The 2025 NFL Draft class had strengths and weaknesses at certain positions. The tight end group was widely viewed as a strong class, but few saw this kind of elite production. Tyler Warren, Harold Fannin Jr. and Colston Loveland all finished in the top 12 at the position in fantasy football scoring. However, the rookie wide receiver class lagged, as only Tetairoa McMillan surpassed 1,000 receiving yards.
I made a list below of second-year players and separated them all into three tiers. The “Must Haves” are players worth being ultra aggressive in targeting for trades. The “Haves” are solid pieces to hold and offer upside worth waiting to play out on your roster. And then, finally, the “Have Nots,” which aren’t necessarily players to fade, per se, but rather players who have more uncertainty moving forward that you may want to consider moving on from for other pieces.
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Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlooks: Second-Year Players
Must Haves
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV)
Ashton Jeanty was the first running back drafted, going sixth overall. Naturally, he had massive expectations. He ran behind a poor offensive line, which was graded near the bottom of all 32 teams by Pro Football Focus (PFF). He still produced 1,300 scrimmage yards and averaged over 14 PPR fantasy points per game.
Jeanty brought his elusiveness from college into the NFL, forcing 46 missed tackles, seventh-most among all running backs. It shows that his production was driven by talent rather than situation.
The Raiders are expected to be active in free agency, given their salary-cap flexibility. If they can make some upgrades along the offensive line, Jeanty has a serious path to RB1 conversation in dynasty, alongside Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
While he did finish behind fellow rookies Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin Jr. in fantasy scoring, Colston Loveland is my favorite long-term dynasty option of the bunch. Since Week 12, he led all rookie tight ends in targets and receptions, while averaging 54.9 receiving yards per game.
Loveland put up elite efficiency metrics, including 2.17 yards per route run and 0.27 targets per route run. If I were rostering tight ends like Jake Ferguson or Brenton Strange, I would be willing to add a mid- to late-second-round rookie pick to acquire Loveland. Just 21, Loveland is not only a top-five dynasty tight end but also carries TE1 overall upside.
Haves
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
Patience was key last season with TreVeyon Henderson because it wasn’t until Week 10 that he showed his game-breaking ability, erupting for 28 PPR fantasy points. He finished the season with 10 total touchdowns, scoring four from 50+ yards.
Henderson falls into the “Have” category because of questions surrounding his workload. Rhamondre Stevenson is set to return next season, which caps Henderson’s ceiling. It was Stevenson who took ownership of the backfield, securing 59.3% of the snap share. He was also more involved in the passing game, running more routes than Henderson.
Henderson’s explosive playmaking still makes him a hold. If his role were to increase, he would have a real opportunity to crack the top 10 at the running back position.
Jaxson Dart (QB NYG)
It was unclear how much playing time Jaxson Dart would get after being drafted in the first round, especially with Russell Wilson ahead of him on the depth chart. It only took until Week 4, and he performed well, flashing his legs and scoring nearly 20 fantasy points against the Chargers. He compiled almost 500 rushing yards over a 14-game span, en route to a fantasy QB13 finish.
Year 2 brings even more optimism. Malik Nabers returns from an ACL injury, which limited their time together. The Giants will likely add more offensive weapons for Dart this offseason. He will get his partner in crime, Cam Skattebo, back from injury as well.
Dart will settle in as a back-end QB1 with serious upside as the Giants add more pieces around this exciting offense.
Luther Burden III (WR – CHI)
There aren’t many second-year wide receivers who offer a higher ceiling than Luther Burden III. He quietly emerged as one of Chicago’s most promising young players after a slower start to the season.
From Week 13 through the Bears’ Divisional Round loss to the Rams, Burden ranked second on the team in targets, receptions and receiving yards per game. During this span, he also led all Bears receivers in first-read share (24.3%).
Rome Odunze‘s absence from a stress fracture in his foot opened up more opportunities, but the bigger factor is what comes next. Olamide Zaccheaus is set to enter free agency, which may not seem significant at first glance, but his role was meaningful.
Zaccheaus ran over 50% of routes and averaged nearly four targets per game. If Burden sees more route participation and sprinkles in more targets, his fantasy value would surely surge.
Have Nots
Cam Ward (QB – TEN)
Former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward fell short of expectations as a passer. He ranked eighth in total pass attempts, but among quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts, his completion rate ranked near the bottom, per the Fantasy Points data suite.
Despite the offensive line allowing the league average time to throw, Ward took 55 sacks, tied for the most in the league. With 16 sacks going against Ward, it all points to his own decision-making, not protection, as the primary problem.
For now, Ward profiles as a QB2 and a hold if you have him rostered. His long-term outlook hinges on his development as a passer with potential upgrades to Tennessee’s receiving corps this offseason.
Travis Hunter (WR – JAX)
We all remember the uncertainty at the beginning of the season about how much Travis Hunter would play on defense. The question has resurfaced already as the Jaguars have publicly said they plan to use him again on both sides of the ball in 2026.
The Jaguars traded for Jakobi Meyers, but with the emergence of Parker Washington as a legitimate option out of the slot, it brings real concerns for Hunter (63.7% routes from the slot)
You should actively seek a trade while Hunter’s value remains high. He’s more of a high-end WR3, and I would trade him for a late first-round or early second-round rookie pick. In startups, I would prefer to draft Ricky Pearsall, Christian Watson or Michael Wilson ahead of Hunter.
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