The 2017-2018 NFL season hasn’t even ended yet, but we’re ready to take an early look at some potential breakout players for the 2018 fantasy season. Too soon?….Nah.

(Yahoo Sports)

Probably not a surprise to see Jimmy Garoppolo on this list. Garoppolo wasn’t spectacular from when he took over the starting duties for the 49ers in week 13, but he did finish as a top 10 fantasy producer over that 5 week span. San Francisco gave up a second round pick to acquire him from the Patriots, and there should be no doubt that he will be in uniform for them come opening day 2018. The Niners have the luxury to use the franchise tag on him, or better yet, sign him to a long-term deal if they decide to go that route. If the team does offer him a long-term deal, he should just look over at what Kyle Shanahan did for Matt Ryan in Atlanta, and realize he’s in the right spot. San Francisco will look to surround him with more weapons, which will only improve his fantasy production. Depending on how the off-season shakes out, there is no reason Garoppolo can’t finish 2018 as a top 12 QB. From an NFL standpoint, Garoppolo is 7-0 as a starting quarterback.

Update (8/31): Garoppolo is being drafted as a quarterback 1, as the 11th quarterback off the board. His 9.2 ADP ( ADP courtesy of Fantasypros) suggest that many are also on board with the 49ers offense. 

(Photo: The Associated Press)

The Jury is still out on Patrick Mahomes, as he only has one NFL game under his belt to this point. He got the win, but his overall numbers were just pedestrian. At this point, we aren’t completely sure that he will even be the Chiefs starting quarterback in 2018. Yes, they did trade a lot to move up the draft board to get him, but Alex Smith will still be under contract albeit for 20 million in 2018. That number doesn’t seem crazy when you consider Smith will be coming off a career year that saw him throw for over 4,000 yards, with 26 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. As of this writing, we don’t know how far the Chiefs will go in their playoff run, but those results could also play a role in their decision making. Releasing or trading Smith would cost the team at least 3.6 million in dead cap money. I personally believe that Mahomes will have a nice future as an NFL quarterback, but would be better off with another year of watching and learning. If in fact he is given the job in 2018, I could see him giving us the type of production that Jameis Winston gave us in 2015 (14th overall QB)

Update (8/31):  While Mahomes isn’t being drafted as a QB1, fantasy owners are still on board with the upside he brings to the table. The Chiefs added Sammy Watkins in the off-season, but reports out of Kansas City haven’t been favorable in describing the chemistry between the two. Tyreek Hill should still produce, once that chemistry between Mahomes and Watkins clicks, he could a second half of the season surprise. Even though he is being drafted in the 10th round, I could see his fantasy owners not having the patience in the early part of the year, so you may be able to get him off of the waiver wire in time for him to hit his stride. 

Derrick Henry. The Titans can get out of their contract with DeMarco Murray and save themselves 13 million dollars over the next two years (6.5 mill a year).

(AP)

Assuming they do that, Henry will should finally be given the chance to shoulder the load in the Titans backfield. Averaging over 4.0 yards a carry through his first two seasons, Henry has the potential for double digit touchdowns and could be a fringe RB1 without someone stealing over 50% of carries from him. No question Murray is a better option in the passing game, but it’s not like Henry is completely inept at doing so either. They may bring someone else in to take on that role, but Henry’s involvement in that area will also expand.

Update (8/31): The Titans did in fact move on from DeMarco Murray, but they didn’t exactly hand the reigns over to Henry either. They brought in Dion Lewis for around 5 million dollars, and the two are expected to share the opportunities. Lewis has been an efficient runner/receiver while with the Patriots, so fantasy owners are hoping that carries over to Tennessee. After watching the Titans last few games and giving this more thought, Henry has become one of my biggest BUSTS for the 2018 season, and he is not someone I’ve been targeting in drafts. I understand the potential for a double-digit touchdown year, but I’m not using a late 2nd round pick on him, and would much rather have Lewis 4 rounds later. 

 

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The problem with Wayne Gallman is the New York Giants. The Giants need some major improvements on the offensive line, and more importantly, they need to realize that Gallman should be getting the ball. Hopefully the Paul Perkins experiment is over with at this point, and they should let Orleans Darkwa walk as unrestricted free agent. Darkwa did a nice job for them, but I personally prefer Gallman to Darkwa. He’s younger, quicker, more elusive, and more versatile in the passing game. With much bigger needs on the team, they should be content with giving Gallman the ball in 2018. As proven this past season, the 4th round rookie was productive when given the opportunity….Of course, the Giants do select 2nd in the draft, and there is a young man by the name of Saquon Barkley that could be sitting there.

Update (8/31): Well, the Giants did go ahead and draft the aforementioned Saquon Barkley with the #2 overall pick. They also brought in the former long-time Panther, Jonathan Stewart in free agency. Barkley is going to be the man there’s no question about that, but the #2 job is up for grabs in my opinion. Gallman has looked better than Stewart in the preseason and it wouldn’t surprise me if he wins the backup job. For those that Like to handcuff their star running backs, Gallman should be that guy for Barkley owners. 

(AP)

Aaron Jones: Jamaal Williams got most of the love this season, primarily out of process of elimination. Despite being drafted a round later than Williams, Jones is simply the better back in my opinion. Averaging 5.5 yards a carry through his first 81 NFL carries, is nearly two yards better per carry compared to that of Williams. Yes, Williams did carry the ball nearly double the amount of Jones, but Jones has more burst and elusiveness with the ball in his hands. The Packers are in a bit of shambles right now involving their coaching staff, but if they open camp with a RB position battle between these two, I would expect Jones to come out on top. However, we know the headaches that fantasy brings, so it wouldn’t surprise us if both of these players has a meaningful role.

