Have you ever wanted a second chance? A do-over. A shot to prove that you still have what it takes to get the job done. These guys all had tough years in 2024, one way or another. Some had an injuries, down years, and maybe just a little bad luck mixed in as well. Here, we cover players who can be acquired for a “deal” or a “steal”, based on their current draft position. This is especially relevant if they can return to previous form or take the leap in their careers. These are the bounce back candidates for 2025!

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers (ADP 8.7)

This is going to be the richest risk / reward on the list by far. Somehow at his current draft position, it still seems like CMC is being undervalued by most. Is he the riskiest pick of any player in first round? Sure. Could he also have the biggest reward? You betcha! He is still a dynamic and game changing player anytime he’s healthy and takes the field. If you remove his rookie year, he has never finished lower than RB3 when playing a full season or allotment of games. Even in his rookie year, he was still the RB11 that year. He is also involved in every aspect of the 49ers offense. They are seriously shorthanded at WR heading into this season and McCaffrey should be a target share monster. He has a great chance at finishing as the overall #1 player in fantasy football this year. To get that value at the back of round 1 is music to our ears. Is there a risk here that he gets hurt? Yes, but that exists with every player. Go get CMC and rest easy.

Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Cheifs (64.1 ADP)

I’ve been quoted as saying many times, “give me the RB in an Andy Reid offense any day.” Pacheco had an unfortunate season in 2024 where he just simply was not healthy. He got hurt in week 2 and came back too fast from a fractured fibula in week 13, but he was really just a shell of himself at that point. It seemed like he rushed back and was not the same player. He looks healthy and poised to lead this backfield in 2025. The Chiefs do have Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell, but Pacheco should easily lead this group. This is still a high powered offense and Mahomes has something to prove. There should be 15-20 touches a game here at minimum and Pacheco still runs like he is trying to hurt the ground with every step. Lots of upside here.

Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints (ADP 80.5)

I am genuinely rooting for this guys to get back to form as he has so much talent to show. He’s had a documented issue with concussions which is the biggest worry about drafting him. Where he is being picked though, why not take the leap? If we felt better about the QB position on the Saints, I think he would be going even higher. With that said, other than Alvin Kamara, the Saints really don’t have anyone else to demand targets. In his first two seasons he finished as WR25 in 2022 and WR16 in 2023. In 2025, it will only be his fourth NFL season and he is currently being drafted as the WR34. There is a splash to be made here and I’m betting that Olave makes it. Remember, the Saints haven’t exactly had great QB play or been a good team for quite some time. They should be down and need to throw. These are good problems to have in Fantasy Football.

Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots (ADP 85.3)

What have you done for me lately? I think we might forget just how good Diggs has been. Since 2022 he has finished as the WR3, WR7, WR4, and WR 9, from 2020-2023. Last year an injury finally caught up with him and cut his 2024 season short. Before his ACL tear, he was having a nice year despite all of the other WR injuries that the Texans were going through. In 2025, Diggs starts fresh with the New England Patriots and up and coming QB Drake Maye. He is now in an offense with Josh McDaniels calling plays and virtually no other major target share player on the team. They will of course look to spread the ball around, but can you name another receiver on the Patriots? Diggs is by far the most experienced pass catcher and should see a large volume of passes coming his way. There’s still talent left here.

Michael Pittman Jr, WR, Indianapolis Colts (ADP 118.8)

Here is a story that no one expected. Pittman simply fell off the Fantasy Football cliff and was not good last year. He dealt with back issues for most of the year and he had arguably the worst QB play of any team in the NFL. He was a 2nd or 3rd round pick in 2024 for a reason, he is a big and talented receiver. Pittman has the ability to finish as a top 20 WR in any season that he plays and I think he rounds back into form this year. Before his forgettable 2024 season, he finished as the WR17, WR20, and WR13. He has played in at least 16 games for four straight seasons, even with the back issues. Daniel Jones has been named the starting QB for the Colts and thank goodness! Jones may not be elite, but he’s a good option for Pittman and I think the two of them are going to be very good friends this season. He’s currently being drafted as the WR48 and that is far too low for what he has shown us before.

Evan Engram, Denver Broncos (ADP 85.1)

Do you know how many catches Engram had in the 2023 season with the Jaguars? He had 114 receptions in a career year. He signed this offseason with the Broncos to play in Sean Payton’s offense and take on the role of his “Joker.” The role that has famously been filled by the likes of Jimmy Graham, Jeremy Shockey, Reggie Bush, and Darren Sproles to name a few. Engram is very athletic and good versus man coverage, which should bode well for him when lined up against a linebacker or safety on the opposing defense. He should draw lots of targets from Bo Nix in an offense that is on the rise and starving for a difference maker at TE. Engram finished as the TE5 and TE2 in 2022 – 2023, both of which he played a full 17 game season. His 2024 was shortened to 9 games and now he’s being undervalued. Engram is motivated and there is huge opportunity here.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (ADP 105.2)

The 2024 season was an unfortunate year for pretty much every member of the Dallas Cowboys, other than Ceedee Lamb. Dak is back this year and ready to remind you what he can do. He owns the largest QB contract for the 2025 season and I think he’s going to earn it. His offense has only gotten more focused on the passing game with the offseason addition of George Pickens. Lamb is still there to be target hog and the #1 option, and they really don’t have anyone proven to run the football. Prescott has finished a top 10 Fantasy Football QB five times with his best finish as QB3 in 2023. Last year his season was cut short with a hamstring injury, but he seems primed to return to form in 2025. This should be a pass heavy attack and he’s being drafted as the QB12. I think there is for sure top 10 potential here and possibly up to top 5.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (ADP 182.5)

There may not have been a player with a more promising finish in 2024 than Bryce Young. The light seemed to finally come on for him, where from weeks 12-18, he finished as QB8. He is currently being drafted as the QB23 and is some great upside for where he is being picked. You probably aren’t going to rely on him as your starter immediately, but he’s one of the more promising backups that you can own in 2025. He has a brand new number one receiving option in Tetairoa McMillan, who was just drafted as the Panthers first round pick. Young also returns to a friendly coaching staff that he knows and now has another year of continuity with. He finished the 2024 season with six rushing touchdowns, a very underrated part of his game. I think this is the year he jumps out and puts it all together. Make sure he’s on your team when it happens.