Victor Cruz and the Biggest Fantasy Football Breakout Stars of 2011

After posting his third consecutive strong fantasy outing in Week 5, reeling in an eye-popping eight receptions for 161 yards and a score. New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has emerged as a more than viable fantasy starter and one of the breakout stars of the 2011 season.

He's not alone in that regard however, so here's a look at a handful of players who have outperformed fantasy expectations and burst into fantasy football prominence this season.

1. Cam Newton: QB, Carolina Panthers

To say that Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has exceeded fantasy expectations in his rookie season would be the understatement of the year.

Newton entered the day as fantasy's third ranked signal caller and had a decent game in Week 5, throwing for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns and racking up his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.

2. Chris Wells: RB, Arizona Cardinals

Although Cardinals running back Chris "Beanie" Wells had a so-so Week 5, gaining 60 yards on 20 carries and scoring Arizona's lone touchdown in a blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the third-year pro is still off to by far the best start of his career and has rewarded his fantasy owners with low-end RB1 production for an RB3 price.

3. Victor Cruz: WR, New York Giants

As mentioned in the introduction, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has put together an outstanding three game stretch, amassing 13 receptions for 369 yards and 3 scores over that stretch. The second-year pro has now become a rock-solid fantasy WR3 with an upside considerably higher than that.

4. Eric Decker: WR, Denver Broncos

Wide receiver Eric Decker of the Denver Broncos was a non-factor in Week 5, catching a pair of passes for -4 yards, but the former Golden Gopher was a top 10 fantasy wideout entering today's action.

The switch at quarterback in Denver shouldn't affect Decker's fantasy value moving forward as negatively as it will Brandon Lloyd's.

5. Jimmy Graham: TE, New Orleans Saints

Many fantasy pundits predicted a breakout second season for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham and he hasn't disappointed. Graham entered Week 5 as fantasy football's top tight end and hauling in 8 catches for 129 yards in the Saints win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday.