Marvin Harrison Jr., 2nd-Year NFL Players with Most to Prove in 2025

Most NFL rookies don't hit the ground running after making the leap from the collegiate game. Each falls on a different point regarding the developmental spectrum. Depending on the investment in each individual, patience may not be a luxury.

Every year a few rookies take the league by storm. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is the outlier. A first-year quarterback isn't supposed to start Day 1, throw for over 3,500 yards, lead his team in rushing yardage and help his team reach the NFC Championship Game.

Instead, variance occurs as individuals endure the ups and downs of learning how to be a professionals. That's the norm.

Once top prospects enter Year 2, everything changes. Far more is expected of them, because they've had a year in the system and a full offseason to hone their craft. That window is where the biggest improvement should occur for young players.

The greatest expectations lie with recent first-rounders. They're the ones counted on to be difference-makers. Bleacher Report identified eight top selections from the 2024 NFL draft, including a trio of quarterbacks, who must show significant improvement throughout the '25 campaign or a certain b-word will start to be used.

QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

As Seth Wickersham's upcoming book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback reveals, Caleb Williams and his family initially wanted nothing to do with the Chicago Bears entering the 2024 NFL draft.

"I can do it for this team," Williams reportedly told his father after a predraft visit, changing his tune. "I'm going to go to the Bears."

To be fair, the quarterback's initial concern was proved right. He didn't get the guidance he needed from the previous coaching staff, with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and then head coach Matt Eberflus being fired midseason.

Year 2 should be dramatically different under the direction of new head coach/offensive play-caller Ben Johnson, and the onus now falls on Williams to pull everything together.

General manager Ryan Poles deserves credit for pulling a significant amount of talent around the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, specifically rebuilding the offensive interior with the acquisitions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. Furthermore, the Bears added two more weapons in this year's first two rounds by selecting tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III.

Now, Williams must grow in his preparation, understanding of what he's seeing on the field pre- and post-snap, improving his footwork, particularly from under center, and making sure to get the ball out on time and in-rhythm. From that point, he can let his natural playmaking skill take over when needed.

"To me, it was more of creating an environment to challenge [Williams] more than it was to—I don't know another word—but kind of baby him along," Poles told ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "I think there's a space for building someone's confidence, but I think you have to be demanding and challenging of the expectations of what you're looking for. I think guys respond to that really well, and I think he needs that and desires that."

All the while, Williams' development will be constantly compared to the quarterback drafted one pick behind him, Jayden Daniels.

QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Jaws basically hit the floor when NFL commissioner stood at the podium during the 2024 NFL draft and announced quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the selection by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick.

Earlier that offseason, the Falcons signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract. The organization didn't want to be caught in the position of not having a quality starter at the game's most important position, as it did upon trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts prior to the 2022 season.

To the Falcons' credit, the organization's succession unfolded as expected, albeit a little sooner than the front office probably hoped. Cousins was benched and out of the lineup by Week 16 and Penix entered the fray.

During Atlanta's final three contests, Penix flashed the potential of a starting-caliber quarterback with some excellent throws, though he completed under 60 percent of his passes and threw as many interceptions as touchdowns during the abbreviated showcase.

"Across 114 dropbacks, he earned an 87.9 overall grade—a number inflated by a dominant Week 18 performance that included seven big-time throws and a 95.6 game grade," Pro Football Focus' John Kosko wrote. "He's clearly capable of that level of play, but the week prior told a different story, as he struggled with accuracy and finished with a 54.3 passing grade."

The Falcons coaching staff saw signs that signal a potential franchise quarterback, which is the expectation after being a top-10 selection.

"There's a couple things about those three games where it's just his ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes," quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates said. "How he saw the entire picture was kind of set in stone for all of us. Like, 'Alright, we got a guy here.'"

How Penix layers throws and handles pressure will be a big part of his developmental process in Year 2 now that he'll have the opportunity to be a full-time starter.

Atlanta is loaded with skill-position talent. The Falcons are talented enough everywhere else to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Penix must show he's capable of leading this squad to the postseason.

QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

J.J. McCarthy will be compared to the Minnesota Vikings' previous starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, throughout the 2025 campaign. Either the second-year signal-caller shows he's a franchise talent behind center or pangs of regret will set in after allowing a quality starting option to walk in free agency.

A year ago, the Vikings ensured they'd land McCarthy by trading up one slot in the '24 draft class and selecting him with the 10th overall pick. Unfortunately, the rookie suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during preseason, which ended his first season before it even began.

Prior to that point, Minnesota's coaching staff already named Sam Darnold its starting quarterback. Based on the way Darnold played, McCarthy wasn't going to enter the lineup anyhow.

Darnold made his first Pro Bowl appearance thanks to his performance during the regular season. The former third overall pick-turned-journeyman quarterback looked like a bona fide franchise signal-caller in 2024 by setting career highs with a 66.2 completion percentage, 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdown tosses, as the Vikings compiled a 14-3 record.

Despite all of that, Darnold left in free agency and joined the Seattle Seahawks.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is viewed as one of the league's best at developing quarterbacks and building a quarterback-friendly offensive scheme. McCarthy must be the next to prove those points by maintaining the standard set last season.

"I know I'm ready to start," McCarthy told reporters, "because of all the work I've put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job. And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. And just to take it one day at a time, one play at a time. And I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me."

McCarthy can't just say his teammates can lean on him. He must earn that trust based on how he leads the team and plays on the field. Right now, he's an unknown at the NFL level.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Darryl Webb

Marvin Harrison Jr. was regularly touted as the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. He was as close to a can't-miss prospect as one can be. Harrison didn't miss as a rookie, per se, but he definitely could have been better and recognized he needed to be.

Specifically, the wide receiver decided he needed to be stronger when playing against NFL competition.

"Yeah, I definitely put on some pounds," Harrison told reporters. "I think I added some muscle to my body a little bit."

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss added, "The hope inside the Cardinals' headquarters is that his reshaped body along with last season's experience will result in a more productive sophomore season which could help with more wins."

Harrison's rookie campaign was littered with long stretches of inactivity as a target. The wide receiver's production often came in bunches, particularly early in games, before defenses adjusted. In fact, his first four touchdown receptions occurred in the first quarter.

The rookie managed 62 catches for 885 yards and eight scores. For comparison, his Hall of Fame father caught 64 passes for 836 yards and eight touchdowns during his first season. Huge upside still exists in the current active player.

However, fellow rookies receivers Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey and tight end Brock Bowers outproduced last year's fourth overall draft pick.

Arizona's coaching staff can do a much better job of making life easier on the squad's WR1. They can move him around more pre-snap. They could use more bunch sets. They can employ switch releases. Each of these things will create space instead of constantly asking him to win his matchup.

For the Cardinals to finally reach their potential and make the postseason, Harrison must be better all around, likely through a combination of his own individual improvement and how he's utilized.

OL Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

The Pittsburgh Steelers were ready to hand the starting right tackle job to rookie Troy Fautanu last year, because the plan always included Broderick Jones flipping over to his natural spot on the left side. Injuries derailed that setup, at least for last season.

Initially, last year's 20th overall pick suffered an MCL sprain in the preseason. He returned and made his first start in Week 2, only to suffer a dislocated kneecap that landed him on injured reserve.

"Troy had been lighting it up," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters after the second injury. "I don't talk a lot during the preseason, particularly about rookies because it doesn't help me and it doesn't help them, but based on my actions in terms of putting him in the lineup, I'm sure you have an understanding of what I was looking at in team development."

During the first-rounder's absence, a pair of other rookies in center Zach Frazier and right guard Mason McCormick impressed.

This offseason, the Steelers allowed starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to leave in free agency. Jones will now make the switch, while the organization will be counting on Fautanu to solidify the offense despite barely playing as a rookie. If he does so, the team will have a strong young nucleus along their offense line.

It's even more important for Fautanu to shine considering the current state of the Steelers quarterback room, where the team will either move forward with an aging Aaron Rodgers behind center or a lesser option that will need all the help he can get from his supporting cast, as the Steelers possibly look to become a run-dominant offense.

