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Patience can be tough, especially in fantasy football. We want instant production from rookies, but these players often take a while to get going. These youngsters need to adjust to the speed of the NFL and learn from their early struggles to break out fully.
The third year in the NFL is oftentimes when things finally click for young players. Some have already made their mark, like instant star Puka Nacua, while others are waiting for their true breakout moment. A handful of players from the 2023 NFL Draft class have yet to break out. And not all of them will (sorry, Lew Nichols III and Antoine Green).
Let's examine five third-year players who could become fantasy stars. These candidates range from receivers who need their quarterbacks to step up to players seeing changes in their coaching staff and everything in between. So, who are the best bets to take the next step in 2025?
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Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
A third-year running back who could see a breakout season in 2025 is Tank Bigsby. Bigsby's rookie campaign was a dud, with the back rushing for 132 yards on 50 attempts for two touchdowns. Travis Etienne Jr. posted 1,008 rushing yards on 267 carries that same season. Etienne scored 11 times that year. One of the main reasons Bigsby faltered in 2023 was the emergence of Etienne.
But 2024 was Bigsby's time to step up. The third-round pick greatly improved his previous season's numbers, as the 23-year-old tallied 766 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Etienne took a backseat to Bigsby, seeing just 558 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2024. Etienne stood out from Bigsby in the passing game, where Etienne hauled in 39 passes to Bigsby's seven.
Tank Bigsby RB1? 😬pic.twitter.com/TNtppynNJY
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 29, 2024
The Jaguars cleaned house for the upcoming season, firing head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke. The team hired Liam Coen as the new head coach. He comes to Jacksonville from Tampa Bay, where he was the offensive coordinator. With the Buccaneers, Coen got production from Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker. He should be able to use both Jags backs to the team's advantage.
No Jaguars player was able to hit 1,000 rushing yards last season, something Coen will need to focus on for the upcoming year. Although Bigsby is not a pass-catching back, he was a far better runner than Etienne last season. The 23-year-old can break out in 2025 by passing the 1,000 rushing-yard mark. As long as he stays healthy, Bigsby has a major shot of accomplishing that feat.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
In his rookie year, Bryce Young completed 315-of-527 passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The quarterback did not live up to his No. 1 overall draft pick potential. During the 2023 season, head coach Frank Reich was fired, adding to the dysfunction.
Fast forwarding to Young's 2024 campaign, it got off to a rocky start, too. His confidence took a shot after two poor performances to begin the season. Head coach Dave Canales chose to bench him in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. Young used this experience as a learning opportunity, benefiting from having Dalton to learn from.
Nice touch throw by Bryce Young to get the first 🎯
📺: #NYGvsCAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/HtaVrPyJzL— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
As the season progressed, Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a car accident, and Young was asked to step up for the remaining 10 games. Young finished the season with 2,403 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He additionally ran 43 times for 249 yards and six rushing TDs.
The Panthers won just five games last season but remain committed to their young QB. Young remains a work in progress, but he has constantly improved. Fantasy managers should target Young for their 2025 teams as he continues to improve. 2025 is primed to be a breakout season for the Pennsylvania native.
Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Tre Tucker, the 100th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been a dependable yet under-the-radar piece in the Las Vegas offense. In his two-year career, he has seen limited time on the field but is looking for an expanded role in 2025.
The Cincinnati product tallied 19 receptions on 34 targets in his rookie campaign, notching 331 yards and two touchdowns. He gained a more prominent role in 2024 with Davante Adams suffering a hamstring injury before being traded to the New York Jets. With Adams no longer on the roster, the Raiders deligated Tucker to the No. 2 wide receiver role. Jakobi Meyers was promoted to No. 1.
TRE TUCKER IS RUNNING FREE DOWN THE SIDELINE
touchdown rrrrrrrrrraiders!! pic.twitter.com/D0dRn7yZe1
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 29, 2024
Tucker stepped up as the WR2 in the Raiders offense, recording career highs in receptions (47), yards (539), and touchdowns (three). Now, the Raiders have a new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, for the 2025 season. Kelly is expected to use Tucker more on deep throws, which is something the 23-year-old excels at. Tucker's longest reception last season was 58 yards, showcasing how he produces big plays.
The offense had been stagnant, with Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew II, and Desmond Ridder slinging the ball. With limited options in the quarterback market, the Raiders need to find a consistent signal-caller to get Tucker the ball. He could easily overtake 2024's numbers if this QB situation improves. The former third-rounder is the player to target if you're looking for a low-cost breakout candidate.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
A wide receiver set for a breakout in 2025 is Josh Downs. The 2023 third-round draft pick has put together a strong start to his NFL career but looks to leap forward in his third season. He has shown consistent improvement despite an unsettled quarterback situation.
Downs played all 17 games as a rookie in 2023. He saw 98 targets during that span, catching 68 for 771 yards and two touchdowns. In his second season, the 23-year-old's target total rose to 107 and turned that into 72 receptions for 803 yards and five scores. He did this despite missing three games with injury.
Josh Downs makes the RIDICULOUS catch on 3rd and long 😲pic.twitter.com/jChbOjL6X6
— Colts Nation (@ColtsNationCP) November 17, 2024
The 12th receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft is part of a crowded wide receiver room that includes Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Adonai Mitchell. Pittman has taken ahold of the WR1 role on the offense, but he was banged up a good portion of 2024. Both Pittman and Pierce out-snapped Downs in 2024, primarily due to Downs' role as a slot receiver. When he was on the field, he flashed his playmaking ability.
The biggest hurdle for Downs will be the Colts' inconsistent quarterback play. Anthony Richardson, in particular, needs to develop as a more accurate passer. If Downs takes the next step, he will need the quarterback position to improve. This player is probably one of the riskiest breakout candidates on this list due to the quarterback play, but big risks often bring big rewards.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
Tucker Kraft took a significant leap in 2024, his second season in the league. The former third-round pick had a modest rookie season with the Packers in 2023, where he tallied 31 receptions for 355 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Green Bay had selected tight end Luke Musgrave in the second round of the same draft it took Kraft. Musgrave was initially expected to be the Packers' top tight end, but a lacerated kidney in 2023 derailed his availability. Musgrave brought in 34 receptions for 352 yards and one touchdown in his 11-game rookie season.
Happy National Tight Ends Day, Tucker Kraft! #GoPackGo
— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) October 27, 2024
In 2024, Musgrave was dealt another blow, playing in just seven games due to an ankle injury that required surgery. He missed 10 games, starting with Week 5. Musgrave returned to action in Week 16, but Kraft was heating up in his absence. Kraft posted 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, leading the team in touchdown receptions.
Green Bay's passing attack struggled mightly in 2024, ranking 30th in pass attempts. Running back Josh Jacobs saw a lot of the goal-line work, which took away touchdowns through the air. Quarterback Jordan Love only connected on 25 touchdowns in 2024, down from the 32 he tossed in 2023. Love will need to get the passing game back on track, which starts with Kraft. If the passing game gets refined, a breakout third year is in the cards for the 24-year-old.
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