I’m a child of the 1980s and ‘90s, so I love listening to the old hair bands. Give me a little Motley Crue, Warrant or Poison over most of today’s music any day! One of my other favorites was Skid Row, who busted out with their big hit “Youth Gone Wild.”
That song title describes what’s been happening in the fantasy football world. More often than ever before, we’re seeing rookies and second-year players step onto the gridiron and go wild in the stat sheets. That was evident again last season, as we saw the likes of Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Dameon Pierce, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave all make a memorable rookie impact for fantasy managers.
Those players, among others, are now heading into their sophomore campaigns and looking to make even more statistical noise. If you can identify the future superstars and draft bargains among them, you’ll obviously have a much better chance to reach your league’s finals. And at the end of the day, that’s where we all want to finish!
In an effort to make you look like a draft genius, help you dominate your competition and not insult your intelligence, I’m not going to go over players like Hall, Wilson, Walker or Olave. You’re smart enough to know they’re already the big breakout candidates among the sophomores heading into the upcoming NFL campaign. In fact, Hall, Wilson and Walker will all be top-30 picks across most 2023 drafts.
Instead, here are the second-year players who might not have made a huge rookie impact but are in a position to step up and be remembered in 2023. It’s all about the bargains after all, and many of these players will fit the bill. Besides the stars and sleepers, I’ll also talk about some sophomores who could either see a decline in their first-year totals or fail to take that Year 2 leap to fantasy stardom.
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Sophomore Stars
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
Pacheco became Kansas City’s top back in the second half of his rookie campaign, averaging 15.1 touches and 11.7 fantasy points in his final nine games. The Chiefs are down on Clyde Edwards-Helaire, so Pacheco should remain their top back.
Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers
White should see an increase in touches for Tampa Bay with the release of Leonard Fournette. Whether that means a true featured role or more likely a lead role in a committee, White’s stock is rising. He will be on the flex radar in most drafts.
Christian Watson, WR, Packers
Watson was non-existent in the first half of last season, but he turned into Cris Carter down the stretch, scoring seven touchdowns in his final eight games. With Allen Lazard in New York, Watson will now be Green Bay’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Drake London, WR, Falcons
London was up and down in the stat sheets in 2022, but he still finished third in points among non-quarterback rookies. He’ll take the next step to stardom as a sophomore and could push for WR2 value in a Falcons offense that could surprise.
Treylon Burks, WR, Titans
Burks missed time as a rookie due to injuries, but he certainly showed some flashes of potential. He’s the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver in the Titans offense, and his 11 games of real-game experience should help him make statistical improvements.
James Cook, RB, Bills
The Bills signed Damien Harris during the offseason, but he’s had injury issues in the pros and does zilch as a receiver. That makes Cook the favorite to shine as the potential starter and home run hitter in what should remain a high-octane offense.
Greg Dulcich, TE, Broncos
Dulcich was a nice fantasy option as far as rookie tight ends go last season, posting double digit points in his first three games. He developed a quick rapport with his quarterback, Russell Wilson, and will be a low-end No. 1 fantasy tight end in 2023.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Titans
Let’s get Chiggy with it! Okonkwo popped in the second half last season, scoring 10 or more points in four of his final six games. He’ll be even more prominent in the Titans talent-lacking pass attack as a sophomore, so look for a surge in statistics
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
Purdy was excellent down the stretch of his rookie season, and he’ll no doubt get his chance to start as a sophomore. Assuming he wins the job ahead of his competition, Purdy could be a nice late-round draft value playing under coach Kyle Shanahan.
Sophomore Sleepers
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George Pickens, WR, Steelers
Pickens averaged just 9.8 fantasy points per game last season, but he also had some eye-popping plays that showcased his skills and athleticism. He had a nice rapport with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, too, which should only increase in their second year together.
Jameson Williams, WR, Lions
Williams barely played as a rookie coming off a knee injury suffered in college, but his first NFL catch went for a 41-yard touchdown. He will miss the first six games due to a suspension, but Williams could be a difference maker down the stretch.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders
Dotson scored three touchdowns in his first two NFL games, went downhill for a few weeks and then caught fire again down the stretch. He’ll be the second option in the Commanders passing game behind Terry McLaurin and has mid to late-round value.
Alec Pierce, WR, Colts
Pierce showed potential last season, but Parris Campbell took away some of his luster and was ultimately the No. 2 fantasy receiver in Indianapolis. Campbell is no longer in the mix, however, so Pierce should be more involved as a sophomore.
Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
Moore wasn’t overly involved in the Chiefs offense last season, but the team has lost both Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman as free agents. That will give Skyy “more” opportunities to catch passes from superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers
Doubs looked like the better of the two Packers rookie wideouts in the first half of last season, but Christian Watson overtook down the stretch. Still, Doubs will be the team’s No. 2 wideout and could see more regular targets from Jordan Love.
Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals
McBride could emerge into a bigger part of the Cardinals offense if veteran Zach Ertz has any problems in his return from a knee injury. Ertz is also entering his age-33 season, so Arizona could give McBride some more looks as their future No. 1.
Sophomore Stinkers
Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans
Pierce is a fierce runner who lived up to expectations as a rookie, but I’m not so sure he can take things to the next statistical level. The Texans added Devin Singletary too. I don’t think Pierce will be awful, but I’m worried about his sophomore ceiling.
Brian Robinson, RB, Commanders
Robinson had some nice games as a rookie and started ahead of Antonio Gibson down the stretch. He was unreliable though, as his 3.9 yards a carry average wasn’t great. Robinson will remain a committee back who’ll do little in the passing game.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
Allgeier rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, but he still finished a mere 29th in points among backs. Now with Bijan Robinson on the Atlanta roster, he’ll have no chance at a prominent role and will be mostly a handcuff for Robinson in drafts.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Giants
Robinson popped a few times last season, and he might be the Giants best fantasy wideout. However, the team added Darren Waller and retained Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and have a lot of mouths to feed. That hurts Robinson’s ceiling.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers
Pickett was the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback in 2022, but that’s not saying much as he averaged 11.5 points per game. That number will almost certainly rise this season, but I don’t see him as more than a matchup-based option this year.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens
You have likely heard of Likely, who had a couple of standout games as a rookie. He won’t be the Ravens top tight end with Mark Andrews around though, and the team added Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers to what is now a crowded pass attack.
Tyquan Thornton, WR, Patriots
Thornton had a couple of fantasy relevant games as a rookie, but he was waiver wire fodder for the most part. The Patriots added JuJu Smith-Schuster as a free agent, which decreases target opportunities and leaves Thornton as a late flier.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints
Shaheed is a deep threat playmaker, posting three catches of 50-plus yards last season including a 68-yarder in Week 15. He wasn’t consistent though, and the return of Michael Thomas makes Shaheed more of a late-round flier in drafts.
