Every year, the NFL gives us surprises. A third-string wide receiver becomes a fan-favorite. A special teams ace turns into a starting safety. A sixth-round pick suddenly looks like the next big thing. In this article, we’re diving into one sleeper player from all 32 NFL teams who could make noise in 2025. Starting in the AFC East…
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid (TE, 25): Kincaid was a 2023 first-round pick who struggled with injuries in 2024. He finished with just 44 catches and 2 TDs through thirteen games. Kincaid enters 2025 healthy and should regain the target share similar to his 2023 rookie output (73 catches, 673 yards).
Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Wright (RB, 22): A fourth-round pick in 2024, Wright only started three games. He was buried behind veterans and hampered by offensive line issues in the second half. But now Miami’s veteran backfield is changing. With Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson gone, Wright and De’Von Achane should lead the backfield.
New England Patriots
Marcus Jones (CB/KR, 26): The talented return man Jones has yet to stick as a defensive starter. In 2024 he finally had a career-high 586 defensive snaps and earned career-best PFF grades. Now entering Year 4, Jones is expected to be New England’s full-time slot corner under Mike Vrabel.
New York Jets
Braelon Allen (RB, 21): The Jets’ 2024 fourth-rounder posted 334 rushing yards and 2 TDs on just 92 carries, serving mostly as a change-of-pace behind Breece Hall. The Jets intend to get Allen more involved this year. And with Hall recovering from injuries, Allen’s efficiency and power running hint at a much larger role next season.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals
Cam Taylor-Britt (CB, 25): A 2022 second-round pick who played backup as a rookie, Taylor-Britt finally became a starter in 2023. He compiled multiple interceptions in his first two seasons. With no new veteran cornerbacks added in 2025, Taylor-Britt now established as the boundary CB. He should build on that late-2023 breakout and rack up more passes defended and interceptions as a full-time starter.
Cleveland Browns
Isaiah McGuire (DE, 23): McGuire, a 2023 fourth-round pick, played a little as a rookie but came on strong in late 2024 after Za’Darius Smith was traded. In 16 games he tallied 36 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Good enough for a 83.3 PFF overall grade (11th overall). McGuire should slide into a full-time DE role besides Myles Garrett. His second-half efficiency (and a 90% snap rate in Week 17) indicates he’s ready for a breakout 2025 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Payton Wilson (LB, 25): Although being a highly decorated college player, Wilson fell to Round 3 in 2024 due to injury concerns. He nonetheless played all 17 games as a rookie, earning solid PFF grades (77.3 coverage) in a rotational role. With over 500 snaps already and strong coverage ability, Wilson could easily become the Steelers’ top off-ball linebacker, racking up tackles in a more prominent role in 2025.
Baltimore Ravens
Nate Wiggins (CB, 21): The 2024 first-round pick had a quiet start but emerged late in his rookie year. He ended up starting 8 games, with 39 tackles, 13 passes defended and a pick-six in 2024. With Brandon Stephens gone and Wiggins moving into the slot/full-time role, his coverage skills and playmaking (already elite for a rookie) suggest a breakout 2025 as a Ravens difference-maker.
AFC South
Houston Texans
Juice Scruggs (G, 25): A 2022 fifth-round pick, Scruggs played all three interior OL positions as a rookie. Houston’s offensive line was overhauled in 2025, and Scruggs is expected to lock down the starting right guard job. If his growth trend continues, Scruggs could post a much stronger performance in 2025.
Indianapolis Colts
Laiatu Latu (EDGE, 24): As 2024 first-round pick out of UCLA and the first defensive player off the board, Latu saw only a 54% snap share as a rookie. But with the Colts trading away 2024 pass-rush leader Dayo Odeyingbo, Latu will have a much larger opportunity in 2025. The rising snap count and his rookie production point to a significant breakout if he can stay on the field.
