Expert Analysis
12/13/24
11 min read
Top Breakout NFL Star at Each Position For 2024 Season
Every year, a handful of players hit a developmental spurt that elevates their game to a new level. Sometimes, this is because of a scheme change or increase in playing time out of need. Other times, it's the result of grinding until the team is ready to hand them the reigns.
Either way, everyone loves it when a player breaks out and becomes a star. Now, with their best football happening before our eyes this year, their careers are forever changed.
We're looking at one player at every position and identifying the top breakout performer from this season. Who has been the biggest new star of this season?
Top 2024 Breakout NFL Star at Every Position
We tried to avoid second- and third-year players who were selected in the first two rounds of recent drafts since the expectations for them have been high. Instead, we looked for massive statistical and performance-related gains.
Sam Darnold put on a clinic of high-level quarterback play against the Falcons. pic.twitter.com/5HmMHsWNuP
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 9, 2024
QB: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings 
Stats: 264/386 (68.4% completion rate), 3,299 yards, 28 TDs, 10 INTs
There should be zero surprises with Sam Darnold headlining our team of breakouts. The former third-overall pick is still only 27 years old despite it feeling like he's been in our lives and playing poorly for much longer. Going to Minnesota and playing for Kevin O'Connell has completely changed the direction of Darnold's career.
The gunslinger's aggression has been maximized in KOC's system, as well as the tremendous supporting cast Minnesota has around him. Setting career highs in all major advanced categories, Darnold is playing like the volatile but effective playmaker that scouts hoped he'd become when he left USC. While his efficiency and quality throws are undoubtedly up, Darnold's uptick in functional accuracy has been the biggest story of the season.
While he's still within his career range of turnover-worthy throws (3.7% in 2024 compared to a 4% career rate), his big-time-throws, average depth of target, and adjusted completion rate are significantly higher. Unlike most quarterbacks, Darnold's play has actually improved by having more time to throw the ball, offsetting his increased sack rate with huge downfield plays.
Darnold is much an old-school quarterback because he takes a high rate of sacks and puts the ball at risk, but he'll be a franchise star as long as he can make enough big plays to overcome those risks.
Former Vikings GM Believes Team Should Re-Sign Darnold
Chuba Hubbard's contact balance is so fun to watch pic.twitter.com/eagALGDbwj
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 9, 2024
RB: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Stats: 215 carries, 1,011 yards, 8 TDs
Who would've guessed that Chuba Hubbard would be one of six backs to break the 1k milestone through 13 games this time last year? Hubbard isn't just a volume back; he's developed into one of the better ball carriers in the league despite playing on what was an abysmal offense for most of the year. As Bryce Young improves, Hubbard will as well.
Ranking 11th in yards after contact per carry, fifth in total yards after contact, and ninth in missed tackles forced, Hubbard is powerful yet shifty despite being 210 pounds. Carolina's further leaned into being a zone-based run scheme rather than being a mixed attack, benefitting Hubbard even more.
Most of Hubbard's production has stemmed from several huge games rather than steady and efficient outcomes, but that's less about Hubbard than his situation. Carolina wisely locked Hubbard up on a long-term deal earlier this season and will reap the benefits as the offense adds more talent.
WR: Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Stats: 65 receptions, 735 yards, 3 TDs
Most top receivers are either established or recent early draft picks, so Khalil Shakir has crafted a unique role and claim. The slot specialist is arguably the best in the league from the interior, catching an absurd 83.3 percent of passes in 2024 after hauling in 87.5 percent last year. The difference this year is he's doing it on more volume, with more yards after the catch and higher yards per route run.
These fancy numbers mean that Shakir is more dangerous before and after the catch. While his average depth of target is lower than last year, he's creating better opportunities and keeping the offense in advantageous situations in almost every reception. It's remarkable that he's so effective despite not having a star or two next to him.
Having Josh Allen surely helps. But Shakir has developed into a premier value and hub for an offense that has reinvented itself again.
Jonnu Smith told McDaniel to get him the ball in Overtime and this is how he responded. Jonnu had me HYPE watching his response after each play ‼️📈 #ProBowlVote
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) December 10, 2024
- 3 Rec
- 44 YDS
- Game Winning TD pic.twitter.com/irDKnyiNFl
TE: Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins
Stats: 61 receptions, 692 yards, 5 TDs
Finding a journeyman veteran tight end is the best alternative to investing a high draft pick at the position. The Miami Dolphins are reaping the rewards from taking a flier on Jonnu Smith and solely asking him to be a receiver. He's already set career-highs in targets (76), receptions, and yards.
Mike McDaniel has essentially utilized Smith as the team's third-best option in the passing game. He's participating on almost 90 percent of routes, and 74 percent of those are from the slot or out wide. Smith has been deployed from the inline spot only 23 percent of plays.
While Smith has been a familiar name for a few years, the 29-year-old has a new lease on life in Miami, and there's no reason to think that's ending anytime soon. His best years in Tennessee now look like the foundation for his potential as opposed to two difficult years in New England.
OL: Jordan Meredith, Las Vegas Raiders
Stats: 511 snaps, 0 sacks, 8 pressures allowed
Picking out a breakout lineman isn't the easiest job because there's so much that goes into evaluating the position. However, what's not debatable is that Jordan Meredith has been a godsend for the Raiders in the midst of another rough year. Splitting his time between both guard spots, Meredith has found a home on the left side of the line.
