24 Wide Receivers that will Breakout in 2014
Mock drafts are in full swing and most of our season long drafts are just around the corner. In my final article prior to my Daily Fantasy Football positional breakdowns, I thought it would be helpful to highlight a number of breakout wide receivers candidates for 2014. Below you’ll find three tiers. First are my best potential to breakout. The second tier contains my chance to breakout candidates. Finally the third tier contains my outside chance of a breakout season candidates in 2014. Happy drafting everyone!
Tier 1 (Best Potential for a Breakout Season)
Terrance Williams, Cowboys – We all know the cowboys will be playing from behind the majority of the season so expect plenty of Williams considering Miles Austin is now eliminated from the mix. Williams shined last season filling in for the injured Austin during weeks 4-10.
Keenan Allen, Chargers – I debated putting Allen on this list simply because he was just so good in the second half of the year in 2013. Allen racked up an impressive 71/1046/8 in his rookie season and I can’t imagine a scenario where he hits a sophomore slump in 2014.
Rueben Randle, Giants – Randle saw a good 2012 season but did see a drop off in production 2013. Having said this, I see Randle having a good breakout/bounce back season with new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Keep in mind Randle’s success is dependent on Eli Manning’s success.
Kenny Stills, Saints – The exit of both Lance Moore and Darren Sproles really opens the door for Kenny Stills to grow on the end of last season’s success. Cooks will be in the mix and is someone else to keep an eye on I think its safe to safe Stills is ready to make the jump into a legit Fantasy WR.
Jarrett Boykin, Packers – I was lucky enough to get on the Boykin’s train last season during his impressive run filling in an injured Randall Cobb. This year I think Boykin’s is in a great spot to thrive in the Packers offense considering the exit of James Jones.
Doug Baldwin, Seahawks – No doubt about it, Baldwin had a good 2013 season but he really became a household name during the playoffs posting 13/202/1 as WR3. The Seahawks locked up Baldwin in the off season to a long term deal so we should expect Baldwin to continue to be a factor in 2014.
Golden Tate, Lions – Fresh off a super bowl win, Tate makes a positive move (For Fantasy) to the Lions. Tate has seen his reception numbers grow from 21 his rookie year to 64 last year, his 4th season in the league. Now a member of the Lions pass-happy offense, I really like the potential Tate has in this offense. We all know Stafford isn’t afraid to sling the ball around so I really think Tate can see his numbers grow once again in 2014 with the Lions.
Tier 2 (Has Potential for a Breakout Season)
Kendall Wright, Titans – The arrival of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt will hopefully be a blessing for Titan receivers. Wright finished the 2013 season as WR30 and I expect him to improve on that in 2014 especially in PPR leagues. My main concern in Tennessee is the QB situation. Buyers beware.
Andrew Hawkins, Browns – Hawkins could benefit big in 2014 thanks to a likely suspension to teammate Josh Gordon. Hawkins has no shortage of competition with Miles Austin, Nate Burleson and Jordan Cameron all looking for the football. Reports are that Hawkins will be in the slot so expect him to get plenty of receptions regardless of the others on the field.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings – Had a pretty great rookie season so we again could technically say he broke out in 2013. Having said this, he wasn’t a week-to-week starter thus the majority of his success last season came from weeks 10 through 17. Patterson and the Vikings welcome new Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner who, as you may remember, was the Browns (Josh Gordon’s) OC last season. I have two concerns with Patterson this season: first is the fact that they still have him returning kicks and second is the Vikings QB situation.
Aaron Dobson, Patriots – Dobson finally returned to field this week. This comes after a longer than expected recovery from off season foot surgery where doctors placed a screw in his foot. Once Dobson gets back on the field he should be Tom Brady’s #2 WR, building on last season’s 37/519/4. The upside is there but as we all know Bill Belichick and the Patriots are very tricky to predict who will be fantasy relevant on a week-to-week basis.
Brandin Cooks, Saints – Has huge upside if he gets the opportunity. Will they use him as a slot guy to replace Lance Moore or will they utilize him to stretch the field and make big plays like Stills did last year. Cooks has an ADP of around 110 and that shows people are respecting his upside but it’s comes with risk. Its well documented he has been practicing with the second team to start this year’s camp. The next few weeks should be interesting to see where, if anywhere, they can fit him in.
