Every NFL Team’s Biggest Hidden Gem From The 2025 Season
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
All 32 NFL teams had at least one player who flew under the radar and turned in a surprisingly successful 2025 season. But thanks to various factors, most people didn’t seem to notice it.
With that, let’s take a deep dive into all 32 NFL teams’ biggest hidden gems of the 2025 NFL season.
Who is the hidden gem for each NFL team this season?
Arizona Cardinals: Michael Wilson
All the focus was on Trey McBride’s excellent 2025 NFL season on a lousy Cardinals team. And disgruntled fantasy football owners surely paid close attention all year long to Marvin Harrison Jr., who had another lackluster season.
Flying under the radar on the Cardinals was third-year receiver Michael Wilson, who caught 78 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns. You know, basically the kind of production Arizona expected from Harrison Jr…
Atlanta Falcons: Divine Deablo
After four seasons with the Raiders, the 2021 third-round pick found a lovely home in Atlanta. He started seven games and recorded seven pass breakups. He didn’t allow a single TD in coverage and garnered a 77.7 Pro Football Focus Grade — 11th highest among all linebackers.
Now, if the Falcons could just get their freaking QB situation figured out….
Baltimore Ravens: Keyon Martin
Every big-name Ravens player except Derrick Henry and Kyle Hamilton disappointed this year. But a shout-out to undrafted rookie Keyon Martin for his contributions on defense and special teams.
Martin saw most of his playing time on special teams, but was also superb in coverage when assigned to defense. Per Pro Football Reference, he allowed just a 65.7 passer rating when targeted and zero touchdowns in coverage.
Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White
Note to White: Stay with the Bills, and you’re golden.
The two-time Pro Bowler was released in a cap-saving move after the 2023 NFL season. He had a forgettable 2024 campaign split with the Rams and Ravens, but came back to Buffalo in 2025. And hey, it was like he never left.
White returned to his star-like form this year, allowing just a 51.1 completion percentage and 71.9 passer rating when targeted. Thanks to his bounce-back year, the Bills finished with the league’s best pass defense.
Carolina Panthers: Nic Scourton
The Panthers snapped an eight-year playoff drought and won their first NFC South division crown since 2015. And it’s largely thanks to the standout rookie duo of edge rusher Nic Scourton and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Scourton finished with five sacks despite being used as a rotational player, tied with Derrick Brown for the team lead. With an expanded role in 2026, Scourton will be in a good spot to reach Pro Bowl level status.
Chicago Bears: Luther Burden III
Disappointing seasons from DJ Moore and Rome Odunze just opened the door for Burden and fellow rookie Colston Loveland to emerge as primary targets for Caleb Williams. Everyone knows about Loveland’s breakout year, but Burden also came into his own for the NFC North champs.
Burden caught 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns, coming along in the second half after a sluggish start. He has future WR1 written all over him.
Cincinnati Bengals: D.J. Turner
The Bengals’ defense was atrocious in the 2025 NFL season, but youngsters DJ Turner and Myles Murphy took significant steps forward. That counts for something.
Turner had two interceptions and seven pass breakups. He allowed a completion percentage of only 47.9 and a passer rating of 75.6 when targeted. He was also PFF’s 20th-ranked cornerback for the season with a grade of 73.3.
Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger
The Browns’ 2025 draft class has the chance to go down as one of the best of this century. Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger, Harold Fannin Jr., and Shedeur Sanders all showed immense potential.
While everyone knew of Graham, Judkins, Fannin, and Sanders, Schwesinger flew under the radar as one of the best linebackers of 2025. He had two interceptions, three pass breakups, and 2.5 sacks.
No wonder Myles Garrett broke the single-season sack record. He had Graham and Schwesinger to help him out!
Dallas Cowboys: Osa Odighizuwa
Dallas’ defense predictably took a big step back after the Micah Parsons trade. But the mid-season blockbuster deal for Quinnen Williams shored up Dallas’ defense and helped fellow defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa take his game to another level.
Odighizuwa finished ninth in ESPN’s pass rush win rate among defensive tackles and eighth in run stop win rate. Now, we wait and see what he and Williams can do for a full season together.
Denver Broncos: Troy Franklin
After a mostly quiet rookie season in the NFL, Franklin and Bo Nix finally regained that chemistry we watched at Oregon.
Franklin came into his own as a dynamic No. 2 receiver behind Courtland Sutton, catching 65 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns. His breakout year opened up Denver’s passing game and led them to a surprise AFC West division crown, the club’s first in 10 years.
