The Biggest Surprise Breakouts of the 2022 NFL Season

One of the most popular NFL offseason topics is potential breakout players. Once the fall arrives, a new list of unexpected standouts will always form.

And there's no question about the No. 1 example in 2022.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has ascended from a journeyman backup to an undisputed starter. He headlines a group that also includes a few previous first-round draft picks who have reached new heights.

Rookies are not considered for the list. The focus is solely on players who hadn't contributed at their current level in past seasons.

Not since 2014 had Geno Smith held a full-time starting role. Instead, he'd spent the last seven seasons as a backup with the New York Jets, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Seahawks. Smith had totaled just 196 pass attempts in 15 scattered appearances.

Even after Seattle traded Russell Wilson this offseason, expectations were low. Smith was seen more as a placeholder until the Seahawks could acquire a long-term option.

Perhaps he's become exactly that.

Smith has an NFL-high 72.7 completion percentage with 264.1 yards per game and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions. Seattle owns a 7-5 record—shattering most preseason projections—and is a real contender in both the NFC West and wild-card race.

How the Seahawks close the season will be informative to his future, but the impending unrestricted free agent is destined for a well-deserved, highly unanticipated payday.

Talent hasn't been a question for Josh Jacobs. Through three seasons, he'd averaged 1,029 rushing yards, 35.7 catches for 250.7 yards and 9.3 touchdowns.

But he's never played like this before.

Jacobs has scampered for an NFL-leading 1,402 rushing yards, along with 44 receptions and a league-high 1,748 scrimmage yards. He's scored 11 touchdowns despite the Las Vegas Raiders struggling through a disappointing year overall.

Jacobs' future is unclear, considering the Raiders declined his fifth-year option in the offseason. One team is destined to reward his elite production in free agency, though.

Jamaal Williams rushed for 13 touchdowns in his first five NFL seasons, which he spent largely as a rotational back for both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.

Through 12 games in 2022, he's already scored 14 times.

Williams' surge can partially be attributed to D'Andre Swift's injury setbacks. However, the Lions have consistently used Williams as a short-yardage option even when Swift has been available. Williams, who has rushed for a personal-best 769 yards, enters the final stretch with a terrific shot to surpass 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his career.

Similar to Smith and Jacobs, Williams has an expiring contract. Even if he's not viewed as a featured back in free agency, he'll command a nice paycheck for his high-volume upside.

Is there a player whose perception has changed more dramatically in 2022 than Teven Jenkins?

Before the season began, his immediate—not simply long-term—future with the Chicago Bears was a serious question. It wasn't certain the 2021 second-round pick would survive training-camp cuts. Trade rumors also muddied the discussions around Jenkins.

Fast-forward a few months, and the Oklahoma State product has become a fixture of Chicago's offensive line.

After practicing at tackle last season, Jenkins has slid inside to right guard. He's been a full-time player when healthy since October, logging 98 percent of available snaps in the last two-plus months. Pro Football Focus has tagged him with only two sacks allowed.

Jenkins is yet another illustration of how much difference the right coaching can make on a young player.

After a standout career at Clemson, Dexter Lawrence headed to the Giants with significant expectations. Although he'd played reasonably well for three seasons, Lawrence has become an elite performer in 2022.

Most notably, the 2019 first-rounder has added a pass-rushing punch to his stout run defense.

Lawrence has tallied career-high marks of six sacks, 20 quarterback hits and 25 pressures, and the Giants still have five games remaining. He's matched a personal high of 54 total tackles, as well.

Together with Leonard Williams, Lawrence gives the Giants one of the best interior duos in the league.

In short: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell had a tough rookie year. Opposing quarterbacks regularly picked on the top selection in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

This season, that success has been much tougher to find.

After ceding 8.2 yards per target, the Georgia product has dropped that average to 5.8 yards. Campbell's completion rate allowed has dipped from 66.7 percent to 55.6, and advanced metrics absolutely love him.

Many factors—not the least of which is coaching—have resulted in a noticeably improved Jacksonville team. Campbell is a key piece of the defense.

A fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft, Talanoa Hufanga put together a modest debut season in a backup role. He made 32 tackles but wasn't strong in coverage, surrendering 8.5 yards per target and an ugly 114.1 passer rating.

However, the versatile safety has met the challenge of replacing longtime San Francisco 49ers starter Jaquiski Tartt.

Hufanga has emerged as a top playmaker for an elite unit, gathering 66 tackles with four interceptions—including one pick-six—and a forced fumble. He's yielded only 6.6 yards per target, dropping the opposing passer rating to a stellar 56.1 on attempts his direction.

The league's stingiest defense may have uncovered its next All-Pro as a late-round gem.