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 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Cardinals – RB David Johnson

OK, OK, right off the bat we’ve got to clarify how we’re measuring a “breakout” player, because you can legitimately argue that Johnson had his breakout last season.

Our counterargument is that Johnson’s ceiling is much, much higher than his 2015 output. He appeared in all 16 games last season, but largely played second fiddle to veteran Chris Johnson until late in the year. David Johnson didn’t receive double-digit carries in a game until Week 13, when he rushed for 99 yards on 22 carries.

The signature game of his rookie campaign came in a Week 15 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles when he rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns. David Johnson also added 42 yards on four receptions in a spectacular all-around game.

For the season, he finished with 1,038 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns. Those are solid numbers, but now that he’s expected to carry the load in his second season in the Cardinals’ potent offense, that makes 1,800 yards and 15-plus touchdowns attainable benchmarks. David Johnson should also feature heavily in the passing game, making 50-60 receptions a realistic possibility.

Those numbers would place him among the top overall running backs in fantasy football, and certainly qualify as a true breakout.

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