NFL Power Rankings - Week 11: Every team's 2nd-half breakout candidate
NFL Power Rankings takes stock of all 32 teams throughout the season.
This week, we're identifying one potential second-half breakout candidate for each club.
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ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS
1. Los Angeles Rams (7-2)
Previous rank: 1
Terrance Ferguson, TE. The Rams have ramped up their usage of heavy sets since having to get creative in a Week 7 game without Puka Nacua. That creates a real opportunity for the athletic second-round tight end to get involved.
2. Seattle Seahawks (7-2)
Previous rank: 6
Nick Emmanwori, S. Seahawks fans would tell you Emmanwori is already an impact player, and they'd be right. He'll get more widespread recognition as one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft if he can continue his hot start throughout the second half.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
Previous rank: 3
Brashard Smith, RB. Isiah Pacheco missing time with his knee injury would open the door for the rookie running back to see extra work alongside Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs might have a tough time keeping Smith off the field once they get an extended look at what he can do in the passing game.
4. Detroit Lions (6-3)
Previous rank: 4
Terrion Arnold, CB. Arnold didn't have the most spectacular rookie season, but things may be starting to click in Year 2. He's allowed no more than 31 receiving yards in any of Detroit's last four contests, according to PFF.
5. Indianapolis Colts (8-2)
Previous rank: 5
Alec Pierce, WR. The 25-year-old's unique ability in the downfield passing game has long been apparent. With the Colts trading AD Mitchell at the deadline, Pierce no longer faces stiff competition for snaps as the WR3. He has a chance to put up the kind of numbers that'll get him paid as a free agent.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)
Previous rank: 7
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE. Phillips has 26 career sacks, so it's probably a bit of a stretch to consider him a breakout candidate. But what if the trade to Philly allows him to unlock that superstar potential? His eight pressures against the Packers are a promising sign for the Eagles' chances of recapturing last year's pass-rush magic.
7. New England Patriots (8-2)
Previous rank: 9
TreVeyon Henderson, RB. The Patriots are finally tapping into the upside that comes with a running back as electric as Henderson. New England can take this offense to new heights if it can consistently get him into space like it did for a pair of long touchdown runs against the Bucs.
8. Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Previous rank: 2
Maxwell Hairston Jr., CB. Buffalo's first-round rookie cornerback has played just three games since returning from a knee injury suffered in camp. The playmaking skills are already apparent, as he's tied for the team lead with a pair of interceptions.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
Previous rank: 8
Tez Johnson, WR. Tampa Bay's injury issues at receiver have forced the seventh-round rookie to take on a contributing role far sooner than expected. Johnson has been up to the task, recording 18 catches for 254 yards and four touchdowns across the last five outings.
10. Denver Broncos (8-2)
Previous rank: 10
Pat Bryant, WR. The Broncos' passing game isn't going anywhere unless Bo Nix starts to figure it out, but mixing things up at receiver probably couldn't hurt. Bryant has shown flashes in his limited opportunities, averaging 14.9 yards across 10 receptions.
11. Green Bay Packers (5-3-1)
Previous rank: 11
Matthew Golden, WR. The Packers are really going to miss Tucker Kraft. A second-half breakout from their speedy first-rounder might be the only way to avoid a major drop-off from the offense.
12. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
Previous rank: 15
Mike Green, EDGE. The pass rush must improve if the Ravens' defense is to turn things around. Although a deadline deal for Dre'Mont Jones should help, nobody has as much upside as Baltimore's talented second-round rookie.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
Previous rank: 16
Trevor Penning, OL. Could a fresh start allow Penning to make good on his potential following a disappointing run in New Orleans? After some devastating losses up front, the Chargers' season may depend on it.
14. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)
Previous rank: 12
Ricky Pearsall, WR. Injuries have gotten in the way of Pearsall's expected breakout season to this point, but he seems to be closing in on a return. The 2024 first-rounder would immediately become the 49ers' top passing target.
15. Chicago Bears (6-3)
Previous rank: 17
Luther Burden III, WR. It's time for the Bears to unleash their electric second-round rookie. There are plenty of other options in this offense, but Burden's upside should soon make him a featured playmaker for Ben Johnson.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)
Previous rank: 13
Roman Wilson, WR. The Steelers' failure to upgrade the receiver position ahead of the deadline is inexcusable. Can additional opportunities for Wilson provide the spark this offense needs?
