2025 Second-Year Breakouts: Sophomores Who Could Shine In Year Two

Which upcoming second-year players will breakout in 2025? Andrew Ball looks at the players that could exceed expectations in their second season.

A 2024 season full of rookie breakouts spoiled the fantasy community. Brian Thomas Jr. (WR4), Malik Nabers (WR6), Ladd McConkey (WR12), Brock Bowers (TE1), Jayden Daniels (QB5), and Bucky Irving (RB13) excelled in their first professional seasons.

That made it even more of a bummer when other big-name rookies and first-round picks didn't burst onto the scene. Be patient. Plenty of today's stars weren't instant success stories.

Below are five sophomores who could break out in their second seasons.

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Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots

Hidden behind Jayden Daniels' exceptional debut that led to an Offensive Rookie of the Year trophy and NFC Championship appearance, and Bo Nix's unpredictable playoff berth in Denver, was a quietly fantastic first year for Drake Maye (despite just two wins as a starter, not counting the Week 18 contest when he played three snaps).

Maye's raw numbers don't jump off the page. Rather, he passed the eye test and became a streaming quarterback option, undeterred by a lack of quality wide receivers on New England's roster. Tight end Hunter Henry led the team with 674 receiving yards. DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Austin Hooper, and Kendrick Bourne rounded out the top five. Second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk (the presumed emerging top wideout) caught 12 passes in 15 games.

Incoming head coach Mike Vrabel won't allow his franchise quarterback to work without difference-makers again. Tee Higgins is head and shoulders above the rest of the free-agent class. Should New England strike out there, the Patriots will address the position during the NFL draft (or maybe they can trade for Cooper Kupp or DK Metcalf).

Even better for fantasy football, Maye averaged 37 rushing yards per game (again, excluding Week 18). There's nowhere to go but up for the second-year signal caller.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers

As a first-round NFL Draft pick, Ricky Pearsall didn't make much of a mark in his rookie year. Of course, the gunshot wound that sidelined him through training and the first six weeks of the season ensured Pearsall wouldn't be an early-season breakout. However, the Pearsall selection wasn't for the 2024 season.

The 49ers knew Deebo Samuel Sr. didn't have much left in the tank. Jauan Jennings had yet to become a well-known name in the fantasy community. Brandon Aiyuk was negotiating a contract extension to remain in the Bay Area. Pearsall was an insurance policy.

San Francisco is making that insurance claim now. Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7. He may not be ready for the beginning of the 2025 season. Samuel's camp is working to get him in a new jersey in the new year. Pearsall and Jennings could be the starting receivers in Week 1.

The 49ers have granted Deebo Samuel and his agent Tory Dandy permission to find a trade partner for the wide receiver, Samuel told ESPN. This comes after Samuel asked San Francisco to trade him during the players’ exit meetings after the season.

“It was a hard conversation to… pic.twitter.com/uuEsxgFHIJ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2025

And at the end of the season, the former Florida Gator showed what he could do with extra snaps. He picked up two starts in Weeks 17 and 18, totaling 18 targets, 14 catches, 210 yards, and two touchdowns.

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan's continued excellence depends on Chris Godwin and the decisions made by the Tampa Bay front office.

The third-round selection found the end zone seven times over the final five games of the regular season, topping 50 yards in all contests, and only failed to catch five passes once. That, of course, coincided with Godwin's absence. Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 7. The long-time Buccaneers receiver is a free agent this offseason.

New offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard spoke about his hope to have Godwin back in pewter and red this fall. NFL insiders believe Tampa Bay will push to retain the 2017 third-round pick.

“I love Chris. And you guys know Chris is as good of a human being and football player as you’re going to be around. He was a huge asset to us last year, being a coach on the field and playing all those different roles.” - Josh Grizzard

McMillan's late-season surge showed he can be a reliable fantasy asset in future seasons if Godwin doesn't return. If he does, the breakout could be put on ice. Mike Evans, who will turn 32 before next season, is in the final year of his contract. McMillan's breakout is coming. It's only a matter of when.

Caleb Williams & Rome Odunze, QB & WR, Chicago Bears

The popular second-year breakout picks reside in the Windy City. Quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze flashed brilliance in their debut campaigns. The top-10 selections also struggled to develop behind a mediocre offensive line and offensive unoriginality.

Bears' brass made (on paper) the perfect offseason head coaching hire. Ben Johnson orchestrated the Detriot offense to a league-leading 33.2 points and second-best 409.5 yards per game with ingenuity and a dash of trickery.

Did Goff hit 'em with the fake stumble?!

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/6xDqZ9BFzV

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

The Chicago offensive line is nowhere near the dominant Detroit unit and there's no Jahmyr Gibbs in the Chicago backfield. But Caleb Williams arguably has more talent in his throwing arm than Jared Goff, and a wide receiver room led by DJ Moore and Odunze is a great start. Keenan Allen, who commanded over eight targets per game, is a free agent and may not be back in Chicago.

If Johnson can re-invent Goff's career (remember, the Rams added first-round picks to the deal to acquire the elder Matthew Stafford), fixing Williams' woes shouldn't be a tall task. Odunze will be a direct beneficiary.

Year Two breakout honorable mentions: Washington Commanders TE Ben Sinnott, Carolina Panthers WR Jalen Coker, and New York Giants TE Theo Johnson

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