Potential NFL Fantasy Breakout Players

Javonte Williams RB DEN

Coming off an ACL tear just four weeks into last season, Williams has been progressing toward being ready by week 1. Pegged to take over the Denver backfield even as a rookie, he disappointed those who bought into the hype in 2022. This year Williams is ranked lower than players like Cam Akers, James Connor, and Rashad White. Sean Payton will drastically improve the Broncos offense and there is virtually zero competition for touches with Samaje Perine and Tony Jones the other two RBs on the roster. In 2022 ESPN had Williams ranked as the RB11 before the season, this year he is RB29. This drastic drop is unwarranted since he is arguably in a better situation with much less competition for opportunity. Denver also has the 6th easiest schedule according to Fanatsy Pros. 

Quentin Johnston WR LAC

Even with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, LA decided to keep Justin Herbert stocked up with options on offense. Johnston, their first round pick, is a monster who will soak up targets when (not if) either Allen or Williams miss time due to injury. Josh Palmer stepped into the number 2 role last year and did not deliver, so the Chargers got a rock solid playmaker they can rely on. Currently ranked as WR51 by ESPN Johnston will play a huge role in one of the league's best offenses. Looking for more potential, Austin Ekler has 38 TDs the last two seasons, which allows massive upside if teams key on the run game and force LA to throw the ball more in the red zone this season. 

Geno Smith QB SEA

2022 seemed to be Smith's breakout year, but based on the offseason moves, we expect Smith to outperform his current QB14 rank. By adding the top WR in the draft class, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will make Seattle's weapons arguably the best in the NFL. The emergence of Kenneth Walker helps keep defenses honest as well. The Seahwks finished 9th in points last season and project to be in the top 10 again in 2023. Pair that with a bottom 10 defense and Geno will have tons of opportunity to play in shootouts to inflate his stats even more. Smith finished as the QB5 last season, but has an ideal situation again this year. 

David Njoku TE CLE

2023 will be Njoku’s 7th season in Cleveland, yet he has never reached the potential that many feel his freakish attributes bring. In 2022 he had his best season for the Browns and became a true every down TE that the coaching staff trusts. There is still hope that Deshaun Watson can bring explosion to this offense, and if he can reach his prior form, Njoku will be a major factor in the passing game. Currently ranked at TE10, there is plenty of room for the still prime 26 year old to be a reliable every week TE. There are not many of those players available in fantasy.