Fantasy: Breakout candidates to target in your draft (Updated)
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
With fantasy draft season upon us, we identify this year's fantasy breakout candidates.
Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyPros and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.
Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles
There aren't many quarterbacks who can sneak up on fantasy owners and deliver a breakout campaign. Wentz is coming off a competent rookie season where he started all 16 games, but failed to make a fantasy impact after a hot start. The Eagles wisely and aggressively decided to build around their young arm in the offseason, adding Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, and LeGarrette Blount to a core that already had Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz, and Darren Sproles. With his weapons in place, the 2016 second overall pick has been on a mission to better himself, undergoing laser eye surgery and hiring a pair of QB gurus to help work on his mechanics. There won't be any excuses this time around if Wentz fades as the season goes on.
Star Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 12th round (QB18)
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
Which of the AFC South's big, powerful, former SEC workhorses with questionable receiving skills would you rather have on your fantasy squad: Leonard Fournette or Henry? Fournette has the better draft pedigree, but will run behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. Henry wasn't a first-round pick, but was still drafted early and gets to run behind one of the NFL's best lines. So why is Henry being drafted several rounds after Fournette in fantasy leagues? The answer is DeMarco Murray, who stands in Henry's way but is approaching age 30, handled nearly 350 touches last season, and has a long history of injuries. Betting on an injury is always a risk, but investing in Henry has the chance to pay off in a big way.
Star Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 7th round (RB33)
Paul Perkins, RB, Giants
Opportunity is the first step toward fantasy success for running backs, and after a strong finish to his first season, Perkins has been handed the keys to the Giants' backfield. Veteran Shane Vereen will primarily contribute in the passing game and rookie Wayne Gallman is an average athlete who will struggle to earn playing time as a pro. Perkins has a chance to be this year's Melvin Gordon, a player who was held scoreless in his rookie campaign before finally arriving as a reliable starter and a double-digit touchdown scorer in his second season. Both Perkins and Gordon entered Year 2 in potent passing attacks, with questions about their talent ceilings and the state of their offensive lines. Perkins' ADP is sure to rise, but at the moment, he's one of the best values on the board.
Star Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 7th round (RB32)
C.J. Prosise, RB, Seahawks
The template for the contemporary three-down back is established. The successful runner must have patience, vision, freakish burst, and, above all else, high-end receiving skills. David Johnson fits these criteria. So does Le'Veon Bell. And so does sophomore runner Prosise, who flashed major potential last season before his debut campaign was derailed by an injury. Don't fear Eddie Lacy, whom the Seahawks signed in free agency. He'll either eat himself out of the starting job or prove that all he can do is fall forward for a few yards. Prosise is the player to own in this backfield.
Star Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 10th round (RB42)
Stefon Diggs, WR, Vikings
Diggs was well on his way to a breakout season last year after posting 16 catches, 285 yards, and a touchdown through the first two weeks of September. A groin injury in Week 4 coupled with an admitted lack of conditioning slowed the young receiver's production over the rest of the year, limiting him to just one more 100-yard effort. Diggs has vowed to enter 2017 in better shape and if he stays true to his word he could emerge has a rock-solid fantasy WR2 in an under-appreciated Vikings' passing attack.
Star Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 6th round (WR29)
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
The light has to come on for former first-round pick Parker, if the Dolphins are to be believed. The word out of Miami camp is that a player whose effectiveness was limited by a lack of professionalism and inability to play through injuries has matured and is ready to dominate. Perhaps we were spoiled by rookie receiving sensations like Odell Beckham Jr. and Michael Thomas. Three seasons used to be the standard timeline for a college pass-catcher to adjust to the pros and learn to abuse NFL cornerbacks. For Parker, that time is now.
Star Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 9th round (WR42)
Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins
A year ago, Doctson was a first-round pick and the receiver everyone expected to take over in Washington when DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon left in free agency. Unfortunately, Doctson was unable to flash his skills as a rookie due to an Achilles injury that limited him to just two games and made many forget about the heir apparent to the Redskins' receiving corps. Doctson was a prolific college player with a highlight reel full of outstanding catches, some of which he's been replicating in training camp. Despite his lost season, Doctson may end up being the best receiver in his draft class - and that could start with a big year in 2017.
Star Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 13th round (WR57)
Jack Doyle, TE, Colts
Doyle surprised everyone when he outplayed Dwayne Allen last season, finishing with 24 more receptions and 178 more yards than the Colts' presumed top tight end. The team responded by trading Allen after the season, leaving Doyle as the new No. 1 option with Erik Swoope stepping into the sidekick role. Don't expect Doyle to post monster yardage numbers, but his touchdown potential in an Andrew Luck-led offense could allow him to double his previous high of five, set a year ago. Doyle continues to be selected outside of the top-10 fantasy tight ends, making him an excellent upside pick in the later rounds.
Star Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 10th round (TE12)
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(Photos courtesy: Action Images)