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 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) 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) 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.
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