2023 Fantasy Football Second-Year Breakout Candidates: Kenny Pickett, Jameson Williams Highlight List!
We always get a ton of sophomore breakouts in fantasy football and this year will not be an exception. We had so many strong candidates that we may have to do a second article soon. We had to cut it to the best of the best and these are your year two breakout candidates.
Quarterbacks
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickett struggled early on in his rookie campaign after taking over for an inept Mitchell Trubisky. Over the first two months of his young career, he struggled mightily behind a terrible offensive line exposing his poor decision-making skills and inaccurate passing. During this span, he also suffered multiple concussions. However, once he returned from injury on Christmas Eve, he looked like a different quarterback for the final three games of the season. There were still rookie mistakes, nevertheless, he also showed undeniable growth. In his first nine games last season, he threw just four touchdowns and nine interceptions, however, in his final three games he threw three TDs and just one pick. If he continues to develop and the line can protect him, he has the young weapons around him to be an impact player for fantasy owners.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
We liked Ridder coming out of college, although, it was clear he wasn't ready to be a starter right out of the gates. Regardless of how ready he was, Marcus Mariota's predictable struggles opened the door for the rookie to take over starting duties in Atlanta. Now it looks like the franchise has put their confidence in him and plan to roll with him as their Week 1 starter. He didn't throw an interception in four games last year, which is a plus. Unfortunately, he also didn't find the end zone very often. As a matter of fact, he didn't throw a single TD in his first three games. The last game of the season was his best though when he threw for 224 yards and two TDs. With budding young options like Drake London and Kyle Pitts to throw to, Ridder has the potential to take a huge leap this season.
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Running Backs
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
To anyone who watched the Bucs play last year, it was evident that White was the more explosive back on the team. The Bucs had a ton of faith in Leonard Fournette to protect the ball and protect Tom Brady though. That's also not a staff that loves to run rookies out there. Fournette is gone now and the RB1 job looks secured for White with Chase Edmonds and Gio Bernard not posing true threats to his job. The offense will likely take a huge step back with Baker Mayfield under center in place of Tom Brady, however, White's increased volume should more than negate that. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still on the outside defenses won't be able to stack the box even if Baker struggles.
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Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Allgeier is going to break out in a major way this season. If you followed me at all heading into the draft last year I ranked him as the most undervalued skill position player in the 2022 NFL Draft. He did not disappoint as a rookie despite seeing his opportunities limited for most of the season. By the end of the year, he ended up rushing for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In his final four games, he totaled 483 yards and two TDs. This kid is a star in the making and you should not sleep on him. With more opportunities this season and the red zone ability he displayed in college, he has a real shot to be an RB1 in 2023. Especially if he gets his 17 receptions up over 30 which is possible with Cordarrelle Patterson now 32 years old.
Wide Receivers
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
If Williams was healthy heading into the 2022 NFL Draft he would have been the clear consensus WR1 in the draft and potentially a top-five pick. He simply plays at a different speed than most other players. Kind of like when you see Tyreek Hill out there. Now well over a year removed from his college knee injury, he should be 100% heading into the 2023 season. That should terrify opposing defenses. Especially when they also have to figure out how to cover Amon-Ra St. Brown on the other side of the field. He only saw two touches last season but took them for 81 yards and a TD. The Lions were smart for playing it safe last year. Now he will be cut loose and will dominate opposing defensive backs.
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
Burks had a lot put on his plate last season and it proved to be too much. With AJ Brown traded to Philly, expectations for Burks were sky-high. He was also hindered by injury and atrocious quarterback play. Still, he managed to flash his potential. We ranked him as the WR2 in last year's draft behind only Garrett Wilson and we believe he will begin to live up to that hype this season even with Ryan Tannehill still under center. If the Titans can somehow manage to add a legitimate threat at QB this the sky is the limit for Burks. With 444 yards in 11 games last season he has only begun to scatch the surface of his potential. His upside is enormous.
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