As the sun starts to shine brighter, heralding the arrival of a new NFL season and the NFL Draft, a familiar excitement begins to build within the hearts of fantasy football enthusiasts everywhere. Our team of esteemed fantasy football experts has come together to cast our collective gaze upon the gridiron horizon, searching for those elusive early breakout candidates who could catapult your fantasy team to the top of the leaderboard.
In the ever-changing landscape of fantasy football, identifying potential stars before they rise to prominence is the name of the game. It’s a quest filled with twists and turns, requiring keen insight, a deep understanding of the sport, and just a touch of that so-called “gut feeling.” So, buckle up, fire up your draft boards and cheat sheets, and dive into the top fantasy football early breakout candidates our featured experts have selected.
- 2025 NFL Draft Guide
- 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- 2025 NFL Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Mock Draft Simulator
Early Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates: QBs & TEs
Which QB or TE has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2025 and why?
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)
“In 2024, Kraft led all tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (8.8) with an eye-popping 15 missed tackles. Green Bay’s tight end ran away with the starting job over Luke Musgrave and never looked back, finishing as the TE8 overall and 10th in points per game (8.3). The Packers’ passing game never fully got unlocked with Jordan Love constantly banged up, but this receiving corps is wide open for somebody to step up. Especially with Christian Watson suffering a torn ACL injury late in the year. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed at the end of the season that Kraft has the potential to be a George Kittle or Travis Kelce type of player.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN)
“If Sam Darnold can finish as the QB9 in fantasy points per game last year, what do we think J.J. McCarthy can do in this offensive system? He can be a QB1 this season, that’s what. While everyone attempted to shade McCarthy as a top prospect last year, they can’t run from the fact that during his final collegiate season he was nestled inside the top 12 in passing grade, adjusted completion rate, yards per attempt, deep adjusted completion rate and pressure completion rate, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). McCarthy will flourish this season with a wonderful breakout campaign.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“J.J. McCarthy‘s time as the QB1 for the Minnesota Vikings has arrived. After losing Sam Darnold as a free agent, the Vikings plan on rolling with McCarthy as the team’s starter, and his position could not be prettier. He is the leader of one of, if not the, most quarterback-friendly offenses in the league under head coach Kevin O’Connell and has an array of weapons at his disposal with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson all running routes for him. Combine that with a very solid rushing attack with Aaron Jones and the newly acquired Jordan Mason, the offense is about as perfect as any redshirt quarterback could ask for. McCarthy is the absolute perfect late-round flier. Pair him up with a proven commodity in 1-QB leagues or draft him as a QB3 in superflex leagues and reap the rewards.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)
“I will piggyback on what I said with Rome Odunze as a wide receiver breakout and double down on the Bears with Caleb Williams as my quarterback breakout candidate. In 2024, there were simply too many moving pieces for the Bears to be able to put it all together immediately. Regardless of what fantasy managers and Bears fans wanted, this offense was always going to take time to settle in and flourish. Williams is the forgotten man in the 2024 draft class because of Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix. With a second training camp under his belt, he should grow nicely with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze to form a formidable passing attack in Chicago.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI) & Elijah Arroyo (TE – Miami)
“Like I mentioned earlier, the Bears upgraded their offensive line with key additions Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman. The reinforcements up front, combined with Ben Johnson‘s offensive acumen, should help Caleb Williams tap into his immense potential. And if you want a longshot, keep an eye on where tight end Elijah Arroyo lands in the draft (his current ranking is TE40). Scouts rave about his speed and athletic ability. Ringo’s comp for him is a shorter version of Jimmy Graham. Honorable mentions include Drake Maye, Dalton Kincaid, Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland and Mason Taylor.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
“Drake Maye. From Week 6, when he made his first start, through Week 17, Maye averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game. Throw out the Week 8 game against the Jets in which Maye left the game with a concussion after 20 snaps and the per-game scoring average jumps to 17.4, which would have ranked him QB13 in fantasy points per game. He managed to do it with a wretched supporting cast — bad offensive line and bad wide receivers — and no NFL experience. Maye will have a better supporting cast this year, some NFL game experience and another year of training camp. He has a live arm, running ability and that special quality they’ll appreciate in the Boston area: Moxie. I’m all in on Maye this year.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Brenton Strange (TE – JAC)
“Brenton Strange is a beast. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound second-round pick by the Jaguars made a few splash plays last year in the absence of Evan Engram and Christian Kirk. Now that both of these players are no longer on the team, Strange steps in as the top tight end and potential second (or third if they draft a wide receiver) option in the passing game. However, it wouldn’t take much for Strange to become a weekly fantasy starter. His ability to run and pass block, as well as be physical with the ball in his hands, should provide no shortage of opportunity for the sophomore tight end.”
– Ellis Johnson (FantasyPros)
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