Detroit Lions: Al-Quadin Muhammad
The Lions were easily the NFC’s most disappointing team this season. But that didn’t stop veteran edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad from turning in a surprise career year.
Muhammad finished with 11 sacks, emerging as the ideal sidekick to Aidan Hutchinson. To put that number in perspective, Muhammad had 15 sacks over his first seven NFL seasons. One-year wonder, or late bloomer? We’ll soon find out.
Green Bay Packers: Zach Tom
Tom has quietly emerged as the glue that holds the Packers’ offensive line together. He was excellent in his fourth season, finishing fifth in ESPN’s pass block win rate for offensive tackles.
Tom didn’t allow a single sack in 351 pass-blocking snaps either, per PFF. His 83.5 grade was eighth among tackles, too.
Houston Texans: Jalen Pitre
When you play on the same defense as Derek Stingley Jr., Will Anderson Jr., and Danielle Hunter, you ain’t gonna get the love you deserve. But we’re sure Jalen Pitre doesn’t care too much…
He had four interceptions and 12 pass breakups, allowing just a 58.7 passer rating when targeted. Pitre didn’t give up a single TD in coverage, either. We’ll see if he can take it to an All-Pro level next year.
Indianapolis Colts: Tanor Bortolini
Indy’s 2024 fourth-round pick was thrown into the starting center role after Ryan Kelly signed with Minnesota.
Bortolini didn’t allow a single sack and yielded just 17 pressures on 566 pass-blocking snaps. His final 82.6 PFF grade was third among all centers, too. No wonder the Colts’ offense was practically unstoppable when Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor were playing together.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Antonio Johnson
As nice as it was to see Trevor Lawrence finally put it together under rookie head coach Liam Coen, the Jaguars’ defense was just as imperative in their turnaround.
The rise of third-year safety Antonio Johnson certainly helped on that front. He had five interceptions, nine pass breakups, and two sacks. Johnson finished the year as PFF’s highest-graded safety at 87.4, too.
Kansas City Chiefs: Nohl Williams
You probably didn’t notice it because Kansas City was a disaster this year, but Williams had a heckuva rookie season in the NFL under Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo.
Williams had seven pass breakups and yielded a 52.5 completion percentage and just a single touchdown in coverage. He graded out as PFF’s 15th-best cornerback at 74.5, too.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tre Tucker
There was little for the NFL’s worst team to celebrate this year. But third-year wideout Tre Tucker came along nicely while Geno Smith, Brock Bowers, and Ashton Jeanty failed to meet expectations.
Tucker set career-highs across the board with 57 receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns. If the Raiders resolve their QB issue — and it better be Fernando Mendoza! — Tucker could make another leap in 2026.
Los Angeles Chargers: Odafe Oweh
After a sluggish start with the Ravens, the 2021 first-round pick was traded to the Chargers to play for the other Harbaugh brother. Interestingly, Jim was able to fully unlock Oweh in a way that John never could.
In just 12 games as a Charger, Oweh racked up 7.5 sacks and led them to a second straight playoff appearance. Oweh also didn’t miss a single sack in 347 defensive snaps played.
Los Angeles Rams: Warren McClendon Jr.
Stalwart veteran offensive tackle Rob Havenstein missed most of the 2025 season to injury. The opportunity came knocking for McClendon Jr., and he made the absolute most of it.
McClendon emerged as a rock-solid starter for Sean McVay after being thrown into the starting lineup. He finished 12th in ESPN’s pass-block win rate among offensive tackles and second in run-blocking.
McClendon and the rest of the LA o-line kept Matthew Stafford upright and helped him turn in an MVP-caliber season in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins: Aaron Brewer
The Dolphins’ pass-blocking has been an issue for a while, but the finger shall not be pointed at veteran center Aaron Brewer.
The ex-Titan made the most of his second year with the Dolphins. He allowed just a single sack and was PFF’s second-highest graded center at 87.4. His 96-percent pass-block win rate was ninth among interior offensive linemen, too.
Minnesota Vikings: Eric Wilson
Wilson returned to Minnesota after a three-year stint with the rival Packers. And in his age-31 season, the veteran NFL linebacker enjoyed a career year under Brian Flores.
Wilson had 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, both career-highs. He was also excellent in coverage, allowing just one touchdown on 40 targets in coverage. His one-year deal was a bargain, and a more lucrative payday is sure to come in free agency.
New England Patriots: K’Lavon Chaisson
The Jaguars’ 2020 first-round pick never lived up to expectations in Duval County. But might he have a long-term home in Foxborough? Chaisson certainly played like somebody who wishes that to be the case.
