Whether it’s dynasty or redraft, we’re looking for that young sleeper we can grab in a trade or late in the draft that will exceed our expectations.

Some of these guys had some good rookie seasons, and you might be familiar with them, but they are ready to absolutely break out in 2023.

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Second-Year Players To Have a Breakout Season

Here are players expected to break out in their second seasons.

Greg Dulcich (TE, DEN)

In the absolute mess that was the Broncos offense in 2022, Dulcich was someone that the fantasy community noticed. Last season he finished third on the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and yards per reception while playing just ten games.

They brought in Sean Payton to repair this team, and you think about some of the past tight ends he’s had, like Jimmy Graham and Jared Cook, plus Russell Wilson has always been someone that likes to target his tight ends. He will be a large part of the offense.

James Cook (RB, BUF)

Last season we saw him get more of a role as the season progressed, and that looks to get better in 2023. With Buffalo not bringing back Devin Singletary and not adding a running back in the draft, it seems like he will be the guy.

At Georgia, he was used in the running and passing game so he will take on those obligations left behind by Singletary. There is always the threat of Josh Allen poaching his red zone touches, but Cook was sixth among running backs with carries of 20 or more yards, so he has the playmaker ability.

According to Football Outsiders, he finished second last season in effective yards and Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement amongst running back between 20-99 rushes, imagine what he’ll do with over 100.

Kenny Pickett (QB, PIT)

There wasn’t too much confidence in Pickett at the start of his rookie season, but he got better as the season progressed.

You must remember he worked with a below-average offensive line and had the seventh-most hurries. The team improved that by drafting two-time National Champion guard Broderick Jones and another Georgia Bulldog in elite blocking tight end Darnell Washington.

They still have Dionate Johnson, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth as pass catchers but also traded for veteran Allen Robinson. Najee Harris had a tough start to his sophomore season but showed promise later in the year. The yards per completion weren’t big, but these additions could help.

Brian Robinson (RB, WAS)

Robinson missed the first five games, but he came out strong when he returned. He finished with 797 rushing yards and 6.7 yards per attempt. Antonio Gibson is still there, but you saw Washington fade his involvement as Robinson progressed through the season.

With a 17-game season, we should expect 1,000 rushing yards.

Chris Olave (WR, NO)

Can you really say he’s going to have a breakout second year when he had a breakout first year?

Olave shined in his rookie campaign with over 1,000 receiving yards, and that was with Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston as his quarterbacks.

This year he gets the slinger in Derek Carr, who finished fourth in air yards per completion. Olave proved he’s a great route runner finishing top 12 in route win rate, and can go vertical with a top 15 finish in air yards and yards per pass.

Olave is top poised for a top-ten finish.

Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE, TEN)

This is someone you should target very late in your draft, as he’s ready for an impressive year.

Whether it’s Ryan Tannehill or Will Levis behind center, Okonkwo will be someone they target. In the first half of the season, he was a non-factor with 14 targets in the first eight games, no game over three, that would increase to 31 in his final seven games, with six of them getting four or more targets. That’s a trend you like to see.

He is big and hard to take down, and he finished with the fifth most yards after contact among tight ends with only 32 receptions, the other four had 60 or more catches.

With Austin Hooper one and done in Nashville and not prioritizing tight end till the fifth round, Okonkwo is the guy at the position.

Drake London (WR, ATL)

Drake London’s rookie season was certainly not memorable, but with a whole camp to work with Desmond Ridder taking first-team reps, they can build a better connection.

London was much better with Ridder as his quarterback as he finished with his two-best receiving yard performances, had no less than eight targets, and his second-best weekly fantasy finished. They want him to be the guy with the third-highest team target share in the league, and that volume will get him to finish with a great season.

Jahan Dotson (WR, WAS)

Dotson was a receiver people liked coming out of the draft last year, unfortunately, he missed a few games that derailed his season.

The last quarter of the year is where he picked up steam. In his previous four games, he had two of his top-four performances, two best-receiving yard performances, and two top-12 weekly finishes, including one in the top 10.

He was one of the better route runners with the explosive speed we saw come out of the draft, and he, with Terry McLaurin, will be a great duo to watch in 2023.

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