The 2026 NFL season could be a big one for several young players across the NFC. Some are coming off promising rookie seasons, while others are finally healthy or heading into a situation where they could see a much bigger role.

Fox Sports NFL Draft Analyst Rob Rang picked one breakout candidate for every NFC team, with several names standing out because of their opportunity, talent, and what they showed last season.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys - Shavon Revel Jr., CB

Revel's rookie season was delayed by his recovery from a torn ACL, and he didn't play until Week 11. Now healthy, Rang expects the 6-foot-2 corner to make a bigger impact.

“Now that he’s fully healthy, I’m expecting big things from the long-armed 6-foot-2 corner,” NFL Draft Analyst Rob Rang wrote on August 13.

2. New York Giants - Cam Skattebo, RB

Skattebo showed plenty during his first eight games before a lower-leg injury ended his season. He scored seven touchdowns and also became a useful receiving option.

“He’ll be Harbaugh’s bell cow with a chance to at least double his production in 2026 — if he can stay healthy,” NFL Draft Analyst Rob Rang wrote on Fox Sports on August 13.

3. Philadelphia Eagles - Jihaad Campbell, LB

Campbell started 10 games as a rookie and could take on an even larger role with Nakobe Dean now in Las Vegas.

“I think he’s going to star,” Rang wrote.

4. Washington Commanders - Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB

Croskey-Merritt scored eight touchdowns and earned Rookie of the Week honors four times last season.

“But I see Croskey-Merritt as the front-runner to lead the position,” Rang wrote.

NFC North

5. Chicago Bears - Luther Burden III, WR

Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He caught at least three passes in each of Chicago's final 10 games.

“I believe last year’s production (47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns) is only the tip of the iceberg for Burden,” Rang wrote.

6. Detroit Lions - Isaac TeSlaa, WR

TeSlaa finished his rookie season with 16 catches but found the end zone six times, including four touchdowns in his final six games.

“With four of those scores coming in the final six games of the season, however, TeSlaa may only be warming up,” Rang wrote.

7. Green Bay Packers - Matthew Golden, WR

Golden enters his second season with an opportunity to become a bigger part of Green Bay's passing game.

“His talent and anticipated workload warrant it,” Rang wrote.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Myles Price, WR/returner

Price made his presence felt as a returner, finishing with 1,77 all-purpose yards. Rang believes his quickness could translate into a bigger role on offense.

“But the vision, elusiveness and burst Price demonstrated as a returner could also make him a dangerous target out of the slot,” Rang wrote.

NFC South

9. Atlanta Falcons - Cobee Bryant, CB

Bryant spent part of last season on Atlanta's practice squad but showed enough as a tackler to remain on Rang's radar.

“But the trash-talking 6-foot-1, 185-pounder punches above his weight class as a tackler,” Rang wrote.

10. Carolina Panthers - Lathan Ransom, S

Ransom saw the same action in Carolina's three-safety packages as a rookie and could push for more work this season.

“Don’t be surprised if Ransom forces his way onto the field sooner rather than later,” Rang wrote.

11. New Orleans Saints - Quincy Riley, CB

Riley had 10 pass breakups in five starts last season. With Alontae Taylor gone, his opportunity is much clearer.

“Riley appears ready to step into the huge vacuum left behind by departed standout Alontae Taylor,” Rang wrote.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - David Walker, Edge

Walker missed his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL in training camp. Now healthy, he has another chance to show what he can do.

“He’s back healthy, and all reports suggest that his trademark twitch remains,” Rang wrote.

NFC West

13. Arizona Cardinals - Walter Nolen III, DT

Nolen's rookie season was limited to six games because of injury, but the former No. 16 overall pick still showed the burst and agility that made him a first-round selection.

“Now that he’s healthy following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, I expect Nolen to emerge as one of the NFC’s better young pass-rushing defensive tackles,” Rang added.

14. Los Angeles Rams - Josaiah Stewart, LB

The Rams added Myles Garrett this offseason, and Rang believes that could create opportunities for Stewart. The former third-round pick recorded 22 tackles and three sacks last season.

“His combination of quickness and compact strength make him a tough block,” Rang wrote.

15. San Francisco 49ers - Nick Martin, LB

Martin's rookie season never really got going after a concussion landed him on injured reserve. He finished with only 11 tackles after being selected 75th overall.

“The tape suggests he’ll be a future standout,” Rang wrote.

16. Seattle Seahawks - Rylie Mills, DT

Mills missed most of his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in college. He still managed to record a sack in the Super Bowl.

“A healthy Mills would’ve been drafted a couple of rounds earlier than where Seattle stole him — in the fifth, at No. 142 overall,” Rang wrote.

With opportunities available along Seattle's defensive line, Mills could finally get a chance to show what he can do over a full season.

Which NFC breakout candidate are you watching most closely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote