Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates: Travis Etienne, J.K. Dobbins, Jahmyr Gibbs

Welcome to another installment of our Featured Pros series here on FantasyPros.com. This time, we’re zeroing in on a group of gridiron warriors who may not have made many headlines yet, but we believe they’re on the cusp of stardom. Get ready to ride the wave of potential with our carefully handpicked 24 Breakout Candidates.

Our collection of fantasy experts is here to give you an edge in your fantasy football league by identifying the hidden gems and rising stars before anyone else. We’re talking about players who could very well be the unsung heroes of your team this year, the ones who might transform from a last-minute draft pick into your top point scorer.

They’ve combed through stats, analyzed performance trends, and predicted potential opportunities for these promising players. From high-risk, high-reward gambles to those poised for steady growth, these 24 candidates have the potential to make a substantial splash in the 2023 season.

Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates

Here are players on the precipice of breaking out in 2023.

“J.K. Dobbins’ 2022 campaign got off to a sluggish start as he was recovering from major knee surgery and missed the first two weeks of the season. However, when Dobbins finally returned later in the year, he showed why he’s such a highly regarded talent. In his last five games, including the playoffs, he averaged an impressive 6.6 yards per carry, 92 rushing yards, and 14 carries per game. This strong finish is a promising sign for his 2023 prospects in an offense that should light the league ablaze under the QB/OC combination of Lamar Jackson/Todd Monken. And although he continued to split carries with Gus Edwards in 2022, Dobbins’ explosive running style and effectiveness in the Ravens’ offense make him the best fantasy asset. Despite the presence of Edwards and Justice Hill in the backfield, Dobbins is the clear lead back for the Ravens and should be viewed as a top breakout candidate.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

“Travis Etienne was close to breaking out last year, but a lack of touchdowns held him back. He averaged over five yards per carry and over nine yards per reception. This year, the Jaguars’ offense should take a big leap forward in Year 2 with Doug Pederson. Expect Etienne to add to his five touchdowns from 2022 and crack the Top 10 for fantasy running backs in 2023.”
– Ryan Weisse (Club Fantasy FFL)

“Jahmyr Gibbs is going to win fantasy football leagues. His ADP lingers in the 4th-round, which is insane considering he has top-10 overall upside (yes, even as a rookie). Rookie running backs have top 1-10 RB seasons all the time, and the Lions are set to explode in 2023. Anyone that tries to paint pictures about Gibbs using old stories about D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams doesn’t know what time it is. Gibbs could have 1,500 total yards, 60+ receptions, and 12+TDs during his rookie campaign. He is a top 10 overall player hiding in the 4th round. Get on board.”
– Smitty (TheFantasyFootballShow)

“I looked at every running back drafted in the top 12 in the last decade of NFL drafts. In their rookie season, every one of them finished as a Top 10 running back in fantasy. Bijan Robinson is easy to project for that massive season, but I’m backing Jahmyr Gibbs as a major breakout candidate as well. Teams using high draft capital on a runner are going to use them heavily, and we know from last season that the Lions are very capable of supporting two fantasy-relevant runners. Last season both Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift were RB2s on a per-game basis. If Gibbs can stay healthy, he has the talent to go one better and finish as an RB1 in 2023.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)