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New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Which young Bills are poised for a big season? Players under 25 years old with breakout potential
As the Bills prepare for the next wave of players to become the key pieces to franchise quarterback Josh Allen's prime, a youth movement is undoubtedly happening in or very near to their starting lineup. The slashing of several prominent long-term members of the Bills during the 2024 offseason helped bring this all along. Advertisement Those necessary decisions put a focus on the development of those young players to help the Bills hit their ceiling of winning the Super Bowl. Because of that essential component, it's time to take a look at the young players who could become a breakout asset for the team in 2025 and shape the team's outcome. This list is for players who will begin the 2025 regular season under 25 years old and have yet to fully break out during their NFL careers. We define a breakout as someone who has yet to become a well-established starter and has some lingering uncertainty, whether due to inexperience or performance, about their long-term outlook as a core piece of the roster. For example, Christian Benford, who will still be 24 years old when the season begins, will not be considered for this list because the Bills signed him to a long-term extension this offseason. Listed in the order of who is the likeliest to break out in 2025, here are nine names to monitor for breakouts of varying levels this year. Coleman, the team's top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has the strongest case for a breakout this season due to the combination of experience and expected role in 2025. Even if he wasn't a massive hit statistically as a rookie, Coleman pretty much jumped into a high snap role as a 21-year-old rookie who plays a difficult-to-acclimate position. That, in itself, was impressive, and usually not the case for how the Bills utilize their young players. Coleman, before he suffered a wrist injury in Week 9, took the most snaps of all Bills wide receivers in seven of his first nine games and was only two snaps shy of adding an eighth to that list. Even after his Week 15 return, Coleman had the highest snap total of the receiver room from that game through the end of the playoffs. In total, Coleman took 70 percent of offensive snaps in the games he played, which was higher than Hollins (65) and Shakir (59). Along with all the time on the field, especially before his injury, Coleman showed several promising moments as a receiver. Even though his route running and separation needed some work, Coleman showed the ability to be a trustworthy target for Allen, even after some drops. Advertisement Even though the Bills added new pieces to the receiver room in Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore, neither are direct competitors for Coleman's position atop the depth chart at the X receiver role. If anything, Coleman's runway cleared out even more as Mack Hollins moved on in free agency, and the team chose not to re-sign Amari Cooper — two players best suited to that X receiver spot. If Coleman doesn't face much competition for that spot, there is a distinct possibility his on-field role could rise from his already lofty 70 percent. More time on the field means more potential target opportunities, especially if his separation skills improve slightly in the offseason. And more target opportunities mean a distinct opportunity to break out in his second season. Although it took Bishop, the team's 2024 second-round pick, a long time to find his footing as a rookie, the progress he made over the second half of the season was noteworthy. After an early injury in training camp derailed his chances of winning the starting job outright in 2024, Bishop showed both poise and ability in starting four of the team's final seven games of the season — and in two of the games he didn't start, he took over half of the snaps. The progress was enough for the Bills to decide against making any significant additions at safety, instead only bringing back Damar Hamlin on a one-year prove-it deal, likely to be the top backup in 2025. Unless Bishop regresses by quite a bit, he is very likely to be the opening-day starter along with Taylor Rapp. And if he progresses from the solid starter he showed to be down the stretch, there is a chance he will graduate from this list by this time next year. If it weren't for Coleman having more experience as a rookie, Bishop would be at the top of this list. The first rookie to make the list and the team's top pick in 2025, Hairston will have to overcome a pair of veterans with vast amounts of experience in the Bills' defensive scheme to become the starter this season. Collectively, Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson have 122 starts for the Bills, and in the past, the Bills have favored experience outside of when they drafted White back in 2017. Even with the Bills usually operating that way, the current versions of White and Jackson are not as daunting as they were in the past. White wasn't the same player in 2024 as he was during his prime with the Bills. There's a chance being further removed from his torn Achilles in 2023 will help White return to better form, but it's no guarantee. If Hairston shows a good enough understanding of his responsibilities