Fantasy soccer sleepers, busts, breakouts for 2019

With the fantasy soccer preseason almost upon us, our ESPN Fantasy Soccer specialists are right here with their high sleepers, busts and breakout gamers for the 2019 marketing campaign, as outlined right here:

Sleeper: A participant who will far surpass his common draft place (ADP) in customary ESPN leagues for the 2019 season.
Bust: A participant who is anticipated to be a strong starter in customary ESPN leagues however will fail to dwell as much as these expectations this season.
Breakout: A participant who will leap into or near the higher echelon of gamers at his place for the primary time due to a dramatic improve in manufacturing in contrast together with his earlier seasons (or a rookie who will burst onto the scene).

Extra individuals play on ESPN than wherever else. Be a part of or create a league within the No. 1 Fantasy Soccer sport! Join free!

Every analyst named a sleeper and a bust for every of the key offensive positions, in addition to one breakout candidate. You will discover their picks within the charts beneath, after which evaluation and perception on a choice of gamers they felt most captivated with in every class.

He could also be a rookie, however that does not imply you must sleep on new Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic through USA TODAY NETWORK

Sleepers

These are the gamers our panel believes will exceed their 2019 common draft place and supply worth for many who take an opportunity on them.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Identify the one quarterback apart from Patrick Mahomes to attain 15 or extra fantasy factors every of the ultimate seven weeks final season. Here’s a trace: The opposite one didn’t get there with gaudy passing numbers. Jackson starred as a rookie because of his legs, however few appeared to understand it. His speeding ground is so excessive that he doesn’t have to throw for 250 yards per week. By the best way, he can throw quite a bit higher than most understand. The Ravens drafted vast receivers, and Jackson will grow to be a bit extra statistically balanced. — Eric Karabell

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

Henry was effectively on his method to a bust season in 2018, splitting time ineffectively with Dion Lewis, who noticed a whole lot of the sphere in passing conditions. Via 12 video games, Henry was averaging solely 10.7 speeding makes an attempt for 39.5 yards (three.7 YPC) and zero.four touchdowns. That each one modified over the past quarter of the season, throughout which Henry averaged 21.eight makes an attempt for 146.three yards (6.7 YPC) and 1.eight touchdowns over the past 4 video games. Henry is an old-school, pounding operating again who wants bunches of touches to be efficient, and the Titans appeared to acknowledge that down the stretch. Titans coach Mike Vrabel and common supervisor Jon Robinson have each said that this season the group plans to get Henry a whole lot of carries from Day 1, which bodes effectively for him having a breakout season. — André Snellings

Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Make no mistake, it isn’t all the time going to be fairly. However even in an unsightly yr final season, Winston nonetheless averaged four.6 deep completions and 11.1 deep makes an attempt per sport. Each would have led the NFL if he certified, and now he will get head coach Bruce Arians, whose quarterbacks have been second in air yards per move try throughout his time in Arizona (2013-17). Over the previous two seasons, Winston has thrown for greater than 300 yards in half his video games. Half. And all the weather that allowed Tampa Bay’s quarterbacks to common 22.6 PPG (second-most) final season are in place as soon as once more this season: a core of proficient pass-catchers, a suspect protection, offensive playcaller and no established operating sport. — Matthew Berry

Jaylen Samuels, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Why is everybody so sure that James Conner is the clearly superior operating again within the Steelers’ backfield? To not take something away from Conner’s season, however Samuels’ 16.9 PPR fantasy factors per sport in his three begins in Conner’s stead final season bested Conner’s 16.eight in his personal begins, and Samuels was aggressive with Conner in yards per carry (four.6 for Samuels, four.5 for Conner) and yards after contact per rush (1.88-1.89). I count on some sharing of the load and assume Samuels would carry out simply as admirably as Conner did in 2018 if pressed into full-time obligation. — Tristan H. Cockcroft

Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

The components for immediate fantasy success at quarterback typically calls for a wholesome inclusion of speeding abilities from behind heart. From Cam Newton to RG III to Russell Wilson to Josh Allen and so forth, there’s a rising legacy freshman quarterbacks thriving as fantasy forces, because of what the cool youngsters name the Konami Code — the flexibility to run for worth. Murray is arguably essentially the most dynamic dual-threat speeding expertise we have seen on the place since Michael Vick left Virginia Tech, and he ought to thrive in Arizona’s quick-hitting unfold scheme. Do not be shocked if Murray is a top-eight fantasy quarterback come December. — Jim McCormick

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Sure, Andrews did not see monster goal quantity as a rookie, however I just like the pairing right here with Lamar Jackson within the Baltimore system. With Jackson because the Ravens’ starter in Weeks 11-17 final season, Andrews caught 13 of 19 targets for 308 yards and one rating, good for 23.69 yards per catch (No. 1 amongst tight ends throughout that stretch). And the play-action numbers pop much more, with Andrews grabbing 9 of 12 targets for 243 yards (27 yards per catch). These middle-of-the-field throws give room for Andrews to run within the open discipline. And the massive boy can transfer. I anticipate the same script in 2019, however with extra quantity. That would put Andrews ready to leap into the lower-tier TE1 combine in deeper leagues. — Matt Bowen

Jordan Howard, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Over the previous two seasons, there are simply two gamers who’ve extra speeding touchdowns than Howard’s 18: Todd Gurley II and Alvin Kamara. The crown jewel of the Philly backfield proper now seems to be Miles Sanders, the thrilling second-round select of Penn State, however Eagles soccer czar Howie Roseman is aware of worth when he sees it and swooped in to seize Howard from Chicago. The trail to success for Howard does not have to be as a workhorse; if he might earn a backfield share akin to LeGarrette Blount in 2017 (~12 carries a sport because the lead purple zone menace), he’ll return worth. — Subject Yates

Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Coleman carried out effectively in my good blocking yards per try (GBYPA) metric final season, rating tied for fifth with a 9.5-yard common. He was an RB2 the final time he performed in a Kyle Shanahan offense in 2016, so Shanahan is more likely to attempt to get as a lot workload out of Coleman as attainable. Add that the 49ers have essentially the most favorable rush-defense schedule per my schedule energy metrics and it signifies there are lots of situations whereby Coleman ought to have the ability to far outperform his RB3/RB4 ADP rating in ESPN leagues. — KC Joyner

Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears

In 2018, Miller quietly posted seven landing grabs for the Bears in Matt Nagy’s offense — with 5 coming from a slot alignment — whereas catching 33 of 54 targets. And do not sleep on his big-play skill, as Miller led all Bears receivers on deep-ball receptions, catching 9 passes of 15-plus yards. The explosive traits soar on the movie, and Nagy likes to arrange quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on throws up the seam. Along with what I see with the vast receiver as a quick-game goal beneath, his skill to stretch the protection within the numbers — Miller caught a team-high 45% of his deep-ball targets in 2018 — and win matchups in scoring place put him within the dialogue as a attainable WR3 in 12-team leagues. — Matt Bowen

Darren Waller, TE, Oakland Raiders

With Jared Cook dinner transferring on, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound former faculty vast receiver who ran a four.46 40 on the mix now will get an opportunity at a starring position in an offense that final yr was top-seven in each general tight finish targets and purple zone tight finish targets. Now certain, with Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Josh Jacobs, this offense will look quite a bit totally different, however the alternative must be there for Waller to be a powerful TE2 with some upside. Do not consider me? Will you take heed to Antonio Brown? Once I interviewed AB a couple of weeks in the past, he mentioned this about Waller: “Large, quick, explosive man. Catch and run. Can run like a receiver. He is tall like Calvin Johnson. He is a freaky man.” — Matthew Berry

Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders

The proof to help Carr’s case is largely circumstantial, as no vast receiver group underwent a extra important facelift this offseason than Oakland’s, which now boasts Antonio Brown on the high with key addition Tyrell Williams and certain complementary items in Hunter Renfrow, Ryan Grant and J.J. Nelson. Carr had a powerful 2016 marketing campaign (28 touchdowns and simply six interceptions), with a physique of labor that reveals he generally is a succesful participant when surrounded by the precise items. They’re there in Oakland. — Subject Yates

Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams

The problem right here is the well being of star Todd Gurley II. We noticed final season how the Rams dealt with him once they signed an unemployed operating again who starred down the stretch whereas Gurley, together with his arthritic knee, sometimes watched. Keep in mind the playoffs? These with Gurley in dynasty codecs do. The Rams might make this a backfield timeshare, so maybe I’m higher off naming Gurley a bust, however Henderson was so great at Memphis in all phases, and he was a coveted draft choose. I believe he rocks instantly. — Eric Karabell

Jack Doyle, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Because the second-most coveted fantasy choice at his place on his personal group heading into the brand new season, it is honest to contemplate Doyle a sleeper of kinds. This is not even an indictment of Eric Ebron’s fantasy profile, however reasonably an appraisal of Doyle’s that implies although he may not have the landing fairness his peer claims, he loved a 3rd extra passing routes run per sport than Ebron within the six video games each have been energetic collectively final season. Which is to say, Doyle is more likely to lead this depth chart in routes run, targets, yards and receptions this season with an expectation this association continues. — Jim McCormick

Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Although coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense could not precisely mirror that which he ran at Texas Tech, it figures to be an affordable facsimile thereof, which performs effectively for Kirk: numerous 4 vast receiver units and plenty of throwing. Kirk was a uncommon brilliant spot for the Cardinals throughout a largely forgettable 2018 season, however he’s strong after the catch (5.three yards after the catch per reception), explosive and must be additional alongside in general growth as in comparison with the thrilling receivers the Cardinals drafted this season (Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler). Vegas set the over/beneath for wins at 5 for Arizona, an encouraging signal for Kirk, as that will imply a whole lot of video games of getting to play catch-up on offense. — Subject Yates

Le’Veon Bell set some mighty excessive expectations with the Steelers, however will he fail to match them with the Jets? Picture by Wealthy Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Busts

Which gamers are destined to fall wanting their draft-day expectations? Our panel suggests you avoid these gamers, who’re certain to disappoint.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

Look, I am not loopy; Mahomes remains to be my top-ranked quarterback. The problem is his present ADP, which is 19th general. There’s an excessive amount of alternative price in choosing Mahomes in that vary with the likes of Joe Mixon, Keenan Allen, Dalvin Cook dinner, Mike Evans, T.Y. Hilton and Zach Ertz nonetheless out there. There hasn’t been a repeat top-scoring fantasy QB since 2004 for a motive: It is extraordinarily exhausting to maintain elite manufacturing throughout 32 video games. I am going into element on this ESPN+ piece, however in a nutshell, it is a lengthy shot that Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense will have the ability to maintain something near their historic 2018 tempo. Count on one other superb season from Mahomes, however not one ok to warrant a second-round fantasy choose. — Mike Clay

Le’Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets

Not that he is both an growing old operating again (he enters the 2019 season at 27) or has a whole lot of put on and tear (he has a manageable 1,542 profession touches), however after a yr away from the sport and a group change, Bell does include extra threat than a typical first-rounder. Jamal Lewis’ 251.9 PPR fantasy factors characterize the document for a participant who missed the earlier season, however he was 23 years previous and a third-year participant on the time. The Jets additionally do have extra competitors for carries than Bell’s previous Steelers groups. — Tristan H. Cockcroft

Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans

Walker shall be 35 years previous in the beginning of the 2019 NFL season and is coming off of a 2018 marketing campaign that was truncated by a dislocated ankle. He was a mediocre downfield menace even earlier than this damage, rating 23rd in vertical YPA within the 2017 season (9.7), so this ailment might all however remove Walker’s downfield manufacturing. Mix these components together with his being in a run-first Titans offense and competing with Jonnu Smith for targets and Walker’s days of being a mid- to low-tier TE1 are possible all however over. — KC Joyner

Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

Questions abound concerning the out there weaponry for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, however I merely can not contemplate Watkins an affordable fantasy starter till he proves any semblance of sturdiness, which he has not achieved. Expertise has not often been a problem, however Watkins has averaged 11 video games, 35 catches and 514 receiving yards the previous three seasons as he has fought off accidents to his ft, hamstring and hip. Now he’ll keep wholesome as a result of the quarterback is nice? I don’t see it. Let another person waste the choose. — Eric Karabell

Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts

I am a giant believer in regression to the imply of the receiving landing class, and Ebron’s 13 final season, which have been two greater than he had within the 4 seasons earlier than it mixed, ranks amongst my high examples I count on to take action. Ebron was focused a whopping 18 occasions in the long run zone, and his 10 scores on these mark certainly one of solely 4 examples this century of tight ends catching 10 such passes in a single marketing campaign — the earlier three tight ends to take action regressed, on common, by seven scores the following yr. — Tristan H. Cockcroft

Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots

Michel racked up a hefty 280 carries and 12 touchdowns in 16 rookie-season video games (together with the playoffs), however there are two major causes he could disappoint in 2019. The primary is his shockingly small position within the passing sport. Regardless of the huge carry whole, Michel was on the sphere for under 36% of New England’s snaps and dealt with a grand whole of 14 targets when energetic final season. There’s little motive to count on that quantity to extend a lot (if in any respect) in 2019 with Damien Harris becoming a member of James White and Rex Burkhead within the backfield. The second motive is well being. Michel had knee issues coming into final yr’s draft, has had knee scopes every of the previous two offseasons and was on the damage report typically and missed video games with knee points final season. — Mike Clay

