Here's what I learned about the definition of the term "breakout." It's something on the verge of a significant increase. It's slang for a prison escape or acne. In acting, it's when a marginal character becomes a main character based on audience support.
In Fantasy Football, a breakout player is someone you might have heard of but is now ready to shine. A player who might have been drafted in the past but will now become a definite starter and possibly a star.
Last year, some breakout players were Roddy White, LenDale White, Wes Welker, Jason Witten, Derek Anderson and Tony Romo. They went from relative obscurity to helping many Fantasy owners into the playoffs last year.
This year, we'll try to help you find those players with our own breakout list. Some of these players have changed teams or offensive coordinators or are just getting an opportunity after sitting on the bench. Others started to show last year that they are ready to take off and become a star.
While all of these players won't necessarily become Fantasy standouts, there's a good possibility their value will improve from last year. The hope is that these breakouts will help your Fantasy team and not turn into acne.
All average draft positions and projections as of July 24, 2008
Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle
Burleson has been a surprise Fantasy option twice in his career. In 2004, Burleson had 68 catches for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns. Then last year, he caught 50 passes for 694 yards and nine touchdowns. This season, with Deion Branch trying to recover from a torn ACL, and Bobby Engram dealing with a contract situation, Burleson could be the Seahawks best receiver. He wasn't worth drafting in Fantasy leagues last year, but this year Burleson has the chance to start in some leagues. If he can build off last year, which is something we expect him to do, then he could end up as a No. 2 Fantasy option.
Average draft position: 106.6/8th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 752 receiving yards, six touchdowns
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Eli Manning should look in the direction of Kevin Boss plenty in 2008.
(US Presswire)
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Kevin Boss, TE, N.Y. Giants The Giants did Fantasy owners a favor by trading Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans. That not only helped Shockey's Fantasy value, but it made Boss into a low-end No. 1 Fantasy option. Boss played well when Shockey broke his leg last year, and the Giants like to throw to the tight end a lot, especially near the red zone. Look for Boss to be a decent source of receptions and emerge as one of the Giants best players in 2008. He's one of the few Giants with upside this year.
Average draft position: N/A undrafted
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 464 receiving yards, four touchdowns
Owen Daniels, TE, Houston
If Daniels can get a full season from Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub then he has the chance to be one of the top tight ends in the NFL. Schaub can get Daniels the ball, and Johnson will draw plenty of coverage. Daniels is a solid target in the red zone and has the potential for 75 catches and 900 yards. But the key is having healthy players around him with talent. Plan on drafting Daniels as a low-end No. 1 option, but don't be surprised when he ends the year among the elite tight ends.
Average draft position: 130.84/10th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 594 receiving yards, five touchdowns
Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco
Davis should have been a breakout player last year but again dealt with injuries and poor quarterback play. This year, with the addition of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Davis should finally become a star. Martz has never had a tight end of Davis' caliber, but he will use Davis more like a wide receiver. If Alex Smith or Shaun Hill know what's good for them, they will throw to Davis as much as possible. He should emerge as top-five Fantasy tight end this season.
Average draft position: 83.95/6th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 733 receiving yards, six touchdowns
Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit
Johnson had a frustrating rookie season last year when he suffered a back injury that lingered all season. He finished with 48 catches for 756 yards and four touchdowns, but he will shatter those stats this year. Johnson has said 1,200 yards is within reach, and he is capable of reaching double digits in touchdowns. Go into the season with Johnson as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, but he should finish the year as a solid No. 2 option. The Lions won't throw the ball as much this season, but Johnson will still get enough opportunities to make plays.
Average draft position: 67.67/5th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 859 receiving yards, seven touchdowns
Jabar Gaffney, WR, New England
Gaffney outplayed Donte Stallworth last year and emerged as the Patriots No. 3 receiver. This year, the job is his to lose, although Chad Jackson will fight for the spot, but Gaffney will see more time on the field. That means he could be in line for a career season. With Tom Brady throwing him the ball, and with defenses focusing on Randy Moss and Wes Welker, Gaffney should thrive. He will be drafted as a No. 4 Fantasy option but should finish as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver or flex player.
