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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May 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin catches a pass during the practice held at the Bank of America Stadium practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin catches a pass during the practice held at the Bank of America Stadium practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers – WR Kelvin Benjamin

OK, well … this one is a little cheap. Benjamin isn’t exactly an unknown commodity. He did post 1,008 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, both team-high totals, as a rookie after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

A torn ACL suffered in the preseason cost Benjamin the entire 2015 season, and he was forced to watch from the sideline as the Panthers steamrolled to a 15-1 record and the franchise’s second Super Bowl appearance.

Quarterback Cam Newton put together an MVP season without Benjamin, his biggest target and most talented pass-catcher. Ted Ginn Jr., Jerricho Cotchery, Devin Funchess and Philly Brown formed a surprisingly productive quartet, but Benjamin should quickly re-assume the No. 1 wideout mantle. The ACL injury occurred last preseason, so Benjamin has had nearly a full calendar year to recover from the ensuing surgery.

Fantasy owners can often have a short memory, a what-have-you-done-lately mentality. This is understandable — the NFL is very much a year-to-year business. But don’t fall prey to this thinking with Benjamin. If other fantasy owners let him slip, be the one who takes a chance on him. Best-case scenario? You’ll get a WR2 with upside in the middle rounds.

Next: Chicago Bears

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