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šÆ Sophomore Targets
some dynasty info and a flashback
This edition of the Deep Dive Fantasy Newsletter gives out some second-year players ready to shine and also features some dynasty scoop. If you got here via the web or socials and want to subscribe, kindly hit the button below.

After solid or maybe not-so-solid rookie campaigns, the following NFL sophomores are worth taking a look at in both best ball and redraft formats.
š“āā ļø Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (RB)
He was the RB19 in half-PPR scoring on a per-game basis last season, but Irving could have been much more had he been given higher volume. The Bucs spent a large portion of the season in RB committee mode, with Irving averaging 14.9 touches per game to Rachaad Whiteās 12.2.
One big takeaway is that down the stretch, when it counted, Tampa Bay gave him the keys. He out-touched White 45-7 in the final two regular-season games of 2024, and 19-3 in the Wild Card Round. Efficiency-wise, Irving was sixth among running backs in rush yards over expected per carry and fifth in yards after contact per attempt in his rookie campaign. The starting gig is now his, and the sophomore is currently being drafted as the RB10 according to 4for4ās ADP tool, and is ranked as the RB8 in half-PPR scoring.
šŖŗTrey Benson, Cardinals (RB)
James Conner is still the Cardinals' lead back, but as we discuss every year, how much longer will his workhorse role continue? Heās RB old (30) and is coming off a career-high 283 touches last season.
If Arizona reduces Conner's workload at all or if heās sidelined for any significant amount of time, Bensonās role could expand beyond his current value. But, he also likely has Emari Demercado to contend with on passing downs. Benson only had 63 carries in 2024 as a rookie, but he averaged a very solid 4.6 yards per carry. Heāll need help getting out of handcuff territory, but right now heās affordable as the RB46 at spot 12.04.
š¬ Jaylen Wright, Dolphins (RB)
As the RB3 behind De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, Wright was used sparingly in 2024. His rookie campaign consisted of just 68 runs, but he did average a hearty 3.7 yards per carry.
Assuming Wright can beat Alexander Mattison and rookie Ollie Gordon II for the backup role behind Achane now that Mostert is no longer in town, his lightning speed and game-breaking ability could propel the Miami RB to fantasy relevance. Wrightās current ADP is a price-friendly 14.07, according to 4for4ās multi-site ADP tool, as the RB55.
ā Xavier Worthy, Chiefs
His workload and subsequent output grew steadily over the course of his rookie campaign, as Worthy had at least five targets from Week 11 on, which he turned into an average of 5.6 catches for 56 receiving yards per contest and three TDs, with another 67 yards and a score on the ground.
With teammate Rashee Rice recovering from an LCL injury that put him on the shelf after Week 4 in 2024, plus the possibility of a multi-game suspension, Worthy is in line for a featured role in Kansas City's offense in 2025. Since the Chiefsā pass-catching pecking order is on the murky side (perennially), the sophomore is still decently priced, particularly in redraft formats. Worthy is being selected at 4.06 in Underdog best ball contests, but falls to 5.04 in Yahoo and 5.02 in CBS and NFL leagues.
āļø Ricky Pearsall, 49ers
A medical marvel, Pearsall played 11 games in his rookie season after sustaining a gunshot wound in an attempted robbery right before Week 1 kicked off. He caught fire over the last two tilts, posting an 8-141-1 line against the Lions in Week 17, followed by 6-69-1 vs. Arizona the next week.
Pearsall now has a chance to carve out a decent-sized role in an offense that no longer features Deebo Samuel, plus Brandon Aiyuk is likely to miss a few games at least to start as he recovers from a torn ACL/MCL. We could see him emerge as the WR1 for the 49ers, so for now, it appears Pearsallās fantasy WR4 price tag could be a value.
Honorable Mentions: š» Rome Odunze, Bear (WR), and 𦬠Keon Coleman, Bills (WR). Both of these sophomores are draftable at their respective ADP, but they do have their share of warts. Odunze is facing a crowded receiving corps in Chicago, and Colemanās rookie season was plagued by inefficiency and poor play.
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This week, we have the then-rookie RB DeāAngelo Williams keep up the tradition of carrying gear for running back DeShawn Foster and fullback Brad Hoover (not shown) at the end of the first day of the Carolina Panthersā training camp at Wofford College in 2006.
In 11 seasons, Williams posted 8,096 rushing yards and 61 TDs on 1,730 carries, with an additional 236 receptions for 2,106 yards and 9 TDs. In 2008, he led the NFL in combined TDs wth 20.

