Fantasy Football Sleepers: 5 Breakout Wide Receivers for 2019

The NFL is becoming more of a passing league, giving wide receivers more fantasy football value and making the position pool even deeper.

Like many other sports, the NFL is not exempt to changes. Coaches are willing to split time in the backfield in order to keep them healthier throughout the season. As a result, more wide receivers have fantasy football value. If you miss out on the top names, there are plenty of other options later in the draft.

The running back position, on the other hand, is very top-heavy. Many of the off-season rankings have a running back in the top six spots. There isn’t a wide receiver until No. 7, Davante Adams.

If you want to load up on running backs in order to have solid production, you won’t miss out of talented wide receivers in the middle rounds. The value goes up even more if you play in a PPR league. Those are extra points not found as much as other positions.

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All five wide receivers are ranked 89th and lower (higher?) according to ESPN’s consensus rankings based on standard scoring.

Christian Kirk

While not necessarily a sleeper, Kirk is ready to have a breakout season. As the Cardinals second-round pick, he caught 43 passes for 590 yards and three touchdowns before suffering a broken foot.

This season, Arizona upgraded their quarterback, going from Josh Rosen to Kyler Murray. It does help that Larry Fitzgerald is another year older. Though, the Cardinals did a good job stocking up on pass catchers with rookies Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler and KeeSean Johnson.

The foot doesn’t seem to be a problem as he’ll line up as the Cardinals No. 2 wide receiver.

Dante Pettis

Another former rookie, Pettis put up good numbers in a small sample size. He caught 27 of 45 passes for 467 yards and five touchdowns. The 49ers are a team on the rise with the number of young players on the team.

The wide receiver depth chart in San Francisco is deep with the additions of Jordan Matthews and Marquise Goodwin and drafting Deebo Samuel. Pettis is listed as lining up on the right side and Matthews opposite of him.

With Jimmy Garoppolo back under center, Pettis is a flex play with some upside.

Golden Tate

Tate stays in the NFC East with the Giants. Split between Detroit in Philadelphia last year, he had 74 catches, 795 yards and four touchdowns with the majority of those numbers coming from the Lions.

The Giants traded Odell Beckham Jr, freeing up a lot of targets in the offense. Starting opposite of Sterling Shepard, Tate will rack up the catches.

While the Giants offense may flow through Saquon Barkley, Eli Manning will still throw 550-plus passes this season and Tate will get some of them.

Michael Gallup

Gallup had a modest rookie season. He caught 33 passes for 507 yards and two touchdowns. He was fourth in receptions and yards behind Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper and Cole Beasley.

Beasley is now in Buffalo but the front office brought in veteran Randall Cobb. Though, with his injury history, the Cowboys and fantasy owners cannot rely on him in an everyday role. Gallup will see a lot of looks as defenses look to double-team Cooper.

He will be no higher than third in line for targets behind Cooper and Elliott.

Devin Funchess

Funchess goes from Carolina to Indianapolis, Cam Newton to Andrew Luck. Not many players can go from one quarterback in his prime to another. In 14 games last season, Funchess had 44 catches for 549 yards and four touchdowns.

Moving to Indy puts him on a pass-first offense. Luck will still look to T.Y. Hilton, Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle for completions. But, with not much depth at the wide receiver position, Funchess will get his own.

Next. Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 2019. dark

All five wide receivers have upside in their current situations. Whether it’s an upgrade at quarterback a player leaving or having a superstar opposite of them, these wide receivers will have fantasy football value in all league formats. Stay tuned to FanSided Fantasy as we approach the start of the NFL season for all our Fantasy Football and DFS coverage.

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