In dynasty leagues, patience is becoming a lost art. Far too many managers pull the plug on young players prematurely, prioritizing instant returns over long-term upside. But not every breakout happens overnight. Some players need time to grow, develop, and adjust to the NFL. What looks like a bust today could be a breakout in the making.
The true advantage comes from recognizing managers in your league who have grown tired of waiting or simply fail to see the value in their young players. By identifying untapped potential on the rise and moving before the market reacts, you can gain a game-changing edge for your roster.
In this article, we spotlight a few players who fell short of early expectations but are primed to break out and redefine their value in 2025.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Dynasty managers were excited to land J.J. McCarthy in 2024 rookie drafts, but his career has not quite started the way many expected. After being selected 10th overall by the Vikings, McCarthy tore the meniscus in his right knee during the 2023 preseason, underwent surgery, and missed the entire 2024 campaign. In his absence, Sam Darnold stepped in and led Minnesota to a surprising 14-3 record, revitalizing his career. Despite that success, the Vikings moved on from Darnold this offseason and handed the reins to McCarthy, who has yet to take a regular-season snap. It is a bold move to place full trust in an unproven 22-year-old QB on a roster built to contend for a Super Bowl. But that is the bet Minnesota is willing to make, and sharp dynasty managers should do the same before the window to buy closes.
McCarthy was not a flawless prospect coming out of Michigan, but he offers several traits that are highly appealing for fantasy purposes. He is a highly accurate passer with a strong arm and the mobility to extend plays or take off when the pocket breaks down. At Michigan, he benefited from an elite offensive line and a dominant defense that often gave him comfortable leads, which led to fair questions about how he might perform in tighter games or when asked to carry a heavier offensive load. While he did not often have to play hero ball, that is more a reflection of the environment than his potential. A former five-star recruit and top-25 national prospect, McCarthy protected the football at an elite level throughout his college career. He set a school record by completing 67.3% of his passes and posted the lowest career interception rate in program history at just 1.54%.
While McCarthy’s injury delayed his rookie debut, it may have been a blessing in disguise. More and more, we are seeing QBs benefit from a year on the sidelines rather than being thrown into the fire immediately. Now fully recovered, McCarthy should have a strong command of the playbook and a clearer understanding of what to expect when he takes the field. He also has the benefit of working with head coach Kevin O’Connell, a former QB and respected offensive mind who has consistently elevated his passers. That was evident with Kirk Cousins and even more striking with Sam Darnold last season. Before arriving in Minnesota, Darnold was widely labeled a bust with no significant fantasy relevance beyond his rookie-year QB25 finish. Under O’Connell, he threw for over 4,300 yards with 35 TDs and 12 interceptions, finishing the season as the QB9. While Darnold deserves credit, it is hard to ignore the role O’Connell’s QB-friendly system and elite supporting cast played in that turnaround. McCarthy now steps into the same environment, with more talent and upside, and a real shot to thrive.
When betting on the upside of an unproven QB, it helps to have the best WR in the NFL at your disposal. Justin Jefferson has been more than just a star. He has been historically consistent, posting at least 100 receptions and over 1,000 yards in each of his first five seasons. He is also a perennial TD threat, with two double-digit seasons, including 10 scores last year. Jefferson’s elite skill set and massive catch radius can elevate any QB’s play and fantasy ceiling. McCarthy will not be relying on Jefferson alone. TE T.J. Hockenson is one of the best in the league, Jordan Addison is a rising star, and Aaron Jones brings veteran experience, receiving ability, and strong pass protection. Add in a solid offensive line and a defense capable of holding leads, and the situation in Minnesota mirrors many of the luxuries McCarthy enjoyed at Michigan. He will have to prove himself on the field, but few young QBs enter the league with this level of support.
