The “Fantasy Focus Soccer” podcast will start doing exhibits previewing the 2025 season every day beginning on July 28. Subject Yates, Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp present a style of what you’ll be able to count on by highlighting their favourite breakouts.
Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, Kai Cenat, Cameron Ward: All of them have been breakout stars not too long ago.
Within the fantasy football world, we’re at all times in search of the breakout stars going into the season, so I’ve enlisted the assistance of my buddies Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp to ship a handful of gamers who’re prepared for liftoff.
I will begin, as a result of I requested Mike to start out however he by no means responds to my texts.
On paper final season, Odunze checked some necessary containers you’re in search of in a possible fantasy starter: He performed the second-most snaps amongst Bears vast receivers and topped 100 targets for the season (he had 101). The explanations for optimism are comparatively simple to me: Caleb Williams and the complete offensive operation ought to be significantly better this season underneath head coach Ben Johnson, who I firmly count on to maximise Odunze’s ability set. Equally as necessary is Odunze is a superb prospect, as he was — in my estimation — a powerful worth because the No. 9 decide within the 2024 NFL draft. He has a novel mix of dimension, velocity, route-running acumen and powerful palms that screams future NFL star, one thing that would occur as quickly as this season. Mike, should you truly see this, you are on the clock.
New telephone, who dis? The primary identify on my record is Harrison, a man we thought may escape as a rookie final season. Expectations have been extraordinarily excessive for the 2024 fourth general decide, as most anticipated rapid fringe-WR1 fantasy manufacturing. As an alternative, and regardless of working as Arizona’s clear No. 1 vast receiver (and No. 2 goal behind TE Trey McBride), he was restricted to a 62-885-8 receiving line. Harrison’s utilization had its positives — he ranked third within the league in finish zone targets (17) and ninth in air yards (1,518) — however he was afforded zero targets through designed screens and his vertical function led to an unpleasant 54% catch price. When the mud settled, Harrison ended up forty first amongst receivers in fantasy PPG. A 12 months 2 enhance — maybe substantial — in goal share may be very doubtless (he was at 22% as a rookie), as is an improved reference to Kyler Murray. Harrison was a blue-chip prospect and will probably be stunning if he does not make a giant leap in his second season. Oh, and it positive helps that he is cheaper in drafts this season than he was one yr in the past. Daniel, on to you.
Thanks, Michael … for completely nothing. When you have been ignoring Subject’s texts, he and I have been bonding over our love of the Bears’ offense in 2025. With Subject anticipating Odunze to take a leap ahead, I am anticipating his quarterback to do the identical. Williams enters 12 months 2 with a brand new head coach/playcaller, three new offensive linemen, two further go catchers and a boatload of expectations from followers. Whereas his rookie season had some struggles, we noticed glimpses of what made him the primary general decide. He had eight video games with no less than 30 speeding yards and cleared 300 passing yards and two touchdowns on 4 events. Now that he has Ben Johnson controlling the offense, higher safety up entrance and a pass-catching group of Odunze, DJ Moore, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and D’Andre Swift, I am anticipating a big leap in manufacturing and consistency, which can also be an space the place Mike Clay might use enchancment. If you happen to’re a believer in Williams, you’ll be able to wait at QB and seize him close to the again finish of your drafts. Again over to you, Subject.
Maye performed in simply 10 full video games final season, posting no less than 17.7 fantasy factors in seven of these 10 efforts. For perspective, that was extra video games with 17.7 or extra factors than Patrick Mahomes. That was throughout a season wherein he performed with poor weapons round him and was barely used as a designed runner, because the Patriots didn’t run a single designed rush for Maye till Week 16 in opposition to the Payments (his three in that recreation have been the one three of the season). Between a a lot improved supporting forged and the probability that Maye is used much more as a designed rusher (and extra innovatively as properly), the possibility for a breakout is simple to think about. It is a deep pool of quarterbacks this yr with a bunch of intriguing second-year breakout candidates. Maye is amongst my favourite late-round quarterback targets. Mike, do you’ve got one other QB goal you want on this class?
Certain do, my finest good friend! I am going with McCarthy, who is nearly free in fantasy drafts this offseason. We all know teaching issues within the NFL, and that applies to fantasy as properly. Simply have a look at the manufacturing of Kirk Cousins (2022-23) and Sam Darnold (2024) whereas taking part in in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme. All three seasons included a pass-heavy offense. All three offenses scored no less than 80% of touchdowns by the air. All three seasons resulted in a top-12 fantasy marketing campaign (PPG) from the quarterback. McCarthy is clearly a wild card after lacking his complete rookie season with a knee harm, however we all know he has uncooked expertise (he was the tenth general decide in any case) and he has an excellent supporting forged led by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. McCarthy has QB1 upside, and he may be had very late in your draft. I will take that lottery ticket all day lengthy. Daniel, wish to deliver us residence?
I will shut this factor out and break free from the QB run that simply occurred. Issues look very completely different within the vast receiver room in San Francisco to start out the season. Deebo Samuel Sr. is gone, now paired up with Jayden Daniels in Washington, and Brandon Aiyuk is sidelined indefinitely, recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. That leaves the WR1 job open to Jauan Jennings, who has had 4 video games over 20 fantasy factors within the final 4 seasons mixed, and Pearsall, a first-round decide who had three video games of no less than 17 fantasy factors in his abbreviated rookie season in 2025. All of us keep in mind Jennings’ super-exciting 46-point recreation final season, however he is not likely proven he’s a real WR1 on a constant foundation all through his profession. I do know George Kittle continues to be there and Christian McCaffrey will take away his fair proportion of touches, however I would not be shocked if Pearsall has the WR1 function secured, even as soon as Aiyuk returns from harm. As a Lions fan, I nonetheless have nightmares about Week 17 when Pearsall dropped an eight-catch, 141-yard, one-touchdown efficiency on them. A nightmare as a Lions fan, however I am daydreaming as a fantasy supervisor. Pearsall has the whole lot you are in search of in a breakout candidate with a path to important taking part in time in an offense that is completed seventh or higher in factors per recreation two of the previous three seasons. To me, he is a possible low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 who you’ll be able to draft as a WR5 within the twelfth spherical of ESPN leagues.