In 2024, Joe Burrow returned to play a full 17 games after playing just 10 due to injury the season prior. Burrow finished 2024 throwing for 4,918 passing yards paired with a league-leading 43 passing touchdowns, which resulted in 22.5 Fantasy Points per game (PPG). Burrow epitomizes the bounce-back players I’ll be highlighting in this article.
Identifying players who have performed at high levels, had a down year, and can return to big Fantasy Football relevance can mean gaining an edge in your league. The value of players changes when they miss time due to injury or if they simply have a down year vs. expectations. This can sometimes create value in Fantasy drafts for the coming year. Especially for those players who have signs pointing in the direction of rising from a down season.
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This article will feature 11 players who had down 2024 seasons but could bounce back big for Fantasy Football in 2025. These are players who may have had a dip in their value and should be targeted in your Fantasy Football drafts. Where others may have doubts, we can capitalize and take the guys who will produce like they have previously done in the past.
11 Bounce-Back Players for 2025 Fantasy Football
1. Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys)
In 2024, Dak Prescott played in just eight games due to a season-ending hamstring injury. Many forget the major 2023 season that Dak had just before that, where he ranked:
- #4 in passing attempts (590)
- #3 in passing yards (4,516)
- #1 in passing touchdowns (36)
- #4 in Fantasy PPG (20.7)
Dak displayed big passing upside in 2023, finishing his fourth season in his career with over 20 Fantasy Points. The connection to CeeDee Lamb in 2023 was arguably the best in Football, and for 2025, Dak will now have big-play threat George Pickens operating as his WR2 for Dallas. If this trio stays healthy, the Cowboys’ offense should be explosive through the air in 2025.
2. CJ Stroud (QB, Texans)
The sophomore slump of CJ Stroud was painful for Fantasy Football, with Stroud plummeting from 18.7 (#7) Fantasy PPG as a rookie to 13.7 (#28) as a sophomore. Despite playing two more games in 2024 than 2023, Stroud regressed from his rookie season statistics of 4,108 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns. While Stroud could have been better, he dealt with plenty of injuries to his weapons, which meant Nico Collins playing in just 12 games, Tank Dell in 14, and Stefon Diggs in just eight.
This offseason, the Texans addressed their offensive line with the additions of Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson, trading for Ed Ingram, and drafted Aireontae Ersery (second round). Stefon Diggs is now a Patriot, Tank Dell will spend the year recovering from injury, but Nico Collins should be at full strength. The Texans also traded for Christian Kirk and then drafted Iowa products Jayden Higgins with pick 34, then Jaylin Noel with pick 79. Nick Chubb was also just signed to pad that backfield with Joe Mixon. The offensive line additions, along with the new weapons, could elevate Stroud back to rookie season production, and some.
3. Justin Fields (QB, Jets)
The Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason to take over as their QB1. Fields played just six games as a starter last season for Pittsburgh before they turned to Russell Wilson, but he flashed in those six weeks:
- 312 passing yards in Week 4
- Two passing touchdowns in Week 5
- 78.1% completion percentage in Week 3
- 55+ rushing yards Weeks 1, 4, 6
- 19.4, 32, and 23.7 Fantasy Points Weeks 3, 4, 6
Fields averaged 18.4 Fantasy PPG back in 2023, which ranked ninth, and 20.5 Fantasy PPG in 2022, which ranked fifth. The dominant rushing upside was evident in 2022 with 1,143 rushing yards, which is the second-most by a quarterback ever. Fields reunites with his former college wide receiver, Garrett Wilson, and will have a great pass-catching running back option in Breece Hall. The Jets drafted tackle Armand Membou in the first and then tight end Mason Taylor in the second this year as well. Justin Fields, when on the field, has top-five Fantasy Football upside.
4. Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)
Before the 2024 season, Christian McCaffrey suffered a calf and Achilles injury that sidelined him until Week 10. He then played in the next four games before his season came to an end due to a PCL injury in his right knee. This lost season has led many Dynasty managers to move away from including McCaffrey in their future plans. Their decision is influenced by a combination of his history of injuries, his age at 28, and possibly emotional reactions from being without their Fantasy star. The last time CMC played a full season, back in 2023, he was beyond dominant for the position:
- #2 in rushing attempts (272)
- #1 in rushing yards (1,459)
- #3 in catches (67)
- #3 in receiving yards (564)
- #1 in total touchdowns (21)
- #1 in Fantasy PPG (24.5)
The season prior in 2022, CMC averaged 21 Fantasy PPG. A healthy McCaffrey means a running back who has just as high of a rushing ceiling as anyone, a running back who has just as high of a receiving ceiling as any running back, and a Fantasy asset who has just as high a ceiling as anyone. Injuries scare off and anger Fantasy managers, but when a guy has the impacts CMC has had through his career for Fantasy Football, it is worth taking the draft shot.
5. Breece Hall (RB, Jets)
Breece Hall had big flashes through seven games as a rookie back in 2022, averaging 16.4 Fantasy PPG before an ACL tear. Hall came back the next season and was elite post-ACL tear recovery in 2023. Hall finished with 994 rushing yards, 76 catches for 591 receiving yards, and averaged 17.1 Fantasy PPG. In 2024, Hall regressed to 876 rushing yards, 57 catches, 483 receiving yards, and 15.1 Fantasy PPG.
Justin Fields’ rushing abilities may increase efficiency for Hall in 2025, keeping defenses honest for both guys. Najee Harris and Jaylen Wareen combined for 22 receptions through the six weeks Fields started, which was 3.67 per game and would extrapolate to 62 receptions. The Jets signed two offensive linemen this offseason, then drafted another with the seventh overall draft pick in 2025. Hall had a 72%+ snap share last season and should continue to operate as a workhorse for the Jets. We already saw an elite season out of Hall, and signs point towards him getting right for 2025.
6. Travis Etienne Jr. (RB, Jaguars)
Last season for the Jaguars, Tank Bigsby led the team through 16 games with 766 rushing yards to Travis Etienne’s 558 through 15 games. The Jaguars also selected Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft out of Virginia. The market view on Etienne has been low, with many believing he is not “the guy” in the backfield for 2025.
Etienne was a first-round selection in 2021. In his first NFL season, he rushed for 1,125 yards, caught 35 passes for 316 yards, scored five touchdowns, and averaged 12.1 (#23) Fantasy PPG. The next season, Etienne rushed for 1,008 yards, caught 58 balls for 476 yards, scored 12 touchdowns, and averaged 16.6 (#7) Fantasy PPG. Liam Coen is in town as the new Head Coach, and while others may think he turns Tuten into his next “Bucky Irving”, I think he will be competent enough to understand Etienne is the most talented running back in this system and use him properly. Etienne has had a solid rushing, a solid receiving, and a solid Fantasy season already through three seasons, and I think he gets right in 2025.
7. Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins)
Tuat Tagovailoa missed time in 2024, and it felt like this offense, beyond De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith, was just down this past season. In 2023, through 14 games, Waddle had injuries that impacted his season, but he still surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and ended up averaging 14.2 PPG. In 2022, Waddle’s 15.3 Fantasy PPG ranked 12th, and he finished with a massive 1,356 receiving yards and an eight-touchdown stat line. As a rookie in 2021, Waddle finished 15th in Fantasy PPG with 15.4 and produced 1,015 receiving yards.
Waddle is an explosive receiver with plenty of receiving upside, with a Fantasy resume that speaks for itself. A healthy Tua and healthy Waddle can again be a great connection in 2025. The view on Waddle used to be one of an elite wide receiver, then it shifted to the view being one of the best WR2s, but now it feels like the market is even lower. I would feel great having Waddle as a FLEX for Fantasy Football in 2025.
