11 Potential Breakout Players for 2019

A Breakout Player is someone who will get close to the upper echelon of players at his position for the first time because of a dramatic increase in production compared with his previous seasons (or a rookie who will burst onto the scene). Here are 11 guys who have that kind of potential.

Chris Godwin (WR) For the second year in a row, Chris Godwin will be popular on Draft Day in all leagues. And while he was good in 2018, he should be better this season. The addition of Bruce Arians as Tampa Bay's coach, as well as the departure of DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries, should make Godwin worth drafting as early as Round 4 in all formats. In 2018, Godwin had at least 13 PPR points in seven outings. But he should be more of a focal point on offense in 2019 since he's now moving into the slot for the Buccaneers. Mike Evans should still be the leader of this passing attack, with O.J. Howard also a significant factor. But Godwin should thrive with Jackson and Humphries gone, and in six games over the past two seasons without Jackson on the field, Godwin has scored at least 12 PPR points in four of them. Godwin's Average Draft Position will likely be Round 5, but don't be afraid to reach for him in Round 4 given his breakout potential in 2019.

Chris Godwin's Rankings Among All WR's

Michael Gallup (WR) Michael Gallup could be ready for a sophomore breakout this season, and he's someone to target in all leagues with a late-round pick. He will be the No. 2 receiver in Dallas this year opposite Amari Cooper, and he should prove to be a go-to option for Dak Prescott. Even with the addition of Randall Cobb and the return of Jason Witten, there should be enough targets to help Gallup produce as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver. He won't be a weekly starter in most leagues barring a dramatic boost in production, but he did close last year with double digits in PPR points in three of his final five games. And in the NFL playoffs, he scored against Seattle in the wild-card round and had six catches for 119 yards in the divisional-round loss to the Rams.

Michael Gallup's Rankings Among All WR's

Miles Sanders (RB) Miles Sanders has the chance to be the lead running back for the Eagles this year, and he's worth drafting as early as Round 5 in most leagues. The Eagles selected Sanders in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft from Penn State, and he should prove to be the best running back in Philadelphia. His main competition will come from Jordan Howard, but the Eagles also have Josh Adams, Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood on the roster. But Sanders enters the NFL with the most talent of this group, and he's worth drafting as a flex option with the chance to be a starting running back in all formats. At Penn State, Sanders replaced Saquon Barkley when he left for the NFL in 2018, and he rushed for 1,274 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 139 yards. The Eagles don't have a good track record of featuring one running back under coach Doug Pederson -- LeGarrette Blount's 173 carries in 2017 are the most -- but Sanders could change that. He's someone to covet on Draft Day this year.

Miles Sanders's Rankings Among All RB's

Tre'Quan Smith (WR) Second-year receiver Tre'Quan Smith will compete for more playing time in Saints camp this summer. His versatility to line up out wide and in the slot will almost certainly keep him in the offensive loop, but finding targets in an offense with guys like Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara and new tight end Jared Cook won't be easy to get regularly. That'll change if the 6-foot-2 speedster is wise on the playbook and his route running is improved. If the preseason buzz around him builds, expect him to get nabbed with a pick in Round 11 or later. If not, he'll remain as a wait-and-see prospect in long-term formats.

Tre'Quan Smith's Rankings Among All WR's

D.J. Moore (WR) Someone in every draft will believe in D.J. Moore's production rising and grab him in Round 5 or 6. Will it happen? Moore led the Panthers' receivers in targets, catches and yards as a rookie and should see a larger share of the work in 2019. He should also find the end zone more after scoring just twice in 2019. But his success hinges on Cam Newton's shoulder being OK for the start of the season. If it's not, Moore will catch passes from someone like Taylor Heinicke or Will Grier, and that might get ugly. Moore's high-volume nature should push him into a safer value in PPR.

