NFL Year 2 Breakouts: 10 2024 Draft Picks Ready to Explode in 2025

Every NFL offseason brings a new wave of breakout candidates, but it's the second-year players who often make the biggest leap. After a full year of development, recovery from injury, or simply adjusting to the speed of the league, several 2024 rookies are poised to elevate their play in 2025. Some, like J.J. McCarthy, are stepping into starting roles for the first time. Others are coming off flashes of promise or quietly building trust within their systems. With the benefit of another offseason and a clearer path to playing time, these former rookies are set to take on larger roles and deliver significant value—both on the field and in fantasy football. From quarterbacks ready to lead their franchises to skill players primed for volume jumps, this list features 10 second-year talents with breakout written all over them. Below are our top 10 Year Two breakout candidates from the 2024 NFL Draft class, ranked by opportunity, talent, and projected role in 2025. Each player includes their original draft ranking, team fit, and a two-paragraph profile outlining their scouting report and breakout outlook. NFL Year 2 Breakouts: 10 Players Ready to Explode in 2025 1). Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 1 Overall | QB1 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 1 – Elite The Bears made Caleb Williams the face of the franchise with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft—but Year One proved just how far the team had to go. Williams endured a turbulent rookie season, taking a league-high 68 sacks while finishing dead last in PFF passing grade (32nd). While the talent flashed in spurts, the structure wasn’t there—until now. Chicago overhauled its offense this offseason by hiring Ben Johnson as head coach, drafting Rome Odunze at No. 9 overall, signing D’Andre Swift, and revamping the offensive line. Williams enters Year Two with elite weapons, improved protection, and a system that finally suits his skill set. Ranked No. 1 overall on the Football Scout 365 Big Board with an Elite  grade, Williams brings rare off-script ability, live arm talent, and playmaker instincts that earned comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray. His game thrives in chaos, but his biggest step in 2025 will be learning to trust the structure—something Ben Johnson’s offense should reinforce with layered reads, play-action, and spacing concepts. If Williams cleans up his pocket management and limits hero-ball tendencies, a second-year leap into the top 12 fantasy QBs isn’t out of the question. With the pieces finally in place, 2025 is set up to be Caleb Williams’ coming-out party. 2). Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 2 Overall | WR1 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 4 – Elite Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the NFL with sky-high expectations, but his rookie season didn’t quite match the pre-draft hype—at least not statistically. Despite being the first wide receiver off the board in 2024, Harrison finished with 62 receptions on 116 targets for 885 yards and 8 touchdowns—respectable, but underwhelming compared to fellow rookies Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. A big reason? Harrison’s catchable target rate was just 59%, among the worst in the league for receivers with 100+ targets. With more consistent quarterback play and improved offensive rhythm under head coach Jonathan Gannon and OC Drew Petzing, positive regression is coming. Harrison earned an Elite  grade on the Football Scout 365 Big Board and ranked No. 2 overall in the class due to his generational traits as an outside X receiver. He’s a true technician—elite in route tempo, body control, and contested catch ability—and his polish mirrors top NFL talents like Julio Jones and A.J. Green. A former Biletnikoff Award winner and two-time unanimous All-American at Ohio State, Harrison is built for volume and dominance. With Year Two adjustments, improved offensive efficiency, and a healthy Kyler Murray, Harrison is primed to take the leap into the WR1 conversation, both in real life and fantasy. 3). Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 4 Overall | WR2 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 9 – Elite Rome Odunze flashed early chemistry with Caleb Williams during their rookie season in Chicago, finishing with 54 catches for 734 yards and 3 touchdowns despite a disjointed offensive environment. The Bears struggled up front and cycled through coaching instability before moving on from head coach Matt Eberflus and OC Shane Waldron. But with Ben Johnson now installed as head coach and offensive architect, the 2025 outlook is significantly brighter for Chicago’s QB-WR duo. Odunze’s contested-catch ability, versatility (slot and outside), and knack for winning at all three levels position him to step into a larger role—especially if Keenan Allen departs in free agency. Odunze was the No. 4 overall player and WR2 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board, earning an Elite  grade thanks to his size, play strength, and dominant ball skills. He’s a physical, fluid route-runner with excellent hands and body control—traits