He tallied a career-high 7.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a pair of forced fumbles. Chaisson and Harold Landry formed an explosive edge rushing duo that helped the Pats to 14 wins and their first AFC East division crown in six years.
New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr.
Many thought it was a reach when the Saints used the No. 9 pick on the Texas offensive tackle. Well, the Banks and the Saints got the last laugh here.
He struggled at times in pass protection, allowing nine sacks, yes. But Banks still finished with a 70.0 pass-blocking grade at PFF and a superb 76.2 run-blocking grade. Between Banks, Chris Olave, Taliese Fuaga, and Tyler Shough, the Saints’ young offensive core is really coming together.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tracy briefly lost his starting job to Cam Skattebo, but regained the role when the stalwart rookie suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
Building off a stellar rookie year, Tracy finished with 740 rushing yards and two rushing scores. He also exceeded 1,000 yards of offense for the second straight year. Now, imagine a Giants offense at full strength with Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Tracy, and Skattebo.
New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas
Breece Hall, Will McDonald, and Armand Membou were the only Jets who really stood out this year. Garrett Wilson missed most of the year, and Sauce Gardner was traded to the Colts before the deadline.
Flying under the radar was rookie corner Azareye’h Thomas, a third-round pick out of Florida State. He had seven pass breakups and allowed just a 48.1 percent completion percentage when targeted. He got some playing time on special teams, too.
Expect a lot more action on defense, though, with Gardner gone.
Philadelphia Eagles: Moro Ojomo
The Eagles’ front seven wasn’t as explosive this year. I mean, who had Jalyx Hunt and Moro Ojomo finishing as their two sack leaders?
Ojomo had six, just half a sack behind Hunt for the lead. Moro’s pass-rush win rate of 10 percent also ranked him 11th among defensive tackles at ESPN. Now, we see if he can kick in another gear next season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: James Pierre
Pierre came out of nowhere in his sixth season to emerge as a legitimate shutdown corner for the Steelers. He was PFF’s second-highest graded cornerback at 86.7. Pierre also allowed just a 42.9 completion percentage and a hilarious 41.4 passer rating when targeted.
Jalen Ramsey had a disastrous 2025 NFL season in Pittsburgh, but Pierre and Joey Porter Jr. certainly picked up the slack for him.
San Francisco 49ers: Bryce Huff
Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams combined to play 18 games in 2025. But the 49ers defense stayed afloat, and it was largely thanks to the heroics of offseason pickup Bryce Huff.
After a frustrating individual year on the Super Bowl champion Eagles, Huff looked like his old self again. Four sacks may not seem like a lot on paper, but he was getting in the QB’s grill more than the stat line would suggest. Huff had a 15 percent pass-rush win rate, ranking 12th among edge rushers at ESPN.
Seattle Seahawks: Coby Bryant
Bryant was lights-out in coverage on a Seattle defense that finished first in scoring defense. The fourth-year safety recorded four interceptions and seven pass breakups, for starters. Bryant also allowed just a 54.0 passer rating when targeted and a single touchdown on 39 targets.
Oh yeah, and he did this in his contract year. Someone’s gonna show him the money when free agency hits.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: YaYa Diaby
Injuries and late-game implosions by the Tampa Bay defense cost them a fifth straight NFC South division title. The aging front seven isn’t as dynamic as it once was when Todd Bowles first arrived, but at least Diaby showed up.
Diaby led the Buccaneers with seven sacks and had ESPN’s fourth-best run-stop win rate among defensive tackles at 31 percent. He and veteran Vita Vea are going to be one heck of a run-stopping wall in 2026 and beyond.
Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski
Tennessee’s 2023 first-round pick finally came into his own in year three. You just didn’t notice it, because the Titans didn’t do much of anything this year.
Skoronski allowed just two sacks and finished with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 84.5, second-best among guards. His efforts helped running back Tony Pollard churn out a fourth straight 1,000-yard season in the NFL.
Washington Commanders: Chris Paul
Not to be confused with the legendary NBA point guard, the other pro athlete named Chris Paul is making a name for himself in DC.
Nothing went right for the 2024 NFC runner-ups, thanks to a string of injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels. But 2022 seventh-round pick Chris Paul unexpectedly developed into a big-time player on Washington’s o-line.
Though he struggled in run-blocking, Paul’s 78.2 pass-blocking grade was fifth among all guards at PFF. Clean up the run-blocking, and we could be talking about a future All-PRo.
