Whenever a player makes a leap—whether that's bad to average, average to good, good to great, or great to elite—it can change his team. Just think of guys like Zack Baun and Derek Stingley last season. Who might make a leap this year akin to what those two did in 2024? Derrik Klassen and Diante Lee from The Ringer highlight their top defensive breakout players on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Rundown

Daiyan Henley

Edgerrin Cooper

Nate Wiggins

Laiatu Latu

Kobie Turner

Brian Branch

Will Anderson

Cooper DeJean

Honorable mention

Hosts: Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen

With: Diante Lee

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

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