that translate well to Johnson’s scheme, which helped produce four 1,000-yard receivers in three years with the Lions. With DJ Moore drawing coverage and Williams continuing to mature, Odunze is in a prime position to take the Year Two leap into WR2 fantasy value and potential 1,000-yard production in real life. 4). J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 6 Overall | QB2 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 10 – High-End Starter J.J. McCarthy’s NFL debut was put on pause after a promising preseason, as the Vikings' rookie quarterback suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee and missed the entire 2024 season following surgery. Now fully healthy and entrenched as the Week 1 starter, McCarthy enters Year Two with a golden opportunity to break out in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. The Vikings cleared the path by moving on from Sam Darnold, showing full belief in McCarthy’s long-term upside. A national champion and two-time All-Big Ten selection at Michigan, McCarthy went 27–1 as a starter, posting the best winning percentage (.964) by any college quarterback since 1971. He set single-season school records for completion percentage (72.3%) and interception rate (1.20%) in 2023 and finished as the program's all-time leader in completion percentage, interception rate, pass efficiency (160.5), and TD-to-INT ratio (4.5:1). Ranked No. 6 overall and QB2 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board, McCarthy earned a High-End Starter grade thanks to his mobility, intermediate velocity, and poise under pressure. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson at his disposal, McCarthy is one of the most well-positioned breakout candidates heading into the 2025 NFL season. 5). Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 8 Overall | EDGE1 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 17 – High-End Starter Dallas Turner’s rookie season didn’t generate splashy headlines—just 28% of defensive snaps played, 3 sacks, and a modest 12 total pressures—but context matters. The Vikings had a loaded edge rotation in 2024, with All-Pro Andrew Van Ginkel, Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard, and Patrick Jones II all ahead of him on the depth chart. But Jones is now gone, and Minnesota didn’t make any major additions at outside linebacker this offseason. That signals full belief in Turner, whose speed, length, and first-step explosiveness should shine in Brian Flores’ pressure-heavy front in 2025. Ranked No. 8 overall and EDGE1 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board, Turner earned a High-End Starter  grade based on his elite traits—fluidity, bend, and closing burst. While his pass-rush plan and hand usage still need refinement, his upside as a disruptive force is undeniable. With Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen clogging the interior and Greenard commanding attention on the opposite edge, Turner will have one-on-one opportunities to tee off. A boost in snap share, combined with a full offseason in Flores' system, sets the stage for a 8-10 sack breakout campaign—and a chance to silence early critics. 6). Nate Wiggins, CB, Baltimore Ravens Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 12 Overall | CB3 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 30 – Near Elite Nate Wiggins flew under the radar as a rookie—but by season’s end, he’d carved out a key role on one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses. Despite limited snaps early in 2024, Wiggins finished with 33 tackles, 13 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a pick-six in the season finale against Cleveland. His emergence gave Baltimore another weapon in a loaded secondary featuring Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey. Now entrenched as a full-time starter heading into Year Two, Wiggins has the tools and opportunity to ascend into the league’s next elite corner. Wiggins was the No. 12 overall player and CB3 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board, earning a Near Elite  grade for his fluidity, length, and elite recovery speed. He thrives in off-man and Cover 3 alignments—perfect for DC Zach Orr’s scheme—and his twitch, route recognition, and long-speed make him a matchup nightmare for vertical threats. At 6’2” with 4.28 speed and sticky man coverage traits, Wiggins has All-Pro upside. With more reps and confidence, he could break out in a big way—joining the conversation as one of the NFL’s premier young corners in 2025. 7). Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, New York Jets Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 13 Overall | OT2 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 11 – Near Elite Olumuyiwa Fashanu stepped into the spotlight late in his rookie season for the Jets, replacing Tyron Smith at left tackle and allowing just one sack in five starts before an injury ended his campaign early. Despite the abbreviated run, Fashanu displayed advanced poise and technique in pass protection, reinforcing the belief that he can anchor the Jets' offensive line for years to come. Heading into 2025, he’s penciled in as the full-time starter on the blindside, protecting new QB1 Justin Fields in a retooled offense under new head coach Aaron Glenn. Fashanu ranked No. 13 overall on the Football Scout 365 Big Board and earned a Near Elite  grade thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, and fluid pass sets. At 6'6", 312 pounds with 34-inch arms, he possesses the prototypical traits of a franchise left tackle and excels in zone-based run schemes and space-oriented protections. With New York shifting toward a run-heavy attack built around Fields and Breece Hall, Fashanu’s athleticism and ability to climb to the second level will be even more valuable. If he stays healthy and continues progressing, a breakout 2025 season could vault him into the Pro Bowl conversation. 8). Chop Robinson, EDGE, Miami Dolphins Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 16 Overall | EDGE2 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 21 – Near Elite After a slow start to his rookie year, Chop Robinson came alive down the stretch in Miami’s pressure-heavy front, finishing with 6 sacks and 56 quarterback pressures despite starting just once in 17 games. That production flashes just how dangerous his rare explosiveness and first-step quickness can be. With Anthony Weaver entering his second season as defensive coordinator and All-Pro-caliber edge Jaelan Phillips returning from injury, the Dolphins are positioned to unleash Robinson in more high-leverage situations. As a rotational piece with star-level burst, Robinson is a prime breakout candidate heading into Year Two. Robinson earned a Near Elite  grade and ranked No. 16 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board thanks to his elite athleticism, lateral quickness, and relentless motor. At 6’3”, 254 pounds with a 4.48 40-yard dash, he compares favorably to Micah Parsons in explosiveness and pursuit range. While his technique is still developing, Robinson’s compact build and twitch allow him to threaten both inside and outside rush angles. With added strength and continued refinement, Robinson has 10+ sack upside and could become the focal point of Miami’s pass rush by midseason—making him a fantasy-friendly IDP asset and one of the league’s most disruptive sophomores. 9). Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 22 Overall | QB3 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 3 – High-End Starter Despite playing behind a porous offensive line with limited weapons, Drake Maye showed flashes of elite upside in 2024. His natural arm talent, pocket toughness, and off-script playmaking ability were evident—even if the stat line didn’t fully reflect it. But the Patriots made their intentions clear this offseason: build around Maye. With Mike Vrabel stepping in as head coach and the return of Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, Maye now has a stable system tailored to his strengths. Add in a retooled offensive line, the additions of Stefon Diggs and Will Campbell, and a new lead back in TreVeyon Henderson, and the foundation is in place for a breakout sophomore season. Maye was ranked No. 22 overall and QB3 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board, earning a High-End Starter  grade thanks to his size, velocity, and improvisational flair. At 6’4”, 225 pounds with 4,000+ yard seasons under his belt at North Carolina, Maye has drawn comparisons to Justin Herbert and Ben Roethlisberger for his mix of power and mobility. He still needs to improve his deep accuracy and decision-making under pressure, but with a legitimate supporting cast and McDaniels’ QB-friendly structure, Maye has top-10 fantasy upside in Superflex formats and is positioned to emerge as the franchise cornerstone New England has long been searching for. 10). Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons Football Scout 365 Big Board Ranking:  No. 30 Overall | QB5 2024 NFL Draft:  Round 1, Pick 8 – High-End Starter Michael Penix Jr. didn’t see much action as a rookie—just five appearances and three starts—but his flashes were hard to ignore. Across 114 dropbacks, Penix posted an elite 87.6 PFF passing grade with a 9.0% big-time throw rate and just a 1.7% turnover-worthy play rate—each ranking top-five among quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks in 2024. Now entering Year Two as the unquestioned starter, Penix steps into a Zac Robinson offense that mirrors the Sean McVay system he excelled in at Washington. With a strong offensive line, Bijan Robinson in the backfield, and a capable receiving trio led by Drake London and Darnell Mooney, Penix has the structure to hit the ground running. Ranked No. 30 overall and QB5 on the Football Scout 365 Big Board, Penix earned a High-End Starter  grade for his prototypical pocket presence, elite deep-ball accuracy, and rapid mental processing in structured schemes. His injury history remains a concern, but the medicals cleared pre-draft, and his time in 2024 allowed him to acclimate without pressure. The Jared Goff comparison feels fair—Penix is a rhythm thrower who can carve defenses when kept clean and surrounded by a balanced attack. If he builds on his late-season flashes, a 3,800-yard, 25+ touchdown sophomore campaign isn’t out of reach, making him one of the top breakout candidates to watch in 2025.