The guard spots were question marks entering the season for Vegas, and the former 2021 undrafted free agent emerged out of nowhere. Meredith had only 134 snaps in his first three years combined before developing into one of the more reliable interior options across the NFL.
He's yet to allow a sack this season, boasting 98.8 pass-block efficiency and giving up only one penalty. With Meredith on only a one-year deal, he'll be one of the premium free agents this spring.
DT: Poona Ford, Los Angeles Chargers
Stats: 472 snaps, 3 sacks, 22 pressures, 16 tackles
Poona Ford has been around and played well before, but it's been several years since he was a quality player. The last time was when he started for Seattle in 2020 and 2021. His last year in Seattle and only season in Buffalo was far less positive. It's fair to say 2024 with the Chargers was a make-or-break year.
The 29-year-old has rebounded with a career-best year. A capable two-gapper despite being 5-foot-11, Ford is also a stellar pass-rusher. His low center of gravity and quick first step can get him in trouble as he leaves rushing lanes in order to chase tackles for loss. Still, it's been worthwhile since so few interior defenders can be disruptive.
The Chargers are getting great play from Ford. He'll undoubtedly be on a roster in 2025 and beyond, possibly even on a multi-year deal.
Nate Herbig's (#51) pass rush win against Dion Dawkins pic.twitter.com/CNpGZT2QP3
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 21, 2023
Edge: Nate Herbig, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stats: 320 snaps, 6 sacks, 21 pressures, 10 tackles
Being a subpackage pass-rushing star is one of the few valuable non-starting positions in the NFL. Nate Herbig flashed a lot in the preseason of his rookie season but barely earned playing time despite being effective in limited snaps during the 2023 season. Pittsburgh has only unleashed Herbig on 208 pass-rushing snaps, but he's ranked ninth in pass-rush win rate with 18.3 percent.
The former fourth-round pick is only being unleashed on passing downs because he struggles against downhill run blockers. He's one of the worst-graded run defenders in the NFL this year but a truly elite option to chase quarterbacks. The Steelers are still getting terrific value behind their duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
LB: Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
Stats: 95 tackles, 4 sacks, 13 pressures, 1 INT
Injuries and inconsistent opportunities were factors in why Zack Baun left New Orleans without much fanfare. He's already had as many snaps in 2024 as he did in four seasons with the Saints, and his success level is unfathomably high. Philadelphia didn't want to invest much into its linebacker corps but struck absolute gold with Baun.
His pass-rush numbers improved in his final season with the Saints, but his astronomical missed tackle rate (18.8%) was hard to overlook. The big reason why? Baun was playing most of his snaps along the defensive line as a hybrid who didn't fit anywhere on the unit.
Philadelphia has made him a defensive weapon, notching 553 snaps at linebacker, 113 snaps on the line, and 109 snaps in the slot. His missed tackle rate has plummeted to 8.1 percent while grading as the best coverage linebacker in the NFL, even above Fred Warner. That's the definition of a breakout performer on defense.
According to Trumedia, CB Christian Benford has only been targeted 10 times when in Man coverage. On those reps, he's only allowed 2 completions for 2 yards...This includes a pass break up that led to this interception by Hamlin.
— Erik Turner Cover 1 (@ErikJTurner) November 27, 2024
His patience, discipline and technique are soooo… pic.twitter.com/I7Wq5EuZb2
CB: Christian Benford, Buffalo Bills
Stats: 43 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PBUs
There's more competition at cornerback than other positions, so this isn't a slight to Tarheeb Still, Zyon McCollum, or Garrett Williams. Each has been so good that their respective teams must treat them as building blocks moving forward. McCollum had the physical pedigree, and Williams was a value draft pick after tearing his ACL in college, but they've rapidly improved.
However, Christian Benford's journey from a sixth-round pick in 2022 to a lockdown corner has been shocking. He was good last year, but 2024 brought massive statistical changes. He not only looks like he's in a great position, but he's actively disrupting targets and deterring quarterbacks from going to his side of the field.
Allowing only 25 receptions on a 59.5 percent completion rate for 223 yards, Benford's comfort in Buffalo's defense is uncanny. With only 8.9 yards per reception, one touchdown allowed, and five penalties called against, offenses are best off avoiding Benford unless they're praying for a pass interference.
tarheeb w the assist
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 3, 2024
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/qgopfcRer0
Saf: Elijah Molden, Los Angeles Chargers
Stats: 38 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs
The safety position has seen an overhaul in recent years, with stars of yesterday fading in favor of a fresh new group of names. With our criteria of not including highly drafted early-career players, we land on Elijah Molden.
Molden was even an afterthought signing for the Chargers this past offseason, earning only a one-year, $3 million prove-it deal after burning out in Tennessee.
However, this strong season has given the former third-round pick a new NFL life. Always a strong tackler, the collegiate corner-turned-safety is finally finding a home. A big reason is that he's played less in the box and slot than ever before, logging almost double his career-high snaps at free safety.
With range, instincts, and trustworthy tackling angles, Molden has been the perfect partner for Derwin James. He's allowed only 162 yards in coverage and 49 yards after the catch. The best part? He's picked off three passes and has yet to commit a penalty.
