2019 Breakouts & Sleepers!

With draft season right around the corner, it's time to identify which players we want to steer clear of and which ones we want to target.

I will be using the .5PPR scoring rankings from Fantasy Pros instead of my rankings, as it gives the current (Avg Draft Pos) for all sites that are currently drafting. This list will contain the rookies that I expect to have a big impact along with the other players that are on the verge of having great seasons. We will go with players not in the top 30 ADP unless they're a rookie.

Breakouts -

Nick Chubb - RB #5 ADP 10

After a fantastic rookie season Nick Chubb looks to lead a potent Browns offense as the bell-cow running back this season. His stock took off like a rocket when pass catching specialist Duke Johnson was traded to the Texans as he should now see some passings down work to go with the majority of the rushing down work.

Dalvin Cook- RB #9 ADP 17

The only thing keeping Cook from breaking out this season will be another injury. The former Florida State Seminole will see a ton of work in this new ground and pound Viking offense run by Kevin Stefanski. I believe Cook has top-5 upside and is someone I am looking to snag in the second round of drafts.

Aaron Jones - RB #12 ADP 28

With Jones finally winning the starting job and coming into camp in great shape, he looks poised to breakout in 2019. The Packers new offense under Matt LaFleur is going to feature Jones in both the running game and passing game which makes him one of the better 3rd round picks on the board.

Leonard Fournette- RB #14 ADP 31

I have faded Fournette in his first two seasons as a pro but with a new found focus and an ADP that has dropped 20+ spots he is now a value this fantasy football season. It is not often you find a running back that is going to get 250+ carries and 50+ targets. The scuttle this off-season is how much they plan on incorporating Fournette in the passing game. Sign me up and give me all the Fournette I can have in the 3rd round.

Chris Carson - RB #16 ADP 41

Another player who broke out last season, Carson looks to be the lead back for one of the most heavy run teams in the league. The early reports out of camp have been fantastic, with also some talk of getting him more involved in the passing game as Mike Davis and his 42 targets are now in Chicago. I am beyond thrilled at getting him in the 4th round of my drafts

Tyler Lockett - WR #16 ADP 48

With Doug Baldwin now retired, Lockett looks poised to take over as the lead receiver in Seattle. Lockett is a matchup nightmare in the slot and one of the best deep-threats in the NFL. The only concern here is lack of volume as this will be one of the heaviest run teams in the NFL. If he can reach 100+ targets he will finish inside the top-15 at his position.

Chris Godwin - WR #17 ADP 49

The early summer months when Chris Godwin was going after round seven did not last long but how can I not put this guy on the list? He will be lined up in the slot on the majority of snaps in a Bruce Arians offense that funneled targets to the position since his early play calling days. He is one of my favorite picks in the 4th round and is someone who has top-10 upside at his position.

Cooper Kupp - WR #20 ADP 61

Not too often I will back a guy coming off a torn ACL just 9 months ago, but with Cooper Kupp how can one not? He is the main red-zone target for one of the leagues best offenses and is someone Goff looks to when they need to make a play. If he truly is 100% from the injury, he will outperform fellow Ram Robert Woods and reach his ADP.

Duke Johnson - RB #27 ADP 80

One of the best passing downs backs got a major upgrade when he was traded to Houston this offseason. The Texans offense is absolutely loaded and should provide a ton of opportunity for the former Miami Hurricane. The All-Time leading rusher in Hurricane's history looks poised for 200+ carries and 40+ catches this season making him a steal at his current ADP.

Hunter Henry - TE #6 ADP 66

One of my favorite tight end prospects in over a decade finally looks to be healthy and ready to ascend into the top-5 at his position. With Antonio Gates finally retiring, Henry is the apple of Rivers eye and should see a ton of volume in a very tight end friendly offense. The one thing keeping him from TE2 or even TE1 this season is Mike Williams. His target share takes a major hit with Williams in the fold but if he can get over 110 targets, watch out he has TE2 written all over him. Regardless I believe he finishes as the TE4 this season as he should be targeted 90-105 times this season.

Josh Gordon - WR #28 ADP 65

One of the most talented receivers in the league has been granted clemency by the commissioner as he is finally allowed back into the league. Last season he led the Patriots in yards / target 10.6, yards per reception (18.0), 14th of 96th in yards / route run (2.15) and 7th in yards after catch (6.7). Give me all of the Josh Gordon shares as he has top-5 positional upside.

Austin Ekeler - RB #31 ADP 80

My second favorite breakout candidate next to Jamison Crowder is Austin Ekeler. Last season he ranked 6th of 61 RBs in PFF Grade (83.6) - 7th of 56 RBs in Elusive Rating (67.6) - 6th of 56 RBs in Yards per Carry (5.23) - 7th of 31 RBs in Yards per Target (7.62) ... and was better than Melvin Gordon in each stat. His quarterback threw the ball to running backs on 27.5% of pass attempts. Melvin Gordon has said he will holdout the entire season like Bell did last year. Ekeler is currently going in the 8th round of drafts. Get as many shares of Austin Ekeler as you can.

