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I will be predicting one future superstar per team and to make it more interesting and more of a hot take, only normal dev players are eligible. No choosing Caleb Williams for MY Chicago Bears or a star rookie RB getting spammed. There are a lot more stars than I thought so it became pretty hard and some takes are BOILING (freezing).
NFC
Bears: SAM LB Ruben Hyppolite II
Hyppolite Had a pick six in week 1 and after Junior Colson’s meteoric rise for me last cycle, I believe I can get this fast rookie linebacker up in overall and dev trait. He has the makings of a Madden PML linebacker and is in the hands of a good defensive user.
Packers: HB MarShawn Lloyd
Josh Jacobs is old, slow, and expensive so I see Cruz shifting to the rookie who surprisingly is normal dev. It’s not too hard to work running backs up and the Packers have the speed threats on the outside to lighten the box. My biggest concern is running in general, especially in the NFC North.
Lions: 2026-2027 Rookie QB
The offense is pretty set outside QB and the Lions don’t have buildable defensive pieces yet so I think Goff’s replacement completes the offense. Nef is real adverse to interceptions and good at building a rookie QB.
Vikings: CB Isaiah Rodgers Sr
He’s still young enough to build and he’s pretty good, the offense is good and full of stars and JJ McCarthy is going to get it moving. Dallas Turner and the pass rush should give Drama a chance to build up a defensive back.
Eagles: EDGE Jalyx Hunt
A team this loaded makes it tough to predict a superstar because there is almost one at every position, including the DL. I think we could see some sneaky development as users focus on Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith Jr.
Giants: QB Jaxson Dart
A rookie QB from day 1? Burn is blessed even if he won’t admit it. If, and big IF, Burn can limit the interceptions he has a very solid offensive and defensive core to let Dart be successful and work up to a superstar. This team looks fun honestly.
Commanders: HB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Que knows how to spam and build a running back, and I think he wants to get big Bill going as his workhorse. The Washington offense has a lot of talent except for at RB and this should let Croskey-Merritt see enough touches to get at least halfway to superstar dev in year one.
Cowboys: WILL LB Damone Clark
I don’t know much about this user, but the Cowboys are a weird roster except for their lineup of speedy linebackers. One of them has got to become the user and make plays so I’m calling 91 speed Clark to get tackles for loss, sacks, and interceptions to become a player of value beyond speed.
Panthers: MIKE LB Trevin Wallace
JT made Trevin a beast last cycle, and I can see him doing it again. With his offense set up well, even though he’ll draft more running backs, he’s the perfect linebacker for JT, who is one of the best defensive schemers in the whole league. He’ll get stats all over, and I can see him being a top young defender again.
Falcons: 2026-2027 Rookie WR
Atlanta still has pieces on both sides of the ball, like Pitts, Bijan, and AJ Terrell, but WR is not very deep or even top heavy. Drake London is good, but Darnell Mooney leaves a lot to be desired and is aging. HD is a good drafter, though, so I see him finding the final piece next offseason.
Buccaneers: EDGE Chris Braswell
The roster is in a strange spot between being good and getting old at many positions. Vet isn’t a great developer, but I do believe he’s decent at defensive playcalling and could get his young edge going and making plays in a weaker division. He has Kancey on the line next to him to help.
Saints: 2026-2027 Rookie HB
The Saints have Spencer Rattler starting at QB and really nothing special outside of maybe Chris Olave. The defense is full of stars, which is good, but I see Deebo going to his running roots. He’ll find a workhorse and have him split carries, but it should be enough in his offense to develop.
Seahawks: WR Tory Horton
Sam Darnold probably isn’t the future in Seattle, but I think CB is a smart playcaller on both sides, and anyone can develop. With stars set up in spots, I see the Seahawks looking at their young wideout to pair with JSN and be a dynamic duo like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett were. If the pass can stay balanced with this team’s impressive run personnel, Horton can be a leading guy.
49ers: FS Malik Mustapha
With Brock Purdy and many offensive pieces locked in, I think the 49ers are going to need their defense to perform. If Ant can get Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to make players and be scary forces on the field, Mustapha can dominate and turn into the final superstar this defense needs to have one at each level and be truly scary.
Cardinals: CB Max Melton
Shoutout Miles, the Cardinals look good for many offensive reasons, but the talent is there. Trey Benson, Marvin Harrison Jr, and Trey McBride are all superstars or better already and the defense has star talent all over. I think Miles getting in shootouts can lead Melton to make plays and become an important aspect in Arizona.
Rams: CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr
The Rams are going to need a new QB eventually to replace Stafford, but the offense and defense both have pieces to compete. Los Angeles has one of the best defensive lines in the league, even being so closely removed from Aaron Donald’s retirement. With two speedy edges and quality defensive tackles, good run defense and pressure could let Spawn develop Forbes with his speed and youth.