OL Jordan Morgan, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

The Green Bay Packers allowed last year's 25th overall draft pick, Jordan Morgan, to begin his career at guard. However, he's about to enter a competition to start at left tackle during training camp.

Morgan appeared in six games last season, with one start at right guard. He was a collegiate left tackle, though. In fact, all 37 of Morgan's starts for the Arizona Wildcats were on the blind side. He's returning to his natural position in an attempt to displace Rasheed Walker, who will be a free agent after this season.

“The same thing you see, right?” offensive line coach Luke Butkus said when asked about Morgan making the switch back. “How athletic he is, how easy he moves and how smooth it looks. I was just talking to (assistant offensive line coach Eddie) Gordon, and sometimes it looks like he’s not straining or playing hard.

"I think it’s just natural. It’s easy for him to just move, to gain ground, to just skim the blades of the grass. It’s effortless, where a guy like me, it looks clunky and robotic. But really like where he’s headed and the direction he’s going. Love it."

A move back to offensive tackle could also help elevate some of the injury issues that Morgan endured with his shoulders. Guard is a more physical position, whereas tackle relies a little more on technique and athleticism. His career should be helped by playing on an island more so than trying to displace big defensive tackles on the regular.

The Green Bay Packers offense is loaded with young talent, starting with 26-year-old quarterback Jordan Love. Morgan solidifying Love's blind side for the next four years or more will be an important piece of the Packers' puzzle as they move into 2025 and beyond.

Edge Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Through no fault of his own, the Indianapolis Colts' Laiatu Latu had expectations heaped on him before he even signed his first NFL contract.

As revealed later, Colts general manager Chris Ballard was seen giggling to himself in the draft room upon selecting Latu with last year's 15th overall pick.

"We got the best f--king rusher in the draft," Ballard mused after standing pat and selecting the UCLA product.

Furthermore, Latu became the first defensive prospect off the board, which indicates he was viewed as the class' best talent on that side of the ball.

Latu proved to be neither during his rookie year. His four sacks ranked fifth among rookies. Ultimately, the Los Angeles Rams' Jared Verse garnered the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year nod.

The Colts coaching staff does have a goal in mind during the defensive end's sophomore campaign.

"He does it the right way," head coach Shane Steichen told reporters this offseason. "The way he works, his work ethic is tremendous. I think you'll see a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. I think he had four (sacks) his rookie year. If we can get into double digits in Year 2 that'd be tremendous."

A starting spot should be Latu's this year after Dayo Odeyingbo left in free agency to join the Chicago Bears. However, a strong rotation should form at the defensive end position with Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, a healthy Samson Ebukam and second-round rookie JT Tuimoloau all in the mix. Latu needs to prove Ballard right or risk seeing his role decrease in his second season.

Edge Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Dallas Turner needed time to grow and eventually work his way into the spotlight as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide. He'll need to do so again with the Minnesota Vikings.

Turner didn't start a single game during his rookie campaign and played over 30 snaps in only two contests. He finished his first season with 12 total tackles and three sacks.

Keep in mind, Turner was viewed as having the most upside of any pass-rusher in the class. He emerged out of Will Anderson Jr.'s shadow in 2023, led the SEC with 10 sacks and became the conference's co-Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

Despite Turner's pedigree and elite athletic traits, he disappointed as a rookie. To be fair, last year's 17th overall draft pick entered the league at 21 years old. Also, it's not shameful to back up two quality veterans in Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.

Even so, the Vikings envision more from last year's second first-round selection.

"I hope people haven't forgotten about Dallas Turner," O'Connell said during an interview with NFL Network. "Really a guy that I'm expecting a huge jump from, year one to year two. He really started to come on as the season went on last year. It's a tough group, tough lineup to crack when you've got those top two guys playing the way that they were."

Turner should be helped by the fact that Minnesota added significant talent along its defensive interior with the free-agent acquisitions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The edge-rusher rotation is set up nicely to benefit from a collapsing pocket, which should increase Turner's productivity.

A Minnesota defensive front that can come at opposing quarterbacks in waves will help the entire unit, which finished 16th in total defense a season ago. An improved Turner taking on a bigger role will only help the situation.