His setup is similar to what Brock Purdy stepped into with San Francisco. While Purdy’s physical tools have often been questioned, he thrived in an efficient system with elite weapons and finished as the QB6 in 2023. McCarthy is a stronger prospect with a supporting cast that may be even better. With his underrated athleticism and mobility, the path to long-term fantasy relevance is easy to envision. The 2024 QB class features big names like Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye. With so much attention on those prospects, J.J. McCarthy has flown a bit under the radar, especially after being sidelined. If the manager in your league does not view McCarthy as a top-tier asset, now is the time to strike. His buy-low window is closing quickly, and it may not be long before he becomes one of the most valuable young QBs in fantasy football. I am personally extremely bullish on his potential and believe he is destined for greatness.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Trey Benson is a tougher player to project for immediate fantasy relevance, but the path is there, and the cost to acquire him is far more affordable. Originally viewed as an exciting prospect because of his athleticism and college production, Benson had a quiet rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals. While he struggled at times, the main issue was his limited role behind veteran James Conner. Conner finished as the RB10 in 2024, logging a career-high 236 carries and securing a two-year, $19 million extension that solidified his role heading into 2025.
As a result, Benson has fallen off the radar in many dynasty leagues. That can be seen as a negative, but it also creates a buy-low opportunity for a 22-year-old who quietly showed improvement as the season went on. Though he totaled just 63 carries for 291 yards, his efficiency began to improve later in the year, suggesting he may have just needed time to adjust to the league.
Conner’s durability remains a legitimate concern. He turned 30 this offseason and has missed time in nearly every season of his career. While he was healthy for 16 games last year, history suggests that was more of an outlier. Should Conner miss time in 2025, Benson appears to be next in line for early-down work.
The Cardinals did not add another RB in the draft, despite it being one of the deepest classes in recent years. That decision speaks volumes. Benson’s only real competition behind Conner is Emari Demercado and Michael Carter. Carter was surprisingly serviceable down the stretch, but with a full offseason and a year of experience under his belt, Benson should be in a position to win the backup job.
Arizona’s offense is also in a strong position for growth. With elite playmakers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride leading the way, there is a chance this offense becomes far more efficient and productive. If Benson earns a role or finds himself in the starting spot at any point, he could flash enough to carve out a longer-term role.
Benson’s third-round draft capital does not guarantee long-term security, but his upside makes him a worthy stash. He is young, talented, and one injury away from relevance. If his current manager sees him as a roster clogger, take advantage and send a low offer. This is the kind of player who could pop at the right time and offer a huge return on investment.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
While his ceiling might not match that of flashier trade targets, Josh Downs is a quietly intriguing option who is flying completely under the radar in many dynasty leagues. Despite facing several obstacles, Downs put together a sneakily productive sophomore campaign last year, yet his value in most leagues has barely moved. He finished the season as the WR36, limited to 14 games due to lingering injuries. He showed real upside in a few standout performances, though it fell short of a true breakout.
A closer look tells a more encouraging story. Downs averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game, the same as Tyreek Hill and DK Metcalf. He actually outproduced Zay Flowers, Darnell Mooney, and Jayden Reed on a per-game basis. He saw over 100 targets, pulling in 72 catches for 803 yards and five TDs, improving across the board from his rookie year. The main issue was consistency. Downs delivered three WR1 finishes, but also had five games where he finished outside the top 60. That level of volatility, combined with the situation around him, has helped keep his trade value suppressed.
Downs is limited somewhat by size and role. He primarily lines up in the slot and is listed at just 5’9” and 171 pounds. Still, he plays bigger than his frame suggests. He averaged 11.2 yards per catch and scored three of his five TDs from outside the red zone. QB play has been a problem in Indianapolis since Andrew Luck retired, and that continued last season. But when Joe Flacco was under center, Downs saw his fantasy ceiling rise significantly. In six of seven games with Flacco, Downs drew nine or more targets. By contrast, he never caught more than five passes in a game started by Anthony Richardson.
