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Fantasy Football: Top 10 Breakout WR in 2016

By Zachary Thompson

Aug 4, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) makes a leaping catch during the Indianapolis Colts NFL training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/Indy Star via USA TODAY NETWORK
Aug 4, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) makes a leaping catch during the Indianapolis Colts NFL training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/Indy Star via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Jun 15, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass at the practice field at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass at the practice field at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Devin Funchess-Carolina Panthers

Coming into last year, Funchess got some preseason fantasy football sleeper buzz after Kelvin Benjamin was lost to injury. It was probably unfair to expect the second-round rookie out of Michigan to jump right in as the team’s #1 option, though, and he struggled to make an impact especially early in the season.

He did get more involved as the season went on and ended up catching five touchdown passes in his last nine games.  He finished the regular season with his best performance of the year catching a career-high seven passes for a career-high 120 yards and a touchdown. In the playoffs, Funchess was fairly quiet again ending up with just five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers three playoff contests.

This year, Kelvin Benjamin is back, but is still looks like Funchess could be a breakout WR.  Benjamin has struggled with his conditioning and is currently being way over-drafted after missing an entire season.  Funchess is still going late as the 57th receiver taken which lands him in the 17th round in standard-size leagues.

Funchess has been great all training camp according to all the Panthers’ beat reporters and looked better than Benjamin. He caught a touchdown in Preseason week 1 on his only target, and he could emerge as a big-time weapon for the Panthers this season to complement Greg Olsen who will likely still be Cam’s favorite target. Funchess is a great late-round flier again this year and could be a breakout WR that ends up starting for you most of the season.

Next: A breakout WR for Blaine?

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