in the defense, there is breakout potential here. But if the Bills follow their past plans, that opportunity could be delayed until later in the season. Williams became an unexpected starter through the first few months of the season due to Matt Milano's injury in August, which kept Milano out until December. Upon Milano's return, Williams went back to a full-time bench and special teams role. Entering 2025, Williams remains a clear backup to Milano, but some things have changed that could help push him toward a breakout. Milano remains on the roster, turns 31 in July, and the Bills not only had him agree to a pay cut for 2025 but also removed the final year of his contract. Milano is now scheduled to become a free agent after this season. Williams is signed through 2026, so if there are any extended struggles with Milano this season, the Bills could consider pushing Williams into the starting lineup. On top of that, the NFL has been trending toward being more run-heavy recently, which could bring on heavy offensive formations to attack the Bills' usual nickel look. Considering Williams' starting experience, the Bills could consider using more three-linebacker formations. There are a couple of outs for Williams to break out in 2025. The Bills moved up to select Sanders in the second round, and without a lot of outstanding depth at defensive tackle, it creates an opportunity for Sanders to earn snaps very quickly. The only difficult piece to his 2025 projection at the moment is that there isn't a clean path to hitting the starting lineup. The Bills likely view him as more of a three-technique in their scheme, and there is a defined in-prime starter at that spot in Ed Oliver. He does have good run-defending ability, so he could play some one-technique as well, but it's likely that DaQuan Jones hangs on to that starting job as long as he remains healthy. However, Sanders could become a big-time contributor on third downs next to Oliver, which could contribute to them feeling like they have to play him more and a possible rookie-year breakout. Sanders will have a massive opportunity during the first six weeks with veteran Larry Ogunjobi suspended to secure a key high snap role in their defensive tackle rotation. Advertisement The prospects for Jackson to start, even with the current injury status to Joey Bosa, are not all that strong. Jackson would need to overcome several players at defensive end to earn a high snap role — one of them being next on this list. After Greg Rousseau, the team still has A.J. Epenesa and Michael Hoecht at the position. Regardless, Jackson has the size and length the Bills love at the position, and probably feel like they got a steal in the early third round for him to still be on the board. Like Sanders, Jackson will have a chance to earn more snaps later in the year if he plays well during Hoecht's six-game suspension to begin the season. The investment level in Hoecht is far greater than what the Bills put into Ogunjobi, but Jackson's talent put him in at least some position for a first-year breakout. A fifth-round selection in 2024, Solomon stood out after he showed some legitimate pass-rushing skills all summer as a rookie. There is a natural blend of speed and power to Solomon's game despite being a tad undersized, and if he develops correctly, there is some hope he could be an every-week rotational rusher at minimum. In the meantime, Solomon proved that he's one of their core special teams assets moving forward and remains signed through the 2027 season. For him to hit his breakout on defense, he'll need to show some significant improvements against the run and with setting the edge. If he does that, he'll open up some chances to get more defensive snaps in 2025, as he's likely to be active every week for special teams purposes. Like Jackson, Solomon could have some more opportunities due to Hoecht's suspension, and could even take some snaps from Jackson. This is a critical season for Solomon to earn a rotational role, though, as the Bills have two key free agents in 2026 at defensive end in Bosa and Epenesa. Although he didn't get many opportunities as a rookie, the 2024 fifth-round pick has a chance to catapult up this list for 2026 if he plays well enough in 2025. As a current backup, he'll likely have to show most of his progress during training camp and in the preseason, but that could go a long way to earn him some opportunities during the regular seasonVan Pran-Granger is a natural center, and should any injuries happen to Connor McGovern during the season, there is a legitimate possibility it's Van Pran-Granger getting the first call into the lineup. He'd battle Alec Anderson for those honors, as Anderson has some experience as a center, though Anderson's more natural position may be at guard. Van Pran-Granger's progress this summer is humongous to his potential future as a starter, as McGovern is a free agent after the season. It was a tough offseason for Carter's future. The Bills moved up to draft someone to his three-technique position in Sanders in the second round, and if Carter had a future as a starting one-technique, that also took a hit with the Bills moving up to select Deone Walker in the fourth round. But Walker will presumably need more time to acclimate to the NFL than Sanders, which presents a chance for Carter to show he can be a starter one day. His best chance will be at one-technique in a rotational role behind Jones or as a starter if Jones suffers an injury. As it stands, the odds are not in his favor, and he'll have to really prove himself in 2025. Just missed the cut: DT Deone Walker, DB Jordan Hancock, CB Dorian Strong Players who 'aged out' of consideration: O'Cyrus Torrence, TE Dalton Kincaid, RB Ray Davis, IOL Alec Anderson, OT Tylan Grable, LB Joe Andreessen (Top photo of Keon Coleman: Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Alex Warren Joins Olivia Rodrigo And Billie Eilish In A Major Chart Feat