Average draft position: 151.97/12th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 532 receiving yards, five touchdowns
Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh
Holmes was a starting Fantasy receiver for many owners last year, so it's hard to call him a breakout. But this year should be his best one yet, and he will emerge as an elite Fantasy option. This is Holmes' third season in the NFL, which is typically the year receivers have a breakout. And Holmes has plenty of upside, especially with Hines Ward starting to decline in production. Holmes is being drafted as a No. 3 Fantasy option, but he will finish the year as a potential top 12 receiver. It all comes down to Ben Roethlisberger continuing to look in Holmes' direction.
Average draft position: 57.46/4th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 904 receiving yards, six touchdowns
Bryant Johnson, WR, San Francisco
Johnson has been stuck behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, but now he goes to the 49ers, where he should benefit playing under offensive coordinator Mike Martz. He's also playing for a contract after signing a one-year deal. Martz has made Fantasy darlings out of no-names like Shaun McDonald, Mike Furrey and Az-Zahir Hakim. Look for Martz to help Johnson as well. The quarterback situation is a concern in San Francisco, but whoever starts will make Johnson a No. 3 or even No. 2 Fantasy option by the end of the year.
Average draft position: 143.68/11th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 795 receiving yards, three touchdowns
Laurence Maroney, RB, New England
Maroney is an easy choice as a breakout player based on his playoff performance. If he can stay healthy and teams defend the Patriots passing game as expected, then Maroney should end up as a starting Fantasy running back. He's being drafted as a No. 3 option, but Fantasy owners should take Maroney as a No. 2 running back. He will get his first 1,000 yard season this year and should find the end zone enough times to make him worth a second-round pick.
Average draft position: 34.86/3rd round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 1,062 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, 14 catches, 133 receiving yards
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay
If Rodgers can get past the Brett Favre fiasco this offseason then he has a chance to be a successful starting quarterback. The talent surrounding Rodgers is incredible with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Donald Lee, the running game should thrive and the offensive line is solid. All Rodgers has to do is not make too many mistakes and stay healthy, which has been a concern when he was a backup. Rodgers should be drafted as a No. 2 Fantasy option, but the talent around him could elevate him to a starter by the end of the year.
Average draft position: 121.71/10th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 3,695 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 114 rushing yards
Matt Schaub, QB, Houston
Schaub was on his way to a breakout season last year before a shoulder injury and concussions ruined his 2007 season. It also didn't help that he lost star receiver Andre Johnson for most of the year. Johnson should be fine for the start of the season, and if Schaub can stay healthy, he has the chance to emerge as a starting Fantasy option. He has good weapons around him and the talent to pass for plenty of yards and touchdowns, which is what Fantasy owners want. Draft Schaub as a No. 2 option, but don't be surprised if he ends the season as your No. 1 quarterback.
Average draft position: 132.16/11th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 3,478 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 53 rushing yards
Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta
Turner has done well as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego the past four seasons, and now he gets the chance to start. The Falcons have said he will lose some carries to Jerious Norwood, but Turner should still get about 20 touches a game. He also is a capable receiver out of the backfield, which should help with a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan. Plan on using Turner as a No. 3 Fantasy option with the chance to start most weeks if he can live up to the hype.
Average draft position: 47.38/4th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 1,122 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 20 catches, 150 receiving yards
Selvin Young, RB, Denver
When last season ended, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Young was only going to get about 15 touches a game. Then Shanahan released Travis Henry, which elevated Young into the starting role. He will still share carries with Michael Pittman and rookie Ryan Torain, but Young has now emerged as solid Fantasy option. You should draft Young as a No. 3 running back, but he could start for you early on. He has the chance to rush for 1,000 yards, and if he can find the end zone on a regular basis, his Fantasy value will rise.
Average draft position: 67.12/5th round
CBSSports.com 2008 projection: 1,061 rushing yards, four touchdowns, 18 catches, 128 receiving yards
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