Fantasy Football: Jamaal Charles and 10 Players Big Breakout Candidates

At last, the new CBA Agreement is complete and those nights we laid in bed thinking about how awful life would be without the NFL are finally over. As we all know, with professional football comes Fantasy Football, and now that free agency has started - we are one step closer to another full-season of fantasy football goodness. Familiar names remain atop the draft boards and will be drafted with high value respectively. However, lets take a look at some players who can potentially deliver some monster numbers - without breaking the bank.

10. Julio Jones: WR Atlanta Falcons

During the 2011 NFL Draft Atlanta delivered an early Christmas present to Matt Ryan - a 6"3 223 lb. beast out of Alabama. Jones didn't come with a cheap price tag, costing Atlanta a total of 5 draft picks.The big investment proved the Falcons have high expectations for Jones, and if his collegiate career was any indication of how he will perform in the league - I'd say it was well worth it. Opposite Jones is arguably the best wideout in the game in Roddy White. White hauled in 115 balls last season and its no secret that opposing defenses plan to double him- essentially leaving Jones in single coverage. Matt Ryan will do a great job distributing the ball to both sides of the field and not try to force throws as he did in last years NFC playoffs against Green Bay. Putting Jones here may be going out on a limb, but if he produces as the Falcons intend him too do, the NFC South title will be locked up once again.

9. Jimmy Graham: TE New Orleans Saints

Now that Jeremy Shockey is officially out the door, Graham remains the clear favorite starting Tight End in New Orleans pass-happy offense. Graham showed signs of life down the stretch totalling 4TD's in the Saints final 3 games - ultimately proving his red-zone worth. True, Brees does have many other options to look for in Colston, Meachem and Henderson; however he spreads the field and slings it just as well as anybody int he NFL. If you don't want to invest so much in a top tier tight end like Gates or Clark, consider Graham a nice low-end TE option with tons of potential.

8. DeAngelo Williams: RB FA

After a down and injury-plagued 2010 season, Williams is on the free-agent market and looking forward to a fresh season. Many believe Williams will sign with Denver and re-unite with former coach John Fox. Denver will use Williams as a primary back, already stating they plan on using Knowshon Moreno as their third-down RB. If Williams indeed signs with Denver, he would fit in with an offense that features Tim Tebow, Demayrius Thomas, and Brandon Lloyd - already an instant upgrade to what he had in Carolina. If in-fact Williams stays put in Carolina, he likely will split carries with teammate Jonathan Stewart; however remain the primary back. Lets not forget, just a couple of season ago Williams rushed for over 1500 yards and totalled 20 scores in an offense that featured the same two-headed monster. At just 28 years old, he is in the prime of his career and has plenty left in the tank. Look for a bounce-back season for Williams as all signs point upwards.

7. Mike Williams: WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As a rookie in 2010 Mike Williams hauled in 65 balls for over 900 yards and scored 11 times. Very impressive. What's even more impressive are the numbers that his quarterback Josh Freeman put up. With a 95.9 passer rating and a 25:6 TD to INT ratio, Freeman has shown his maturity as a quarterback. As Freeman continues to grow, so will Williams numbers, as he is clearly Freeman's #1 wideout. Tampa Bay's running game in't too bad either, Lagarrette Blount solidifies the offense and will have opposing defenses focused on both the run and the pass - which benefits Williams as he can play more in space. I'm not sure Williams repeats last years 11 TD campaign but I fully expect his completion total and yards to go up as Tampa Bay continues to strive for a playoff birth.

6. Ryan Mathews: RB San Diego Chargers

After a nagging ankle injury led to a disappointing rookie season, many believe Ryan Mathews will breakout in his sophomore campaign. I am totally on board with those people, as I believe Mathews will revitalize the San Diego running game in 2011. GM A.J Smith invested a lot into the former Fresno State standout as San Diego traded up in the first round to grab him, there's no way they plan to feature him any less then they did last year and the expectations are likely just as high. San Diego is hoping that last seasons finale in which Mathews ran for 120 yards and found the end-zone 3 times is a sign of things to come. Look for the Chargers to finally start hot out of the gate, and theirs no doubt Mathews will be apart one of the most high-powered offenses in football.

