Yep, it’s March and we are already making guarantees and taking victory laps… okay not really. In our latest collaboration article I asked each contributor to give me one of their favorite breakout players for the 2022 season, and we had some great answers.
Some of these players you might be able to buy low, others are popular choices to breakout and might cost you a pretty penny to acquire. Either way, these are some players looking to have that coveted “breakout season” we all hope for. Be sure to let the contributors know what you think about their picks, their Twitter handles are linked below. Enjoy…
Embed from Getty ImagesQB Trey Lance (SF)
The rushing quarterback has been known to be an advantage in fantasy football, with limited quarterbacks like Tim Tebow and Taysom Hill posting QB1 numbers in the past. Lance rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns while throwing for 2,786 yards with 28 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in 2020. Fantasy truthers are currently salivating at the prospects of how Shannahan can deploy his new cheat code. Thomas Tipple @ThomasTipple of GoingFor2.com
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (JAX)
Another popular breakout candidate for the 2021 Season, Shenault Jr. fell flat in his sophomore campaign that concluded with a total of 0 TDs while playing in 16 of 17 games for Jacksonville. The hopes were high for Shenault Jr. entering 2021 with a new rookie QB in Trevor Lawrence and a new HC in Urban Meyer.
The lack of success for all parts of the Jacksonville Offense can be traced back to a mess of a situation at the head coach position. Whatever your expectations were for Urban and the Jags in 2021, those expectations were simply not met. Now those responsibilities have been passed to Doug Pederson who in many ways was the scape goat for the failures of the 2020 Philadelphia Eagles.
Though uncertainty reamins in the level of success Jacksonville can achieve in the 2022 Season, Pederson provides more stability at a leadership level for this team to produce at a more consistent level. Fantasy teams are going to be turned off by Shenault Jr. in 2022 after being burned on a much higher ADP for him in all formats entering last season.
Shenault Jr. should be available as a late round flier in yearly formats and someone available for cheap via trade in dynasty formats. His price is cheap, but your potential rewards in fantasy production can be great. Zach Pellowski @TheBigPellowski of GoingFor2.com
RB Cam Akers (LAR)
I’ll admit I drafted him late last season in a start up.dynasty, but you give me the clear cut #1 back in one of the best offenses in football, that’s where I want to be. Cam Akers looked great late in the season and into the playoffs. I’m in on Akers although I got him cheap I still think he can be a top 15 RB. Jared Good @TheYetiExpress of GoingFor2.com
RB J.K. Dobbins (BAL)
J.K. Dobbins was a prime breakout candidate for the 2021 season, but a torn ACL in preseason derailed those hopes. Heading into 2022, a breakout is still very much in play for Dobbins. After a slow start in his rookie season, Dobbins looked fantastic in the second half of the season. He posted double-digit fantasy points from Week 13 to Week 17. In addition, Dobbins was extremely efficient averaging nearly six yards-per-carry, and converting on nine of his touchdown opportunities.Â
The situation remains largely the same in 2022. Lamar Jackson will continue to get his touches as a rushing quarterback, and the Ravens are likely to mix in another back like Gus Edwards. However, I expect Dobbins’s touches to exceed his totals in 2020. Furthermore, his touchdown opportunities should remain substantial. Any added work in the passing game would be icing on the cake. Look for Dobbins to post a top ten running back season to cement his break out. Jay Christensen @JayC_DFF of GoingFor2.com
WR Elijah Moore (NYJ)
86 receptions in 8 games for Elijah Moore in his last college season was an indicator the Jets rookie would be able to handle volume in the NFL. Moore was not a producer necessarily right away his rookie season, but the production came heavy following the Jets’ BYE. Through Weeks 7-13 Elijah was the overall WR3 averaging 17.7 PPR fantasy points durin that span.
This mini breakout featured three games of 20+ fantasy points, and in those three games he played with four different Jets QB’s. If balling out with four different Jets QB’s does not speak for his talent, I do not know what could. We saw glimpses of high targets, high receptions, high receiving yards and the ability to score this season.
Unfortunately, Week 13 was his last gasme for the 2021 season due to injury. Looking ahead to 2022 – I am sure the Jets will continu to build their team, whcih may feature more adds to their receiving core, but I firmly believe Elijah Moore will continue to be the haviest targeted player on the team.
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
The opportunity for volume is there for 2022, the coaching staff that featured him as a big part of the gameplan returns, Moore’s relationship with fellow 2021 rookie Zach Wilson will continue to grow and big things are to come. I expect a huge season out of Elijah Moore in 2022, and for his dynasty value to continue to trend up. Nick Skrip @p2wfantasy of  p2wfantasy.com , fantasypoints.com and beargoggleson.com
Embed from Getty ImagesWR Rashod Bateman (BAL)
After his return last season from surgery, we were all on pins and needles to see him preform. I know I was excited because coming out of Minnesota, he was electric, rated as an NFL true #1 or slot…versatility! It took him a while to get going in Baltimore, but when he flashed, he looked strong.
Targeted 68 times, reeling in 46 receptions on 515 yards and a TD. Even while missing games, he was 3rd in targets for the season. I expect a regression in Hollywood Brown and/or Andrews because Bateman will be the go-to guy this year.
Coach Harbaugh says Bateman is an incredible study of the game, routes, and plays. Given a full season to shine, barring re-injury, my money is on multiple highlights of Jackson to Bateman, touchdown after touchdown. Courtney Burrows @luvtractor3 of GoingFor2.com
QB Trevor Lawrence (JAX)
Let’s not sugarcoat it–Lawrence was pretty bad last year. But the term “breakout” to me means a huge jump and there are few players I like more than Trevor Lawrence to see his numbers jump exponentially from the 2021 season to the 2022 season.
I’m not going out on a limb by saying the Urban Meyer was not a great NFL coach. But him being replaced by Doug Pederson can only get Lawrence’s arrow pointing upward. Pederson has shown great success with young quarterbacks in the past. And even if Pederson is only average in maximizing Lawrence’s value, Lawrence can’t be much worse.
Either way, I suspect Pederson will create a playbook that caters to Lawrence’s strengths. But in addition to a better scheme/coach, I also suspect that the Jags will upgrade Lawrence’s protection this offseason as well. Throw in a healthy Entienne, not to mention potential upgrades at WR and I would not be surprised to see Lawrence as one of the top dozen fantasy QBs this upcoming season. Mark Strausberg @MarkStrausberg or FantasySixPack.net
LB Ernest Jones (LAR)
The Super Bowl stand-out third-rounder enjoyed a mild, but hot late-season breakout. The linebacker proved his rookie season he is worthy of being Ram’s first selection after they slowly eased him in. It was a bit of an IDP roller coaster ride getting our read on him.
But when he was healthy he had a couple of great stretches at producing. And brought it all together in the championship. We’re talking about a potential upper tier-one linebacker dynasty ceiling. And solid tier one redraft upside as soon as this season plays out. Gary VanDyke @TheIDPTipster of GridironRatings.com
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.
