Except for the most extreme cases, it generally takes years for young standouts to etch their names next to the league's greats. After they flashed elite potential in their rookie seasons, rising stars like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter could be in for that step forward in 2026 that launches them into the premier tier at their respective positions. Thirteen voters, made up of CBS Sports NFL writers and analysts, voted on their All-Breakout Team for 2026.
Earlier this week, we unveiled the results for the offensive side of the ball. Below are the selections for the defense. Voters: JP Acosta, Carter Bahns, John Breech, Doug Clawson, Jordan Dajani, Jared Dubin, Josh Edwards, Zach Pereles, Garrett Podell, Mike Renner, Tyler Sullivan, Ryan Wilson, R.J.
White A competition for playing time still exists with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux also occupying the Giants' edge rusher room, but Abdul Carter will force his way onto the field after his excellent rookie season. Despite starting only six of his 17 games in 2025, Carter led the NFL in quick pressures with 48, per Next Gen Stats. That was more than Nik Bonitto (44), Will Anderson Jr. (35) and even Myles Garrett (31).
It feels like a lock that the fifth-place finisher in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting will finish this season with more than the four sacks he logged in his debut campaign. The games Jonathan Greenard missed in 2025 offered Dallas Turner the opportunity to shine. With Greenard out of the picture, Turner can be expected to fill a larger role on the Vikings' defensive front.
The former No. 17 overall pick accumulated 42 pressures in what was a step-forward second season in Minnesota and logged career highs in every major defensive category. He is on an obvious upward trajectory and now has a path to an every-week starting job, which should take him to even greater heights. Double-digit sacks are well within the realm of possibility for Turner.
Others receiving votes: Mike Green, Laiatu Latu (3 each), Jalyx Hunt, Austin Booker (2 each), Myles Murphy, Josaiah Stewart, Jonah Elliss, Odafe Oweh, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Alex Wright (1 each) A calf strain delayed Walter Nolen III's debut until Week 9, and a torn meniscus brought his rookie year to a premature close in Week 16. With those injuries behind him, the 2025 first-round pick seeks to put together a full second season with the Cardinals. The sample size on Nolen is small at just six games, but in that span, he displayed the interior pass-rushing ability that made him a college star and a highly renowned prospect.
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