Alex Warren leads the Hot 100 this week with 'Ordinary,' his breakout global smash. The young singer-songwriter — key word here being young — waited patiently in the wings of the ranking for weeks, sitting behind tracks by Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Morgan Wallen, and Tate McRae, but his time has finally come as Warren surges to the summit of the Hot 100. With this win, he joins a very select group of some of the hottest hitmakers in music today, all of whom share a somewhat hard-to-believe fact. According to Billboard, Warren is just the seventh musician born since 2000 to lead the Hot 100. That might seem nearly impossible, but it's important to remember that it's 2025, meaning most people born at the start of the millennium are now well out of college and firmly in the working world… So, difficult as it may be for some to accept, it's not exactly strange that some of them have found major success on the charts. Interestingly, the Hot 100 has now seen back-to-back leaders by artists born this century. McRae, who was born in 2003, snagged her first No. 1 just last week alongside Wallen with 'What I Want.' That tune is now replaced by 'Ordinary,' which comes from Warren, who is three years older than McRae and was born in 2000. The first artist born this century to dominate the Hot 100 was Billie Eilish. She managed the feat in the summer of 2019 with 'Bad Guy,' which remains her sole leader so far. Only one musician who fits this description has scored multiple No. 1s, Olivia Rodrigo. Born in 2003, the singer-songwriter has topped the most competitive songs tally in America with 'Drivers License,' 'Good 4 U,' and 'Vampire.' Three other musicians born in 2000 or later have also reached No. 1 on the Hot 100. That roundup includes Jawsh 685, 24kGoldn, and The Kid Laroi. This exclusive club will certainly grow in the coming years, especially as that generation ages and it becomes less and less surprising to see them hit the top spot on the busy ranking.
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Ricky Pearsall and 7 other young 49ers poised to break out in 2025
The San Francisco 49ers spent the offseason searching for the fountain of youth. They wanted to lose some of the gray — and some of the weighty salaries — that marked previous rosters. That means the team will rely heavily on its recent draft classes, including the 11 prospects selected last month. Advertisement Which of those youngsters are in the best positions to make a splash in 2025? To make the list below you have to be 25 years or younger. And you can't already have made a big impact, which is why players like Malik Mustapha (22), Renardo Green (24) and Dominick Puni (25) aren't included. The list below is ranked in order — most likely to least likely — of a player's chance of having a true breakout season. As the 2024 season wound down, Pearsall said he wanted to make up for lost time by training with Brock Purdy in the offseason. He made good on those plans, meeting up in Jacksonville, Fla., where Purdy works on his throwing fundamentals each year, as well as their native Arizona. Pearsall missed six games as a rookie after being shot in the torso Aug. 31, 2024. He also sat out most of training camp with hamstring and shoulder issues. It meant quarterback and receiver never fully coalesced, at least not to the extent they wanted. 'There's been so many moments throughout the year where he's run a route and I've thrown a ball and it's just slightly off,' Purdy said in January. 'And we know that, hey, once we get a real offseason together and we can talk about the basics, the fundamentals, the timing of concepts and everything and just get a bunch of reps together — dude, it'll get way better.' The 49ers might need that chemistry early since one veteran receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, could miss the start of the season while recovering from his ACL injury while another, Demarcus Robinson, might be suspended due to a DUI incident in November. If that's the case, the 49ers no doubt will lean on Jauan Jennings like they did last season. But Pearsall is also essential because he's good against press coverage. After Aiyuk was injured last season, defenses played increasingly more press coverage against San Francisco, and the passing game suffered as a result. Advertisement The Purdy-Pearsall connection was on a positive trajectory when the season ended, including a 141-yard receiving outing in Week 17 against the press coverage-heavy Detroit Lions. Their offseason work together ought to enhance that. It's hard to bank on a rookie getting starts and snaps early, but that doesn't seem to be a big hurdle with Williams. He's got exceptional power, especially for someone who doesn't turn 21 until late June, and ought to be an immediate asset in run