D.J. Moore's Rankings Among All WR's

Geronimo Allison (WR) Geronimo Allison has the chance for a big year in 2019, and he's worth drafting as early as Round 6 in all leagues. Allison was really only healthy for the first four games of the season in 2018 because of a groin injury, and he had 19 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns on 29 targets over that span. Over 16 games, that would be 76 catches for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns, and he has that kind of upside playing with Aaron Rodgers and in the slot next to Davante Adams. With Randall Cobb (Dallas) gone, playing time shouldn't be an issue for Allison, even with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow and Equanimeous St. Brown vying for targets. Hopefully, we can see Allison healthy for 16 games this year. And, hopefully, new coach Matt LaFleur does the right thing in using Allison as a featured part of the Packers offense. Allison is worth trusting as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver with top 20 upside.

Geronimo Allison's Rankings Among All WR's

Kerryon Johnson (RB) After a rookie year in which he was wildly efficient but under-used and injured, Kerryon Johnson should get a chance to carry the load in 2019. With the Lions talking about how much they want to run the football, that makes him a worthwhile pick in the third round. If the Lions execute the game plan and Johnson proves he can handle the role, he could legitimately be a first-round pick by 2020 - the team's decision to let go of Theo Riddick certainly suggests they believe in him. The only thing that could hold him back is a middling Lions' offense - or another injury.

Kerryon Johnson's Rankings Among All RB's

David Montgomery (RB) If you want to invest in a rookie with bright upside, David Montgomery is a great target since he'll go anywhere from 12 to 20 picks after Josh Jacobs. Expect him to get taken between 45th and 60th overall. Montgomery should fill the Jordan Howard between-the-tackles role (and also pick up some targets) in Chicago, lining up him for 15 touches on a regular basis. He's coming off of back-to-back 1,400-total-yard seasons at Iowa State with 11-plus touchdowns in each, so he's used to a big role. Only a disappointing preseason would slow down his momentum.

David Montgomery's Rankings Among All RB's

James Washington (WR) James Washington has a big opportunity in front of him this season with Antonio Brown gone, and is a sleeper to target with a late-round pick in all formats. The Steelers have to replace Brown's 104 catches for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns on 168 targets, and Washington should be the top candidate to fill the starting spot opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster. He will face competition from Donte Moncrief and Diontae Johnson. We expect Washington to win a sizable role, but he had a disappointing rookie campaign in 2018 with 16 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown on 38 targets. It was hard to find targets behind Brown and Smith-Schuster, but there's a big opening now. And the Steelers led the NFL in pass attempts last year with Ben Roethlisberger, so Washington should have the chance to help Fantasy players in a big way. He's a potential sophomore sensation in 2019.

James Washington's Rankings Among All WR's

Josh Jacobs (RB) Josh Jacobs might not be in the same class prior to the season as Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette or Saquon Barkley -- prized rookies in the NFL Draft -- but hopefully he's as productive as they were as rookies. And based on his upside in Oakland's offense, Jacobs is worth drafting as early as Round 3 in all formats. While Jalen Richard could play on passing downs, and Doug Martin will get some touches, the Raiders should make Jacobs a focal point on offense. He didn't play much at Alabama with 251 carries for 1,491 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns, as well as 48 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns in three seasons, so he should be fresh coming into the NFL. Coach Jon Gruden has a good history with his running backs, and in 2018 he was able to get Marshawn Lynch, Martin and Richard to combine for 17 games with double digits in PPR scoring. The Raiders offense should be improved this season with Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Trent Brown coming to Oakland, and Jacobs should benefit in a big way. While his Average Draft Position will likely be in Round 4, don't be afraid to target Jacobs in Round 3 if you're excited about his prospects in 2019.

Josh Jacobs's Rankings Among All RB's

Courtland Sutton (WR) Courtland Sutton is the most promising wide receiver in Denver now, and that alone is enough to make him a mid-round option on Draft Day with upside. His competition is DaeSean Hamilton (8.1 yards per catch as a rookie) or Emmanuel Sanders (coming off a torn Achilles), so there's certainly an opportunity for him to emerge as Joe Flacco's top option. That may not be a star-making role, but it should be enough to make for a starting Fantasy option.

Courtland Sutton's Rankings Among All WR's

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