2017 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidate: Kevin White
WR Kevin White | Chicago Bears | 3rd Year
2016 Stats: 19 receptions for 187 yards (4 games)
After being drafted seventh overall in 2015, Kevin White missed his entire rookie season with a fracture right tibia. He was a high volume target early last season, with exactly nine per game yielding 19 catches for 187 yards in four games. But a fractured fibula in the same leg eventually ended his season, and White is on the fast track to being a first-round bust.
Two major injuries to the same leg seems sure to sap some of White’s speed (4.35 40 at the NFL Combine), and talk of him working to “align his stride” while running is an odd description. A 52.8 percent catch rate and 9.8 yards per catch in his brief run last year only add to the negatives.
The Bears re-did their quarterback depth chart this offseason, signing Mike Glennon in free agency and drafting Mitchell Trubisky second overall. But Alshon Jeffery and his 8.4 targets per game over the last five seasons are also gone, with Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton and Victor Cruz added to help fill that void. So White has plenty of competition for targets, and let’s not forget Cameron Meredith’s 66 catches and 97 targets in 14 games last season.
White was reportedly back to full speed in June, for whatever that’s worth at that point. He has to prove it when the intensity goes up in training camp and preseason games, then carry good health into Week 1 and beyond. His progress will be worth monitoring though, and White is in late-round dart throw territory based on ADP (WR61, via Fantasy Pros).
In terms of pinpointing any breakout potential for 2017, White is also a major dart throw. It’s impossible to confidently project him for anything, but I’ll give it a shot anyway, with some optimism he’ll at least reach double-digits in games played.
Kevin White 2017 Projection: 60 receptions for 640 yards, 5 TDs
Breakout Percentage: 10%
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
