X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Second-Year Quarterback Risers: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix

Bo Nix - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Mike Fanelli's fantasy football outlooks for every second-year quarterback for the 2025 NFL season. Risers and fallers, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and more.

The 2024 NFL Draft class provided the fantasy football world with several elite superstar prospects. Six quarterbacks were drafted in the first 12 selections, including the first three picks of the NFL Draft.

More importantly, five of the six quarterbacks from last year’s draft class started at least three games as a rookie. Furthermore, three started every game as a rookie, putting up some impressive numbers.

Therefore, let’s look ahead to the 2025 fantasy football season and dive into the outlooks for the six second-year quarterbacks expected to start in Week 1.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Williams was the QB16 as a rookie, averaging 15 fantasy points per game. However, the former USC star was the QB20 on a points-per-game basis, posting a lower average than Russell Wilson (15.7) and Derek Carr (15.1). He struggled to stay upright, leading the NFL in sacks taken (68).

Unfortunately, Williams tends to hold onto the ball, leading to more sacks. However, the Bears did everything possible to reduce that tendency in 2025. Chicago hired Ben Johnson as its head coach, giving Williams the top up-and-coming offensive mind in the league. More importantly, the team added three new starters to its offensive line.

Therefore, the Bears should have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL this season after having an awful unit last year. Furthermore, Williams has an excellent set of weapons. DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet return from last season’s squad. Yet, that didn’t stop Chicago from investing in its receiving corps during the NFL Draft.

The Bears used their first-round pick on Colston Loveland and their second-round selection on Luther Burden III. Some believe the rookies will be Johnson’s new Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown. After having three offensive coordinators and two head coaches as a rookie, Williams has the resources needed to have a top-five finish in 2025.

 

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Daniels was the top rookie quarterback last season. He ended the year as the QB5, averaging 20.9 fantasy points per game. The former LSU star finished 10th in passing touchdowns with 25. Furthermore, Daniels ranked second among quarterbacks in rushing yards (891) and third in touchdowns (six).

Yet, the former Heisman Trophy winner could be even better in 2025. Daniels left two games early as a rookie. The rookie was the QB2 on a points-per-game basis in the 15 contests he finished, averaging 23.1 fantasy points per outing. More importantly, the Commanders improved their superstar quarterback’s supporting cast this offseason.

Washington made two splashy trades this offseason, acquiring Deebo Samuel Sr. from the San Francisco 49ers and Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. The moves give Daniels a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver opposite Terry McLaurin and a blindside protector. It also used its first-round pick during the NFL Draft on offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

Last year, Olamide Zaccheaus was the Commanders’ best No. 2 wide receiver, totaling 506 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Brandon Coleman was Daniels’ left tackle as a rookie. Unfortunately, he gave up nine sacks, the fourth most in the NFL. The former LSU star should get drafted as a top-three quarterback and has overall QB1 upside.

 

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Maye didn’t start Week 1 of his rookie year. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft didn’t make his first start until Week 6 against the Houston Texans. However, he was outstanding in his first career start, completing 60.6% of his pass attempts for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

Furthermore, Maye showed off his underrated athleticism. He had five rushing attempts for 38 yards in his NFL debut. More importantly, the rookie ranked ninth among quarterbacks with 421 rushing yards while finishing 16th in attempts (54) despite only starting 12 games.

Unfortunately, Maye didn’t have the weapons or offensive line needed to succeed as a rookie. He finished as the QB22, averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game. Yet, the Patriots spent the entire offseason improving the star quarterback’s supporting cast. They signed Stefon Diggs and Morgan Moses in free agency.

More importantly, New England used its first four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to help Maye. It spent the top pick and a third-round selection on the offensive line. Furthermore, the Patriots added TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams on Day 2, giving Maye two explosive weapons in the passing game. While he likely won’t end the 2025 season as a top-five quarterback, Maye has significant fantasy upside.

 

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Many were shocked when the Falcons used the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Penix. Atlanta had signed Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency earlier that offseason. Yet, the team wisely used its top draft pick on the former Washington star.

Penix didn’t start until Week 16 against the New York Giants, totaling five pass attempts in his NFL career before his first start. However, he played well over the final three weeks of the 2024 season, completing 58% of his passes for 737 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Furthermore, the former Washington star was the QB17 from Week 16 through Week 18, averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game. More importantly, Penix ended his rookie year with a strong performance, totaling 312 passing yards, two touchdowns, a rushing score, and 26 fantasy points in Week 18, ending the week as the QB6.

Unfortunately, Atlanta didn’t do much to improve the offense in the offseason. However, Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts give Penix an above-average set of weapons. The former Washington star has little rushing ability, limiting his fantasy upside. Yet, don’t be surprised if Penix finishes his first year as the starter as a high-end QB2 with spike-week potential.

