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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Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kevin White (West Virginia) is selected as the number seven overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kevin White (West Virginia) is selected as the number seven overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bears – WR Kevin White

Like Benjamin, White also missed the entire 2015 season. The Bears selected the former West Virginia standout with the No. 7 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, but a stress fracture in his shin required surgery and White never saw the field as a rookie.

The loss greatly hampered the Bears, who had no legitimate playmaker to line up opposite Pro Bowl wideout Alshon Jeffery, who himself battled injuries last season. White will immediately step into a high-volume role as one of the focal points of the Bears’ offense.

Second-year running back Jeremy Langford was another candidate for Chicago’s breakout player, and while he’s expected to take over as the primary ball carrier for the since-departed Matt Forte, he still played a role last season (537 rushing yards, team-high seven touchdowns).

Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett are both gone, meaning quarterback Jay Cutler will likely lean heavily on both Jeffery and White. Treat White as a backup receiver for now, but consider that he has 1,000-yard upside in a Cutler-led offense.

Jeffery tallied a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in 2013 and 2014 while playing opposite Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall. White could now do the same as Jeffery’s No. 2.

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