Let’s take a look at three players from the 2024 NFL Draft class who could have a huge third year.
Adooi MitchellWRYY
Mitchell boasts the physical ability to be a gamebreaker on the outside and was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. There were high expectations, but he had just 312 receiving yards in 17 games as a rookie. He had 152 receiving yards in seven games with the Colts in 2025. He was passed on the depth chart by Alec Pierce and was traded to the New York Jets.
A change of scenery was the best-case scenario for Mitchell, and he showed an increase in usage with seven targets per game with the Jets. The Jets offense was a mess, but he did have two big games against the Falcons and Jaguars. In those two games, he combined for 14 catches, 160 yards and two touchdowns. In the remaining six games, he had just ten catches with the Jets. The Jets need to figure out their quarterback situation, but with the signing of Frank Reich as offensive coordinator, there is some hope. There was mixed success as a head coach, but as a coordinator with the Chargers and Eagles, Reich had a top-15 passing offense in all four years.
Garrett Wilson is the number one receiver, so that should give Mitchell more opportunities while the defense focuses on Wilson. Looking at our trade analyzer, you could get Mitchell for a late pick in the third round. The analyzer also makes other suggestions, and I would immediately trade for Juwan Johnson, Romeo Doubs, or Kaleb Johnson.
Jalen McMillan, WR TB
McMillan was a player I really liked coming out of Washington. I thought he was a better prospect than Ja’Lynn Polk, who was drafted 55 picks ahead of McMillan. In his rookie year, he had a solid start to his career with 461 yards and nine touchdowns. In six of his last nine games in 2024, McMillan had five or more goals.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers selected Emeka Egbuka in the first round, and there was a question about McMillan’s role moving forward. He was injured most of the year and played only four games. McMillan had a huge game against the Dolphins, catching seven of nine targets for 114 yards. In the four games in which McMillan and Egbuka played, Egbuka was in the slot on 47% of his snaps, which is up from 30% for the remainder of his rookie year. McMillan played primarily in college, but in the NFL he played 74% of his snaps outside. Mike Evans is getting older and the team can move on, so that would give both Egbuka and McMillan a lot of opportunities in attack.
McMillan could be traded for a mid-fourth round pick and likely receive an additional pick. Other suggested players in our Trade Analyzer that I would immediately make a deal for are Dontayvion Wicks, Jalen Milroe or Marquise Brown.
Roman Wilson, WR PIT
Wilson was a big part of Michigan’s national championship team and had his most productive year as a senior. He caught 48 passes for 789 and 12 touchdowns while averaging over 16 yards per catch. After being picked by the Steelers in the third round, it looked like Wilson had a great landing spot for immediate playing time. Wilson made just five appearances due to injury in his rookie year, but there was plenty of room for targets outside of DK Metcalf in 2025.
He wouldn’t have much of an impact for the Steelers, and the coaching staff played veterans Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Wilson caught just 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. There were only two games in which he had more than 30 receiving yards, and six games in which he did not record a catch. There will be a new coaching staff and Wilson could get a fresh start. When Mike McCarthy was with the Cowboys, Brandin Cooks had 657 yards and eight touchdowns. Cooks and Wilson are similar size and can both play inside and outside at wide receiver. There’s always the possibility the Steelers could draft another receiver, but the lack of depth presents an opportunity for Wilson, with possible receiver additions.
I have a soft spot for Wilson because of his time at Michigan, and I’m surprised he didn’t make a bigger impact with the Steelers. They are in desperate need of playmakers, and he would provide that. A new coach brings new life, and for a fourth-round pick, I would feel comfortable making the move.
A rookie draft pick in the third and fourth rounds is always a gamble, so I’d take a chance on these players for a breakout season three. There is also the opportunity to add these players to a larger transaction, as the value for them is not overly high at this point.
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