NFL breakout players 2025 for 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals

The NFC West is absolutely loaded this season.

Up and down the roster for every team there’s optimism and areas for concern. After another playoff run, do the Rams have enough firepower to get back to the Super Bowl? Can the San Francisco 49ers stay healthy enough to contend in the NFC? Even teams like the Cardinals and Seahawks have intrigue.

On top of that, each team has a breakout candidate waiting in the wings. Here’s every breakout player for the NFC West.

Arizona Cardinals: CB Max Melton

Over the back half of the season, Melton had a -0.35 EPA per target and led the Cardinals in passes defended. As Arizona beefs up on the front lines, it’s notable that they didn’t draft a corner until the second round. I think Melton could be the next big thing at corner for the Cardinals, with his ability to make plays on the ball from off coverage.

Los Angeles Rams: WR Konata Mumpfield

I try to stay away from rookies in this exercise, but I’m a big believer in Mumpfield and how his play can elevate the Rams offense. Los Angeles desperately needs speed they can trust in the receiver room, and Mumpfield brings separation skills and burst from the slot in ways that I don’t think WR Tutu Atwell consistently can. Mumpfield is a great complement to WRs Davante Adams and Puka Nacua in where and how he wins, and can help the offense be much more explosive.

San Francisco 49ers: CB Renardo Green

I’ve been a big fan of Green’s play on the outside, he’s the perfect cornerback for the Robert Saleh style of defense. Last year, Green set the Niners rookie record for pass breakups with 13 and took over for Isaac Yiadom relatively early in his career. He’s been burned by the big play before, but his aggressiveness at the catch point and as a tackler make him a perfect fit in this defense. Most corners make a big time jump from year 1 into year 2, and getting a seasoned DC like Saleh in his ear could do Green wonders.

Seattle Seahawks: LB Tyrice Knight

After the acquisition of LB Ernest Jones, the Seahawks defense as a whole took off, but especially Knight. With an experienced MIKE next to him, Knight was allowed to play sideline to sideline with a smaller list of responsibilities. His speed and trigger downhill was impressive for a rookie LB. I was also pleasantly surprised by his ability to make tackles in space coming downhill. He slips and glides past offensive linemen pretty easily. With Mike Macdonald still calling plays for the Seattle defense, Knight could take his play up another level in 2025.