Let’s take a look back at the 2025 rookie class and see how we are projecting this crop of second-year fantasy football players. We go across all positions to cover the top names and provide our fantasy football outlook for these talented sophomores.
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Fantasy Football Outlook: Second-Year Players
The sophomore jump is where talent meets opportunity. Coaching changes settle in. Depth charts clear up. And fantasy managers decide whether to double down or bail out.
Here are 15 second-year players you need to know for 2026 drafts, along with realistic fantasy football outlooks based on situation, usage trends, and team context.
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV)
Jeanty survived one of the worst offensive line situations in football and still finished as RB13 in half-PPR. That alone tells you something.
The Raiders bring in new offensive leadership and should address the line. Jeanty already posted elite yards-after-contact numbers despite living in the backfield.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- High-volume RB1/2 with upside
- Offensive line upgrades determine ceiling
- Fairly priced around RB7, but not a slam dunk top-five lock
If the blocking improves even slightly, Jeanty pushes toward elite status.
RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)
Harvey was a league-winner down the stretch. From Week 12 on, he looked like the engine of the Broncos offense.
The concern is Sean Payton. He loves committees.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- RB2 with RB1 spike-week upside
- Risk of veteran addition lowering touch share
- Draftable at RB16 with contingency value
If Denver avoids adding real competition, Harvey could smash ADP.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
Electric? Yes. Fully unleashed? No.
Henderson remains stuck behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who is under contract and trusted in pass protection and short yardage.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Flex play with volatility
- Big-play dependent
- Needs role expansion to break out
Until snap share climbs above 50 percent, Henderson is capped.
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
Hampton feels like the sophomore back with the cleanest path to a leap.
The Chargers get healthier up front and add offensive creativity. Hampton showed he can handle volume and catch passes.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Strong RB1 candidate
- 15 to 18 touches per game baseline
- Ceiling depends on red zone usage
He may not be top five, but top eight feels realistic.
Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)
Judkins flashed early, then faded amid quarterback chaos.
Cleveland’s offensive line struggled as much as Las Vegas. If stability arrives, Judkins could rebound.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Risk-reward RB3
- Dependent on offensive identity
- Upside play if Browns stabilize QB
He’s a bet on talent more than situation right now.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
Over 1,000 yards as a rookie is impressive. But Bryce Young limits the ceiling.
Touchdowns need to climb for McMillan to reach top-10 territory.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Solid WR2
- Low-end WR1 ceiling if TDs spike
- Top 10 requires quarterback leap
He’s safer than flashy.
Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB)
Egbuka started hot, then disappeared when the offense got crowded and Baker Mayfield cooled off.
If Mike Evans departs, Egbuka’s value jumps immediately.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- WR3 priced with WR2 upside
- Contingent on depth chart clarity
- Strong mid-round target
If Evans leaves, he becomes a draft-day riser.
Luther Burden III (WR – CHI)
The talent is real. The problem is target competition.
DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet still exist. Volume may not.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Boom-bust WR3
- Needs 20 percent target share to leap
- Probably another year away
The hype might outpace the role.
Tre Harris (WR – LAC)
Harris didn’t fully break out, but flashes were there.
With Justin Herbert and an evolving offense, Harris could be a quiet Year 2 value.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Cheap upside stash
- Needs to secure clear WR2 role
- Dynasty buy-low
If he earns 18 to 20 percent of targets, he becomes draftable weekly.
Tyler Shough (QB – NO)
Quietly finished QB10 from Week 8 on.
He runs enough to matter. He processes quickly. He looks more polished than expected.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- High-end QB2
- Rushing boosts weekly floor
- Low QB1 ceiling unlikely
He’s draftable, especially in superflex.
Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG)
Fantasy managers love rushing quarterbacks. Dart delivers.
Nearly 43 percent of his fantasy production came on the ground.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Top-8 QB upside
- Injury risk baked in
- High ceiling, high volatility
He’s the Anthony Richardson experience with better decision-making.
Cam Ward (QB – TEN)
Ward’s second-half improvement was real.
If coaching stability sticks and Tennessee upgrades the weapons, Ward could jump into QB1 range.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- Top-15 QB potential
- Strong superflex asset
- Trending upward
He feels like a post-hype breakout candidate.
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
Loveland dominated late-season targets and looked like a focal point.
Tight end is deep, but Loveland is firmly in Tier 2.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- TE3 to TE5 range
- Strong weekly involvement
- Safe after elite tier
He’s a steady investment behind the top two.
Harold Fannin Jr (TE – CLE)
Explosive, athletic, and dynamic after the catch.
Quarterback uncertainty clouds things, but the talent is obvious.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- TE5 range with upside
- Could jump tiers with stable QB
- Best pure breakout bet
If Cleveland finds competence at quarterback, Fannin could explode.
Tyler Warren (TE – IND)
Everything depends on quarterback play.
If Daniel Jones starts, Warren could thrive. If Anthony Richardson does, volatility increases.
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
- High variance TE1
- Red zone dependent
- Quarterback situation dictates draft cost
Talent is not the issue. Passing accuracy might be.
Fantasy Football Takeaways
- Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton are the safest Year 2 running back bets.
- RJ Harvey offers strong value if Denver avoids adding serious backfield competition.
- Tetairoa McMillan is solid, but Bryce Young caps top-five upside.
- Emeka Egbuka‘s ADP hinges on Mike Evans‘ future. Monitor Tampa closely.
- Jaxson Dart has league-winning upside but carries durability risk.
- Cam Ward is a sneaky QB1 candidate if Tennessee stabilizes.
- Colston Loveland, Harold Fannin Jr., and Tyler Warren headline the strongest young tight end wave in years.
Sophomore seasons shape careers. In 2026 drafts, knowing which Year 2 players are ascending and which are overpriced will be the edge.
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