Derrius Guice - RB #32 ADP 86

Out with the old and in with the new. The Redskins should look to make Guice the primary ball carrier on what should be a run heavy team. One of my favorite rookies from last season, Guice is returning from a torn ACL last preseason. While I still think he is a year away from being completely healthy his situation and talent alone makes him a breakout candidate this season. At his current ADP and projected workload, he will payoff his value this season and is someone you will want to own in dynasty leagues.

Dede Westbrook - WR #38 ADP 81

The clear-cut #1 receiver on the Jaguars this season is Westbrook. He is currently in line for a 23-25% target share as he is the primary slot receiver which is the highest funneled target share under Foles and OC John DeFillipo. He should smash his WR ranking and has a chance to be WR2 in this offense.

John Brown - WR #49 ADP 142

The best receiver in Buffalo is now John Brown after spending one year with the Ravens. Smoke looks to be exactly what Josh Allen is looking for in a receiver as he is one of the best deep-threats in the league. I would look for Brown to be the most targeted receiver on the Bills and for him to lead them in yards and receptions. He is a great late round add in all leagues as he has a ton of big play ability.

Jamison Crowder - WR #51 ADP 169

My favorite Sleeper / Breakout this season is Jamison Crowder. Crowder was signed by the Jets this offseason to work strictly out of the slot. Over the past three seasons no coordinator has targeted slot receivers more than Adam Gase. Sam Darnold threw to slot receivers more than any other receiver in his rookie season. I am looking for a massive year from Crowder and one that should easily put him inside the top-30 at his position with a chance to break into the top-20.

Darwin Thompson - WR #50 ADP 176

With just Damien Williams ahead of him on the depth chart, I am drafting Thompson in every draft as he has potential league winning value. Williams has never carried the ball more than 50 times in one season and has been dealing with a hamstring injury all camp. Andy Reid RB1 average is #1 overall at 22%. Thompson is pretty much free in all drafts, I am not leaving a draft without Thompson as he is the best RB on this roster.

Tony Pollard - RB #53 ADP 182

At this current moment, Ezekiel Elliott is still in Cabo with no timetable of when he might return to the team. Tony Pollard is an excellent back that would then be thrusted into one of the best running games in the league. He is a must add, especially if you draft Elliott. Even with Elliott returning, Pollard has Kamara like receiving skills and is someone that I expect to take some of the workload off Elliott this season on passing downs.

Damian Harris - RB #55 ADP 185

Sony Michel has had knee issues since he was a Freshman at Georgia. He had a procedure this off-season on that same knee. The Patriots have a 42 year old quarterback and have increased rush attempts over the past couple of years. If Sony Michel's knee gives out on him, Damian Harris becomes the lead back in a run heavy offense that sees a ton of red-zone opportunities. I am adding Harris late in all drafts as he has potential league winning ability in this offense.

Sleepers -

Latavius Murray - RB #30 ADP 83

One of my favorite mid round players this year is Latavius Murray. He is in a great situation in which he should see a ton of work as they look to keep him and Kamara fresh for the playoffs. He is also one of the best goal-line backs in the league and on a team that averages 20 rushing touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. If god forbid anything happened to Kamara, Murray becomes an instant top-10 RB the rest of the season.

Will Fuller - WR #33 ADP 80

With the injury to Keke Coutee, a lot of targets became available for Will Fuller. In just 16 games Fuller has 11 touchdowns. The Texans face a very difficult schedule and should have to throw it more than they have in the previous two seasons. I am looking for a big year from Fuller this season.

Curtis Samuel - WR #34 ADP 96

One of my favorite offenses that everyone is sleeping on this year is the Carolina Panthers. With a healthy Cam Newton and another year at receiver Samuel is in for a breakout season this year. I don't think there has been another receiver that has generated more buzz than Samuel this season from reporters. Hopefully no one will be sleeping on him this year as you should get him in all drafts at his current ADP.

Matt Breida- RB #39 ADP 110

It is always good to have Kyle Shanahan running backs on your fantasy teams. With the setback to Jerrick McKinnon, it looks to be Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida leading this 49ers rushing attack. He is an excellent pass catcher that has three down ability should something happen to Coleman and is someone that I must have in all drafts.

Corey Davis- WR #38 ADP 93

The leading returning receiver for the Titans is Corey Davis. If Davis can get just mediocre quarterback play from Mariotta or Tannehill he will smash his current ADP as he is one of the more talented young receivers in this league. Unfortunately for him, I am not a fan of the new OC and or quarterbacks that he gets to play with, he is worth the flier this late in drafts though and is someone you should not sleep on.

Other Sleepers-

Jared Cook, Sterling Shepard, Darrell Henderson, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Gallup, Emmanuel Sanders, Donte Moncrief, Golden Tate, Marquise Goodwin,