Every fantasy football manager knows the sting of drafting a player who underperforms. But sometimes, those who disappoint one year are primed to surprise the next. That’s why we turned to the 2024 most accurate ranking experts to find out which players deserve a second chance in 2025. These players might be the hidden gems of your next draft, Whether due to injuries, bad luck, or unexpected circumstances. Read on to see which bounce-back candidates the experts believe can redeem themselves and deliver value in the upcoming season.
Fantasy Football Advice from the Most Accurate Experts: Second-Chance Players
Which player deserves a second chance in 2025 despite a disappointing 2024?
D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA)
“I’ll be buying the dip on D.K. Metcalf after a year in which he scored a career-low five touchdowns. Jaxson Smith-Njigba’s breakout season might scare investors away from Metcalf, but the 7.2 targets per game that Metcalf averaged in 2024 were just a slight drop-off from the 7.5 targets a game he averaged over his first five seasons. JSN and Metcalf have complementary skill sets, and Metcalf is far too talented and physically gifted to become a role player. Metcalf recently turned 27; he’s still in his prime. His 2024 yards per target and yards per route run were right in line with career norms. You’ll get a discount on D.K. Metcalf in 2025 drafts. Take it.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)
“Fantasy players always overreact to injuries, especially in running backs. Although he’s aging, I’ll still be trusting Christian McCaffrey in 2025. The 49ers offense is set up to give CMC massive production, and I don’t see that changing despite San Fran’s awful season last year.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
“Christian McCaffrey: With his draft cost a few rounds lower than it has been in years, CMC’s one of those guys whose ceiling is still incredibly high, even if he dips a little. If he’s fully healthy, we’ve seen what he can do in that Shanahan offense. It was similar to Justin Jefferson last year: people were hesitant, and Jefferson was a great value in drafts.”
– Marc Shannep (Fantasy Knockout)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
“Marvin Harrison Jr.: It almost feels like he was set up to have a disappointing 2024 season with the high ADP he had, but I think expectations return to Earth this summer. He had flashes of elite talent this year; it just wasn’t consistent. I’m buying the downswing that his value will take this summer as I believe he’s entered a few players’ Do-Not-Draft list.”
– Kyle Krajewski (First Seed Sports)
“Marvin Harrison Jr.: As a group, rookie wide receivers went off (three top-12 performers) in 2024. Given that none were drafted higher than Harrison (early Round 2 ADP), a modest but solid season (62/885/8, WR29) with a few more downs than ups felt all the more disappointing. Chemistry with Kyler Murray should improve in year two and the coaching staff will hopefully scheme better/easier opportunities for him to succeed, but I’ll bet on his elite talent at a much lower draft-day cost in 2025.”
– Kevin Hanson (EDSFootball)
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND)
“Michael Pittman Jr. was averaging 99 receptions for 1,053 yards and five TDs in the three seasons heading into 2024. He then posted a highly disappointing 69/808/3 stat line, including eight games with fewer than 38 receiving yards. Almost all of that drop-off can be attributed to turmoil at QB, though. Pittman is objectively a good WR, though, and is the focal point of the Colts’ passing offense. I expect the Colts to add real competition for AR this offseason, meaning either AR improves his play or a more stable option will take over at QB. Either will benefit Pittman.”
– Nick Zylak (Fantasy Football Advice)
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC)
“Patrick Mahomes has finished outside of the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks in points per game. In 2023, Rashee Rice emerged by the end of the season, and in 2024, Xavier Worthy emerged, but his options have otherwise been limited. Mahomes should have both Rice and Worthy for 2025. They also have a difficult schedule, so they will need Mahomes’ heroics more during the regular season.”
– Nathan Jahnke (Pro Football Focus)
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
“Breece Hall was projected to be a top-tier fantasy running back in 2024, with many analysts considering him in the top-3, due to his explosive rushing ability, strong receiving skills, and expected increased workload within the Jets offense with a supposedly healthy Aaron Rodgers. Hall finished as the RB18 in fantasy, mostly due to the Jets’ inept offense. He saw 19 fewer targets and 21 fewer receptions than he did in 2023, despite the supposed upgrade at QB. The Jets also built a stable of running backs in the 2024 draft that capped Hall’s upside early in the season. I expect a new head coach and quarterback will lean on Hall in 2025; he should still be considered a top-8 RB in all formats.”
– Kev Wheeler (Wheel Route FF)
“My pick is Breece Hall. Six months ago, we discussed Hall as a no-brainer top-five pick. Now, he’s not even a first-round pick. His 2024 season was a disappointment. But he is still an all-purpose threat and will enter the 2025 season at just 24 years old. Plenty of question marks surround the Jets’ organization, so Hall may continue to slide in early drafts. However, he was the overall RB4 in 2023 on a team with no offensive line and Zach Wilson at quarterback. It would not surprise me if Hall returned to that production level in 2025.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
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