5 second-year NFL players headed for a breakthrough in 2022

The transition from the NCAA to the NFL is a difficult one. While some rookies make it look easy, the jump from a schedule that fits in FCS teams to one loaded with the best college players across the board is a daunting task.

That can create developmental delays on a prospect’s path to stardom. Patrick Mahomes sat for a season behind Alex Smith before taking the league by storm in 2018. Lamar Jackson followed a similar path one year later. Rashan Gary didn’t start a single game as a rookie, but has since developed into Green Bay’s most effective pass rusher.

The 2021 NFL Draft class dropped a handful of ready-made stars into the league, including Ja’Marr Chase, Micah Parsons and Rashawn Slater. We already know they’re awesome; this article isn’t about them. Instead, we’re going to break down the players who had a quiet rookie campaign last year while building toward a sophomore season breakout.