Targeting third-year players in fantasy football is a good strategy because this is when players tend to have their breakout season.
This is because these players are still young but have the experience needed to put up a career year.
On this page, you’ll find some of my top third-year players to target across all positions in 2025 fantasy football leagues.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Third-Year Fantasy Football Draft Targets
Bryce Young (QB – CAR)
Bryce Young was one of seven quarterbacks with a 36+ point fantasy game last season. We saw the former first overall pick show significant improvements in the second half. Now, with another year in Dave Canales’ system, along with the first-round selection of potential alpha wideout Tetairoa McMillan, we could see Young take off in 2025.
Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)
From Weeks 6-18, Bijan Robinson averaged 21.1 points per game, which ranked first among running backs and wide receivers. During this stretch, Robinson put up 19.8 rush attempts and 4.4 targets per game. He is an absolute workhorse who looks ready to take off and have a career year, especially as the focal point of the Falcons’ offense with first-year starter Michael Penix.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL, finishing as the fantasy RB2 in points per game last season. While David Montgomery remains in Detroit, it’s more likely he will gradually get a diminished role because it’s clear Gibbs is the best player in this offense.
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
De’Von Achane has big-play ability along with massive production in the passing game. We just need Tua Tagovailoa to stay healthy, as Achane had suppressed production because of his time with backup quarterbacks under center. This is one of the more undervalued picks in fantasy drafts, currently available in the second round.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
Chase Brown was an absolute workhorse for the Bengals down the stretch. After the Bengals made minimal investments in free agency (Samaje Perine) and the draft (sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks), it’s clear the Bengals are showing trust in Brown as the lead back. This is another undervalued runner, currently available in the third round.
Tank Bigsby (RB – JAX)
Tank Bigsby was the more effective runner compared to Travis Etienne in this Jaguars backfield. While the team selected Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round, there’s a legitimate chance that Bigsby gets early-down and red-zone carries in this offense. Did I mention Bigsby is the cheapest runner in this backfield?
Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)
After the Bears didn’t bring in another threat to D’Andre Swift‘s job, it makes sense to throw a dart on Roschon Johnson, who can be a solid contributor in the passing game and the red zone. He is a handcuff in redraft leagues and a shot at upside in best ball. The latter is the preferred format to target Roschon.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout season in 2024, but we’re getting him at a terrific value in the third round because the Seahawks brought in Cooper Kupp, who similarly does most of his damage in the slot. But Kupp showed serious signs of decline down the stretch last year, plus Smith-Njigba can play on the outside as well. He should be going in the second round, but you get him in the third.
Jayden Reed (WR – GB)
Jayden Reed is an explosive wideout who comes off the field in 2-WR sets, but perhaps Matt LaFleur can come to his senses because this is his best weapon in the passing game. It’s also worth noting that Jordan Love played injured last year, which led to an extremely run-heavy approach. Now healthy, expect more passing from the Packers, which is good news for Reed.
Josh Downs (WR – IND)
Downs is an intriguing threat out of the slot, especially if Daniel Jones wins the starting job. The former Giant would bring a bit of stability to a Colts passing game that struggled mightily last season. If Jones starts, we could see him pepper Downs in the slot, just like he did with Wan’Dale Robinson.
Marvin Mims (WR – DEN)
Marvin Mims found his groove down the stretch last season, establishing himself as a big-play threat deserving of manufactured touches. While Courtland Sutton remains the top target and Evan Engram was brought in, don’t be surprised to see Mims build off his 2024 season. This is one of my favorite picks in best ball because of the cheap price tag.
Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)
Here we have another value wideout, this time on a dumpster fire of a Browns team. While others target Jerry Jeudy in the sixth round, wait a few rounds and target Cedric Tillman at his fantasy football average draft position (ADP). He showed some upside with spike weeks last season once Amari Cooper was traded. This is a cheap dart throw on a potential top-two target in an offense.
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
Sam LaPorta played through an ankle injury last year, which suppressed his production. However, in LaPorta’s last five games, he looked a lot healthier, totaling 396 yards during that stretch. We’re now able to draft 2023’s fantasy TE1 at a much cheaper price than his 2024 ADP, making LaPorta look like a viable pivot from the elite tier that includes Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)
Tucker Kraft is a great late-round tight end target, especially in best ball leagues. While targets may be inconsistent given the deep pass-catching room in Green Bay and run-heavy nature, we’ve seen Kraft show some high upside, namely against the Rams last season. As mentioned in the Jayden Reed blurb, there’s also the chance the Packers pass more now that Love is healthier.
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