The breakout players we're counting on for the 2026 season

Breakout seasons from Azeez Al-Shaair, Byron Young and Tuli Tuipulotu helped define the 2025 season. Who might be those players this year? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman introduce the Breakout Player Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

0:00 Welcome to the show

2:14 The rules

6:30 Paris Johnson

12:04 Omarion Hampton

15:40 Walter Nolen

19:34 Luther Burden

25:12 Amarius Mims

27:43 Nohl Williams

32:25 Malaki Starks

35:12 Yaya Diaby

37:19 Josh Simmons

40:09 Dallas Turner

44:02 Jonas Sanker

45:49 Craig Woodson

48:58 Warren McClendon

53:05 Nic Scourton

56:18 Dylan Fairchild

59:10 Patrick Paul

1:02:31 Tykee Smith

1:03:57 Ricky Pearsall

1:09:23 Rome Odunze

1:13:06 Cedric Gray

1:18:40 Austin Booker

1:20:55 Upton Stout

1:21:54 Billy Bowman

1:24:05 Jalen Travis

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Senior Producer: Katy Duffy

Social Producer: Scott Krinch

Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays

Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

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