Second-Year Breakout Players (#FantasyFootball)

It’s April. Your friends come over. You prepare your favorite snack, grab a beer and sit in front of the TV on a Thursday evening. We all do it. We salivate during the NFL Draft at the rookie class and imagine all of the exciting scenarios that could be in the world of Fantasy Football. Who will be the first WR selected? Who will be the first RB selected? Will Roger Goodell be booed off stage again? Of course! The 2019 NFL Draft was no different.

By the time the first round was over, we saw only 2 TE drafted (T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant), 2 WR drafted (Marquise Brown and N’Keal Harry) and 1 RB drafted (Josh Jacobs). However, that was just the beginning. There were still some rookies that had yet to be drafted that would go on and prove their worth in the 2019 NFL season. I am going to highlight a few players that I believe will break out during their 2nd year in the league.

A.J. Brown – Tennessee Titans WR – Selected Round 2, 51st Overall in the 2019 NFL Draft

Arthur Juan Brown, otherwise known as A.J. Brown, should continue to reap the benefits of having Ryan Tannehill under center. Brown ended the 2019 season with 52 receptions for 1,051 yards and 8 TDs. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s 20.2 yards per reception! That was good enough to rank Brown second to only Mike Williams, WR for the LA Chargers, with 20.4 yards per reception.

In 2020, we get to see what A.J. Brown can do with a full season of Ryan Tannehill behind center. Keep in mind, through the first six games of his rookie year, Brown was working with Marcus Mariota as his QB and only managed 14 receptions for 273 yards and 2 TDs in six games! Tannehill and Brown clearly have chemistry and now the trust moving forward to treat Brown as the Titans #1 receiver. Yes, the Tennessee Titans have a run-heavy scheme in place, but that shouldn’t stop you from drafting Brown with confidence and enjoying the ride. 2020 Projection: 75 receptions for 1,253 yards, 10 TDs

D.K. Metcalf – Seattle Seahawks WR – Selected Round 2, 64th Overall in the 2019 NFL Draft

DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, otherwise known as D.K. Metcalf, is going to be a stud this year. Some may believe he already broke out last year, but I believe he has so much more potential moving forward. Some of you may question whether D.K. Metcalf is the Seahawks #1 receiver with Tyler Lockett looming in the shadows, but let’s look at some numbers in the 2019 season.

1. Tyler Lockett: 110 targets, 82 receptions for 1,057 yards, 8 TD
2. D.K. Metcalf: 100 targets, 58 receptions for 900 yards, 7 TD

Yes, Lockett bested Metcalf in all categories, but ultimately, Metcalf only received 10 fewer looks from Russell Wilson. I picture this more of a #1a and #1b situation when talking about who the true #1 receiver is. I believe more is in store for D.K. Metcalf during his second year. Keep in mind, Metcalf stands at 6’4 and Lockett stands at 5’10. Now that D.K. proved himself during his rookie year, I anticipate more jump ball opportunities and taking advantage of his height and build. Go ahead. Draft Metcalf, insert him into your starting lineup every week and start him with confidence! 2020 Projection: 66 receptions for 1,098 yards, 9 TD

Miles Sanders – Philadelphia Eagles RB – Selected Round 2, 53rd Overall in the 2019 NFL Draft

Drafted in the second round out of Penn State, Miles Sanders arrived in Philly, to the delight of fans. Joining a crowded backfield of Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, Darren Sproles and Jay Ajayi, Miles was quickly the fan-favorite and finished the season with 179 carries, 818 yards, 50 receptions for 509 yards and 6 total TDs. You read that right. Miles compiled 1,327 yards from scrimmage, placing him 13th in scrimmage yards for RBs in 2019. He had more scrimmage yards than Josh Jacobs, Le’Veon Bell and Mark Ingram.

Fast forward one year and now Jordan Howard has departed for Miami. That leaves Miles Sanders as the Eagles lead back. Jordan Howard had 119 carries for the Eagles last year, so there are a lot more of attempts available and could very well push Miles Sanders into RB1 conversation this season. I don’t hesitate to say that I believe Sanders will break out in his 2nd season and will have fantasy owners thankful they used a 2nd round pick on him. 2020 Projection: 233 carries for 1,053 yards, 8 TD; 60 receptions for 625 yards, 5 TD

Devin Singletary – Buffalo Bills RB – Selected Round 3, 74th Overall in the 2019 NFL Draft

Devin Singletary entered his rookie year working alongside veteran RB Frank Gore. Carries were evenly split among the two RBs, with Singletary showing bursts of speed, all the while boasting a robust 5.1 yards per carry for the 2019 season.

1. Frank Gore: 166 carries for 599 yards, 2 TDs; 13 receptions for 100 yards
2. Devin Singletary: 151 carries for 775 yards, 2 TDs; 29 receptions for 194 yards, 2 TDs

During the offseason, Frank Gore signed with the AFC East rival New York Jets. This means Devin Singletary now has the backfield to himself. Josh Allen, QB for the Bills, also had 109 carries last season, so I expect that to increase slightly, but I see a nice increase in production for Singletary. Keep in mind, the Bills did draft RB Zack Moss out of Utah in the 3rd round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, I don’t see Moss having that much of an impact and cutting into Devin’s workload. Draft Singletary with confidence as your RB2 this season and never look back. 2020 Projection: 188 carries for 993 yards, 7 TDs; 38 receptions for 321 yards, 3 TDs

Noah Fant – Denver Broncos TE – Selected Round 1, 20th Overall in the 2019 NFL Draft

The Denver Broncos really haven’t had a standout Tight End since the days of Shannon Sharpe in the ’90s. Noah Fant offers big-play ability and it is expected that the Denver Broncos focus more on the tight end position now that former Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is the new offensive coordinator. Fant finished the 2019 season with 40 receptions for 562 yards and 3 TDs. Drew Lock didn’t end up starting at QB until Week 13. During that week, Noah Fant had 4 receptions for 113 yards and 1 TD.

The Denver Broncos used their first two picks in the 2020 NFL Draft on WRs Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. Don’t forget about the offseason addition of RB Melvin Gordon III and all of a sudden, you can see why I am high on Noah Fant having a breakout season. In 12 team PPR leagues, Fant is currently being drafted around the 8th round. Sit back, be patient and grab Noah Fant as your starting tight end this season and reap the benefits. You won’t regret it. 2020 Projection: 55 receptions for 743 yards, 5 TDs

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