2016 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidate: Tyrod Taylor

QB Tyrod Taylor| Buffalo Bills | Sixth Year

2015 Stats: 3,035 passing yard, 20 TD, 6 INT, 568 rushing yards and 4 TD

In the first extended action of his career, things went pretty well for Tyrod Taylor in 2015. In 14 games he posted at least 20 fantasy points (ESPN scoring) six times, with the second-most rushing yards and fourth-most rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks.

The Bills had the second-most rush attempts in the league last year (31.8 per game), and a run-focused approach is unlikely to change this year. But it is worth noting that Taylor had at least 27 pass attempts (more than 30 three times) in six of eight games from Week 10 on. That’s still not exactly airing it out, at least by the modern definition, but any sign of Buffalo’s offense opening up has to be a positive.

Assuming Sammy Watkins is fully healthy after offseason foot surgery, Taylor has a legit No. 1 wide receiver at his disposal. From Week 12-Week 17 last season, Watkins had at least five catches, over 100 yards, a touchdown or some combination in every game, which is a sign of a budding chemistry with Taylor that is a good sign for 2016.

Taylor is a rare quarterback that is a true dual threat, with 104 rushing attempts (second-most among quarterbacks) in 2015. That helps offset a conservative offense that would ordinarily put a lid on a signal caller’s fantasy upside, and Taylor posted at least 11 fantasy points (ESPN scoring) in 13 of his 14 games last year. That’s obviously not quite elite air among fantasy quarterbacks, but it’s not a huge step to suggest Taylor has top-10 upside for 2016 with a solid floor buoyed by his running ability.

2016 Projection

3,400 passing yards, 26 TD, 575 rushing yards, 5 TD

Breakout Percentage

60%

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