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NFL players who could become fantasy studs in 2019
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

NFL players who could become fantasy studs in 2019

The key to success in any fantasy football draft is finding future breakout stars. The following 25 players have a shot for major breakout campaigns in 2019.

 
1 of 25

Geronimo Allison, WR, Packers

Geronimo Allison, WR, Packers
Dan Powers / USA Today Sports Images

Allison played only five games last year due to injuries but was productive when he was on the field, averaging more than 60 yards receiving per contest. Aaron Rodgers has been comfortable with Allison over the last two seasons, and the Illinois alum has a chance to carve out a role as Rodgers' second receiving option behind Davante Adams.

 
2 of 25

Nick Chubb, RB, Browns

Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb eventually took the reins as Cleveland's starting running back in his rookie season after Carlos Hyde was traded, and he had 823 yards rushing over the final 10 games of the season. Cleveland's offense could be more potent in 2019 with Baker Mayfield having a season under his belt and the addition of Odell Beckham Jr., so there could be even bigger holes for Chubb to run through as the full-time starter.

 
3 of 25

Sam Darnold, QB, Jets

Sam Darnold, QB, Jets
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Darnold made a lot of rookie mistakes last season but progressed late in the year. The Jets expect a big jump in his sophomore year, especially with new head coach Adam Gase at the helm. New York added Le'Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder to help Darnold as well.

 
4 of 25

Evan Engram, TE, Giants

Evan Engram, TE, Giants
Noah K. Murray / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries were an issue for Engram last season, but he was still highly productive in 11 games. He should see more targets this season with Odell Beckham Jr. out of the way. He has averaged an impressive 50 yards per game through two seasons.

 
5 of 25

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs lost Adam Humphries and DeSean Jackson in the offseason, but that should give Godwin the opportunity he deserves. Set to work out of the slot, Godwin was productive as a secondary option in the Bucs offense last year with 842 yards receiving, and he could be in for a big year in Bruce Arians' aggressive offense.

 
6 of 25

Derrius Guice, RB, Redskins

Derrius Guice, RB, Redskins
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Guice was set to be Washington's starting running back last season until he tore his ACL. He will regain the role going into 2019 in what could be a conservative offense with a rookie starting quarterback and a weak wide receiving corps. There will be ample opportunities for Guice to put up big numbers if he can stay healthy.

 
7 of 25

Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams

Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Henderson averaged 8.9 yards per rush at Memphis last season and enters the year as a dynamic change-of-pace back behind Todd Gurley. Gurley's arthritic knee gives Henderson even more upside, as he could eventually emerge as the team's starter if L.A.'s star running back has further knee trouble.

 
8 of 25

Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers

Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Henry missed nearly all of last season with a torn ACL, but he was a touchdown machine in his first two seasons with a total of 12 scores. He has a chance to not only be a big part of the Chargers offense but also to be a key receiver down the field for Philip Rivers.

 
9 of 25

O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers

O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Howard played only 10 games last year due to injuries but looked like a budding star before getting hurt. The former first-round pick averaged 16.6 yards per carry for the second straight season and had more than 56 receiving yards per contest. With some turnover in the Bucs receiving corps, Howard could be set for even more targets.

 
10 of 25

Mark Ingram, RB, Ravens

Mark Ingram, RB, Ravens
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

After spending eight seasons in New Orleans, Ingram enters a perfect situation in a run-heavy offense with the Ravens. Baltimore was a run-first team after installing Lamar Jackson as quarterback last season, and that's not expected to change. Ingram will be at the head of a talented running back room and could regularly see 20 carries.

 
11 of 25

Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders

Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Jacobs was already likely to be Oakland's starting running back, but a season-ending injury for newcomer Isaiah Crowell gives him an even better shot. A dynamic back at Alabama, Jacobs is a threat both as a runner and pass catcher in an offense that should be more creative with the additions of Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams.

 
12 of 25

Ronald Jones, RB, Buccaneers

Ronald Jones, RB, Buccaneers
Jim Brown / USA Today Sports Images

Jones was a huge disappointment after being drafted in the second round last year, but a strong showing in the offseason made the Bucs resistant to draft another running back. He will need to continue the momentum in the preseason, but the organization would probably like Jones to overtake Peyton Barber as its starting back. Jones has plenty of potential if he's able to jump Barber on the depth chart.

