase as a result.

The fourth-rounder out of UTEP made nine starts as a rookie and recorded 88 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Knight finished third among all rookies in tackles last season. He was also solid against the pass, finishing with 10 pressures and two pass breakups. Seattle heads into the 2025 season lacking depth at linebacker. Knight is poised to lock down a starting spot in the middle of Macdonald’s defense.

Calijah Kancey is heading into his third NFL season after getting drafted in the first round in 2023. Kancey made a leap as a pass rusher in 2024, registering 7.5 sacks, 39 pressures, and 18 quarterback hits in just 12 games. He also posted a pressure rate of 11%, a jump from 9.4% in 2023. Though Kancey led the Bucs in sacks last season, he has an even bigger goal for 2025 – record double-digit sacks. The Pitt product has dealt with injuries in his first two seasons. If he can stay on the field for an entire season and build on his 2024 performance, we could see him achieve his goal and then some.

The Commanders took Sainristil in the second round of last year’s draft, and he ended up being a big contributor for the defense during the playoff run. He started 19 games for Washington, including the playoffs. He finished with 90 tackles in the regular season, which was 4th-most on the team. He recorded 14 pass breakups and two interceptions in the regular season. Then, he followed it up with four pass breakups and two more interceptions in the postseason. He began as the slot cornerback but was later moved outside because of struggles at the position.

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