For many players, rookie seasons can be trying. There’s a lot to learn from the college game. At times, players may not be as productive as they or fantasy football owners had hoped for.
I will examine three second-year players to target who may have had a bit of a down rookie season based on their draft slot or preseason expectations.
Let’s check them out.
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Second-Year Players to Draft
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
After being selected ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, fans were excited to see Rome Odunze in this offense alongside quarterback Caleb Williams. However, expectations were a bit softened, considering he was in an offense with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet and pass-catching back D’Andre Swift. Remember, this was all with a rookie quarterback.
In PPR leagues, Odunze finished as the WR49. He caught 54 passes on 101 targets for 734 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 13.6 yards per catch.
The Bears’ offense will be completely overhauled this season under new head coach Ben Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.
Also, Allen is no longer on the roster, making Odunze the certified No. 2 WR behind Moore in this offense.
The Bears did draft tight end Colston Loveland 10th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he needs to get up to speed with the NFL.
With Allen gone, that opens up another 120 targets.
Also, the Johnson offensive system emphasizes the vertical passing game.
In 2024, Lions quarterback Jared Goff averaged 14.5 yards per attempt on passes that traveled 20+ yards, which was seventh in the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 10 attempts of 20+ yards.
Additionally, among all quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks, Goff was third in yards per attempt (8.5).
Odunze’s bread and butter is getting downfield. He’ll find himself in the end zone a lot more and outperform his current WR32 average draft position (ADP) in PPR leagues.
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
With Deebo Samuel out of town, Christian McCaffrey coming off bilateral Achilles tendonitis and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, Ricky Pearsall is in the driver’s seat to take a massive step forward.
The 49ers just signed tight end George Kittle to a four-year deal valued at $19.1 million per season, but he hasn’t played an entire season since 2018.
Of course, Pearsall’s rookie season was unlike any other. He was shot before the regular season began and played in 11 games. He caught 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns.
The 49ers second-year wideout can line up both outside and from the slot. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash. He’s the type of player who can get open and catch everything thrown his way.
Pearsall should bring in a lot of production in 2025. He’s currently being drafted as the WR45, but expect that to change as the season nears.
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
I’m targeting Drake Maye in fantasy drafts this year. He became the starter in Week 6 and was the fantasy QB18 from then on.
Maye finished the season with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 421 rushing yards and two rushing scores.
Maye has a new coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He also has several new offensive weapons, including Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson.
The Patriots also invested in the offensive line, drafting Will Campbell and signing Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury.
Maye is set up to be far more productive than in 2024, playing in an atrocious offense with no notable weapons.
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