NFL Predictions: 40 Players Who Could Have Breakout Fantasy Football Seasons

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It's that time of year again; the time to start planning for our fantasy football leagues.

Each and every year, there has been quite the handful of players that suddenly burst onto the scene. Last year it was Arian Foster, and this year, well I guess we'll have to just wait to find out. 

However, this is what I can offer you. Here are 40 players that could have breakout fantasy football seasons in 2011. 

 

For more articles like this, check out my blog at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.   

Jonathan Stewart

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Assuming that free agent DeAngelo Williams will sign somewhere besides Carolina, Jonathan Stewart will certainly have a legitimate shot at being one of the NFL's most productive running backs. 

Stewart has averaged a solid 4.7 yards per carry over his three-year career and is almost a guaranteed lock to accumulate 1,000 yards in 2011. 

Tim Tebow

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Tim Tebow will definitely have a fair shot at winning the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job as he's set to compete with Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn once the NFL lockout is finally lifted.

If Tebow does beat out Orton and Quinn, he potentially could have a solid season for the Broncos, as he's one of the most talented and athletic quarterbacks in the league. 

Tony Moeaki

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Tony Moeaki jumped onto the scene last season during his rookie year as the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end.

Moeaki played in 15 games as he caught 47 passes for 566 yards and three touchdowns. Expect his role to increase next season, which will certainly improve his stats. 

Mike Williams

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After a very impressive rookie season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2011 could very well be Mike Williams' breakout season.

Last year as a rookie, Williams reeled in 11 touchdown passes as he tallied up 65 receptions. 

Jerome Simpson

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Despite playing in only 13 games during his first three years in the NFL, Jerome Simpson certainly has the talent to be a productive wide receiver and could see much more playing time in 2011. 

Simpson caught three touchdown passes last year for the Bengals as he tallied up 20 receptions for 277 yards. 

Dez Bryant

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Dez Bryant's rookie campaign last season for the Dallas Cowboys was a promising one as he caught 45 balls for 561 yards while scoring six touchdowns.

Bryant should be more involved in Dallas' offense next season and has a legitimate shot at being a top-15 wide receiver. 

Aaron Hernandez

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Aaron Hernandez was the youngest player in the NFL last season, but his numbers simply did not show it as he caught 45 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns.

Hernandez is almost like a wide receiver playing the tight end position. He's the definition of a mismatch nightmare. 

Josh Freeman

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Josh Freeman is certainly ready to take the next step in his progression at becoming one of the league's next stars. 

I'd be shocked if Freeman does toss over 30 touchdowns next season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Jordy Nelson

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If the Green Bay Packers choose to go separate ways with James Jones, then expect Jordy Nelson's production to suddenly increase.

Either way, Nelson should have a solid 2011 season as he caught 45 passes last season for 582 yards. 

LaGarrette Blount

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Last season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, LaGarrette Blount managed to accumulate over 1,000 yards while only playing in 13 games.

Assuming that the Bucs will have Blount be the lead running back, we can only imagine how well he'll playing in 16 games. 

Sam Bradford

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With almost no talented receivers around him, rookie quarterback Sam Bradford managed to put up 18 touchdown passes while completing an impressive 60 percent of his passes.

If the Rams do add a few more targets for Bradford this offseason, it's safe to say that Bradford could pass for almost 25 touchdowns in 2011. 

Matthew Stafford

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If healthy, Matthew Stafford will emerge as one of the league's top young quarterbacks. 

Last season, through Stafford's first three games, he posted a 91.3 quarterback rating while tossing six touchdowns and only one interception. 

Steve Johnson

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Steve Johnson was one of the lone bright spots for the Buffalo Bills in 2010 as he racked up 1,073 receiving yards with 82 receptions.

Some may argue that he already had his breakout year last season, but be on the look out for No. 13. 

Marshawn Lynch

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Marshawn Lynch's first stint with the Seattle Seahawks was rather disappointing due to his average of only 3.5 yards per carry.

However, everyone will remember him for his remarkable and heroic touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints.

Lynch will have a chance to be the Seahawks' lead back in 2011 and could put up some respectable numbers. 

Chris "Beanie" Wells

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Despite an injury plagued 2010 season for Beanie Williams, he still has put up solid numbers with a 4.1 yards per carry average.

Wells will have some competition with rookie Ryan Williams, but it could spark him to have a breakout year. 

Mike Thomas

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Throughout Mike Thomas' first two years in the NFL, he's become more and more reliable.

Expect him to put up even better numbers in 2011 considering he'll ever another year with David Garrard under his belt. 

Danny Woodhead

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Danny Woodhead emerged as New England's change-of-pace running back and will likely emerge as one of the NFL's top change-of-pace running backs.

Woodhead is not only a threat on the ground, but he's one of Tom Brady's favorite targets. 

Shonn Greene

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Shonn Greene's production certainly took a major dip last season with the addition of LaDainian Tomlinson, but if Greene manages to get more touches, expect him to put up some solid rushing numbers.

Jamaal Charles

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Believe it or not, Jamaal Charles still has some more room for improvement, as he only carried the ball 230 times as he accumulated 1,467 yards.

Maybe not next season, but Charles should have a legitimate shot at racking up 2,000 yards in one season. 

Colt McCoy

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This one is certainly a stretch, as there's a got shot that he wont even be the Cleveland Browns' starter in 2011.

However, if McCoy does win the starting job, he proved during his rookie season that he could put up some solid numbers.

Maybe McCoy will be a player that breaks out in 2012, rather than 2011. 

C.J. Spiller

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C.J. Spiller had a rather disappointing rookie season, as he only tallied up 283 yards on the ground.

However, Spiller's second year in the NFL could be a huge one, as he's one of the most talented runners in the game. 

Eddie Royal

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Eddie Royal managed to become one of Denver's top receivers with the absence of Brandon Marshall. 

Royal reeled in 59 passes for 627 yards last season and expect his numbers to increase in 2011 under new head coach John Fox. 

Emmanuel Sanders

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Emmanuel Sanders certainly had an impressive rookie season as he caught 28 balls for 376 yards.

Another year in Pittsburgh's offense with Ben Roethlisberger will only help Sanders moving forward in the long run. Expect him to emerge as one of the Steelers' most reliable receivers. 

Jacoby Ford

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Jacoby Ford showed signs of promise during his rookie season as he reeled in 25 balls for a stellar 470 yards. 

Ford's stats will only improve and become much more impressive depending on if Jason Campbell can manage to stay healthy. 

Rob Gronkowski

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Rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski was one of New England's most targeted receivers in the red zone last season and should be targeted even more in 2011. 

Gronkowski had a stellar total of 10 touchdowns. 

Donald Brown

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Donald Brown will be entering his third year with the Colts and has shown signs of greatness over the past two seasons.

However, he's been rather inconsistent.

If the Colts can solidify Brown into their offense, expect him to put up some impressive numbers. 

Ryan Mathews

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If Ryan Matthews managed to stay health during his rookie season last year, then he would have been the league's top rookie rusher.

Matthews averaged an impressive 4.3 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns on the ground. If Matthews can stay healthy, he is certainly a dependable running back. 

Louis Murphy

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Each year, Louis Murphy's stats got better and better.

Most believe that a player will start to find their way during their third year in the league—expect Murphy to be one of them. 

Mikel Leshoure

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Mikel Leshoure will join one of the most explosive passing offenses in the NFL and should benefit from the presence of Calvin Johnson.

If the Lions want to become more balanced, they can certainly do so with the talents of Leshoure in their backfield. 

Jahvid Best

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Jahvid Best burst onto the scene rather fast last season for the Detroit Lions, however, it appeared that he almost hit a wall toward the end of the season. 

Best will be entering his second year in the NFL and should have most of the wrinkles out of his game. 

James Starks

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Running back James Starks was one of Green Bay's playoff heroes, as he burst onto the scene during the team's incredible Super Bowl run.

Starks will enter next season with some much needed playoff experience under his belt and could make a strong case for stealing more carries away from Ryan Grant, who was injured for the majority of 2010. 

Brandon Tate

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At times, Brandon Tate was quite the offensive weapon for Tom Brady, but inconsistency certainly was Tate's downfall during his second year in the league.

If Tate can become more consistent, he'll turn into one of the next emerging playmaking wide receivers as his career average of yards per reception is 18. 

Mark Ingram

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In my opinion, Mark Ingram was the most NFL-ready running back in the 2011 draft class.

Ingram should fit in New Orleans' offense rather nicely, as he'll have the potential to stabilize the Saints' rushing attack and possibly turn their offense a bit more balanced. 

Daniel Thomas

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The Miami Dolphins may have struck gold with the addition of Daniel Thomas in this year's draft.

As of right now, Thomas is the only running back on Miami's roster and should see some major playing time in 2011. 

Bernard Scott

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If the Cincinnati Bengals are not able to re-sign Cedric Benson, then expect Bernard Scott to be come one of the next up-and-coming running backs.

However, if the Bengals do bring back Benson, it's still safe to say that Scott's production will boost considering the Bengals will have to rely heavily on the ground attack. 

Matt Cassel

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Quarterback Matt Cassel had a breakout year last season for the Kansas City Chiefs as he tossed 27 touchdowns and was only picked off seven times.

Cassel's numbers should continue to get better, and it's safe to expect that he'll be around 30 touchdown passes and should improve his passing yards accumulated. 

Julio Jones

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Julio Jones is probably the luckiest rookie out of this year's draft class as he'll be reeling in balls thrown from Matt Ryan.

Jones will line up opposite of Roddy White, and both receivers will certainly benefit from each other's presence. 

Earl Bennett

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Earl Bennett is one of the many Chicago Bears that benefited in Mike Martz' offensive system last year, and should get even better in 2011.

Bennett tallied up 46 receptions for 561 yards while scoring three times in just 14 games. If Bennett is able to put together a 16-game season, he should be one of the more reliable receivers in the NFL. 

Joe Flacco

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is one player that has continually gotten better every single season.

Last year, Flacco throw 25 touchdown passes and should make a strong attempt at throwing over 30 in 2011.   

Knowshon Moreno

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Knowshon Moreno definitely took positive steps in 2010, his second year in the league. 

Moreno may have missed three games due to injuries, but he averaged 4.3 yards per carry. With newly hired coach John Fox, he should have a legitimate shot at becoming the team's top offensive weapons.