Third-year players can be tricky: they can be fantasy football gold mines or end up being fool’s gold. Some breakout candidates are clear, such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Others come out of nowhere, like Parker Washington flashing late. I put together a list of five third-year players worth targeting in startups or trading for in dynasty football leagues. Some of these players may not be as obvious, but they pack serious long-term value and potentially could have breakout seasons.
Third Year Players Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)
No quarterback in Bears history has ever thrown for 4,000 yards in a single season. Caleb Williams set the franchise single-season record with 3,942 passing yards last year. He threw the ball on average 33 times per game. The upgrade to the offensive line was significant as well. He took a league-high 68 sacks in his rookie season, but was only sacked 24 times this past year.
Ryan Poles, the Bears’ general manager, has surrounded Williams with an array of talent, including Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), on throws of 20+ yards, Williams ranked fifth in passing grade, second in big-time throws, and 10th in big-time throw rate among quarterbacks with at least 21 deep pass attempts.
If the offense continues to ascend under head coach Ben Johnson, then Williams can repeat as a top-five fantasy quarterback. He is a must-hold in superflex.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
The hype was justified, but Marvin Harrison Jr.’s production hasn’t fully caught up yet. Admittedly, there is some uncertainty at quarterback, with Kyler Murray‘s long-term future in Arizona unclear.
Still, this is a prime buy-low window for Marvin Harrison Jr. Fantasy managers may point to Michael Wilson‘s amazing year, but this looks like fool’s gold. In the five games Harrison missed, Wilson scored no fewer than 16.4 PPR points in each game. However, when both receivers were on the field together, he only averaged 7.5 PPR points per game.
This suggests that Harrison remains the alpha, while Wilson’s spike weeks were contingent on MHJ being out of the lineup. If I had running back depth, I would capitalize on Kenneth Walker III‘s strong playoff run to acquire Harrison. You’re turning a shorter shelf-life asset into a long-term piece with upside.
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
Ricky Pearsall has had an unfortunate start to his career, dealing with various injuries, and has appeared in just 20 games since being drafted in 2024. In college, he showed durability, playing in 55 games over five seasons.
While he was on the field last season, he flashed real upside, averaging 58.7 receiving yards per game, which led all SF pass catchers.
San Francisco’s offense could look very different in 2026. Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t been communicating with the team, so he’s likely to be released or traded. Jauan Jennings is set for free agency. Pearsall could be the WR1 on this team, but his current value doesn’t reflect that.
Even if it costs a proven veteran, I’m willing to bet on the ascending player. I’d move Michael Pittman Jr. or even Davante Adams straight up for Ricky Pearsall. You can also consider flipping another young asset like Christian Watson or Jordan Addison. Finally, if you’d rather pay in picks, an early second-round pick (as high as 2.01) is about the going rate.
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
Is there any third-year wide receiver with more intrigue than Ladd McConkey? He was the ninth wide receiver taken in the 2024 draft, selected after Keon Coleman in the second round. He wasted no time as a rookie, catching 82 passes for 1,149 yards, while finishing third in the class in both receptions and yards.
Last season, he disappointed, falling well short of 1,000 yards on 66 catches. Even so, he still led all receivers in his draft class in receptions. The Chargers brought Keenan Allen back, and Justin Herbert leaned on him. He soaked up a team-high 118 targets. McConkey dominated his slot role as a rookie, where he ran 72% of his routes in 2024. With Allen’s return, he was pushed more out wide in 2025.
If the Chargers bring Keenan Allen back again in free agency, his age makes it more of a short-term concern. They could also let Allen walk to develop Tre Harris further. This would put him back in his slot role, where he can feast. I would take some shots at Ladd McConkey at a discount heading into 2026 and beyond.
Bucky Irving (RB – TB)
Bucky Irving is one of the toughest third-year dynasty RBs to evaluate. Last season raised durability questions after he missed seven games with shoulder and foot injuries. Still, his college workload wasn’t concerning, as he played 39 games over three years.
The explosiveness lagged from his rookie year, where he ranked fifth among running backs in explosive yards (Fantasy Points data suite). With that said, his elusiveness remained, forcing 22 missed tackles in 10 games after posting 53 in 2024.
With Rachaad White likely priced out of Tampa Bay in free agency, Bucky can still reclaim this backfield. He’ll still need one hurdle to clear: Sean Tucker, who’s a restricted free agent, surged late in the year, scoring six of his seven rushing touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line. If Tucker is re-signed and gets goal-line work, Irving’s touchdown ceiling takes a hit.
He’s a hold at market value, but I’d buy if his manager is willing to take a package like D’Andre Swift and Trey Benson. You’re betting on the talent and role returning, but the injury risk is real for a back of his size.
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