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 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns – WR Corey Coleman

Our first rookie on the list! The Browns selected the dynamic Coleman with the No. 15 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, and he’s expected to step into a starting role right away.

In fact, Coleman basically became the Browns’ go-to receiver overnight. It seems to be an endless rebuilding project in Cleveland, but the team let its top receiver, Travis Benjamin, leave via free agency, and released veteran Brian Hartline. The top returning receiver, from a statistical perspective, is Andrew Hawkins, who had a whopping 276 yards in 2015.

Barnidge, one of last season’s true breakout stars, is back at tight end, but Coleman is the top dog at wide receiver. As a junior at Baylor last season, Coleman piled up monster numbers (1,363 yards, 20 touchdowns) en route to winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award for most outstanding receiver.

Another sobering truth that’s working in Coleman’s favor? The Browns are short on breakout candidates. We can’t in good conscience recommend quarterback Robert Griffin III. The Browns haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Peyton Hillis in 2010, and it seems unlikely that either Isaiah Crowell or Duke Johnson will end that streak (though Johnson is intriguing, particularly in PPR leagues).

Coleman has the most realistic chance to make an impact and he should do it right away.

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