2025 NFL Predictions for 2nd-Year Players Set to Become Breakout Fantasy Stars

The 2024 NFL draft produced quite a few instant fantasy stars. Players like Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas Jr., Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers weren't just fantasy sleepers. They were league-winners.

Much of the attention will now turn to the 2025 draft class and rookies like  Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan and Cam Ward. However, managers shouldn't discount the potential value that the 2024 class can still provide.

Players who weren't instant rookie sensations last season are likely to be overlooked in fantasy drafts, but several of them are poised to reward managers with breakout seasons. We'll examine a few of our favorite candidates here and the reasons why they could experience a sophomore surge.

Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Daniels was the fantasy star of the 2024 quarterback class, though Bo Nix was also a fine streaming option. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was held back by a poor supporting cast but flashed plenty of fantasy potential.

Despite making only 12 starts, the North Carolina product tallied 2,276 passing yards, 421 rushing yards, 17 combined passing and rushing touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

It's Maye's scrambling ability that gives him terrific potential in 2025. As a passer, he'll benefit from several of New England's offseason additions—including coordinator Josh McDaniels, wideout Stefon Diggs and tackle Will Campbell—but Maye's rushing ability provides an outstanding weekly floor.

The raw numbers might not be comparable this season, but Maye has Josh Allen-level upside and should start showing that consistently by midseason.

Stat Prediction: 4,216 passing yards, 29 TDs, 12 INTs, 660 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Despite being the first non-quarterback off the board last April, Marvin Harrison Jr. failed to match the early production of fellow rookie receivers like Thomas, Nabers and Ladd McConkey. He had respectable enough numbers—the former Buckeye caught 62 passes for 885 yards and eight touchdowns—but he was little more than a mid-level flex option in point-per-reception (PPR) formats.

Managers who drafted Harrison highly, expecting him to be the next big thing, got burned and may look to avoid him this season. However, there are a couple of reasons to believe that his breakout is incoming.

For starters, Harrison added muscle this offseason, which should help him separate and aid in contested-catch situations.

"I feel a little more faster, powerful, stronger, so I'm ready to showcase it," Harrison said, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

Secondly, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing should work to get Harrison the ball more. Tight end Trey McBride may be Arizona's top target, but Harrison is the biggest playmaker on the perimeter and should be targeted early and often in 2025.

Stat Prediction: 92 receptions, 1,229 yards, 9 TDs

Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

Like Maye, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was held back as a rookie, though he suffered from bad coaching and poor game-planning instead of an underwhelming supporting cast. He should make a second-year jump under new head coach—and former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator—Ben Johnson.

If Williams does perform consistently better in 2025, it'll help the stock of wide receiver Rome Odunze tremendously. The Washington product was drafted ninth overall to be Chicago's No. 2 receiver opposite D.J. Moore. However, his rookie numbers (54 receptions, 734 yards, 3 TDs) were modest.

Odunze should see an expanded role in 2025, as Keenan Allen departed in the offseason. Allen was second on the team with 121 targets last season and led the Bears in touchdown receptions.

A more efficient passing attack could cause a big jump in Odunze's numbers too. While he only caught 54 passes, he was targeted 101 times, meaning Williams did try to get him involved. Managers should expect the two to have a much higher success rate in 2025.

Stat Prediction: 79 catches, 1,115 yards, 10 TDs

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall missed the start of his rookie season after being shot during an attempted robbery. He ended up appearing in 11 games and catching 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Pearsall should see a considerable rise in both usage and production. The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel early in the offseason and are unlikely to have Brandon Aiyuk (torn ACL, MCL) early in the year. This will likely leave Pearsall as San Francisco's No. 2 receiver opposite Jauan Jennings, who is dealing with a calf injury.

Samuel's departure also opens the door for Pearsall to be used in the receiver/runner role. Samuel averaged 45 carries, 239.5 rushing yards and 4.25 touchdowns per year over the last four seasons. Those are touches that should now go to Pearsall, who has the skill set to take over for Samuel.

While a few carries and rushing yards per game might not seem significant, they raise the fantasy floor for a player who should also see an increased target share.

Stat Prediction: 65 receptions, 890 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 255 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs