NFL breakouts can come from anywhere and anyone. Maybe it's a player coming off a strong close to the previous season. Maybe it's a player finally putting injury woes behind him. Maybe it's the upgraded surroundings that let the player shine. Maybe it's simply a bigger role.
Whatever "it" is, breakouts happen every year, whether it's one step up or a few steps up or an elevator to the top floor, like Drake Maye going from inconsistent-but-promising rookie to MVP runner-up. Average players going to good are breakouts, just like good players going to great are breakouts. They come in all shapes and sizes.
Thirteen voters, made up of CBS Sports NFL writers and analysts, voted on their All-Breakout Team for 2026, and here are the results for the offensive side of the ball.
Voters: JP Acosta, Carter Bahns, John Breech, Doug Clawson, Jordan Dajani, Jared Dubin, Josh Edwards, Zach Pereles, Garrett Podell, Mike Renner, Tyler Sullivan, Ryan Wilson, R.J. White
Quarterback
With four votes, Caleb Williams won a highly competitive vote that featured seven different quarterbacks. The former USC star took a massive jump from a dismal rookie season, especially in avoiding negative play. Williams was also absurdly clutch with an NFL-high six fourth-quarter comebacks. Now, he's the "Madden" cover athlete. Still, there's another level for him to reach, namely in his consistency and accuracy.
Others receiving votes: Tyler Shough (3), Jaxson Dart (2), Bo Nix, Bryce Young, Cam Ward, Malik Willis (1 each)
Running back
Eight different running backs got at least one vote, but Bhayshul Tuten garnered the most with four. The second-year Jaguars running back only averaged 3.7 yards per carry last year, but he had a 51.8% rushing success rate, 15th out of 67 players with at least 70 carries, and directly in front of James Cook.
Others receiving votes: Ashton Jeanty (2), Omarion Hampton (2), Blake Corum, Jonathon Brooks, Jordan Mason, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson (1 each)
Wide receivers
Voters listened when Ben Johnson spoke at the outset of training camp. "I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," Johnson said in late July. "Just how he's approached his offseason, it's been electric." Burden flashed major talent in limited talent as a rookie, finishing with 652 receiving yards. He'll have a much larger role with DJ Moore now in Buffalo.
The diminutive Josh Downs went from 72 catches and 803 yards in 2024 to just 58 catches and 566 yards last year, but it's easy to see why a resurgence could be in store. The fourth-year pro is in line to see an expanded role after Indianapolis traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers. Downs playing in two-receiver sets could lead to his first 1,000-yard season. He received five votes.
De'Zhaun Stribling's spot on this team coincides with his excellent preseason. He has 11 catches for 109 yards and looks ready to step into a significant role immediately as the WR2 opposite Mike Evans. San Francisco received a lot of criticism for drafting Stribling No. 33 overall, but all the Ole Miss product has done since is impress. He received four votes.
Others receiving votes: Marvin Harrison Jr., Matthew Golden, Parker Washington (3 each), Adonai Mitchell, Jack Bech, Ryan Flournoy (2 each), Darius Cooper, Isaac TeSlaa, Jalen Coker, Jalen McMillan, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs (1 each)
Tight end
NFC North rivals Colston Loveland and Tucker Kraft received three votes apiece to lead the way at tight end. Kraft was on his way to a breakout last year -- 30 catches for 469 yards and six touchdowns through Week 8 -- before tearing his ACL in Week 9. The Loveland selection, on the other hand, is based on a strong finish that included a 137-yard performance in Chicago's playoff win over Green Bay.
Others receiving votes: Gunnar Helm, Chigoziem Okonkwo (2 each), Dalton Kincaid, Mitchell Evans, Isaiah Likely (1 each)
Left tackle
Josh Simmons, the No. 32 pick in last year's draft, and Will Campbell, the No. 4 pick in last year's draft, both received four votes. Simmons looked excellent in the eight games he played, but he missed time first due to personal reasons and later due to a season-ending wrist injury. Campbell was having a solid campaign before a late MCL injury, and his early-season work was overshadowed by a tough postseason.
Also receiving votes: Jordan Morgan (2 votes), Aireontae Ersery, Anton Harrison, Troy Fautanu (1 each)
Left guard
Grey Zabel started all 17 games (and all three playoff games) for the Super Bowl champs last year as a rookie. The No. 18 pick out of North Dakota State earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team for his solid contributions and has all the makings of a Seattle stalwart for years to come. He received five votes.
Others receiving votes: Dylan Fairchild (3 votes), Alec Anderson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Christian Mahogany, Donovan Jackson, Mason McCormick (1 each)
Center
One could argue Zach Frazier already broke out, as he was Pro Football Focus' sixth-highest-graded center. He allowed just one sack across 598 pass-blocking snaps. A second-round pick out of West Virginia two years ago, Frazier could be an All-Pro -- or at last a Pro Bowler -- in 2026 if he develops at the rate he has so far. He received seven votes.
Others receiving votes: Tanor Bortolini (2 votes), Cooper Beebe, Jared Wilson, Luke Fortner, Willie Lampkin (1 each)
Right guard
The No. 12 overall pick out of Alabama last year, Tyler Booker is an absolutely punishing run blocker who earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team. ESPN had him with the eighth-highest run block win rate among interior offensive linemen, while PFF gave him the seventh-highest run blocking grade among guards. He received seven votes.
Others receiving votes: Dominick Puni (2 votes), Cody Mauch, Francis Mauigoa, Teven Jenkins, Tyler Steen (1 each)
Right tackle
The hulking Amarius Mims, listed at 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds, was the most popular vote getter, receiving eight of the 13 tallies at right tackle. He is an otherworldly athlete for his size, and he took a significant jump from his rookie year to his second season, with another leap expected by our voters in Year 3.
Others receiving votes: Armand Membou, Blake Miller, Jalen Travis, Jaylon Moore, JC Latham (1 vote each)