 

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota will have a new starting Week 1 quarterback in 2025 for the third consecutive season. McCarthy could have started Week 1 last year as a rookie. Unfortunately, the former Michigan star suffered a torn meniscus in his preseason debut, ending his rookie season before it started.

Yet, that didn’t stop the Vikings from moving on from Sam Darnold this offseason despite the veteran quarterback coming off a career year in 2024. He was the QB9 last season, averaging 18.1 fantasy points per game, ranking fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35) under head coach Kevin O’Connell.

McCarthy is the ultimate wild-card fantasy quarterback. He had little experience in college as the starter and missed his entire rookie year because of a knee injury. Yet, the former Michigan star is one of my favorite sleeper candidates for the 2025 fantasy football season.

The Vikings have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, adding three new starters this offseason. Furthermore, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson give McCarthy an excellent trio of weapons in the passing game. While it’s high praise, don’t be surprised if the former Michigan star has a Patrick Mahomes-lite second year in the NFL because of his supporting cast.

 

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

While Jayden Daniels rightfully got most of the national attention, Nix was the other rookie quarterback to have an impressive fantasy season in 2024. The former Oregon star might have been the sixth quarterback picked in the 2024 NFL Draft, yet he was better than everyone but Daniels for fantasy players as a rookie.

Nix finished his rookie year as the QB7, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game, a higher average than Brock Purdy (17.8) and Kyler Murray (17.5). He finished sixth in the NFL with 29 passing touchdowns and 11th among quarterbacks in rushing scores with four. More importantly, the rookie improved as the season progressed.

The former Oregon star put up fantasy points early in his career using his legs, averaging 7.6 fantasy points per game on the ground over his first three starts. Nix didn’t have a passing touchdown until Week 4. However, he became one of the league’s more underrated passers, averaging 2.2 touchdowns and 20.9 fantasy points per game from Week 5 through Week 18.

Unlike several other teams with second-year quarterbacks, Denver didn’t make a splashy move to improve the offense this offseason. However, it signed Evan Engram in free agency and spent a second-round pick in the NFL Draft on RJ Harvey, giving Nix two new weapons in the passing game. After finishing his rookie season as the QB7, expect similar production from Nix this year.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Best-Ball League Strategy




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Xazavian Valladay

Waived by Saints
Tre' McKitty

Released by Browns
Chig Okonkwo

Building Chemistry with Cam Ward
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Add Perrion Winfrey.
Jake Ferguson

Hindered by Knee Issue in 2024
Jamahal Hill

Set For UFC Azerbaijan Main Event
Khalil Rountree Jr.

A Favorite At UFC Azerbaijan
Ignacio Bahamondes

Set For UFC Azerbaijan Co-Main Event
Rafael Fiziev

In Dire Need Of Victory
Rizvan Kuniev

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Curtis Blaydes

A Huge Favorite
Tofiq Musayev

Makes His UFC Debut At UFC Azerbaijan
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Nikolas Motta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Nazim Sadykhov

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Bogdan Grad

Set For His Second UFC Appearance
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Set for More Testing After HBP
Muhammad Naimov

Set To Open Up UFC Azerbaijan Main Card
Julius Randle

Naz Reid and Julius Randle Expected to Return to the Timberwolves
T.J. McConnell

Keys Pacers Bench in Big Win
Jalen Williams

Struggles in Game 6 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Can't Close Out Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton

Helps the Pacers Push the Thunder to Game 7
Obi Toppin

Drops 20 Points in Pacers Win
Pascal Siakam

Powers Pacers to Game 6 Win
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Goes Eight Strong Innings in Win Over Marlins
Andre Granillo

Notches First Career Win, Then First Career Save in Doubleheader
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Offense Could Look to get the Ball Out of Aaron Rodgers' Hand Quickly
Joe Mixon

to be Ready at Some Point During Training Camp
Alejandro Kirk

Slugs Two Home Runs in Loss
Emery Jones Jr.

Ravens "Hopeful" Emery Jones Jr. Will be Ready for Training Camp
Jac Caglianone

Smacks Two Solo Homers
Tyquan Thornton

Andy Reid Impressed by Tyquan Thornton
James Wood

Blasts Two Homers
Shedeur Sanders

has Multiple Speeding Tickets
Byron Buxton

Homers Twice in Win
Travis Kelce

Chiefs Not Looking to Limit Travis Kelce's Snap Count
Josh Simmons

Will be Ready for Training Camp
Kristian Campbell

Red Sox Sending Kristian Campbell to Triple-A
Sal Cannella

Browns Sign UFL Standout Tight End Sal Cannella
Jonathan Ward

Steelers Release Jonathan Ward
Treylon Burks

Looking to Prove Himself Right
Gabriel Moreno

Diamondbacks Put Gabriel Moreno on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Contusion
Robert Rochell

