Fantasy Football Breakouts of the Week

Fantasy Football Breakouts of the Week

Fantasy football can bring you to extraordinary highs and devastating lows. As the unpredictable, unlucky, and unbelievable performances pile up, the fantasy season just gets more interesting. Whether it’s making the wrong roster change at the last minute, or losing at the last minute due to a touchdown as time expires, fantasy football can be a tough pill to swallow. But for some reason, we love it. We love the misery, the negotiations, the starting dilemmas, the analysis, the studying, and the arguing, all for one reason: the winning. So without further adieu, here are some players that likely aided in the winning for you or against you this past weekend.

Leonard Fournette – Jacksonville Jaguars RB

Leonard Fournette has impressed week after week in his rookie season. Scoring a touchdown every game, his consistency has been relied on by those who gambled on the unproven back early in the draft. He finally had his statement game this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, posting 181 yards rushing and two touchdowns. His late 90 yard run in garbage time pushed fantasy owners to victory, as he posted an incredible 30 points. Fournette looked hungry, and his 28 attempts were the staple of the Jaguars’ offense, as Blake Bortles posted a measly 92 yards passing. Fournette is a must-start every week in this run heavy offense.

Deshaun Watson – Houston Texans QB

Deshaun stunned for a second week in a row, showing his first 5 touchdown game was no fluke. He posted 35 fantasy points, on 5 passing touchdowns and no interceptions. Deshaun has quickly proven himself to be a premier fantasy quarterback, after two consecutive 30 point weeks. He looks like a seasoned veteran in his decision making and poise, almost as if he was still having his way with opponents like he did in his college days. His running ability is an added bonus for fantasy owners, as his 30 yards on the ground contributed to his superb outing. The Texans have found their franchise QB.

Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles QB

Wentz, in his second year out of North Dakota State University, lived up to expectations this weekend with a monster game. He passed for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns with only 1 interception, flashing the Hall of Fame potential scouts saw in him before he was drafted. With a final score of 27 fantasy points, Wentz posted his second 20+ point game out of the Eagles’ five. Continue to look towards Wentz as a good fantasy option, as the Eagles are starting to develop good chemistry in their vertical threat passing game with receivers Torrey Smith and Nelson Agholor in addition to the strong running game of LeGarrette Blount.

Jerrick McKinnon – Minnesota Vikings RB

After rookie Dalvin Cook suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee against the Detroit Lions, many thought that former Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray would take over as the primary back. However, head coach Mike Zimmer decided to take a more balanced approach in their Monday Night game against the Chicago Bears. Fortunately for McKinnon, Murray was unable to produce a strong showing in the first half, opening up more touches for the backup. McKinnon delivered, producing 95 yards running, 51 yards receiving, and 1 touchdown. Because he was relatively overshadowed by Murray, McKinnon is still available in many leagues, so look to pick him up.

DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans WR

After his performance last season, which can best be described as abysmal, Hopkins has bounced back due to the strong quarterback play of Deshaun Watson. Watson has provided his receiver with a whopping 61 targets, second only to Antonio Brown’s 64. The high volume Hopkins receives per game has paid off, as he already has 5 touchdowns, including 3 he caught on Sunday night against the Chiefs on only 4 receptions for 52 yards. Look for Hopkins to continue to receive a high workload and more opportunities, as the return of Will Fuller V to the Texans has opened up room for Hopkins to get open on less skilled defenders.