5. Owen Daniels: TE Houston Texans

Before tearing his ACL in 2009, Owen Daniels tallied up 40 grabs for over 500 yards and 5 TD's in only 8 games. Those are the numbers of a sure-fire top tier tight end. While still recovering throughout the 2010 season, Daniels didn't have much of an impact on the field however continued to get into form as the season wound down. Houston is full with explosive options both through the air with Andre Johnson, Jacoby Jones, and Daniels and on the ground with Arian Foster and a healthy Ben Tate. This team should have no trouble moving the chains as long as Matt Schaub is throwing the ball. There is no doubt that opposing teams will either drop more in coverage to try and stop Andre Johnson or stuff the box and try to contain Arian Foster. Teams will have no option other then leaving Daniels over the middle in one-on-one coverage and as we've seen when healthy - he should have no trouble making them pay. If he can stay on the field, Daniels will put up big fantasy number and will be a main focal point to a team that will finally try to beat out Indianapolis for the top spot in the AFC South.

4. Jeremy Maclin: WR Philadelphia Eagles

Jeremy Maclin took huge strides in his second season for the Eagles last year. Totalling more touchdowns(10) and receptions(70) then DeSean Jackson, Maclin looks as if he will be taking over the role as the teams #1 wide receiver shortly. Featured in a high powered offense which includes LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and arguably the most dynamic player in the NFL in Michael Vick - Maclin should have no trouble totalling up monster fantasy numbers. Maclin's overall touchdowns, receptions and yardage will go up from a year ago as Michael Vick will be at the helm from day 1 (which is now 4 months later rather then sooner due to the lockout). I expect the Eagles to run away with the NFC East and Maclin will be a key centerpiece in doing so.

3. Matthew Stafford: QB Detrot Lions

In his first two NFL seasons Matthew Stafford has missed more games(19) then he's played (13) due to what seems to be a never-ending shoulder injury. Stafford has vowd to play in all 16 games this season. Does that mean anything? Probably not. Can one hit by Jared Allen or Clay Matthews end yet another season? Probably. But i'm ready to take the risk, because the risk here is certaintly worth the reward. When actually on the field, the former #1 overall pick has displayed major talent and proved he can play with the rest of 'em. Stafford has tons of options to work with in Detroit. His go-to guy, Calvin Johnson, is hands down a top 3 wideout in this league. Within the past two years Detroit mangement has also drafted Jahvid Best, Titus Young, and Mikel Leshoure who are all anticipated to be lethal weapons for a very dangerous Detroit offense. On the other side of the ball, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley will do a solid job stopping opposing offenses which ulitmately will give Stafford more attempts to make plays and put points on the board. Theirs no argument that Stafford will put up the points, the only question is can he stay healthy?

2. Jamaal Charles RB: Kansas City Chiefs

1,467 yards on 230 carries. An average of 6.4 yards per carry. Yes, you are seeing those numbers correctly. Jamaal Charles solidified his name as a top tier running back during his explosive 2010 season in which he led the Kansas City Chiefs back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The scary part is, he has yet to reach his full potential. Chiefs head coach Todd Haley has already indicated he wants Charles to take the next step as a big-time rusher and plans to stuff the scrappy running back with plenty more carries. Backup running back Thomas Jones will have more of a limited role this time around leaving a lions share of the workload to Charles. Although Jones is still expected to get the goal-line touches, there is no doubt that Charles will get his share of the end-zone as well. Charles overall carries, yardage and most importantly touchdowns will increase from what they were a year ago. Look for this stud to be the number one fantasy running back by years end.

1. Philip Rivers: QB San Diego Chargers

Last year, Philip Rivers arguably had his best season as a professional Quarterback - totalling career highs in yards, completions and completion percentage. Impressive? You bet. What's more impressive is who he was tossing the ball too. For a majority of the year his receiving cops consisted of Legedu Naanee, Malcom Floyd and Patrick Crayton - while top receiver Vincent Jackson held-out for 11 games and top flight tight end  Antonio Gates battled an ongoing ankle injury. 2011 marks a fresh year for Rivers and the Chargers as they look to re-claim the AFC West. Although GM A.J Smith still doesn't trust Vincent Jackson with a long-term deal it still appears that V-Jax will sign his tender and be ready to hit the field. Rumor has it that the Chargers are the front-runners to land a trade with Carolina for disgruntled wideout Steve Smith. Smith will be a perfect downfield compliment to Jackson and will instantly provide San Diego with a dominant one-two punch at the wide receiver position. And then theirs Gates. Antonio Gates proved last year that even when about 70% healthy he is still in a tight end class of his own - can you imagine how dominant he'll be when healthy and playing with a tandem of Smith and Jackson? Rivers will benefit mightily from this resurgent offense and will potentially lead San Diego to the leagues top offense once again. Expect Rivers to be a Top 2 fantasy QB this season as he leads San Diego to an AFC West crown and looks to make a deep run through the playoffs.