Derek Lofland takes us though potential breakout stars for 2015.

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One of the keys to being successful in fantasy football is identifying young players that have the capability to break out and move past veteran players that are household names. It is easy to assume that veteran players will always be fantasy relevant, but the reality is that the NFL game takes a toll on the body. The NFL game favors the younger and faster players and if you watch how young players progress over the season, it can foreshadow a breakout season the following year.

Below is a list of 12 players to watch for in the 2015 season. These are players that did not put up monster fantasy numbers in 2014, but with progression in their game and improvements by their NFL team, could be key fantasy contributors in 2015.

Running Backs

Devonta Freeman (ATL)
Freeman only had 65 rushing attempts for 248 yards and one rushing touchdown in his rookie year, but he is stepping into a good situation this year. The Falcons released veteran RB Steven Jackson and the Falcons seem comfortable going with Freeman as the lead back. GM Thomas Dimitroff, OC Kyle Shanahan and head coach Dan Quinn have all endorsed Freeman as a player capable of handling the starting running back job in 2015. The Falcons are going to be a pass first offense, but Freeman has the chance to be a high RB3 with RB2 upside. One thing that would help his value is the Falcons not addressing the running back position in free agency or with a high draft choice.

Bishop Sankey (TEN)
Sankey was a disappointment during his rookie season, but a lot of that had to do with a weak offense. Sankey had just 152 rushing attempts for 569 yards and two touchdowns. However, his passing offense ranked 22nd in passing yards gained (3,412). Teams were able to stack the box and limit running lanes for Sankey. I do not view Sankey as a special talent, but he is a capable runner and with the right supporting cast, he could be an impact player in fantasy football. The Titans have almost $40 million in cap room headed into free agency and they have three picks in the top-70. He has a chance to dramatically increase his rushing production if the Titans can make upgrades in free agency and the NFL Draft.

Andre Williams (NYG)
Williams had to split time with veteran running back Rashad Jennings and did not see a ton of action early in the season. Jennings was slowed by injuries and that gave Williams a chance to shine as the season progressed. Williams had only 721 yards rushing on 217 carries, but did score seven rushing touchdowns. Similar to Sankey, I do not view Williams as a special talent, but I do think an improved offense line would help increase his 3.32 yards per carry. He is also a great goal line threat, so it is not out of the question he reaches double-digit touchdowns in 2015.

Wide Receivers

Donte Moncrief (IND)
Moncrief showed flashes of brilliance last year, but was very inconsistent. He finished the year with 32 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Wayne appears to be on the way out, and the Colts may also move on from a disappointing Hakeem Nicks. Even if they don’t move on, Nicks might be the third receiver, competing with Duron Carter. Moncrief turns 22 years old this year and has a great chance to become the second receiver on a team with QB Andrew Luck. He is poised for a big second season.

Davante Adams (GB)
Adams emerged as the third receiver in the Packers offense, tallying 38 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns. If Randall Cobb were to leave in free agency, Adams could have WR2 value. That seems like a strong possibility, seeing the Packers did not give Cobb the franchise tag. Even if Cobb stays, the Packers do not have an established tight end. Adams should see an uptick in his 2014 production even if Cobb stays and could be a top-35 fantasy wide receiver. If Cobb leaves, he would be a candidate to be a top-20 fantasy wide receiver.

Jarvis Landry (MIA)
Landry was a mixed bag in his rookie season. The good numbers were 84 receptions and five touchdowns. The bad numbers were 758 yards and 9.02 yards per catch. I think it is possible that Landry sees similar reception numbers, but increases his yardage and touchdowns. He is a very athletic player that should do better than 9.02 yards per catch. The release of Brian Hartline should increase targets for Landry. Landry was highly targeted at the end of the season and that trend looks like it should continue in 2015.

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr (OAK)
Carr flew under the radar in 2014 because he played on a Raiders team that won only three games and started the season 0-10. However, his fantasy numbers were impressive for a rookie that did not have established skill position talent around him. Carr passed for 3,270 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Raiders have a chance to make a leap forward in 2015 and part of the reason for that optimism is how well Carr played on a poor team last year. If the Raiders can improve their offensive line and add an elite playmaking receiver, Carr has a chance to easily surpass his 2014 numbers. The Raiders are $50 million under the salary cap and they have three picks in the top-70 of the NFL Draft. This is a team that should be on the rise and Carr is a player that should be more productive in 2015.

Blake Bortles (JAC)
Bortles is in a very similar situation to Carr. The Jaguars have over $60 million in cap space to spend in free agency and they also have three picks in the top-70 of the NFL Draft. Bortles had only 2,908 yards passing, 11 passing touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2014. It was a tough year for the rookie. One reason for the poor decisions that led to interceptions was a lack of time to throw the ball; Bortles led the league with 55 sacks. The Jaguars will have money to spend to upgrade their offensive line and they also have a ton of young playmakers at wide receiver that should be improved in 2014, most notably Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. The Jaguars have been in rebuilding mode for a number of years. An improved Bortles and the right moves on the offensive line could put them back on the road to being a competitive franchise. It should also cause Bortles’ numbers to improve in 2015.

Teddy Bridgewater (MIN)
Bridgewater was without the Vikings’ best offensive player, RB Adrian Peterson. With no dominant receiver on the roster, Bridgewater had little in the way of superstar help, yet he still tallied 2,919 yards, 14 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. I’m not sure Bridgewater is going to be ready to put up big fantasy numbers, but the emergence of WR Charles Johnson at the end of the year gave him a big target with speed. The Vikings also have three picks in the top-80 of the NFL Draft. There is going to be a cloud hanging over this franchise until a decision is made regarding Peterson. He wants to play elsewhere in 2015, but the Vikings would like to receive compensation in a trade. The $40 million plus left on his contract is going to make a trade difficult. There is also a possible suspension looming, depending on the ruling in the league’s appeal of Judge Doty’s decision to overturn Peterson’s suspension. I think Carr and Bortles have more fantasy upside this year, but Bridgewater’s numbers should increase in 2015. The Vikings are a team on the rise and even if Peterson is not back, they should still be better on offense in 2015.

Tight Ends

Eric Ebron (DET)
Ebron was not very effective as a rookie, tallying only 25 receptions for 248 yards and one touchdown. Injuries and inexperience contributed to a disappointing rookie campaign. He should be much improved in 2015. He plays on an offense that features Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, so he is not going to see any double teams from opposing defenses. Keep in mind that Ebron turns 22 years old this year, and there is a ton of upside for this freakishly athletic player surrounded by Pro Bowl receiving talent.

Jace Amaro (NYJ)
It remains to be seen what direction the team goes at quarterback, but Geno Smith does have a chance to retain the job if he continues to build on a strong finish to close the 2014 season. Amaro had 38 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns last year. An improved Smith or an upgrade at the quarterback position in free agency or the NFL Draft should allow Amaro to put up bigger fantasy numbers in 2015.

Tyler Eifert (CIN)
Eifert was a first round pick back in 2013, but has not been able to live up to his potential in his first two seasons. The problem in 2013 was split snaps with TE Jermaine Gresham. In 2014, he played only one game due to injuries. Gresham is not going to be back in Cincinnati this year, which means a healthy Eifert should claim the top tight end spot. It is obvious that he is going to improve on his three receptions for 37 yards last year, unless he misses 15 games for a second straight season. I think he has a very good chance to surpass his 39 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns in 2013. The sky is the limit for a healthy Eifert, who is finally the top tight end in this offense.

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Derek Lofland is the co-owner of Fantasy Football Maniax. You can also follow him on Twitter @DerekLofland.

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