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; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes in drills before the game against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes in drills before the game against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings – QB Teddy Bridgewater

It’s Bridgewater’s third season in the NFL, meaning it’s time (perhaps past time) for him to take a step forward.

Many pundits expected that jump to happen in 2015. Truthfully, Bridgewater wasn’t terrible last season — he just wasn’t dynamic. He passed for 3,231 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. For a starting quarterback in the NFL in the year 2015, that’s just not ideal, even in a run-first offense.

Running back Adrian Peterson, even at 31 years old, is still a dangerous weapon that should keep defensive fronts honest, but Bridgewater has to improve his deep-ball accuracy. Receiver Stefon Diggs was a revelation last season, and the addition of Laquon Treadwell with the No. 23 overall pick in this year’s draft gives Bridgewater another target at his disposal.

Expecting Bridgewater to throw for more than 4,000 is probably unrealistic, but the touchdowns simply have to go up. If he doesn’t at least surpass 20 touchdowns through the air, there should be genuine cause for concern.

Don’t draft him as a QB1, but taking a flyer on him as a QB2 in two-quarterback leagues, or as a backup to your main QB1, could pay off if Bridgewater finally has a breakout season.

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