Update (8/31): Jones is suspended for the first 2 games of the season, so Jamaal Williams has a chance to put a strangle hold on the job during that time. I still believe that Jones is the more talented runner, so if Williams takes over that job, he might not hold it for very long. 

Others of Note: 

  • Jalen Richard/ DeAndre Washington- Update 8/31: Lynch is back and has actually looked good. They brought in Doug Martin and like rookie Chris Warren. One of both of these guys could be out of a job. 
  • Matt Breida-Update 8/31: Dealing with a shoulder injury, though it shouldn’t impact his role as the #2 back alongside Jerrick McKinnon. 
  • Elijah McGuire-Update 8/31: The believe was that he would have a role in 2018, but injuries have kept him out and he’s going to miss some games. 
  • Corey Clement-Update 8/31: They’ll use multiple backs in Philly, and Ajayi is dealing with a “lower body injury”. Let’s not for his bone-on-bone knee condition, and I fully expect Corey Clement to be a fantasy factor in 2018. 

Chad Williams: This is probably a bit of a reach to include him as a potential breakout player in 2018 considering he only has 3 receptions in the NFL. He’s more

(azcardinals.com)

likely a name that belongs on a “deep sleeper” article, and chances are you will see his name on those pieces as the spring/summer nears. I included him here because I want to get you familiar with him early on. The Arizona Cardinals drafted Williams in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft, despite him not being projected to go until rounds 5 or 6. Williams had some off- the- field issues while at Grambling St, which impacted his draft value. As far as his 2018 outlook, both John Brown and Jaron Brown are free agents, and even though Larry Fitzgerald is signed for next season, the retirements of Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer could make Fitz think twice about coming back. That leaves a window of opportunity for Williams to step-up and be a player for them. There are still a lot of question marks surrounding the team and the quarterback situation, but he’s someone that could fly under the radar and be 2018’s version of Marquise Goodwin or Robert Woods.

Update (8/31): He hasn’t been getting the love that I though he would be getting during the preseason, but he is still expected to start on the outside in Arizona. They drafted Christian Kirk, and Brice Butler has also been getting reps with the first team, but Kirk figures to man the slot once Fitzgerald calls it quits. I’m sticking by this original thought process, and Williams will be a name you’ll hear about as a waiver wire pickup.  

Geronimo Allison: Allison is an ERFA (Exclusive Rights Free Agent) in 2018, so as long as Green Bay extends him an offer (we expect they will), he will be back with

Image via USA TODAY Sports/Jason Getz

the Packers. The team just gave Devante Adams a big long-term deal, so we know he’s not going anywhere either. Now for the tricky part. With Adams’s new contract, the Packers have about 36 million dollars invested between just Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Adams. That is a very unlike Green Bay thing to do. Logically that would mean that either Nelson or Cobb could be shown the door (hey, they did it to Greg Jennings), leaving the team with only 2-3 million in dead cap space. Regardless of who the causality is, Allison should have a much larger role with a hall-of fame quarterback throwing the ball.

Update (8/31): We mentioned him here back in January, and there is a good chance you have seen his name in multiple “sleeper” articles since then. The problem is, he is still being drafted in the middle of round 13! Wake up people! Get this guy on your team, and if he happened to go un-drafted in your leagues, go pick him up before it is too late. He’s the number 2 wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers and there’s a good chance that Randall Cobb is traded really soon. Perhaps even before this article is re-published.

Photo taken by Russell Roberts

Corey Davis: The rookie season for the #5 overall pick didn’t live up to expectations. In fact, you could probably call 34 receptions, 375 yards and 0 TD’s, as a complete failure. On a positive note, he did have 6 receptions and 91 yards in week 16 against the Rams. With Eric Decker a free agent and having another NFL training camp under his belt, Davis’s talents are just too good to hold down. We usually look at the 3rd year for receivers to break out, but Davis will do it in year two.

Update (8/31): Apparently I wasn’t alone in the Corey Davis hype. He’s being drafted in the 6th round as a WR2. I love the talent and the potential, but I don’t like what I’ve seen from Marcus Mariota in the preseason. Mariota needs to get it together so Davis can have the type of impact we believe he can. 

Others of Note: 

  • Josh Doctson: We’ve seen flashes and he’s entering his 3rd season…But who will be throwing him the ball? Update 8/31: Could be a steal with his 13.10 ADP 
  • Cameron Meredith: Remember him? I almost didn’t. until our very own Eric Frank reminded me. He’s a RFA, but the Bears need to keep him since they don’t have much else at receiver. Update 8/31: The Bears didn’t keep him, and the Saints signed him. He played in the 4th preseason game, which is never a good sign for a veteran. He missed all of last season, so it might just be taking him longer to get back to form. 

Adam Shaheen: Had to dig a little deep here with the tight end position, as O..J. Howard would’ve been too obvious. We didn’t like Shaheen coming into the 2017 season because he’s very raw and the tight end position is one of the hardest for a rookie to learn. However, he’s a big body for Trubisky to look for in the red-zone, and the team did use a 2nd round pick on him. With three touchdowns in very limited action this past year, we could actually see him come close to double digit TD’s in year 2.

Update (8/31): Shaheen suffered a “sprained ankle with additional damage” and has missed most of the preseason. He isn’t expected to be put on injured reserve, but will miss games. More importantly, his 2018 fantasy outlook took a major hit when the Bears signed free agent Trey Burton to a very healthy contract.