17. Houston Texans (4-5)
Previous rank: 20
Jayden Higgins, WR. The second-round rookie was a big part of Houston's stunning comeback win over Jacksonville. Perhaps that performance puts him in a position to take on a more prominent role opposite Nico Collins down the stretch.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
Previous rank: 14
Parker Washington, WR. The Jaguars responded to Travis Hunter's injury by making a move for Jakobi Meyers at the deadline. While Jacksonville certainly has big plans for the veteran wideout, Washington also deserves an uptick in usage after making the most of his opportunities.
19. Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
Previous rank: 18
J.J. McCarthy, QB. The excitement around McCarthy's arrival has quickly faded. He needs to turn things around in the second half if the Vikings are to have a chance of salvaging this season.
20. Carolina Panthers (5-5)
Previous rank: 19
Nic Scourton, EDGE. The second-round rookie has been a bright spot for Carolina's defense, tying for the team lead with 19 pressures and three sacks. A little more experience should help him take another step forward.
21. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)
Previous rank: 21
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE. Ezeiruaku has been finding his footing after a slow start, recording 18 pressures and a pair of sacks over the last five games. The second-rookie stands to benefit from the Cowboys adding Quinnen Williams on the inside.
22. Atlanta Falcons (3-6)
Previous rank: 22
Jalon Walker, EDGE. Walker appears poised to take off in the second half of his rookie season. He's recorded three sacks over the last two contests, and his complete performance Sunday against the Colts was exactly what the Falcons envisioned when they drafted him at No. 15 overall.
23. Arizona Cardinals (3-6)
Previous rank: 23
Walter Nolen III, DT. Nolen quickly made his presence felt after missing the first seven games of the year with a calf injury. The first-round rookie made splash plays both as a pass-rusher and as a run defender in Week 9 against the Cowboys, including an instant win for a sack against Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
Previous rank: 25
Dylan Fairchild, G. Fairchild's immediate impact has been one of the few positives from a disappointing season in Cincinnati. If the third-round rookie can build on his strong start, it would go a long way toward solidifying the Bengals' interior offensive line after years of turmoil.
25. Miami Dolphins (3-7)
Previous rank: 28
Chop Robinson, EDGE. Miami's trade of Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia ahead of the deadline clears the way for Robinson to take on a more significant role opposite Bradley Chubb. His rare explosiveness off the edge gives him a sky-high ceiling.
26. New Orleans Saints (2-8)
Previous rank: 30
Tyler Shough, QB. The Saints seem likely to give Shough a long look over the second half of the season. If Sunday's performance in a win over the Panthers is any indication, the second-round rookie has a real chance to run with the opportunity.
27. New York Giants (2-8)
Previous rank: 24
Abdul Carter, EDGE. Carter doesn't have the expected sack numbers just yet, but it's likely only a matter of time. The No. 3 overall pick is clear of both Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux for the team lead with 33 pressures.
28. Washington Commanders (3-7)
Previous rank: 26
Jaylin Lane, WR. The Commanders need someone to step up at receiver with Terry McLaurin back on the sidelines. Lane should have plenty of opportunities to showcase his abilities as Washington focuses on developing young talent for the future.
29. New York Jets (2-7)
Previous rank: 31
AD Mitchell, WR. Getting Mitchell back as part of the Sauce Gardner trade was an interesting upside play for a club desperately in need of receivers. And with Garrett Wilson now set to miss time, Mitchell could even get an extended run as the No. 1 target.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)
Previous rank: 29
Jack Bech, WR. Bech has been a nonfactor to this point, though it's not necessarily his fault. The Jakobi Meyers trade creates an opening in the slot, which was always going to be the rookie's ideal fit at the NFL level.
31. Cleveland Browns (2-7)
Previous rank: 27
Mason Graham, DT. Graham had his best game of the season coming off the bye, posting the second-best pass-rush win rate (30.8%) of all interior defenders in Week 10. Could that set the stage for a strong second half?
32. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
Previous rank: 32
Chimere Dike, WR. Dike has been the NFL's most productive return man, and now the Titans are starting to take advantage of those playmaking skills on offense. The fourth-round rookie flashed his potential as a receiver against the Colts in Week 8, recording seven catches for 93 yards.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.