Tennessee Titans
Peter Skoronski (G, 23): The 11th overall pick in 2023, Skoronski struggled as a rookie but took a big step forward in 2024. He dramatically improved his pass-blocking (jumping from 63.5 to 76.3 PFF grade, which ranked 12th among guards). That improvement suggests he’s now trending toward top-tier play. Going into Year 3, Skoronski is ready to build on his early success.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter (WR/CB, 22): I get that calling someone who’s going to be a rookie and was drafted 2nd overall a “sleeper” seems odd, but I believe Travis Hunter is an exceptionally rare two-way talent. With the Jags weak wide receiver room, Hunter should fit right into WR2 behind Brian Thomas Jr. The weak cornerback room also gives Hunter the opportunity he wanted: Playing both sides of the ball.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Jaden Hicks (S, 22): A 2024 third-round pick, Hicks played 490 defensive snaps as a rookie. With longtime starter Justin Reid departing, Hicks will step into a larger free safety role in 2025. Kansas City added little competition in the secondary, so Hicks should see significantly more snaps, expect him to rack up tackles and interceptions with Reid gone.
Los Angeles Chargers
Tarheeb Still (CB, 22): A 2024 fifth-round pick, Still played over 800 defensive snaps as a rookie due to Los Angeles’ thin secondary. He particularly excelled in the slot (his PFF coverage grade from the slot was 81.7 vs only 68.0 when outside). In 2025 the Chargers brought in veteran outside corners, which should allow Still to settle back into the slot. Meaning he will be more effective, and a potential sleeper.
Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty (RB, 21): Once again, it feels weird calling a high drafted rookie a “sleeper” but I think Jeanty is the real deal. He enters a backfield with the clearest path to a lead role. With Pete Carroll’s smashmouth brand of football and a good enough offense to force defenses to not focus solely on the run, Jeanty is in store for a massive year.
Denver Broncos
R.J. Harvey (RB, 24): A 2025 second-round pick (UCF), Harvey arrives to a Sean Payton offense after the team moved on from Javonte Williams. As a rookie, Harvey will get the starter’s load. Once he’s fully integrated into Payton’s system, he’ll one to watch.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers
Edgerrin Cooper (LB, 23): A 2024 third-round pick, Cooper quietly became Green Bay’s defensive star by season’s end. With Green Bay declining Walker’s contract option, Cooper is set to be the clear LB1 in 2025. That should translate to a big jump and even more dominant play if he continues on this trajectory.
Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy (QB, 22): The 2024 first-round pick did not take any NFL snaps as a rookie, but Minnesota clearly believes in him (they didn’t resign Sam Darnold). McCarthy is entering an ideal situation and Kevin O’Connell’s scheme and a loaded offense should help the former Michigan star adjust to the pro game.
Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet (TE, 26): A second-round pick in 2020, Kmet quietly blossomed into one of Chicago’s top pass-catchers by the end of 2023. In 2023, he had 415 yards and 3 TDs, despite quarterback inconsistency. A lot on talk now is about the rookie TE Colston Loveland who they drafted #10 overall, but Cole Kmet is still the clear TE1 in a Bears offense that is expected to take a big leap forward.
Detroit Lions
Terrion Arnold (CB, 22): As a 2024 first-round pick, Arnold was often targeted in coverage. With Arnold now fully healthy, he’s expected to get more playing time in 2025. The expectation is that he can round into the lockdown defender he was billed to be, translating that decent rookie coverage metric into more pass breakups and interceptions in his second year.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tykee Smith (DB, 24): In 2024 Smith secured the starting nickel corner job and never looked back. He posted an elite 90.3 run-defense grade (3rd-best among DBs) and a strong 70.0 coverage grade (33rd). Now entering Year 2 as the starter, Smith’s skills suggest he could be one of the league’s top slot corners.
Carolina Panthers
Trevin Wallace (LB, 22): The 2023 third-round pick was put on the field after Shaq Thompson’s injury, starting about 10 games as a rookie. Carolina added no veteran inside backers in 2025, signaling confidence Wallace will retain a starting role. Now with a full offseason as an NFL starter, Wallace should build on his coverage chops. He has a chance to improve substantially in Year 2 and justify the Panthers’ faith by becoming a tackling machine over the middle.
