6 Early Breakout Candidates From the 2025 NFL Preseason

The NFL preseason allows players a chance to show why they deserve more snaps in the regular season.

In many cases, backups can make a case to cut into a starter's workload or take over the lead position on the depth chart.

Here are six players who have shown signs of a breakout campaign with their preseason performances.

Excluding rookies, all six standouts are reserves or rotational players at their respective positions, but each could see a significant uptick in playing time and produce at a high level this year.

RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

The New York Jets can employ a three-man rushing attack, though Braelon Allen may have impressed the team's new coaching staff enough to earn a significant workload on early downs.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt wrote about the 21-year-old as "one of the stars" at training camp and believes the second-year ball-carrier can be the 1B to 1A tailback Breece Hall. Isaiah Davis would fill in the gaps as the No. 3 running back.

In two preseason outings, Allen registered 15 carries for 67 yards. He broke off 11-plus-yard gains in both games, showing his big-play ability.

At 6'1", 235 pounds, the Wisconsin product has the size to take on short-yardage opportunities. In Week 2 against the New York Giants, he converted 4th-and-1 and 3rd-and-1 situations into first downs.

If offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand operates a run-heavy system that resembles the one of his former team, the Detroit Lions, Allen could fill a role similar to David Montgomery, who's averaging 14.4 carries per game and 4.4 rushing yards per attempt in the Motor City.

RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Zach Charbonnet is more than a backup running back who gets leftover carries. In Kenneth Walker III's absence, he's typically made the most of his opportunities. We saw that again in the Seattle Seahawks' second exhibition game.

In Week 2 of the preseason, the 24-year-old took the field with the starters while Walker sat out. He recorded five carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. The 6'1", 214-pound ball-carrier finished the first drive of the game with a 15-yard run for a score.

Last year, head coach Mike Macdonald made it known he wanted to field a more effective ground game. In two exhibition outings, the Seahawks have racked up 438 rushing yards. They're setting their offensive foundation for the regular season and may shift the backfield workloads for the top two running backs.

In 2024, Walker missed six games because of injuries. Now, with a lingering foot issue, he could lose his grip on the featured role out of the backfield.

Charbonnet is primed for an uptick in touches, and he could eventually surpass Walker on the depth chart.

WR Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

The Denver Broncos have a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in Courtland Sutton. Behind him on the depth chart, a few players can command a high volume of targets as a secondary option.

The Broncos selected Pat Bryant in the third round of this year's draft. He joins Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin, who are in their third and second season, respectively. On Wednesday, Denver traded Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints, which will create more opportunities in the passing game.

Among that trio, Franklin has stood out most in the preseason, hauling in seven passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Head coach Sean Payton praised the second-year pro's development:

"It's happening, and I'm excited. I think we've just got to be smart because he's playing two spots, but he's ... had a really good camp. He's confident. I've said this a bunch of times; it has to happen on the field, and you guys that have covered this team or any other team, you see it in the preseason every year. Some players begin to make some plays, and it carries over."

If the 22-year-old's preseason production translates to more playing time in the regular season, he can provide a spark with explosive plays.

In his rookie term, the speedy wideout averaged 9.4 yards per catch, but if his collegiate teammate, Bo Nix, gets him the ball downfield and in open space as he did at Oregon, expect a significant spike in production this year.

LB Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

The Tennessee Titans have an open battle for the inside linebacker spot alongside Cody Barton. Cedric Gray is competing against camp standout James Williams Sr. for the position.

Williams has played well in the preseason, particularly in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though his competitor has caught the team's attention as well.

Head coach Brian Callahan shared insight on Gray's progress and consistency with Jim Wyatt of the Titans official website.

"Cedric Gray has really come along and keeps showing up," he said. "He's making himself a case to play next to Cody Barton at ILB."

Gray missed the first two months of the 2024 campaign on injured reserve and suited up for his first regular-season game in Week 12. In the second half of the term, he mainly contributed to special teams and only took the field for 48 defensive snaps.

Now a healthy playmaker in exhibition action, Gray may have played his way into the Titans' inside linebacker rotation for the upcoming term.

S Israel Mukuamu, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Wally Skalij

Because of injuries, the Dallas Cowboys will likely field a short-handed secondary at the beginning of the 2025 season. Trevon Diggs (knee surgery) and rookie third-rounder Shavon Revel Jr. (torn ACL) are still on the mend.

Moreover, the Cowboys allowed cornerback Jourdan Lewis to sign elsewhere in free agency, which opened up a vacancy in their nickel defense. Israel Mukuamu can fill that slot position.

Mukuamu has lined up in both safety spots, on the boundary and in the slot. He's taken advantage of his opportunities to showcase his versatility.

In two preseason outings, the 25-year-old has four tackles and an interception.

The Cowboys selected Mukuamu in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. He's suited up for 50 games but only started in three back in 2022. Now with a vacancy in the slot, the team's Swiss Army knife can carve out a consistent workload in a depleted secondary.

Edge David Ojabo, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

In Week 1 of the preseason, David Ojabo clobbered Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson on a sack. He caught the league's attention on that play, but it's not the only reason to keep an eye on him in a potential breakout year.

Ojabo told reporters he's healthy for a complete offseason for the first time in the pros:

"It is my first true offseason [being fully] healthy. I feel like myself. [I] feel confident, [and I am] just kind of letting it rip. [I am] not thinking about rehabbing. I'm just thinking about football. I'm doing good. [I want to] keep getting better day by day."

Ojabo tore his Achilles tendon at Michigan's pro day in 2022. Since then, he's played sparingly, taking the field for just five games in his first two seasons. Last year, he logged nine tackles, two for loss and two sacks while on the field for 275 defensive snaps.

Behind 34-year-old Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, Ojabo could see more opportunities to rush the passer in a rotational role. As a third-down and situational pass-rusher, the fourth-year pro could bolster his market value before he hits free agency in 2026.

NFL preseason statistics are provided by CBS Sports.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.