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With the recent Hall of Fame weekend, we are one step closer to real NFL football. I know youāre just like me and canāt wait to see how the season plays out. At DLF, our Kev White has been previewing the NFL season, division by division with a unique interview format.
In his latest, he chatted up former DLF writer and current content manager of Destination Devy Fantasy Football. Hereās an excerpt from Kev and Scott. Be sure to check out the full interview in Dynasty Landscape Fusion: Scott Conner - AFC South.
Houston Texans
Kev: Next up, we have the Texans, a back-to-back 10-7 team with playoff victories in the last two seasons, benefiting from a weaker division and in conjunction with the arrival of quarterback CJ Stroud. Whilst he has got the job done, his fantasy output and overall play have been inconsistent, finishing as the QB11 in 2023 and the QB18 in 2024. Assuming Stroud is your QB1, how would you mitigate this on your dynasty roster ā given the lack of rushing upside and reliance on alpha wide receiver Nico Collins?
Scott: If CJ Stroud is my top quarterback, I realize this is mainly due to his inflated value status from a year ago rather than his actual seasonal potential. I would consider pairing him with a similar quarterback at a lower cost, like Brock Purdy or Dak Prescott, without overspending. Alternatively, I might take a risk on a quarterback like Anthony Richardson as my second option (more on him later). I donāt anticipate Stroud will significantly increase in value because non-rushing quarterbacks can be unstable, and I certainly donāt want to double down and add a similar player alongside him, such as Justin Herbert.

CJ Stroud / Nico Collins ā DLF Player Splits App
Kev: I think Purdy and Prescott are fine options, Iād also be interested in pairing with an undervalued dual-threat quarterback like Kyler Murray. I agree with shooting for the ceiling at QB2 or QB3, to negate the lower scoring potential of Stroud. I wouldnāt be averse to a big gamble on Justin Fields, albeit I think you have to play him season to season, but can reap major rewards as a QB2/3. Stroud has supported the ascension of Nico Collins, who has finished inside the top 10 in fantasy points per game (FPPG) in both the last two years, albeit never playing more than 15 games in any season. How much does susceptibility to injury affect his dynasty value or willingness to stack with Stroud, in your opinion?
Scott: Collinsā injury history could influence decisions for others, but the trend is changing regarding injured elite players and their dynasty market. He probably can afford one more hiccup before he becomes toxic (look at Rashee Rice after injury and suspension). While itās something to consider, it becomes less concerning when managing such a large inventory of teams. A smaller number of teams would make that tie breaker of picking between him and another non-injury history profile a bit more important.
Kev: Tie breaker within a tier makes sense, I tend to place Collins at the lower end of the tier anyway, with the likes of Thomas and Drake London above him. Collins is tied to Stroud and has developed excellent chemistry; nonetheless soft tissue injuries for a guy his size are a minor concern, albeit this has never put me off of a player like Tee Higgins. The susceptibility to injury just makes him slightly riskier but not an avoid at all. I actually think the stack is extremely appealing, given the correlation of their fantasy output and reliance on each other. We finish our chat on the Texans with their potentially murky running back room. How do you see the Texansā backfield working out in dynasty, and any preference to acquiring or avoiding this situation?
Scott: After the Joe Mixon injury, he becomes the preferred target, and itās acceptable to shop both Nick Chubb and Woody Marks now. The running game is not very strong, and I could understand using the window to get out on the two new toys. Mixonās strength lies in his ability to earn snaps, and itās just a bet he gets back to that for a pocket of the 2025 season. Investing more in the Texansā passing game seems wise. Trading another older running back for Mixon plus can likely get done, given the fear people have of setting week one lineups looming.

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