Agrees on One-Year Deal With Cowboys
Seth Green

Signs With Saints
Sam Darnold

Knows he Must Prove Himself Again
C.J. Mosley

Hangs Up his Cleats
Rashee Rice

to be Full-Go at Training Camp
Corbin Carroll

Injures Hand on Wednesday, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Michael King

Likely Out Through All-Star Break
Tyrese Haliburton

Officially Questionable for Game 6
Bucky Irving

Not Resting on Laurels Ahead of Second Season
Maverick McNealy

May Need To Be Avoided at TPC River Highlands
MLB

Brewers-Cubs Postponed on Wednesday
MLB

Cardinals-White Sox Postponed on Wednesday
Wyndham Clark

Avoid Wyndham Clark at the Travelers Championship
Rickie Fowler

a Very Risky Option at TPC River Highlands
Russell Henley

Has Elite Value at TPC River Highlands
Ben Griffin

Once Again a Solid Option for Travelers Championship
Jason Day

an Intriguing Option at TPC River Highlands
MLB

Pirates-Tigers Postponed on Wednesday
PGA

Sungjae Im Still Totally Useless For DFS Ahead of Travelers Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Looking to Bounce Back After Messy U.S. Open
Ryan Fox

Looks to Continue Hot Run at TPC River Highlands
Jordan Spieth

Makes a Strong Case at Travelers Championship
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks to Continue Momentum Into Travelers Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Searching for Consistency at Travelers Championship
Justin Thomas

Looks to Bounce Back at Travelers Championship
Adam Scott

Looks to Rebound After Disappointing U.S. Open Finish
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Another Strong Performance at Travelers
Shane Lowry

a High-Upside Play at Travelers
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Travelers
Corey Conners

Withdraws from Travelers with Wrist Injury
Keegan Bradley

in Solid Form Ahead of Travelers Championship
Gary Woodland

Hit-or-Miss at the Travelers
Sepp Straka

Expected to Contend at Travelers Championship
Tyrese Haliburton

to Be a Game-Time Call Thursday
Roman Josi

Expects to Return for 2025-26 Campaign
Sam Bennett

Wins Conn Smythe Trophy
Matthew Tkachuk

Reveals Multiple Injuries
Aleksander Barkov

Posts Two Assists in Cup-Clinching Win
Carter Verhaeghe

Collects Hat Trick of Assists in Tuesday's Win
Sam Reinhart

Scores Four Goals in Cup-Clincher
Cal Raleigh

Homers, Drives in Six on Tuesday
Andy Pages

Homers Twice in Win Over Padres
Cam Smith

Launches Two Home Runs in Victory
Salvador Perez

Homers Twice, Plates Four Tuesday
Michael Toglia

Homers Twice, Plates Three Tuesday
Javier Báez

Javier Baez Collects Three Hits, Homers Twice Tuesday
John Klingberg

Rejoins Oilers Lineup Tuesday
Kasperi Kapanen

Returns to Oilers Lineup for Game 6
Stuart Skinner

Back in Oilers Crease Tuesday
Chet Holmgren

Has Tough Shooting Night in Game 5 Against Pacers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Outstanding at Both Ends Monday
Jalen Williams

Erupts for 40 Points in Game 5 Win
Pascal Siakam

Has Best Game of Finals Monday
Tyrese Haliburton

Determined to Battle Through Calf Injury
LeBron James

Progressing Well From Knee Injury
Stephen Curry

"Not Even Close" to Retirement
Jonathan Kuminga

Linked to Bulls, Heat
Kevin Durant

Has "No Desire" to be Traded to Minnesota
Jarace Walker

Remains Sidelined for Game 5
Kamaru Usman

Gets Back In The Win Column
Joaquin Buckley

Winning Streak Comes To An End
Miranda Maverick

Drops Decision At UFC Atlanta
Rose Namajunas

Wins Decision At UFC Atlanta
Andre Petroski

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Edmen Shahbazyan

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Raoni Barcelos

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Chase Elliott

Ends Mexico City with A Great Finish of Third
Christopher Bell

has A Strong Runner-Up Performance At Mexico City
Chase Briscoe

Wild Day Ends with A Top-10 Finish
Michael McDowell

Leaves Mexico City with A Top-Five Finish
Cody Garbrandt

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cody Brundage

Defeated After Accidental Clash Of Heads
Alex Bowman

Delivers Bravura Performance After Michigan Injury
Tyler Reddick

Inexplicably Mediocre on his Once-Best Track Type
John Hunter Nemechek

Canny Strategy Gives John Hunter Nemechek Best Career Road-Course Finish
Cole Custer

Earns Best Finish Since Cup-Series Comeback at Mexico City
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF