The Rich Eisen Show Top 5: Kirk Morrison’s NFL Breakthrough Players to Watch in 2026

Friday morning trivia delivered National Break the Glass Ceiling Day onto the show's calendar, so Rich asked Kirk Morrison to name his breakthrough NFL players for 2026.

Morrison did not give a ranked list. He gave a group of names, in order of who was on his mind.

Number one was Ashton Jeanty.

"Speaking of my theme of silver and black today, Ashton Jeanty has to be on that list," Morrison said. "Like, breakthrough, right? Because remember last year, you can't take a running back at six. That's too high."

The conversation has flipped already.

"All of a sudden we taking Jeremiah Love at three," Morrison said. "It was like, oh, that's the best pick. Like, how quickly things change in the NFL."

Rich brought up the stance Jeanty had to change last year. Morrison waved that off.

"The guy who told him to change it is no longer there," Morrison said.

Next on the list came Emeka Egbuka. The case Morrison built was about preceding by analogy. He watched Seattle trade DK Metcalf and watched Jaxon Smith-Njigba blow up. Tampa Bay just let Mike Evans walk.

"That means it's going to be a breakthrough for Emeka Egbuka," Morrison said. "I think that he takes off."

The third name surprised some people in the room. Jaxson Dart.

"Under John Harbaugh's tutelage, okay, as the head coach over in New York, Jaxson Dart, this is a breakthrough for him," Morrison said. "I think he's learning right now what he can do and can't do. He's on my breakthrough list."

The caveat Morrison added was simple. Dart has to stay healthy.

Number four was a Super Bowl champion already. Nick Emmanwori.

"I just like the E-man, the nickname," Morrison said. "And he got that ring."

The fifth name Morrison was fired up about was a quarterback who has only been in the league a year. Cam Ward.

"I really believe Brian Daboll is going to get Cam Ward playing at a super high level, which he did last year, too, at the end of the season," Morrison said. "He's a little-talked-about number one draft pick. I think this year is his breakthrough, where we can now put him in the conversation with some of the good young quarterbacks in the National Football League."

Rich pivoted to the older breakthrough conversation. Younger names dominate the list by default, but veterans have unfinished business too.

His name was Joe Burrow.

"I get it, but when's the last time he finished the season, though?" Rich said.

Morrison's response brought up a Paul Pierce-style standard. He has seen Burrow, just not all of him.

"I've seen a little bit of Joe," Morrison said. "I want to see Joe really take off. Cuz he was kind of the kryptonite to Patrick Mahomes."

The breakthrough conversation, both agreed, only counts for guys who have not already broken through. Sam Darnold's leap last season was the comp.

"Sam Darnold, kick the door in," Morrison said. "After years of getting bounced out, man. He was going to the club and they was turning him around, rejecting him. He said, you know what, I'm going to go through the back door. Went through the back door and got a Super Bowl on them."

The closer came from Rich. Lamar Jackson.

"I think we want to see Lamar in a Super Bowl," Morrison said. "That's a breakthrough for me. He doesn't have to win. But we want to see Lamar Jackson in a Super Bowl. Let's see what it looks like. Cuz you got to give me all these awards and all this great play. Now it's time to take that final step."