 
13 of 25

Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals

Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

A wide receiver-heavy draft has gotten plenty of attention for the Cardinals, but we shouldn't forget what they already have on the roster. Kirk showed real flashes in his rookie season with 590 yards in only 12 games and has a chance to see more targets this year in what's likely to be a pass-heavy offense under Kliff Kingsbury.

 
14 of 25

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Lockett had a relative breakout season last year and could be set to take another step forward as the clear No. 1 receiver on the Seahawks following Doug Baldwin's retirement. While Seattle's offense has emerged as one of the more balanced units in the league, Lockett has become an elite deep threat for Russell Wilson, who is arguably the most accurate deep passer in the league.

 
15 of 25

Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns

Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Mayfield had an exemplary rookie season, with 3,725 yards passing and 27 touchdowns in only 14 games. The addition of star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. gives him an even bigger immediate upside, with a truly elite target to go alongside Jarvis Landry and David Njoku. There's a real possibility Mayfield will be a top five quarterback in 2019.

 
16 of 25

David Montgomery, RB, Bears

David Montgomery, RB, Bears
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Chicago moved on from Jordan Howard in favor of more dynamic backs in Mike Davis and Montgomery. While Montgomery lacks top-end speed, the Iowa State alum is polished and has far more versatility than Howard. He could be a productive back if he wins the early-down role.

 
17 of 25

D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers

D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Moore had a terrific season for Carolina, with 788 yards receiving. He has a chance to see more targets this season after the Panthers moved on from Devin Funchess, and his ability as a runner shouldn't be discounted. He had 13 carries for 172 yards last season.

 
18 of 25

Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals

Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
Rob Schumacher / USA Today Sports Images

Rookie quarterbacks rarely hold significant fantasy value, but Murray could be an exception. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is extremely mobile and enters a Kliff Kingsbury offense that regularly produced video game numbers at the college level. That combination gives Murray big immediate upside.

 
19 of 25

Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks

Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Chris Carson is considered the starting running back in Seattle, but Penny has taken a step forward on the depth chart following the departure of Mike Davis. The 2018 first-round pick took a while to get comfortable last year but still averaged 4.9 yards per run. He should get ample opportunities in a run-heavy offense, and he shows the potential to unseat Carson as the starter.

 
20 of 25

Dante Pettis, WR, 49ers

Dante Pettis, WR, 49ers
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

San Francisco is still in search of a No. 1 wideout, but Pettis would seem to be the most likely immediate option. He came on strong late in his rookie season, with 359 yards and four scores in his final five games of the year. With Jimmy Garoppolo back on the field, the 49ers have a passer more capable of getting Pettis the ball.

 
21 of 25

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Chiefs

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Chiefs
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Robinson emerged for the Chiefs during the second half of last season with Sammy Watkins sidelined, and he could play an even bigger role this year with Tyreek Hill potentially suspended. The production for Robinson included touchdowns in each of the last three games of the regular season, and he showed far more comfort in the Chiefs offense during his third NFL campaign.

 
22 of 25

Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles

Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Philadelphia has been in search of a bell cow back for the last few seasons, so the team spent a second-round pick on Sanders. Saquon Barkley's replacement at Penn State, Sanders had more rushing yards last year than Barkley did in his final season. It shouldn't take much for Sanders to replace the current Eagles lot as the early-down back, which is a role with big fantasy upside.

 
23 of 25

James Washington, WR, Steelers

James Washington, WR, Steelers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Pittsburgh needs someone to pick up the slack left behind when Antonio Brown was traded. Going into the preseason, Washington is the likely beneficiary. He struggled in his rookie season but was a dynamic deep threat in college at Oklahoma State and has shown up in better condition during OTAs.

 
24 of 25

Damien Williams, RB, Chiefs

Damien Williams, RB, Chiefs
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Williams was a fantasy star late last season after the Chiefs released Kareem Hunt, and he averaged more than 100 yards from scrimmage during his three regular-season starts. He scored four touchdowns in his two playoff games, showing his ability against top competition. While K.C. signed Carlos Hyde as insurance, Williams has a chance to be the bell cow on an elite offense this season.

 
25 of 25

Mike Williams, WR, Chargers

Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Williams had a breakout sophomore season with Chargers, proving himself to be an elite red-zone threat with 10 scores. He could see even more targets this season with the team allowing Tyrell Williams to walk in free agency, after he saw only 65 targets last year.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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