defense. In fact, among Williams, Nick Bosa and Yetur Gross-Matos, the 49ers have their three best edge setters of the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era. Pass rush is the question mark. Most of Williams' college sacks came as a result of his strength and relentlessness. Those are excellent foundations for an NFL edge rusher, but he didn't show much of the finesse and creativity true sacks masters possess. Comparisons to former 49er Aldon Smith are accurate from a length-strength standpoint, but Smith was more elastic and also had Justin Smith as a valuable pass-rush accomplice. How quickly Williams incorporates more moves into his arsenal will determine whether he's solid or spectacular in his first NFL season. The 49ers might hold a summertime competition between Martin and third-year linebacker Dee Winters, 24, for the vacant weakside spot. But they obviously drafted Martin in the third round — earlier than most expected him to go — because they think he can win the role. And not just because he can make tackles all over the field like he did two seasons ago at Oklahoma State when he finished with the second most solo tackles (83) of any player in the nation. The 49ers also were drawn to his personality and leadership skills. They believe Martin, a two-time team captain at Oklahoma State, can lead this year's group of talented rookie defenders and become a locker-room leader in years to come. The 49ers won't hand Stout, the short-statured cornerback with big-time swagger, the starting nickel job. But it's the outcome they prefer because it would allow their erstwhile nickel, Deommodore Lenoir, to be a full-time outside cornerback. An alternative scenario would be for newcomer Tre Brown or former draft pick Darrell Luter Jr. to take over the No. 3 cornerback role Isaac Yiadom had last year. Neither, however, has a background as a nickel back, meaning Lenoir would have to pull double duty again. Advertisement Pearsall wasn't the only receiver who trained with Purdy in Jacksonville and Arizona. Cowing was there, too, signaling he was dissatisfied with a 2024 rookie season in which he served as the team's punt returner but was used sparingly (just four receptions) on offense. George Kittle said recently that he was impressed that Cowing, who weighed 168 pounds at last year's combine, added more weight in the offseason. He's never going to reach Deebo Samuel in terms of heft — he won't come close! — but ought to be an asset on some of the quick hitters and jet sweeps that went to Samuel in recent years. While Samuel bowled over defenders, Cowing has the speed to run by them. It should be noted that because of the circumstances at receiver, all of the young players at that position — including second-year player Terique Owens (25) and rookie Jordan Watkins (23) — have a chance to make a mark. The 49ers have three young defensive tackles who have an opportunity to earn significant roles this season: Collins, fourth-round draft pick CJ West (22) and second-year player Evan Anderson (23), who is four months younger than Collins. Collins stands out because of his unique size. His 85-inch wingspan is greater than that of former 49ers DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead, and he's another rookie who defended the run well in college. It's possible that Collins begins the season behind veteran Jordan Elliott on the depth chart. But the hope is that he eventually takes over a starting role next to one of the quick-footed penetrators on the roster like Kevin Givens, West or even Anderson. Most observers have earmarked the vacant left guard spot to Ben Bartch (26), who was the first guard off the bench last season. While Bartch's experience — 22 career starts — makes him the frontrunner for the job, don't discount Zakelj, who looked sharp in a late-season stint at left guard and ended up playing more snaps there than Bartch. A year ago, Zakelj had to split practice time between center and guard. With center Matt Hennessy now on the roster, Zakelj can concentrate fully on guard in 2025. He and Bartch are scheduled to become free agents in March and it's hard to see the team holding onto both. Advertisement This is the biggest longshot of the group. Sigle has a background at cornerback and as a slot defender but doesn't have much experience as a deep safety. Still, the team doesn't have a lot of great options should Mustapha (ACL) miss games at the start of the season. One of the starting roles likely goes to Ji'Ayir Brown. Jason Pinnock, Richie Grant and George Odum are options at the other spot with Pinnock, 25, having played for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh with the New York Jets in 2021. None of those veterans, however, has excelled as a free safety and none has Sigle's speed. He not only ran his 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds, he reached 15.13 mph in his first five yards, the fastest mark of any prospect at this year's combine.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
10 escape from New Orleans jail through hole in cell wall while lone guard left to get food
Eight of the escapees, including suspects charged with murder, remain on the lam following the breakout that the local sheriff says may have been aided by members within the department. At the time of the news conference nine escapees remained at large. (AP Video shot by Jack Brook)
