7 NFL Players Primed for Breakout 2026 Season with New Teams

NFL players can alter their career trajectories through new opportunities that come with a change of scenery. Several veterans will have a chance to take advantage of expanded roles with new teams in 2026.

When players test free agency, they're not just looking for big contracts. Some prioritize playing time as the right fit for their next career chapter. In other cases, clubs will overpay for potential, even if it hasn't yet translated on the field.

In the first waves of free agency, several veterans landed in spots that will allow them to see a spike in production. Here are seven who could post standout career numbers in the upcoming campaign.

The list below features mostly rotational and backup players and excludes All-Pros and legitimate Pro Bowlers.

QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Jim Rassol

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis

Selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 draft, Malik Willis started his career as Ryan Tannehill's backup. He struggled through two years with the Titans, throwing for three interceptions without a touchdown.

In Tennessee, Willis played under offensive coordinators Todd Downing and Tim Kelly, neither of whom has called plays since their time with the Titans. Willis made the most of a second chance in a backup role with the Green Bay Packers.

In 11 games (three starts) with the Packers, Willis threw for six touchdowns. He had his best showing against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 of the previous season, throwing for 288 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 60 yards and two scores.

Former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan likely had a say in acquiring Willis from Tennessee. As a defensive coordinator in Green Bay over the last two years, Jeff Hafley had a close look at the dual-threat signal-caller. Now, they're both with him as part of the Miami Dolphins' new regime.

The Dolphins signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal and cut quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Expect the former to get the starting nod over Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller, two late-round picks from the 2025 draft.

For the first time in his career, Willis will prepare to start, which gives him a chance at a breakout year, but the Dolphins must add receiver help after they traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.

Nonetheless, as the Dolphins' first-string quarterback, Willis could experience exponential growth under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who helped C.J. Stroud win 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

WR Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Jessica Tobias

New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs

Romeo Doubs played within the Green Bay Packers' crowded wide receiver corps over the past few years. Consequently, he didn't fully shine in an ascending offense with quarterback Jordan Love under center. 

During the 2024 season, the team suspended Doubs one game for conduct detrimental to the team after he skipped multiple practices. According to Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber, the wideout was frustrated with his role in the offense.

Last season, Doubs saw a team-high 85 targets while fellow receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed missed several games and rookie wideout Matthew Golden adjusted to the pros. Also, budding pass-catching tight end Tucker Kraft tore his ACL in Week 9. 

In a contract year, Doubs led the Packers in catches (55) and receiving yards (724), but he finished outside the top 40 across the league in both categories.

Now with the New England Patriots, Doubs can be a true No. 1 receiver. New England cut wideout Stefon Diggs, who saw 102 targets last season. 

With Drake Maye's recent growth as a passer and the absence of a star playmaking receiver, Doubs should be in line for an uptick in targets. Barring New England trading for A.J. Brown, he's in a good spot to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a season for the first time in his career.

WR Jalen Nailor, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor

Jalen Nailor played under the radar with the Minnesota Vikings. In recent years, he's been third on the wide receiver depth chart behind two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. At times, the 27-year-old was the fourth or fifth target option with tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones Sr. involved in the passing attack.

Still, Nailor made big plays with a limited target share, averaging a career 15.4 yards per catch and scoring 10 touchdowns over the last two terms. 

A year after drafting wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Nailor to a three-year, $35 million deal.

Although 2024 All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers is slated to be the go-to receiver in the Raiders' passing attack, Nailor should see the ball a lot more in Las Vegas than he did in Minnesota.

As rookies, Bech and Thornton struggled to carve out definitive roles. Nailor's inside-out versatility will allow him to stay on the field, and he's a bigger target than Tre Tucker, who's three inches shorter.

Assuming the Raiders select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, he'll be looking for reliable targets other than Bowers. Nailor's experience, game speed and ability to find the end zone could lead to a breakout year.

