Walter Nolen, Omarion Hampton, Luther Burden among the year 2 players poised for a breakout
Some rookies take little time to adjust to the NFL , such as last season’s AP Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, Tetairoa McMillan and Carson Schwesinger.…
In the world of NFL, some rookies make an immediate impact, while others take a bit more time to shine. Among the latter group are Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen III, Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, and Chicago wide receiver Luther Burden – all of whom showed promise during the 2025 season and are now primed for breakout performances in their second year in the league.
Nolen, drafted 16th overall, had a challenging rookie season, missing the start due to a calf injury and then dealing with a knee issue. Despite limited playing time, Nolen made his mark with two sacks and 15 pressures in 99 pass rush opportunities, per Pro Football Focus. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown. If Nolen can build on this foundation, he could quickly become one of the premier pass rushing defensive tackles in the league.
Omarion Hampton, selected 22nd overall, had a productive season with the Los Angeles Chargers, rushing for 545 yards on 9 games. With the departure of injury-riddled tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater and Hampton's return from ankle issues, he is positioned to make a significant impact under new coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel has a track record of unleashing speedsters, and Hampton’s strong short-yardage production bodes well for his role in McDaniel’s offense.
Chicago's Luther Burden, taken in the second round, put up solid numbers as a rookie with 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns. He had standout performances late in the season, including an eight-catch, 138-yard, touchdown-filled game against San Francisco. Burden’s average of 2.69 yards per route run ranks third in the league among wide receivers.
Coach Ben Johnson has been vocal about his confidence in Burden, even referring to him as "buying Luther Burden stock." With Burden’s consistent route-running ability and rising YPC (yards per catch) average, he appears poised to elevate his game in the coming season and establish himself as a key contributor on Chicago’s offense.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
