2013 Fantasy Football: Top 5 NFL Players Ready to Breakout
In many ways, the game of fantasy football is all about trends. Therefore, when your fantasy football draft rolls around you will be looking for players who are on the incline rather than the decline. For example, the draft stock of a veteran like Wes Welker is considerably lower than that of someone with a ton of upside like Julio Jones.
While rookie players are also prone to breakout seasons -- Adrian Peterson rushed for 1341 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in his first year -- it's a much safer bet to forecast a second or third-year player to breakout.
Although the term "breakout" may have a different connotation for everyone, we can all agree that Josh Freeman totally broke out for fantasy football owners across the globe in 2012. Freeman reached career-highs in touchdowns and passing yards last year as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved mightily. Naturally, fantasy owners are looking for the next Freeman and Ryan Tannehill is getting a ton of praise.
Similar to what the Bucs did prior to the 2012 season, the Dolphins have surrounded their quarterback with a ton of talent. Mike Wallace was the biggest free agent to come to town, yet the decision to bring Brian Hartline back to Miami should go under the radar.
Here is a rundown of five NFL players who are bound to have a breakout season in 2013 and are all guys you should target come draft day.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
No. 5 Breakout Candidate: Stephen Hill
Everyone loves to poke fun at the New York Jets and rightfully so, but the jokes shouldn't be about Stephen Hill. This second-year wide receiver has blazing speed and it showed in 2012 when Hill caught 21 passes and three of them were touchdowns. Marc Sanchez is arguably the worst starting quarterback in the league, yet he will have to throw to somebody and Hill appears to be the Jets' No. 1 wide out.
No. 4 Breakout Candidate: Ryan Tannehill
The Miami Dolphins loaded up with talent this offseason, but Miami will remain out of the postseason if Ryan Tannehill doesn't take break out in 2013. NFL pundits are talking Tannehill up like crazy and it's likely the Dolphins' dual-threat offense that has everyone up in arms over the second-year quarterback.
No. 3 Breakout Candidate: Montee Ball
Denver Broncos fans have been longing for a play-making running back since Terrell Davis left. Therefore, the buzz surrounding Montee Ball is getting pretty large to say the least. The rookie runner has a lot to learn, but if he continues to sponge off of Peyton Manning then the sky is the limit for this second-round pick. Besides, the Broncos will be winning a lot of games this season, which means Ball will get a surplus of garbage-time carries.
No. 2 Breakout Candidate: Rob Housler
Rob Housler probably wasn't on a fantasy football team in your league last season. However, the Arizona Cardinals' tight end is primed for a huge season in his second year. Carson Palmer will be firing footballs Housler's way this fall and that's good news for Cards fans considering Palmer has made a career out of using and abusing his tight ends. Arizona needs someone to step up and Housler is the man with the plan if you ask me.
No. 1 Breakout Candidate: Pierre Garcon
Although Robert Griffin III stole the show for the Washington Redskins in his rookie season, it was also Pierre Garcon's first season in Washington. Unfortunately, injuries kept Garcon on the sideline for six games last year and the obvious chemistry between he and RG3 was put on hold. Therefore, the success from last season has spilled over and Garcon's expectations have skyrocketed. Look for the five-year NFL veteran to be a big-time player for the Skins in 2013.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