TE Isaiah Likely, New York Giants

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely

As a backup with the Baltimore Ravens, Isaiah Likely had to split snaps with Mark Andrews, one of the league's premier pass-catching tight ends. Yet he carved out a role and showcased his receiving skills, hauling in 135 passes for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns in 63 outings. 

After his dismissal in Baltimore, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh will reunite with Likely, who signed a three-year, $40 million deal with Big Blue. Based on that contract, don't expect him to take a backseat to Theo Johnson. He's the fourth-highest-paid tight end in terms of average annual salary.

Likely will have competition for targets if Malik Nabers takes on a full workload after missing 13 games with a torn ACL last season. That said, New York didn't re-sign high-volume receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who saw 140 targets in each of the previous two campaigns. Also, new Giants receiver Darnell Mooney has seen more than 72 targets in a season once over the last four years. 

Of course, quarterback Jaxson Dart must develop from the pocket to elevate his pass-catchers, though Likely will be a big 6'4", 241-pound target who's hard to miss in the seams and over the middle.

TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Washington Commanders tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo

Chigoziem Okonkwo's athleticism didn't translate to big plays with the Tennessee Titans. After flashes in his 2022 rookie season, he averaged 10 yards per catch or less in the following campaigns.

In fairness to Okonkwo, the Titans' quarterback situation capped his upside. He played with Ryan Tannehill in his last year with the team and three inexperienced signal-callers in Malik Willis, Will Levis and Cam Ward, all of whom struggled with efficiency. 

Okonkwo will get a fresh start with the Washington Commanders, who may have a rising star at quarterback. Jayden Daniels won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, but he regressed last season. Still, the young signal-caller hasn't lost all his luster.

Daniels and Washington's key pass-catchers battled injuries in the previous season, which made it difficult for the quarterback to build on an impressive Pro Bowl rookie campaign. He only played in six games with tight end Zach Ertz. Terry McLaurin missed seven games.  

The Commanders haven't re-signed Ertz, who's recovering from a torn ACL. Ben Sinnott and John Bates haven't shown much as pass-catchers. Okonkwo is the best receiving tight end on the roster.

In his two last seasons with the Commanders, Ertz finished second on the team in targets. If Daniels continues to rely on his lead tight end, Okonkwo should be a big-time playmaker in Washington.

EDGE Joseph Ossai, New York Jets

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

New York Jets defensive end Joseph Ossai

Joseph Ossai didn't log a start until his third season with the Cincinnati Bengals. In his first two campaigns, he played behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. After the latter retired during the 2025 offseason, Ossai took on an expanded role.

Ossai has recorded five sacks in back-to-back terms. Last season, he registered a career-high nine tackles for loss while on the field for 67 percent of the defensive snaps. Because of Hendrickson's injuries and Shemar Stewart's delayed career start because of a holdout, the 25-year-old started to translate more of his potential into production.

Ossai signed a three-year, $34.5 million deal with the New York Jets, who traded defensive end Jermaine Johnson II to the Tennessee Titans and allowed Michael Clemons to walk in free agency.

Ossai should be the starter opposite Will McDonald IV, which will allow him to see the field more than he did in Cincinnati. The four-year veteran is primed for a breakout year in a full-time starting position.

CB Cor'Dale Flott, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Tennessee Titans cornerback Cor'Dale Flott

The Tennessee Titans have completely revamped their cornerback group. They signed Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott, then released L'Jarius Sneed.

Taylor signed a three-year, $58 million contract. So, he'll draw more attention than Flott, who inked a three-year, $45 million pact. 

However, Flott has been more consistent in coverage over the past few seasons. He's given up just one touchdown in three out of four campaigns, allowing a passer rating below 90 (out of a possible 158.3) in his last two terms. Since 2024, Taylor has surrendered 13 touchdowns in coverage while allowing a passer rating above 98.

Head coach Robert Saleh has earned praise for his defensive schemes. Unlike his time with the New York Jets, he'll call plays in Tennessee, which bodes well for Taylor and Flott, but the latter's recent history indicates more upside as a cover defender.

Team salary cap and player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

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