8. DK Metcalf (WR, Steelers)
12.8 Fantasy PPG for DK Metcalf in 2024 was lower than his previous four seasons. DK opened up 2024 with 15+ Fantasy Points in four of his seven games prior to injury, and ranged from 19.9 – 28.9 Fantasy Points in three of those weeks. DK did not return to much relevance following his return from injury. Some career highlights include:
- 141 targets in 2022
- 1,303 receiving yards in 2020
- Double-digit touchdowns in both 2020 and 2021
- 17 Fantasy PPG in 2020
The Steelers traded their 2025 second-round pick to the Seahawks for Metcalf this offseason, and not long after, George Pickens became a Cowboy. Aaron Rodgers is now in town as the new QB1, who elevated Garrett Wilson last season to have his best Fantasy year to date. The target competition is thin in Pittsburgh, with Metcalf being the clear priority target for Rodgers, who has already spoken highly of him. Metcalf could be one of the best values in drafts this year.
9. Chris Olave (WR, Saints)
In 2024, Chris Olave played just eight games and averaged a mediocre 9.6 Fantasy PPG. In three of his eight games played, though, Olave scored 20.6 (Week 3), 16.7 (Week 4), and 18.7 (Week 8) Fantasy Points. In 2023, Olave earned 138 targets, caught 87 of them for 1,123 receiving yards, scored five touchdowns, and averaged 14.5 9#19) Fantasy PPG. The year prior, Olave produced 1,042 receiving yards and averaged 13.2 Fantasy PPG (#25).
Derek Carr retired this offseason, and there is a strong indication that second-round rookie Tyler Shough will be the starting quarterback in 2025. Olave has injury (concussion) concerns, but healthy should continue to be hyper-targeted as a guy who has produced over 1,000 yards in his first two NFL seasons. Olave does not get the respect he deserves for being a top 25 receiver in PPG in his opening two seasons. Shough’s quarterback play may be a question, but Olave’s role and talent should not be for 2025.
10. TJ Hockenson (TE, Vikings)
TJ Hockenson suffered an ACL tear in Week 16 of 2023 and ended up coming back for the final 10 games of 2024. The first three games back last season, Hock played under 50% of the snaps, but he did finish with three games of 8+ targets, two weeks of over 15 Fantasy Points, and finished three weeks ranging from 68-114 receiving yards. Hock then went on to catch five balls for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings’ Wild Card Loss. A recovery season in 2024 should not make you forget that in 2023, through 15 games:
- 8.5 targets per game (127 targets total ranked #2)
- 6.3 receptions per game (95 total ranked #2)
- 64 receiving yards per game (960 total ranked #4)
- 14.6 Fantasy PPG ranked #2
A healthy Hockenson, even with Justin Jefferson and Jordamn Addison, has elite upside. JJ McCarthy will enter his first season as the Vikings’ starter, and is a competent passer who has a reliable outlet in TJ Hock for 2025.
11. Evan Engram (TE, Broncos)
Evan Engram played just nine games in 2024, averaging 7.1 targets, 5.2 receptions, 40.6 receiving yards, and 9.9 (#12) Fantasy PPG for the Jaguars. In his last healthy season in 2023 for the position, he ranked:
- #1 in targets (143)
- #1 in receptions (114)
- #3 in receiving yards (963)
- #4 in Fantasy PPG (13.6)
This offseason, the Broncos picked up Engram after he was released by the Jaguars. There has been talk of Evan Engram playing the “Joker” role for Sean Payton in this Denver offense, which refers to a guy who can move around the formation and be utilized creatively. Bo Nix had an impressive rookie season and was in need of a reliable second option beyond Courtland Sutton for 2025 to take the next step forward. Engram will fill that role and should see consistent volume in this Denver offense, which can translate greatly in the Fantasy Football world.
Got a few bounce-back players of your own in mind? Don’t be greedy! Drop some names in the comments below.
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