The 2024 rookie class spoiled fantasy football managers with Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers, and many more star rookies. However, such seasons are not the standard. It typically takes rookies time to adjust to the league. Jaxson Smith-Njigba is a prime example of a second-year breakout, as he finished as WR48 in his rookie year and followed it up with a WR10 in his sophomore season. Below, I will highlight three second-year players who could take the next step and contribute to fantasy teams in 2025.
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3 Second-Year Players Ready to Break Out in 2025
Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
Mitchell had quite the rollercoaster rookie season. And yet again, just like his time at Texas, the best way to describe him is what could have been. ESPN released its wide receiver scores for the season. Mitchell’s open score proved he was an elite separator as he was tied for the 9th best. That tied him with Tyreek Hill and Zay Flowers but behind teammate Josh Downs. Despite the excellent score, he only finished 23 catches for 312 yards and could not find the end zone.
However, he did rack up unrealized air yards in his first year in the league. 564, to be exact, which was similar to his college profile. Mitchell led all draft-eligible receivers in 2024 with 535 unrealized air yards. While this statistic can be helpful, it only paints a very small chunk of the larger picture.
It would be unfair to blame Indianapolis’s quarterbacks solely for those numbers. According to PFF, Mitchell had a 14.8% drop rate, the sixth highest among players with at least 20 targets. Mitchell has some work to do in that department, but upgraded quarterback play would do wonders for him. According to Fantasy Points, Mitchell had the lowest catchable target rate out of any receiver in the last three years. Only 57.7% of his targets were catchable.
Dynasty Value
Mitchell can be acquired in a trade for a third-round pick, and at that value, I will trade for him as much as I can. Third-round picks are long shots to make an impact on your team anyway. I will happily take the player who has proven to be an elite separator at the NFL level, hoping he figures out the drops, as some players before him have. If Mitchell has a breakout year, he could become a weekly contributor to lineups and a must-have player in best ball formats.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had high expectations for Wright when they sent a 2025 third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 NFL draft to select him. Those expectations were not met in his rookie year, as De’Von Achane controlled the backfield, with Raheem Mostert spelling him in certain situations. Now, Mostert is a Raider, and Wright will have a significant opportunity to step into the RB2 role and potentially a breakout year. If Wright can secure short-yardage situations and a role in the offense, there is potential upside. This offense did Raheem Mostert score 18 touchdowns in a season before. Wright will have to outperform veteran Alexander Mattison and Ollie Gordon to secure the RB2 job. And it looks likely that he will, after coach Mike McDaniel raved about Wright at OTAs.
Wright would then also become an elite handcuff in one of the more valuable offenses in the NFL. And as long as Tua Tagovalioa is leading the charge, the backfield will have plenty of value.
Dynasty Value
Targeting Wright is more of a projection, but he did show strong production in his one game with double-digit carries. Wright totaled 86 yards on 13 carries against the Patriots. Trade for Wright with late 2nd and early 3rd round picks. Devon Achane’s massive role in 2024 and Terron Armstead’s retirement will likely have dynasty managers looking to move away from Wright, but he is a perfect depth add for any build.
Ja’Tavion Sanders
Sanders looked like he was on the edge of a breakout in his rookie season. Logging three finishes in the top twelve in a five-week span from weeks 6 to 10. Unfortunately, that momentum was halted when Sanders suffered a neck injury against the Chiefs in week 12. Sanders returned after a one-week absence and unfortunately was not the same after the injury.
Now, he gets a full offseason to return to form. Sanders will have added competition with Tetarioa McMillan joining the fold. However, adding a true alpha wide receiver should only free up the field and improve the offense.
Sanders will also have the opportunity to continue leading his position group this offseason. Tommy Tremble missed all of OTAs due to back surgery, which will keep him out for at least the start of training camp as well. Sanders impressed in OTAs and will get to lead the charge again in training camp. Tremble did get a contract extension, but Sanders will get every opportunity to start. Carolina’s offense looks much improved, and Sanders will be one of the beneficiaries.
A mid-3rd in 2026 should likely get the trade done in a tight-end premium league. The injury stopped the rookie year breakout, but he is fully healthy to start 2025. However, the offense will need to make significant strides, as it ranked in the bottom seven in passing yards and points per game in 2024. However, Dave Canales and Bryce Young showed enough promise at the end of the season to have faith in this offense.
Dynasty Value
Sanders should be the third or fourth option in the passing game. And the Panthers will have to throw the ball a ton this year. The team is tied for the third-lowest win total at 6.5. There’s a clear path to opportunity, and he has shown that he can produce. A TE18 finish would be a promising start to Sanders’s career and tremendously boost his dynasty value. TE18 is well within his range of outcomes, albeit closer to his ceiling. The reward is worth the risk and could pay dividends for dynasty managers if they trade for Sanders.
Conclusion
Rookie production has become something to look for recently in fantasy, and early ADPs this year reflect that. However, do not be surprised if some of these rookies perform below expectations and then break out in their second year. There are plenty of examples, including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Chase Brown, while some players like Davante Adams and Drake London took a little longer to break out. Patience is key when it comes to fantasy football, and it is something managers can forget, which is something to use to your advantage.
Comment your favorite year two breakout player that you are drafting or trading for in the comments below!
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