Every NFL Team's Most Important 2nd-Year Player to Watch in 2026

Some dominate out of the gate. Others never emerge. Many just need time. 

As a result of that dynamic regarding the growth of NFL talent, every team has at least one 2026 sophomore that it is hoping will blossom and make a significant difference this upcoming season. 

Here's a look at the key second-year player who hasn't fully put it together yet but could become a major factor on each NFL roster.

AFC East

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Maxwell Hairston

Buffalo Bills: CB Maxwell Hairston

The first-rounder started just three games during a rookie campaign that was heavily impacted by injuries. He did, however, flash at times when active and intercepted two passes out of the gate.

In a perfect world, he easily wins the CB2 job this summer and allows them to stop relying on Tre White. 

Miami Dolphins: G Jonah Savaiinaea

While the pressure is certainly on first-round pick Kenneth Grant to take a step forward, I believe he's on the right track.

It's actually even more critical that Savaiinaea get his act together with a move back to his more familiar right guard spot in what might be a make-or-break year in front of Malik Willis and De'Von Achane. 

New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell

Lost time due to injury and playoff struggles from the No. 4 overall pick might have some around the Patriots already feeling discouraged about Campbell's ability to become a pillar left tackle for a contender.

With the team using a first-round pick on Caleb Lomu this spring, Campbell's evolution in Year 2 will likely have a massive impact on how this line looks for years to come. 

New York Jets: CB Azareye'h Thomas

That first-round Armand Membou selection is on the right track, and there's limited pressure on second-rounder Mason Taylor now that they've drafted Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq.

But Thomas should be in the mix for a starting job after making minimal impact as a fairly raw rookie third-round pick.

In the quest to fill Sauce Gardner's shoes, it would be big for the Jets if this pick were to ultimately hit.

AFC North

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Shemar Stewart

Baltimore Ravens: Edge Mike Green

First-round safety Malaki Starks has a real shot at stardom and is on a promising path. Green—the team's second-round selection—was much quieter as a rookie but has the tools to become a stellar starter.

Trey Hendrickson's presence could free him up to make a major impact in Year 2, but he could just as easily get lost in the shuffle with Tavius Robinson and Zion Young in the mix on the edge as well. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Shemar Stewart

The first-round pick's rookie season was marred by a holdout and injuries, and now Hendrickson is gone.

A defense that was a mess across the board last year needs boosts from multiple sophomores including linebackers Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, but it starts with Stewart avoiding becoming another Myles Murphy in a battle for reps with Murphy and newcomers Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell. 

Cleveland Browns: DT Mason Graham

Shedeur Sanders probably comes to mind first for many, but that's washed out to an extent by Dillon Gabriel, and the fact is there's a chance Deshaun Watson finally gets it right.

With the Myles Garrett era over, it's critical that the team's No. 5 overall pick from last year begins to fill at least some of those shoes as a high-impact front-end defender. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Derrick Harmon

Harmon was a stout run defender when healthy as a rookie, but the 21st overall pick missed a handful of games. He also has a long way to go as a pass-rusher.

If the Steelers are going to get to that next level behind a talented defense in 2026, they'll need a big sophomore leap from Harmon. 

AFC South

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Justin Walley

Houston Texans: OT Aireontae Ersery

The second-round pick struggled often at left tackle for a line that couldn't consistently put it together in front of C.J. Stroud in 2025.

If this offense is going to start pulling its weight for a team that fancies itself a contender, it'll need a big leap forward from one of the most penalized tackles in football last season. 

Indianapolis Colts: CB Justin Walley

The third-rounder impressed in camp last summer before tearing his ACL prior to the season, but he's back on the practice field and inspiring confidence already. That's huge, because it looks as though Walley will be tasked with filling veteran Kenny Moore's shoes in the nickel role in 2026. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: CB/WR Travis Hunter

They don't get much more obvious than this. The remarkable two-way athlete is fighting back from a major knee injury, and it's a lot easier to see a path to contention for the Jags with him contributing in a major way.

The No. 2 pick went over 100 yards in his last game as a rookie, but they really need him to take on that top lockdown corner role. 

Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward

And yet this one is that much more obvious. The Titans drafted Ward first overall to become their next franchise quarterback.

And while there were growing pains as expected during a rocky 2025 campaign, it's worth noting Ward put up a 103.8 passer rating in his last four starts as a rookie. 

AFC West

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Tre' Harris

Denver Broncos: CB Jahdae Barron

Denver has enough talent and depth to excel even if the first-round pick fails to make a major impact once again, but there's also virtually no pressure on RJ Harvey, Pat Bryant and Sai'vion Jones for the same reason. It's quite the luxury.

That said, the ceiling is highest for Barron. If he can turn it on as a sophomore, it could be what puts the Broncos over the top. 

Kansas City Chiefs: OT Josh Simmons

Injuries and an undisclosed extended absence caused the first-round pick to miss the majority of his rookie season. Now, Simmons has apparently trimmed down significantly ahead of what might be a make-or-break year for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

The man charged with protecting Mahomes' blind side will be a critical factor in how it all plays out in 2026. 

Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jack Bech

The second-round pick caught just 20 passes and failed to score as a rookie, but the Raiders didn't make any major moves at wide receiver in the offseason.

The path is there for Bech to play a huge role and potentially establish some early chemistry with hopeful Raiders franchise quarterback Fernando Mendoza in a new offense.

Los Angeles Chargers: WR Tre Harris

Bigger performances from sophomores Omarion Hampton, Oronde Gadsden II and Jamaree Caldwell would all be huge for a Chargers team on the brink, but with Keenan Allen potentially done in L.A., Harris—the team's second-round pick—is in line to have a lot more responsibilities after a quiet rookie season that contained just 30 catches and one touchdown. He could do major things in Mike McDaniels' offense. 

NFC East

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Jaxson Dart

Dallas Cowboys: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku

First-rounder Tyler Booker is on the ideal track following a strong rookie season at right guard, but Ezeiruaku had just two sacks despite taking more than 600 snaps as a rookie second-round selection.

He did, however, post a top-five pass-rushing grade among qualified rookies at Pro Football Focus, and he could benefit from more talent elsewhere on the edge in Christian Parker's intriguing new defense. That's assuming he doesn't get lost in the shuffle with Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence joining the fray.

New York Giants: QB Jaxson Dart

It's pretty clear the Giants' future hinges significantly on their top two picks from 2025, Dart and first-round edge defender Abdul Carter.

Dart flashed in a big way as a rookie but will have more pressure on him in 2026. Let's see how he adjusts to the fact that the league will be more prepared for him as a sophomore. 

Philadelphia Eagles: S Andrew Mukuba

The second-round pick is coming back from ankle surgery after that injury cost him a large portion of his rookie season.

There were positive signs during that campaign, but we're still talking about a starter on a contender who posted the second-lowest PFF grade among qualified rookie safeties in 2025.

The Eagles are hoping he can offer them some much-needed stability at safety. 

Washington Commanders: OT Josh Conerly Jr.

Second-round corner Trey Amos would also be an acceptable answer considering the Commanders need more across the board on defense and Amos struggled before suffering a significant leg injury as a rookie but will play a big role in 2026.

Instead, the focus has to be on Conerly, who simply has to continue on a positive trajectory after a miserable start to his career. This offense can't get back on track without a sophomore bump from the No. 29 overall pick at right tackle. 

NFC North

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Luther Burden III

Chicago Bears: WR Luther Burden III

The second-round pick was only the fourth-most-productive pass-catcher on the Chicago roster last season, but D.J. Moore is gone and Bears head coach Ben Johnson is "buying Luther Burden stock right now."

