Sometimes it takes a season for starters to adjust, especially when dealing with injuries, tough competition or a bad offensive environment. Second-year players are sometimes difficult to identify. It doesn’t take much to derail a rookie in the NFL, but getting some experience on offense and coming back next year and adjusting to the speed of the game can help a player take a big step in production.
Tetairoa McMillan won Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. It was a good season, but last year was still meat on the bones for most offensive skill starters. Below we take a look at a few that are ready to launch in 2026.
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Shaw took over the starting job from Spencer Rattler in Week 9 and went 5-4 over that 1-7 team’s last 9 games. And he’s been able to increase his value by rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns in those nine games for Fantasy, while also looking capable as a passer.
This season he will get a full season as the starting pass rusher in Kellen Moore’s rushing first offense. The team also added receiver Jordyn Tyson and running back Travis Etienne to the team, while Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson showed their offensive value in the passing game. If they can keep Tyson healthy, it will help, but overall this is an improved offense and Show is in for a big break this year.
Colston Loveland, Bears, T.E
Loveland had a strong rookie season, but the 10th overall pick showed more than his 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns. He has plenty of competition, with Rom Odunze and Luther Burden both having the potential for big things this year, but under Ben Johnson, this offense could support several fantasy stars. And the fantasy world is set for Loveland’s breakout, making him a TE3 this season.
Sticking with the Bears theme, Burden also had a positive rookie season, but DJ Moore kept him from being a full-time player. That will change this year as Moore is now in Buffalo, giving Barden a wide opportunity to move out. A training camp groin strain has put a slight damper on his potential season, but he appears to have a chance to be ready by at least Week 1.
Burden Odunze is set to battle for the WR1 job and most believe Burden is Ben Johnson’s choice. But he’s shaky, has plenty of opportunities to take over the workload and has shown flashes that make it hard to doubt that his fantasy ceiling is extremely high. I’m looking at that injury but if the reports are good, I think he leads this strong offensive team through the air and could easily be a top 10 fantasy receiver this year.
Jacoby Croskey-Merritt, commanders, breeder
Croskey-Merritt got a lot of hype last year, especially after Brian Robinson was traded to the 49ers. That buzz didn’t translate to huge fantasy numbers, but the Chiefs’ offense as a whole was a mess with Jayden Daniels missing 10 games with elbow, knee and ankle injuries. The rookie back has had limited success, rushing for 805 yards and 8 touchdowns on 175 carries at a good 4.6 yards per carry.
The Chiefs brought back Rashad White from the Buccaneers, but JCM will still need to lead the way, and White will work on the pass rush. In an overall better offense under Daniels, I see Croskey-Merritt top 200 rushing attempts and close with 10 touchdowns again.
Bhayshul Tuton, Jaguar, RB
Now in New Orleans with Travis Etienne, second-year tailback Tutton is poised to play a bigger role in the Jaguars’ offense. He still has to match up with Chris Rodriguez, but his talent could easily push him ahead of Rodriguez as the season progresses. If the Jaguars can make another move under Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence, Tutton could be poised for a strong fantasy season in year-two.
