NFL second-year breakout candidates: Jaxson Dart, Travis Hunter top contenders in 2026

NFL.com analyst Matt Okada has identified 12 second-year NFL players as breakout candidates for the 2026 season, with New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and Travis Hunter headlining the list. Dart faced difficult rookie conditions, including sitting behind Russell Wilson until Week 4 and never playing a full game alongside top receiver Malik Nabers. The article highlights historical precedents for sophomore breakouts, including Chris Johnson (2009 Offensive Player of the Year), J.J. Watt (2012 Defensive Player of the Year), and Patrick Mahomes (2018 MVP).