Markus Wheaton, Steelers – He’s the man in Pittsburgh this year just one season after a nagging finger injury. He and Lance Moore worked out all off season together gaining good chemistry with one another. I like the potential for Wheaton (and Moore) with the veteran Roethlisberger under center.
Andre Holmes, Raiders – The former track star turned NFL WR, has show good chemistry with QB Matt Schaub, dating back to last season. Holmes connected for at least 58 yards in each of the last 5 games last season. The 6’4″ receiver should work opposite of Rod Streater and get plenty of opportunities.
Tier 3 (Outside Chance for a Breakout Season)
Justin Hunter, Titans – Pretty much the same situation as Kendall Wright but Hunter will be the deep threat making him a riskier pick than Wright. Not only do the Titian’s have a new Offensive Coordinator but they also have Shawn Jefferson as their WR coach that could influence these young talented WR’s.
Tiquan Underwood, Panthers – Moving from the Bucs to the Panthers should help Underwood considerably. Underwood has incredible speed and it’s no secret the Panthers are desperate for some WR’s.
Tavon Austin, Rams – I’ll be honest in that I’m not the biggest Tavon Austin fan thus he only makes my tier 3 (I can see how and why he potentially makes others Tier 2 or even Tier 1). He had easily one of the most disappointing rookie seasons for someone with such great potential. Reports out of Rams camp state they will make it a point to better utilize him in 2014.
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans – The talent is there for Hopkins and he showed some promise last season as a rookie finishing with 52/802/2. Andre Johnson is a big fan of him and has mentioned he’s ready and focused this year. My main concern is simply the Texans offense. Fitzpatrick is their starting QB (for now) and it’s a completely new offense this year. It wasn’t too long ago Hopkins was asking for a trade out of Houston so only time will tell how Hopkins develops in his sophomore season.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers – The 6’5″ rookie is stepping right to be the Bucs WR2. There is no question that Evans will be a tough guy to cover no matter where he is on the field but the latest reports state coach Lovie Smith using him in the slot. This is great news for PPR leagues considering Vincent Jackson should see plenty of coverage on the outside. I’m really excited to watch this rookie come September.
Sammy Watkins, Bills – Another rookie, Watkins is no doubt a stud that should be a superstar sometime in the near future. Having said this, will the Bills prevent him from breaking out? The Bills are a run-first offense and have EJ Manuel under center. We’ve seen Watkins make tremendous one handed catches this camp but will he be able to bail out Manuel against elite talent come Sundays? Lots a question marks heading into this season but no doubt the future looks bright for Watkins.
Brian Quick, Rams – Will this be Quick’s year? The highly talented, hyped Rams WR has been nothing short of disappointing with little playing time and even less production. Quick has great size and incredible work ethic and has had Terrell Owens as his mentor for the couple of years. With his reception totals only at 29 through his first two years, Quick has a lot to prove in his third season and I think he has an outside chance of being a legit breakout candidate in 2014.
Jeremy Kerley, Jets – Kerley looks to be the Jets WR2 this season primarily lining up in the slot. The new addition of Eric Decker should help this offense open up the passing game a bit more in 2014. My main concern is the fact that the Jets are loaded with below-average WR’s…will this effect Kerley if production isn’t there?
Jordan Matthews, Eagles – The QB situation in Philadelphia is concerning but the Eagles found value at pick 42 in this year’s draft. Matthews has impressed during camp practices but came out inconsistent in the Eagles preseason game 1. Matthews record 4 receptions but also coughed up 3 drops. Matthews has a chance to grow in this offense so it’s going to be interesting how much of an opportunity he given in his rookie season. Matthews appears to be lining up in the slot a bunch with will certainly be a good thing for his value in PPR leagues.
Jeff Janis, Packers – Janis is back practicing and should see playing time in the packers second preseason game after missing seven practices with Shingles. Reports from the coaching staff this summer are all positive and they have nothing but great things to say about the speedy 6’3 former division II standout. Janis was the packers seventh round selection in the 2014 NFL draft.
