Fansided

32 breakout fantasy football players for the 2016-17 NFL season

By Andrew C. Lovell

May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Texans – QB Brock Osweiler

After three seasons in Manning’s shadow, Osweiler finally had his on-field breakout last season for Denver. The former Arizona State standout played a key role in the Broncos’ Super Bowl season, helping keep Denver in the race for the AFC’s No. 1 seed when an ailing — and often ineffective — Manning was unable to do so.

The Broncos, however, turned to Manning in the postseason and Osweiler parlayed his brief on-field audition into a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason with Houston.

The Texans trotted out four different quarterbacks over the course of last season (Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates, Brandon Weeden), so solidifying the position was a major priority. Osweiler now finds himself in control of an offense that boasts Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, former 1,000-yard rusher Lamar Miller, and 2016 first-round wide receiver Will Fuller.

Hopkins alone makes Osweiler worthy of consideration, but the Texans’ offense should be much improved this season. As a team last season, the Texans combined to pass for 4,079 yards and 29 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. Those actually aren’t terrible numbers for fantasy purposes, and if Osweiler is absorbing all of that production himself in 2016, he becomes a QB2 with upside.

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