As training camp approaches, several former Oregon Ducks will be looking to improve their standing on the depth chart around the NFL. After waiting their turn and slowly developing, there are a few former Ducks ready for a breakout season.
ESPN's Ben Solak named a breakout contender for all 32 teams , and a pair of big defensive linemen who came through Eugene made the list. Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus and Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell could both be in line for a breakout season in 2026.
Dorlus was a star in Eugene, but slipped to the fourth round in the 2024 NFL Draft, falling to Atlanta. After a quiet rookie season, Dorlus popped down the stretch last season, finishing with 8.3 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Transitioning to an interior defender has taken time, but he seems to have hit his stride.
As a Duck, Dorlus lived in the backfield, tallying 12 sacks and 27 tackles for loss in his Oregon career, which was mostly spent on the edge. He made an impact beyond the stat sheet, breaking through the line quickly and creating havoc behind the line of scrimmage. If he can continue to build upon an impressive sophomore campaign, Dorlus could fully break out as a star defender for the Falcons.
"A lot of Dorlus' sack production was in cleanup after edge rushers forced the quarterback to climb, but he still used his length and flexibility well to shed blocks late and make tackles away from his frame," Solak wrote . "He is especially effective as a looper or crasher in blitz packages, with a great knack for becoming skinny as he works through the line of scrimmage. Dorlus is still more tweener than he is versatile, but 2025 was a clear realization of the vision we never got to see in 2024. Continuity in coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's defense will be big for his continued growth."
Caldwell was a third-round pick last year and quickly became a rotational player for the Chargers in the middle of the defense. The 340-pound tackle absorbs space at the line of scrimmage and does a great job of clogging rushing lanes.
In his first season in Los Angeles, Caldwell had 31 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a pass deflection. Although he is great against the run, the Chargers appear to be ready to let Caldwell attack more often as a pass rusher this season. He can play different spots across the line and could become a valuable piece of the defense this season.
"As a third-round rookie, Caldwell almost led the Chargers in snaps along the interior," Solak wrote. "He had 525 to Teair Tart's 526. Caldwell is a particularly exciting part of a deep defensive tackle rotation because he is capable of playing both over the center and over the guard, which gives him good synergy with Tart, who is similarly versatile. The Chargers added Dalvin Tomlinson, a quintessential run-stuffing nose tackle, in free agency. It's easy to infer they'll give Caldwell a few more pass-rush opportunities besides Tomlinson, and he has the requisite quickness and flexibility to be a quick penetration player who creates cleanup opportunities for other rushers."
Caldwell spent one season with Oregon after transferring in from Houston. In his lone season as a Duck, Caldwell had 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, three pass deflections and a forced fumble.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Former Ducks Brandon Dorlus, Jamaree Caldwell in line for breakout NFL season