New Orleans Saints
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, 22): The 2024 second-round pick played nearly every defensive snap as a rookie and justified the selection. He allowed just a 57.9% catch rate on targets and earned a 67.1 coverage grade, excellent marks for a rookie. With Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo both gone in 2025, McKinstry will be one of New Orleans’s primary outside corners. Although he already is a talented player, that clear opportunity makes him a sleeper.
Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. (QB, 25): Penix started just three games in 2024, but made the most of them. In only 114 dropbacks he earned an 87.6 PFF passing grade with a 9.0% big-time-throw rate. (both top 5 among QBs with more than 100 dropbacks). Atlanta’s offense, now fully equipped with weapons, is set up to succeed and Penix could emerge as one of the league’s biggest second year surprises.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Beebe (C, 24): A 2023 third-round pick who started as a rookie, Beebe has shown steady improvement. He excelled as a run-blocker and gradually improved in pass protection. Given his Year 2 jump and added technique from top college tape, he looks ready to take another step forward. And he could potentially becoming a stabilizing force in the Cowboys’ interior line.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sydney Brown (S, 25): The 2023 third-rounder showed flashes but dealt with injury in his rookie year. He started as a rookie before a late-season injury, but in his one full game (Week 18) he earned a 92.0 overall grade (90.4 in coverage). Entering 2025 fully healthy, Brown will compete to be Philadelphia’s top safety. With familiarity in the defense and a strong finish in 2024, he could finally take on a full-time role.
Washington Commanders
Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, 22): A 2024 second-round pick, Newton got limited snaps as a rookie (462 snaps). His 62.7 pass-rush grade (tied 53rd) wasn’t great. But with longtime starter Jonathan Allen released, Newton will immediately step into a starting role on Washington’s interior line. That expanded opportunity should translate into more pressure and tackles.
New York Giants
John Michael Schmitz Jr. (C, 26): The 2023 third-round center had a rough rookie year (lowest-graded center) but rebounded significantly in 2024. Most of his progress came as a run-blocker (jumping from 34th to 17th at his position). And he allowed far fewer pressures with each passing week. Going into Year 3, Schmitz is on an upward trajectory to become a solid starter.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Will Johnson (CB, 22): Talent wise, Will Johnson was the top corner in the 2025 NFL draft. However, due to injury concerns, he fell all the way to the Cardinals at #47. With the Cardinals mediocre secondary, Johnson is expected to get significant playing time and prove exactly why he shouldn’t have fallen to the second round.
Los Angeles Rams
C (LB, 25): An undrafted rookie signee in 2024, Speights played well as a backup. The Rams added no high-profile MLBs this offseason, so Speights should push for the starting job. His strong run-defense numbers suggest he could anchor L.A.’s middle in 2025. If he steps into a full-time role, Speights’ blend of strength and hustle makes him a sleeper who could rack up double-digit tackles regularly.
Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy II (DT, 22): Acquired in 2024, Murphy is a former first-round interior defender. His rookie season in Seattle was quiet (just 0.5 sack) as he adjusted. However, he has proven pass-rush prowess: at USC he earned a 91.5 pass-rush grade and a 20.3% win rate on rushing downs. In Year 2 he’s expected to play a much larger role opposite Kerry Hyder. If Murphy can translate his college pass-rush skill to the pros given a full season, he could break out and become a disruptive force on Seattle’s defensive line in 2025.
San Francisco 49ers
Renardo Green (CB, 24): A 2024 second-round pick, Green earned a larger role late in his rookie season, filling in for veteran Charvarius Ward. He graded out very well: a 74.3 coverage grade and a 15.7% forced incompletion rate (both top-20 marks). With Ward no longer on the roster, Green projects to be a starting outside corner in 2025.
