The 2024 NFL Draft class is strong, but several third-year players are poised to breakout in 2026 fantasy football, including Rome Odunze and Blake Corum. Odunze, in particular, showed promise with high target volume and explosive play potential in 2025.
Key points
2024 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent
Rome Odunze led the Bears with 90 targets in 2025
DJ Moore's trade opens up opportunities for Odunze
Odunze averaged 67.5 yards per game before injury
Bears averaged 25.9 points per game in 2025
Chicago BearsLos Angeles Rams
The 2024 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent. Plenty of players who entered the league two years ago have already produced, especially for fantasy football purposes. Brock Bowers, Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers all finished inside the top six at their position on a points per game basis as rookies. There are some players from their class, however, yet to hit their stride. Let’s look at some third-year players set to breakout during the 2026 fantasy football season.
Rome Odunze led the 2025 Bears with 90 targets in just 12 games played. DJ Moore was second with 85 of his own, though in 17 games played. Odunze’s 7.5 targets per game ranked 20th among all players and 18th among wide receivers. Moore was traded to the Bills back in March. Odunze dealt with a foot injury for most of last season beginning in late October. Prior to this injury, Odunze was averaging 67.5 yards per game in his first seven games with two games of 100 or more yards. Following the report of his injury, Odunze averaged just 37.6 yards per game. Heading into his third season, Odunze should be the top target in the second year of head coach Ben Johnson’s offense. Not only should we expect an uptick in volume, but Odunze carries big play potential. Among 182 qualified pass catchers, Odunze’s 14.4% explosive catch rate ranked 28th, his 13.9-yard average depth of target ranked ninth, and his 15.3 yards per reception was tied for seventh. The Bears averaged 25.9 points per game in 2025, the ninth-best average. Chicago also averaged the sixth-most yards per game (369.2), as well. There’s plenty of reason to believe they could ascend to top five in both in 2026, with Rome Odunze as a big reason why.
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INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 08: Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) runs the ball for a gain during an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams on December 8, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire)
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 08: Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) runs the ball for a gain during an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams on December 8, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire)
After handling just 58 carries as a rookie, Blake Corum rushed 145 times last season with 5.1 yards per carry. It’s still a far cry from teammate Kyren Williams’ 259 attempts in 2025, which ranked among 49 qualified running backs. However, Corum noticeably became more involved as his second season progressed. After averaging 5.85 carries per game over the first two months of the season, Corum averaged 10.0 carries per game in his last 13, including the playoffs. What stands out with Corum is his efficiency. His 15.9% explosive run rate ranks second behind only De’Von Achane (16.8%) last season. Corum’s 5.1 yards per carry is also tied with Bijan Robinson for fourth among all running backs in 2025. Lastly, he boasts the 10th-best avoided tackle rate (25.5%) among 49 qualified running backs. Obviously, in order for Blake Corum to break out in his third season, he needs more opportunities. If 2026 is anything like how his 2025 ended, there’s reason to believe this could happen. Especially as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, the Rams could balance their backfield more during the 2026 regular season. At cost, Corum could be a much better value later in fantasy drafts than investing in Kyren Williams early on.
Ricky Pearsall has played in just 11 and nine games across his first two seasons. His reasons for missing time include knee and hamstring injuries as well as a gunshot ahead of his rookie campaign. It’s worth noting, however, Pearsall did not miss a single game due to injury during five seasons in college. Pearsall’s competition for targets in 2026 is a bit tougher with the arrival of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. However, Evans turns 33 in August and has missed 12 games over the last two seasons. Kirk turns 30 in November and has missed at least four games per year, and 18 total, over the last three seasons. While he may be an afterthought for most fantasy football managers, those who invested in Pearsall last season remember how well it started off. Across the first three weeks, Pearsall logged 108, 56 and 117 yards, averaging 8.0 targets per game. After battling injuries during most of the season, Pearsall did have two games in December, as well, with 96 and 85 yards on eight and seven targets. His 18.9% explosive catch rate also ranks fourth among 78 qualified wide receivers. There’s been flashes from Pearsall that indicate a potential third-year breakout, he just needs to stay on the field. Pearsall is probably selected near or just outside the top 40 at the position. If he does in fact breakout, Pearsall would be one of the best values in 2026 fantasy drafts.
It’s been since Week 14 of the 2024 season that we’ve seen Jonathon Brooks in an NFL; and that was just his third career game! Brooks entered the league recovering from an ACL tear. He then re-injured his ACL 13 months following the original injury. In his place last season, Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle led the Panthers’ rushing attack. Dowdle handled 275 touches for 1,373 total yards in 2025 but has signed left to sign with the Steelers. That leaves Hubbard, Brooks, Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon rounding out the depth chart. Hubbard is entering the third season of his four-year extension with no guaranteed money in 2027. He dealt with a calf injury, but Hubbard’s 3.8 yards per carry ranks 40th among 49 qualified running backs last season. His 6.0% explosive run rate ranks 47th and his 12.7% avoided tackle rate was the worst among qualified running backs. There’s obviously not a ton of data to go off with Brooks, as he hasn’t played. He was the first running back taken from the 2024 NFL Draft class with pass-catching upside. Neither he nor Hubbard should cost much in 2026 fantasy drafts, but grabbing one or both may be a worthwhile strategy as they look poised to handle a heavy majority of the backfield work.
Honorable Mentions
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) carries the football during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) carries the football during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has rushed 192 and 176 times over his first two seasons, with 53 and 48 targets as well. He has a career average of 4.3 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per reception. Tracy and Cam Skattebo both went unscathed during the 2026 offseason, as the Giants did not add another notable running back, especially with a new incoming coaching staff. Considering that Skattebo will be returning from a season-ending ankle dislocation, Tracy could handle a larger workload, especially early on, or if Skattebo is forced to miss time. AJ Barner went from a 30/245/4 receiving line as a rookie to a 52/519/6 receiving line last season with the Seahawks. The last time we saw him, he caught all four of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Among tight ends, Barner ranked sixth in snap rate, 15th in total routes run, and 10th in end zone targets. Seattle did have to hire a new offensive coordinator but made no changes to their pass game weapons. Barner could build upon his rapport with Sam Darnold for even more production after finishing second in receptions on the team last season. Malik Washington isn’t really on the fantasy football radar, but the 2024 sixth round pick could have a sneaky large role in the 2026 Dolphins’ passing game. Miami waived Tyreek Hill, traded away Jaylen Waddle and drafted two rookie wide receivers in the third round last month as potential replacements. Washington did finish third in receptions on the team last season but now has a new coaching staff and new quarterback in Malik Willis. He’s worth a late-round flier as of now.
