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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Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Rams – WR Tavon Austin

Austin has been a mainstay on these types of lists since he was drafted by the Rams with the No. 8 overall pick in 2013. With such a draft pick permanently linked to you, expectations are always going to be high.

Austin had his finest professional season last year, but he did a lot of his damage on the ground. He caught 52 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns, but also rushed for 434 yards and four touchdowns. For the third straight year, Austin also added a kickoff return for touchdown. So, all told, he finished with 907 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns. That’s actually not too shabby, but he finds himself on this list because everyone knows he can do more.

The quarterback play over Austin’s first three seasons was largely inconsistent and uninspiring, but there is finally hope in the form of 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff.

Goff is expected to take over as the team’s starter from Day One, and if he injects a new life into an offense desperately needing it, Austin should be one of the biggest benefactors. Austin’s skill set compares favorably to the now-retired Percy Harvin, who in 2011 caught 87 passes for 967 yards, rushed for 345 yards and scored nine total touchdowns.

If Austin approaches that kind of production, fantasy owners (and Rams fans) would be thrilled.

Next: Miami Dolphins

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