Breaking out is the hardest thing to do in the talent-rich, ever-evolving NFL. But once you make that leap to stardom, you're bound to shine brighter than ever. Here's a look at 25 young players — 11 on offense, 11 on defense, three on special teams — that Sporting News has tabbed to meet their great potential during the 2014 season:
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Dolphins
Tannehill made the expected improvement from his rookie year to 2013, but with Miami bringing in Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator, it’s time for him to put it all together as an efficient leader. He has the right scheme and plenty of weapons, so the Dolphins should expect him to get better vs. pressure and play closer to a Pro Bowl level.
Montee Ball, RB, Broncos
The Broncos got great rushing and receiving contributions from Knowshon Moreno last season, but could afford to let him go with Ball waiting his turn to be their feature back in Year 2. Ball already was a good red zone finisher, but in his second season, he’ll round out his skills as a pass blocker/catcher.
Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
Bell should be ecstatic they are switching to a zone-oriented run-blocking scheme with Mike Munchak, because his cutting style is built to excel in it. He’ll become the true bell-cow, and build on what he did once healthy as a rookie down the stretch.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
Hilton has shown plenty of big-play flashes, thanks to his early chemistry with quarterback Andrew Luck. But the addition of Hakeem Nicks to pair with Reggie Wayne outside will help turn Hilton into the Victor Cruz-type slot man he was supposed to be, making those big plays more often.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
Andre Johnson isn’t thrilled to sill be in Houston as the team turns to a offensive youth movement, but he should stick around to help break in its new starting quarterback. While he’s there, Hopkins will further benefit as he continues his development into the Texans’ new No. 1-type playmaker.
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins
They loved his athleticism and natural receiving skills, and it showed at midseason when he became the underneath go-to guy in their offense. Moving to the West Coast stylings of Jay Gruden, Reed should be a busy target for Robert Griffin III. Back healthy and starting for a full season, watch him rack up catches and touchdowns.
Cordy Glenn, T, Bills
The Bills want to be a more balanced and explosive offense with the combination of EJ Manuel and Sammy Watkins in 2014. They already have good outside pop in the running game because of Glenn, and on the left side, he’ll also be key for the Manuel-Watkins downfield passing connection to develop well early.
Terron Armstead, T, Saints
How much do the Saints trust Armstead to shore up the blind side pass protection for Drew Brees? They don’t really have any other left tackle options. His athleticism is also perfect to keep their running and screen games humming.
David DeCastro, G, Steelers
We’ve waited a bit for DeCastro to swat the injury bug and put his terrific blocking skills to maximum use, but going to a zone-blocking scheme will finally push him to what was expected of him as a 2012 first-rounder.
Larry Warford, G, Lions
With Warford at right guard, LaAdrian Waddle at right tackle and Riley Reiff at left tackle, the Lions have quickly rebuilt their line. Warford already developed into a classic mauler as a rookie; it’s just that more of the NFL will take notice with a deserved Pro Bowl nod.
Travis Frederick, C, Cowboys
There was much shock when Dallas used a first-round pick on the Wisconsin product in 2013, but Frederick settled in well as a blocker. In Year 2, he’ll become more of a leader inside to complement elite fourth-year left tackle, Tyron Smith.
Ziggy Ansah, DE, Lions
It’s hard to remember that Ansah is a raw athlete still learning the nuances of defensive football. He still delivered 8 sacks as a rookie in their loaded front four, with three coming in December. The 6-5, 271-pounder will be more of an integral part of reviving their pass rush.
Fletcher Cox, DE, Eagles
Cox had to make a transition from 4-3 tackle to 3-4 end last season, and he handled it very well. While he was a sturdy run stopper with his new edge responsibility, he also didn’t lose any of his inside pass-rush moves. The position may suit him better in the long run as he has Haloti Ngata-type disruptive potential.
Jurrell Casey, DT, Titans
It’s sad that Casey is not among the household names of dominant defenders in the NFL. He’s coming off a double-digit sack season at tackle, but has yet to receive an All-Pro title or Pro Bowl invitation that’s now two seasons overdue. Casey will give Geno Atkins a run for the best 4-3 interior lineman in the league.
Damon Harrison, DT, Jets
His linemates at end, Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, get a little more attention, but neither would be as effective unless Harrison was munching on blockers from the nose. His nickname, "Big Snacks," should help him get the attention he deserves.
Barkevious Mingo, OLB, Browns
In addition to having one of the most intimidating names for an NFL defensive player, ever, “Keke” should kick into higher gear as a daunting edge pass rusher. He’ll go from situational contributor to a key lieutenant in coach Mike Pettine’s attacking 3-4 scheme.
Danny Trevathan, OLB, Broncos
He made a ton of plays for Denver (129 tackles, two sacks, 10 passes defended, 3 interceptions). As the entire Broncos defense gets better in 2014, his active playmaking on the 4-3 weak side won’t let up.
Vincent Rey, ILB, Bengals
The Bengals should think about making Rey a permanent fixture in the middle instead of another Rey (Maualuga). Vincent was a supersub in the middle of the season with 32 tackles, three sacks and an interception over his only three starts. With him and Vontaze Burfict, the heart of Cincinnati’s 3-4 looks bright for a while.
Desmond Trufant, CB, Falcons
Trufant came from a family of defensive backs, and he’s already showing he wants to stand out as the best one. He figured it out in coverage as a rookie, rewarding Atlanta’s decision to overhaul its secondary. It won’t be long before he’s in the Pro Bowl conversation.
Stephon Gilmore, CB, Bills
Only one thing has kept Gilmore from ascending to elite shutdown status — a wrist injury that cost him five games before he could get into a groove last season. Otherwise, he is the complete coverage package with the ideal size (6-1, 190) to emerge as the next great one.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Saints
Vaccaro paid immediate dividends as a first-round pick in 2013. In his rotational role before breaking his ankle late in his rookie season, he still had 79 tackles, a sack, an interception and seven passes defended. Now next to former Bills playmaker Jairus Byrd, watch Vaccaro clean up a lot more.
Eric Reid, S, 49ers
Reid gets the slight edge over the Ravens’ Matt Elam for this second spot. Battling through concussions as a rookie, Reid still delivered the hammer on opponents with his 77 tackles. Look for him to build on his Ed Reed-like knack for making plays on the ball after recording four interceptions in ’13.
Kai Forbath, K, Redskins
It was a painful start for Forbath last season, as a sore groin caused him to miss time. When he was healed up for the second half, he was automatic from everywhere on field goals. He should build on his 18-for-22 after finishing 13-for-13.
Sam Martin, P, Lions
The Lions liked the results with their now second-year punter so much in 2013, they decided to pair him with a rookie kicker (Nate Freese) this year. Martin is a gifted young leg who’ll build on his 47.2-yard gross average and 22 punts inside the 20.
Dwayne Harris, KR/PR, Cowboys
If it weren’t for the late bloom of the Vikings’ Cordarrelle Patterson and Harris’ own late hamstring injury, this would have a Pro Bowl return man. Harris was exceptional in both running back kickoffs (30.6-yard average) and punts (12.8-yard average), to the point Dallas won’t worry if he doesn’t contribute beyond special teams in ’14.
