We often witness sophomore slumps, where players who seemed poised for a breakout season suddenly struggle and revert to mediocrity in the eyes of fans. This phenomenon is particularly common among wide receivers, who must depend on consistent target distribution to make an impact.

As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, two of the league’s most promising sophomore wideouts, Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals and Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars, have found themselves facing significant challenges. Both players are struggling with low receiving yards and minimal touchdowns, far from expectations for a second-year breakout.

Both Harrison Jr. and Thomas Jr. possess immense talent capable of changing the course of a game, yet their respective performances this season feel like navigating a maze with multiple dead ends.

Starting with Thomas Jr., his season has started off poorly, with only 7 successful receptions from 25 targets, revealing a catch rate below 40%. Compounding this issue, he has been targeted frequently but has had little success turning those opportunities into positive yardage.

Meanwhile, Marvin Harrison Jr. appears to be a fading element in the Cardinals’ offensive scheme. Dropping critical passes has not helped his cause, and with only 10 catches on 17 targets, he finds himself lacking in involvement, duplicating challenges presented in the previous season under a different offensive coordinator.

To rectify their situations, both receivers need enhanced target frequency and better execution from their respective quarterbacks. This dual-player analysis reveals that while the potential for success exists, external factors play a crucial role in determining their short-term outcomes this season.