Richardson’s inaccuracy and low passing volume held back the offense, but there was at least one encouraging moment between the two. In Week 11, Richardson had his best passing game of the season with 272 yards and a TD. Downs caught all five of his targets for 84 yards and hauled in the lone score. If Richardson improves and wins the starting job, there is room for growth. If Daniel Jones ends up starting, it could actually work in Downs’ favor. Jones has shown a clear tendency to lean on slot receivers, which helped Wan’Dale Robinson rack up 140 targets in 2024. Downs operates in a similar role and could benefit in the same way.
Downs outproduced Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Adonai Mitchell last year to quietly emerge as the team’s WR1, even if most still view Pittman as the alpha. QB uncertainty and the addition of rookie TE Tyler Warren might keep trade interest down, but that just makes Downs even more affordable. At just 23 years old, Downs still has plenty of room to grow and a realistic path to a breakout season. He is an under-the-radar asset who offers strong return-on-investment potential. Despite the obstacles in the way, the upside is clear, making him a savvy trade target while his value remains quietly undervalued.
Ben Sinnott, TE, Washington Commanders
If there is a position that requires more patience than any other in dynasty, it is definitely TE. While other positions often come into the league ready to be instant fantasy contributors, TEs often need time to learn, adapt, and develop before they begin to display their true potential. The issue is we have recently had rookie superstars at the position come into the league like Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers, who have put pressure on top prospects to immediately perform. While Bowers headlined the 2024 TE class, Ben Sinnott was the next prospect taken, being selected by the Washington Commanders in the second round. While Sinnott is still a promising prospect, his rookie season left much to be desired, finishing the year with only five catches for 28 yards and a TD. On the bright side, he at least caught all five of his targets.
While quiet starts to a career are common for TEs, Sinnott’s was even quieter than we would hope. The main issue was the presence of veteran Zach Ertz. While Ertz was a superstar in his earlier seasons in Philadelphia, he is now 34 years old, and while he is a reliable target, he has gotten in the way of blooming stars at the position. This was most evident with him in Arizona in 2022, when rookie Trey McBride was used sparingly with just 29 receptions for 265 yards and a TD. The next two seasons, he has completely come on and is now regarded as one of the best TEs in the league. It is possible that Sinnott could be facing a similar career trajectory.
Last season, Ertz played in all 17 games and emerged as an efficient safety blanket for rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. He ended up catching 66 of his 91 targets for 654 yards and seven TDs, finishing the year as the TE8. His 91 targets were near the top of the league at the position and were only three fewer than George Kittle received. While it is unfortunate for Sinnott that Ertz signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract to remain with Washington, it is imperative not to lose hope on Sinnott and to focus on the big picture.
Ertz is 34 years old and in the twilight of his career. Washington’s other top pass catchers, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, are nearing 30 years old and in the later stages of their careers. While all three options might be focal points right now, it is difficult to envision them being in the long-term picture for Daniels, who is just 24. Sinnott, on the other hand, is just 22 years old and has the athletic profile to thrive with his superstar QB when given the chance.
Sinnott tested as an elite athlete at the NFL Combine, posting a 9.72 RAS score out of a possible 10. Standing out among his peers, he claimed top honors in various drills, including a remarkable vertical jump of 40 inches, a broad jump spanning 10 feet six inches, and an extremely impressive three-cone time of 6.82 seconds. Notably, his three-cone time was quicker than standout WR prospects like Rome Odunze and Troy Franklin, ranking ninth overall in the entire combine across all positions. This is a significant feat as the three-cone drill has proven to correlate strongly with success for TEs in the NFL. On top of this, he had a true breakout with Kansas State in 2023, amassing 676 yards on 49 receptions and six TDs in just 11 games.
While many might already be losing hope that Sinnott will emerge as a fantasy contributor, I am still firmly in the boat of believing that he will thrive once given the chance. With Ertz back this season, an immediate breakout might be overly ambitious to hope for, but that might only extend the buy-low window for Sinnott. Consider throwing out a low offer to the manager in your league, hoping they do not see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move that feels extremely worth it given the potential to thrive with one of the league’s best young QBs for years to come.
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/pKPrdTe
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