5 NFL Players Ready to Overtake the League in 2025

Derek Stingley Jr. locked down receivers like a ten-year veteran. But now it's 2025, and a new group of players is ready to make that step to legitimate superstar.

Malik Nabers: Finally Getting a Real Quarterback

Malik Nabers caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards as a 21-year-old rookie. He did this with Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock throwing him the ball. The Giants ranked 30th in passing offense. Imagine what happens when he gets a competent quarterback.

Enter Russell Wilson. No, he's not 2014 Russell Wilson anymore, but he showed in Pittsburgh he can still push the ball downfield. Nabers runs every route in the tree and wins contested catches at a ridiculous rate. The Giants drafted tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III to take pressure off their young star.

Watch Nabers push for 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns in 2025.

Calen Bullock: NFL's Next Great Safety

Five picks as a rookie. A 42.9% completion rate allowed – best in the league. Calen Bullock dominated from day one for the Houston Texans.

The 22-year-old safety plays everywhere – single-high, in the box, covering the slot. He pairs with Derek Stingley Jr. to give Houston maybe the best young secondary in football. Bullock improved as a tackler late in the season as well. Complete players become All-Pros.

For all those betting in Texas on defensive player props, Bullock brings incredible value. According to Gavin Beech, sportsbooks may also include player props in the SGPs and Bet Builder wagers they offer, so definitely keep an eye on Bullock if you are placing this type of bet.

Playing behind Houston's improved pass rush with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, Bullock should feast on quarterbacks forced into poor decisions.

Xavier Worthy: Chiefs Found Their Tyreek Hill Replacement

Xavier Worthy started slow but finished his rookie year like a rocket. After managing just 246 yards through Week 10, he exploded for 392 yards over the next seven games. Then came the playoffs: 243 yards and three touchdowns in two games, including a 157-yard performance in the Super Bowl.

Patrick Mahomes hasn't had a true burner since Tyreek Hill left. Worthy runs a 4.21 forty – he's actually faster than Hill. With Travis Kelce turning 36 and clearly slowing down, Worthy becomes the obvious choice as Mahomes' main target.

Andy Reid loves chess pieces, and Worthy fits everywhere: outside, slot, jet sweeps... Reid's already talking about "tapping into more" of Worthy's ability. That's coach-speak for "this kid's about to get 100 targets."

Bo Nix: Denver's Franchise QB Has Arrived

Bo Nix finished his rookie year on fire. The Broncos quarterback threw nine touchdowns against just one pick in his final three games, posting a 126.0 passer rating that had Sean Payton grinning from ear to ear.

But the real reason Nix could explode this year is that Denver's defense ranked third in the league last year (18.3 points allowed per game), and their offensive line returns all five starters.

When you give a smart quarterback time to throw and short fields to work with, some good things happen. FanDuel already lists Nix as a +6000 MVP darkhorse – those odds will shrink fast once the season starts.

Payton compared Nix to Drew Brees for a reason. Both process information at warp speed and throw with pinpoint accuracy. The Broncos haven't had stable quarterback play since Peyton Manning retired – but that’s about to change now.

Paris Johnson Jr.: The Best Left Tackle Nobody Talks About

Paris Johnson Jr. made the biggest year-two leap of any offensive lineman in 2024. The former sixth overall pick didn't allow a single sack after Week 9. His PFF grade jumped over 20 points from his rookie season.

Now he's reunited with college o-line coach Justin Frye, and Johnson looks ready to take the lead. At 24, he moves like a tight end but anchors like a mountain. Kyler Murray will have all day to find Marvin Harrison Jr. because Johnson locks down the blind side.

Left tackles don't sell jerseys, but they win games. Johnson's about to show everyone why Arizona drafted him so high.