The NFC East: 2009 Fantasy Football Breakout Players

Every year there are multiple players at each position that have breakout seasons and put their name on the fantasy football map.

In 2008 we saw players like Matt Cassel, Aaron Rodgers, Michael Turner, Derrick Ward, Antonio Bryant and Dwayne Bowe put together what is considered breakout season and because of this they will be highly targeted in 2009 fantasy football drafts.

With it never being to early to start planning for your fantasy football draft, the Bruno Boys offer you their opinion on what players will flourish in 2009 and have a breakout season. In our first installment of 2009 Fantasy Football Breakout Players we bring to you the NFC South division.

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Philadelphia Eagles: If Brent Celek's 2008 postseason is any indicator of what's in store for the rest of his football career the Eagles will be set at tight end position for the next decade.

After catching in just 27 receptions in 16 regular season games, Celek was quarterback Donovan McNabb's primary target during the Eagles run to the NFC Championship game, hauling in 19 receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

His success in the playoffs was enough to convince head coach Andy Reid and Eagles ownership to part ways with veteran TE L.J. Smith, thus opening up the door for Celek to enter 2009 as the starter in Philadelphia. 

The Eagles produced 66 receptions from the TE position in '08, which shows us that McNabb factors the position into his game-plan, so 16 games of Celek not having to split time should lead to a career year from the third year player out of Cincinnati.

We like him so much we predict he will hover around 50-55 receptions, 550-600 receiving yards and 5-6 TD's. So if you're like the Bruno Boys staff and shy away from snagging a tight end early in your fantasy football draft, target Celek towards the end of your draft and reap the benefits of him producing like a TE1.

Also Consider: RB Lorenzo Booker, WR Jason Avant (solid in '08 playoffs)

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Washington Redskins: There is no doubt about it, this is a sink-or-swim year for fifth year quarterback Jason Campbell. When the Washington Redskins drafted Campbell with their first-round pick in the 2005 draft they felt that two years of grooming under veteran QB Mark Brunell would help him progress into a reliable NFL quarterback, but that hasn't been the case.

At times Campbell has shown signs of progression, but he has yet to put together the complete season as of yet.

Since 2007, he has started 29 games but has only 25 touchdown passes to show for it; however, what leads us to believe he is primed for a breakout 2009 season is his ability to limit turnovers.  Campbell attempted 506 passes last season, but threw only six interceptions, which led all NFL quarterbacks with at least 250 passing attempts.

Combine the lack of turnovers with the fact that Campbell has improved in every major statistical category in each of the last three years and you have yourself a player that is on the cusp of big things.

With defenses scheming around shutting down running back Clinton Portis, look for Campbell to continue to mature and to finally turn the corner into a reliable QB2 for his fantasy football owners. Or else his days are numbered as a starter in the NFL. and Campbell knows it! 
 
Also Consider: WR Devin Thomas or WR Malcolm Kelly (whichever WR wins the WR2 job)

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Dallas Cowboys:  Felix Jones spent his college days in the shadow of Darren McFadden at the University of Arkansas, but he made an instant splash in the NFL as a rookie for the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones scored four touchdowns in his first five games and was on pace to score double-digit TD's before a week six toe injury ended his impressive rookie campaign. What is remarkable and encouraging about his immediate production is that Jones made the most of limited opportunity, having averaged just a shade over five touches per game.

Once again, the Cowboys backfield will be crowded in 2009, with Marion Barber leading the pack and Tashard Choice looking to build off his torrid finish to last season, but with Jones claiming he is healthy there is no reason he shouldn't continue to excel.

His role in the Dallas offense is yet to be defined, but with Barber breaking down at times last season and head coach Wade Phillips wanting to keep all of his options fresh we project him to see around 10-12 touches per game. 

This should be enough for Jones to compile around 1,000 total yards and flirt with 7-9 total TD's. Target him as a low-end RB3 heading into your fantasy football draft, and remember he is just one Barber injury away from becoming a top 20 fantasy option.

Also Consider:  WR Miles Austin, TE Martellus Bennett

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New York Giants: With the New York Giants releasing Plaxico Burress earlier this month, the receiver with the most upside on the current roster is Domenik Hixon, who in 2008 showed flashes of turning into an above average wide-out option. 

A large part of our prediction of him being a breakout candidate depends on the outcome of the Giants pursuit for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, but for now Edwards is still in Cleveland and Hixon is expected to do big things in New York.

With Burress suspended over the seasons final six weeks, Hixon acted as the WR1 and finished with 28 receptions for 351 receiving yards and a touchdown despite drawing opposing teams top corner-backs.

Despite it being just a sample size, these numbers are enough to convince the Bruno Boys that a full season as the top option in New York should be enough for Hixon to produce as a low-end WR3 for your fantasy football team.

Now, if Edwards or any other big name wide receiver comes into New York and bumps Hixon to being the second fiddle, limit your expectations.

Also Consider:  RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Steve Smith

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For the breakout fantasy players in the other divisions, click the link below...

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football