It’s extremely early to start predicting 2008 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates, but that has never stopped us in the past. Keep in mind that a lot is going to change between now and August, especially after the 2008 NFL Draft, but I absolutely believe a few of these names, like Michael Turner, Marion Barber and Santonio Holmes, will be at the top of our 2008 fantasy breakout list all off-season long! Enjoy.
Barber isn’t exactly a sleeper heading into the off-season, but as I said in a radio interview last month, his value can only climb so high in 2008 with runners like Gore, L.J., Parker and Portis almost certain to go ahead of him come August. Therefore, because Barber isn’t likely to even have a cup of coffee with that first-round in 2008 fantasy drafts, he still holds some serious breakout-potential next season. Of course Barber could increase his own value with some beast-like performances in the 2008 NFL Playoffs, but for now he still has draft-value written all over him. Also keep in mind that he is a free agent this off-season, but because Julius Jones is probably on his way out of Dallas (also a free agent), I expect Barber to resign with the Cowboys and drive into the 2008 season as the team’s clear starter.
Michael “The Burner” Turner” is about to become the most sought after free agent rusher in the 2008 NFL off-season. Granted, the back has to remain healthy all the way through the 2007-2008 Playoffs, but we expect the speedster to find a new home before April’s 2008 NFL Draft. There are a lot of NFL teams looking for a rusher entering this off-season, as the Jets, Bengals, Texans, Oakland and Chicago all appear in desperate need of a stud running back… and with the injury to Kevin Jones (ACL), even the Lions could look to bring in a new starter to take over what should be a more ground-oriented attack in 2008. And, don’t forget that the Cardinals may be in the market for a power-type back this off-season, as there are rumors floating around AZ suggesting that Edgerrin James could be a cap casualty this off-season. Plus, Whisenhunt will continue to mold his unit into a Pittsburgh-type offense, and a power runner, one that can grind it out between the tackles 20+ times a game, is just what Whis will go after. Finally, you have the Browns. The Browns might even be in the market for a rusher if they decide against bringing free agent RB Jamal Lewis back. Bottom line: This is the perfect year to be a top free agent rusher in the NFL… there are a ton of landing spots out there and Turner is almost certain to sign-to-start in 2008 (if he can remain healthy heading into free agency).
Be careful drafting Ryan Grant in early 2008 fantasy football drafts. It’s not that we don’t believe in the youngster, but there are still some questions surrounding his situation in Green Bay in 2008… plus, in order to get the guy, you’re going to have to take him extremely early (picks 11-14 range). Like all of this, Grant’s draft-value could change a ton in either direction as we near August, but as of right now Grant would have to explode in 2008 in order for fantasy owners to get their money’s worth. Another RB to watch in 2008 is Reggie Bush. Grab Bush if he falls too far in 2008 fantasy drafts. While Bush probably won’t fall into many 3rd-rounds in ‘08, he might often fall into the late-second, which could be a steal. Try out our 2008 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator and you will quickly find that the RB pool in 2008 thins rather quickly in that 2nd-round. This is the year that we advise fantasy owners to wait until the 4th and 5th rounds to grab WRs.
Everyone knows, or should, that wide receivers tend to breakout in their third NFL season. Well, Santonio Holmes is entering his third NFL season in 2008 and he is at the top of our list for third-year breakout candidates. In just his second season, Holmes caught 52 balls for 942 yards (18.1 avg.) and caught 8TDs… and he did all that in just 13 games. Holmes is on the verge of becoming a WR1 in fantasy football, and because of the depth at the position entering 2008, Holmes could end up being the steal of 2008 fantasy drafts. Take full advantage and don’t hesitate to enter the ‘08 season with Holmes as your WR2… again, he might just play like a WR1 when all is said and done.
Roddy White had a breakout year in 2007, catching 83 passes for 1,202 yards and 6TDs. That is a fantastic season given his situation in Atlanta… so White might only get better. He should still have real nice value heading into early 2008 fantasy football drafts, as this upcoming year’s group of WRs is extremely deep, which is sure to help White stay at bargain-type value.
Dwayne Bowe was very inconsistent last season, but he was only a rookie! He finished the fantasy year with a surprising 70 receptions, 995 yards and 5TDs. Imagine how polished this kid will look in a year or two from now. With a healthy Larry Johnson returning in ‘08, and because the team will no longer be playing musical chairs at the quarterback position in ‘08, Bowe could breakout in just his second year. It is probably a smarter play to expect the major breakout season in his third season as a pro, but he has the talent and situation to emerge early. The sky is the limit for Bowe.
Don’t overpay in 2008 for up-and-coming WRs Brandon Marshall and Greg Jennings. Both are outstanding receivers and will likely belong in the elite group soon enough, but because they are looking to be trendy grabs in early ‘08 drafts, you’re better off waiting and landing a couple Anquan Boldin-types in the 4 to 5-round range.
Derek Anderson is a tough player to rank heading into the 2008 fantasy football off-season, but the questions surrounding his situation in Cleveland could end up being a good thing come draft day… the QB could end up falling way too far in your 2008 drafts. Anderson did struggle a bit in his final two months of the 2007 season, tossing 12 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, but there is no denying that he can get the job done in Cleveland, as the Browns won eight of their last eleven games. Frankly, I think that the Browns would be nuts to mess with the situation… Anderson knows how to win and he has a grip of talent. Plus, Brady Quinn is only getting paid $9.2 million (on a five-year deal)… that isn’t exactly back-up-type salary, but it isn’t franchise quarterback-type dollars either. The bottom line: The jury is still out on Derek Anderson, but our money is on him leading the Browns down the field in 2008, much like he did in 2007. The quarterback could toss for 3,800+ yards and 30+ TDs in 2008, but because there is still some risk involved in his situation, be sure not to overpay and strike when the draft-value is solid.
In his final four starts of the 2007 regular season, David Garrard threw for 883 yards, scored 10 total TDs and threw just 3 INTs. He finished out December like a Pro Bowler. Now, as of this moment, Garrard still holds sleeper-type value heading into the 2008 fantasy season, because there are so many solid QBs emerging in the NFL, but a win against the Patriots this weekend could change all of that in a hurry. My guess is that the Jags won’t make it past New England in the team’s next playoff contest, therefore, Garrad’s fantasy value probably won’t change all that much between now and the early fantasy off-season. Garrard is a risky fantasy starter all by himself, but if you can pair him up with a similar-type quarterback with similar-type upside, you may sneak your way into some top 7-10 quarterback production on the cheap.
Don’t forget about quarterback Jake Delhomme on draft day. I’m not advising you to pass on quarterback after quarterback through those early and middle rounds of your ‘08 fantasy drafts, but if you do in fact choose to take that path, Delhomme might be your guy. The Panthers’ QB threw 8TDs in the first three games of the 2007 NFL season, and he didn’t even finish the third contest (season-ending shoulder injury). Now, I’m not saying Delhomme would have kept on his 40-TD pace, but he is quite capable of being a top 10QB if he can stay healthy (”If” being the key word). Keep all this in mind when Steve Smith falls to you in that 3rd to 4th-round in ‘08. In Weeks one and two, Smith posted 118 yards and 1TD and then 153 yards and 3TDs… then Delhomme got hurt in that third week. Not many people are going to remember that come draft day, so take full advantage!
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