Predicting the breakout of fantasy football players is one of the hardest things to do in all of fantasy football. Taking the gamble on drafting an unproven player at or above their ADP can either be rewarded with fantastic value that will bring your team closer to contention for a league championship or with a wasted pick that brings down your roster's potential ceiling.
That being said, although there is risk in selecting players who are considered to be “boom-or-bust,” it can be extremely advantageous to take calculated risks like these on players who you believe to be undervalued relative to their ADP.
Let’s outline five players heading into their second year in the NFL who have a great chance to outperform their draft positions.
Xavier Worthy
(WR, KC)
Xavier Worthy caught fire down the stretch of his inaugural campaign, amassing over 40 receiving yards in each of his final seven active games of the 2024 NFL season, including the NFL Playoffs.
While Kansas City wideout Rashee Rice will return in 2025 from a season-ending knee injury sustained early this past season, I believe that there will be enough passing volume for both Rice and Worthy if future Hall Of Fame tight end Travis Kelce begins to take a back seat in the offense.
It is my hope that Worthy’s speed will begin to revitalize Kansas City’s deep passing offense and once again free Patrick Mahomes, whose average depth of target has decreased compared to the start of his career, to throw the ball downfield on a consistent basis. While the elite quarterback has a fantastic arm, he wasn’t the most accurate passer to the deep portion of the field. If Mahomes can return to form in that area, I expect his main downfield target to become Xavier Worthy.
Overall, I believe that Xavier Worthy will take a large step forward in fantasy production during the 2025 fantasy football season. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he becomes the offense’s top target this season, either.
Rome Odunze
(WR, CHI)
This offseason, the Bears have made several moves to put their offense in a far better position than it was a year ago. They have upgraded their offensive line dramatically with the additions of interior dominators in Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson. These additions will drastically improve both Chicago’s rushing and passing attacks, creating better protection for franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and more space for whichever running back they select in the 2025 NFL Draft to use on the ground.
A huge winner from these offseason moves is former ninth-overall pick Rome Odunze, who is heading into his second year in the NFL. Odunze is set up very well when comparing Chicago’s offense 2025 offense to last year’s group, which featured one of the worst pass-blocking offensive lines that we’ve seen over the past few seasons. The unit allowed 68 total sacks, which counted for the most in the entire NFL.
The improved offensive group should facilitate a more efficient passing attack, which will directly impact Odunze, who, along with DJ Moore, will inherit a large part of veteran wideout Keenan Allen’s 121 vacated targets. The Washington product will certainly receive more volume after a somewhat quiet rookie season. I expect a breakout from Odunze, who entered the league as an extremely well-rounded and talented prospect, and Williams in Ben Johnson’s offense in 2025.
Odunze’s talent makes him a true sleeper for the 2025 fantasy football season. He should take on a larger role in Johnson’s first year as Chicago’s head coach.
Ricky Pearsall
(WR, SF)
Ricky Pearsall had an understandably quiet rookie season after recovering from a bullet wound sustained after a young man attempted to rob him. Despite this setback, Pearsall managed to return to action earlier than many expected. This was a truly impressive feat, given the severity of his injury.
Pearsall really started to show promise during the last few weeks of the season, highlighted by an eight-reception, 141-yard performance against Detroit in Week 17. His play in this particular contest showed off his immense potential.
The formula for a breakout in fantasy football is talent crossed with opportunity. Pearsall was obviously talented enough to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by San Francisco, and the team’s dealing of wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to Washington has created plenty of vacated targets for Pearsall to claim.
He will finally get the chance to be quarterback Brock Purdy’s top receiver, and if wideout Brandon Aiyuk is slow to return from the season-ending knee injury he sustained last year, Pearsall could start the season as the top receiver on the depth chart.
The Florida product has displayed the ability to produce in the NFL and will now get the chance to do it with a significantly greater amount of volume. His asking price in fantasy drafts should be fairly low in 2025, so don’t hesitate to select Pearsall with a late-round pick to increase your team’s overall ceiling.
Jalen McMillan
(WR, TB)
Jalen McMillan is far more talented than people give him credit for and will soon be one of the best third-option receivers in the entire NFL. He will return for his sophomore season to one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL in Tampa Bay, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield and an elite core of offensive playmakers.
McMillan came on strong during the final stretch of his rookie season, logging seven receiving touchdowns in his final five regular-season games. He is an incredibly talented route-runner with the body control to adjust to the football and make impressive catches. He performed well in the absence of star wide receiver Chris Godwin, who sustained a season-ending injury in Week 7.
Although Chris Godwin was re-signed to a three-year, $66 million contract with Tampa Bay, I think it will be hard for the Buccaneers offensive staff to keep McMillan off of the field. His talent and production, especially in the red zone, make him an elite third option for their passing attack. Tampa Bay has a passing game that was fourth in the league in passing yards per game and is productive enough to allow multiple players to thrive and achieve fantasy relevance.
If McMillan continues to develop, he will likely take on a bigger role as his youth and talent make him a valuable piece to the offense and its prolific passing attack.