Every fantasy football season is defined by the players who exceed expectations, and 2025 will be no different. Whether it’s a rookie running back making the leap, a wide receiver capitalizing on a new opportunity or a quarterback putting it all together, breakout players are the backbone of championship rosters.
To help you stay one step ahead of your league, we asked our panel of fantasy experts to spotlight their favorite breakout candidates across every position. These aren’t just hyped names — they’re players with the talent, opportunity and situation to dramatically outperform their current fantasy football average draft position (ADP).
From ascending running backs like RJ Harvey and Quinshon Judkins to second-year wide receivers like Ricky Pearsall and Rome Odunze, and even overlooked quarterbacks and tight ends ready to surge, this is your fantasy football cheat sheet for finding this year’s biggest fantasy football risers.
Let’s dive in.
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Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates
Breakout Quarterbacks
Which quarterback has the best shot at having a breakout year in 2025 and why?
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)
“It is extremely hard to see how Caleb Williams doesn’t break out in 2025. The Bears were a mess on offense last season, almost to the point where Williams was set up to fail. Now enter new head coach Ben Johnson, who has already spent the offseason revamping a putrid offensive line that conceded the most sacks of any offensive line in 2024 and getting Williams more weapons to work with in the form of Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Add in the returning DJ Moore and Rome Odunze (a breakout candidate in his own right), and the sky is the limit for what Williams can achieve in 2025. ”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“Unfortunately, Caleb Williams fell short of expectations as a rookie. Unfortunately, the former USC star had an awful offensive line and three offensive coordinators last year. While he finished the season as the fantasy QB16, averaging 15 fantasy points per game, a lower average than Geno Smith (15.6) and Derek Carr (15.1), Williams flashed significant upside, scoring 26.1+ fantasy points in three contests. More importantly, the Bears gave him everything needed for a sophomore-year breakout. They hired Ben Johnson as their head coach, significantly improved the offensive line and spent their top two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Don’t be surprised if Williams ends the 2025 season as a top-five fantasy quarterback.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
“Drake Maye is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025. After a rocky rookie season, the Patriots revamped their offense, starting with the selection of left tackle Will Campbell at fourth overall to solidify Maye’s blindside after he was sacked 34 times last year. They added veteran wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins and drafted Kyle Williams in the third round. Let’s also not forget tight end Hunter Henry, who led the team with 674 receiving yards in 2024. Emerging slot receiver DeMario Douglas is also developing steadily after posting 66 catches for 621 yards in 2024 and earning praise from head coach Mike Vrabel for his energy and growth. With improved protection and a deeper arsenal of weapons, Maye has looked sharper in organized team activities (OTAs) and is a strong candidate to finish as a top-15 fantasy quarterback with room to climb.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“Drake Maye is poised for a Year 2 breakout thanks to an improved supporting cast and a new offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels. The Patriots invested early draft capital to upgrade his protection and add explosive weapons. Maye quietly averaged 18.1 fantasy points per game (QB15) in his full starts last season. He was one of just two signal-callers to post positive expected points added (EPA) on tight-window throws (alongside Lamar Jackson) and ranked fifth in scramble efficiency while averaging well over 30 rushing yards per game (one of just seven quarterbacks to achieve the feat). Maye also threw at least one touchdown pass in every single game he played in full as a rookie. With elite dual-threat ability, a rising offense and an ADP of QB17, Maye is a prime late-round target with top-10 upside.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Justin Fields (QB – NYJ)
“The crazy part is we are getting a known 20+ points per game starter in Justin Fields at quarterback outside of the top 12 signal-callers in most drafts. He’s got real 1,000-yard rushing upside, which gave him weekly QB1 upside in his past time at Chicago. Some would say he already broke out, but I think there is even more ceiling than the QB6 season he put up in 2022. Every year we get a gem in this mid-QB2 range, and Fields has all the makings of being this year’s Jayden Daniels for our fantasy teams. ”
– Justin Henry (JHen Fantasy)
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