There's a chance he forms a superstar duo with Rome Odunze, which could make the Bears a major contender. 

Detroit Lions: G Tate Ratledge

The Lions offensive line is undergoing significant changes again, so it's critical that the second-round pick becomes a consistently reliable figure inside. They'll also be looking for more from Tyleik Williams and Isaac TeSlaa, but none of it matters if the line can't put it together in 2026. 

Green Bay Packers: G Anthony Belton

This is a toss-up between Belton—the team's second-round pick—and first-rounder Matthew Golden. Neither made major impacts last season, but it looks as though Belton will be locked into a starting guard spot after jumping from a reserve tackle role into that spot down the stretch in 2025.

They'll want Golden to make more plays in 2026, but at least there's a crowd in the receiver corps. Belton has a lot more on his shoulders. 

Minnesota Vikings: G Donovan Jackson

The first-round selection was solid as a regular starter at left guard during his rookie campaign. Now it's just about taking his game to the next level and becoming more consistent for whoever starts at quarterback in 2026. 

NFC South

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Nic Scourton

Atlanta Falcons: Edge Jalon Walker

Four sophomores are expected to play major roles on defense for the Falcons, just as Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman did last year.

Watts already looks like a star in the making, Pearce is returning after an offseason arrest and entry into an intervention program, and Bowman will face slightly less pressure as he works his way back from a torn Achilles.

That leaves Walker, the team's top pick and a guy who flashed as a versatile rookie and should take on more responsibilities in Year 2. 

Carolina Panthers: Edge Nic Scourton

There is little concern about top pick Tetairoa McMillan, but the hope is that Scourton—the team's second-rounder—can emerge with help from newcomer Jaelan Phillips on the edge.

For what it's worth, the Texas A&M product flashed a bit late in his rookie campaign. This defense desperately needs more of that in support of Phillips. 

New Orleans Saints: QB Tyler Shough

This is basically a tie between Shough and the team's first-round offensive tackle, Kelvin Banks Jr., as the two are basically relying on each other to continue to ascend in 2026.

Both looked like future centerpieces in 2025, and now it's about continuing down that path as the rebuild continues. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Benjamin Morrison

Emeka Egbuka already arrived as a successful first-round pick, but Morrison came out of Round 2 and made just three starts during an injury-marred rookie campaign. He's dealing with another leg injury now, and it's fair to wonder if injuries could prevent the Notre Dame product from fulfilling his potential.

Regardless, with Jamel Dean gone, the Bucs are counting on Morrison to get on the field and deliver for their questionable defense ASAP.

NFC West

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Alfred Collins

Arizona Cardinals: DL Walter Nolen

The Cardinals are praying that second-round cornerback Will Johnson can continue his ascent as a sophomore, but the team's best chance at making a major defensive leap comes with Nolen getting/staying healthy and living up to his potential as a high-impact presence up front. 

Los Angeles Rams: Edge Josaiah Stewart

Tight end Terrance Ferguson was the team's top draft pick, but he remains stuck in a crowd at that position in L.A.

Instead, with Jared Verse out the door and Myles Garrett sure to hog a massive amount of attention on one edge, both Byron Young and Stewart should get plenty of opportunities to make plays for the Rams defense. 

San Francisco 49ers: DT Alfred Collins

No. 11 overall pick Mykel Williams probably comes to mind first, but he'll be hard-pressed to make an early impact coming off a torn ACL. Combine that with the fact Nick Bosa is also recovering from the same injury, and you can see why so much could fall on Collins—the team's second-rounder—to hold down the fort up front alongside newcomer Osa Odighizuwa.

Seattle Seahawks: S Nick Emmanwori

Both Emmanwori and first-round guard Grey Zabel made stellar impacts down the stretch for the Super Bowl champions. Now, it's about which one has the better chance at becoming a star in 2026.

We'll go with the second-round safety—a do-everything defender who is evolving his game with work on the edge entering Year 2.