Hunter Henry, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

The breakout buzz on Henry relies largely on a mixture of his measurable and athletic skill, on quarterback Philip Rivers’ historical past of throwing to the tight finish with future Corridor of Famer Antonio Gates, and on the truth that Henry grabbed eight touchdowns in his rookie season. Nonetheless, Henry’s rookie landing charge (eight touchdowns in 36 receptions) was unsustainable, and he got here again to earth with solely 4 touchdowns in 45 receptions as a sophomore. Henry is coming off a serious damage that compelled him to overlook the 2018 common season, although he returned to play one playoff sport. Rivers is spreading the ball round nowadays, and Henry does not appear more likely to get a big sufficient share to distinguish himself from tight ends like Vance McDonald, who’s going 45 picks later. — André Snellings

Is that this the season when Will Fuller V lastly stays wholesome and turns into a star for fantasy soccer groups? Picture by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

Breakouts

Who will be a part of the ranks of the elite and aid you win your league this season? Listed below are our specialists’ picks for 2019’s breakout stars and the way they think about it should happen.

Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Pettis showcased his upside in Kyle Shanahan’s heavy play-action system throughout his rookie season, averaging 17.three yards per seize (fourth within the NFL). And although we’re nonetheless working with a small pattern dimension on the ultra-slick route runner, the numbers and the sport movie level to Pettis making a giant soar in Yr 2. Take into consideration this: In Weeks 12-16 final season, Pettis caught 20 of 31 targets for 359 yards and 4 scores, with a median of 18.zero yards per catch and seven.49 yards after the catch — and that was whereas working with quarterback Nick Mullens. Plus, in Weeks 12-14, Pettis checked in as WR6 in fantasy scoring, forward of each Julio Jones and Antonio Brown. Now, flip that ahead to 2019. Pettis can have a wholesome Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback in a system that creates open home windows and run-after-the-catch alternatives. Signal me up. — Matt Bowen

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

100 NFL gamers accrued at the very least 485 receiving yards final season. Of these gamers, Lockett’s three.1 fantasy factors per goal (utilizing ESPN’s customary PPR scoring key) marked the perfect clip by a whopping 22% margin. We have all heard about Russell Wilson’s excellent passer score focusing on Lockett final season, and this ascendant playmaker with a uniquely enjoyable utilization profile (17th among the many high 100 receivers in air yards per goal final yr) is about to imagine a worthy uptick in goal share now that Doug Baldwin is off the roster. — Jim McCormick

Josh Jacobs, RB, Oakland Raiders

From 2012-18, 11 operating backs have been drafted within the first spherical. Of these 11, seven completed their rookie season as a top-10 fantasy again. Like lots of his profitable predecessors, Jacobs is positioned for an enormous position in his first season. Doug Martin and Jalen Richard actually might steal some touches, however Jacobs has the body (5-foot-10, 220 kilos) to deal with the majority of the carries, together with goal-line work, and is a succesful receiver and returner. Jacobs might push for 300 touches (a landmark hit by 5 of the aforementioned first-round backs), which might enable, at the very least, a powerful RB2 marketing campaign. — Mike Clay

Will Fuller V, WR, Houston Texans

I am the man speaking up Deshaun Watson as 2019’s No. 1 quarterback, and Fuller performs a big position as to why. Accidents have held again the fourth-year wideout — he has missed 17 of 48 attainable video games up to now in his profession — however after I take into consideration true “breakout” bets, I would like the high-upside up-and-comer who may not have had a lot luck within the well being division. Fuller’s 12.9 PPR fantasy factors per sport the previous two seasons ranked 25th-best amongst vast receivers who appeared in at the very least 16 contests. — Tristan H. Cockcroft

Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts

There are a number of experiences that point out the Colts are planning to make the most of Mack as a three-down again. Mack already has racked up 200-plus touches in 4 of his 5 professional and collegiate seasons, so a workload improve might transfer him near or into bell-cow territory. Mack ranked 15th in quantity of good-blocking carries final season regardless of beginning solely 10 video games, so he might vault towards the highest of the league in that class if he performs a full schedule. This mix of upside components provides Mack an excellent likelihood of reaching RB1 standing regardless of his present low-tier RB2 ADP standing. — KC Joyner

DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

Moore was the primary vast receiver taken within the 2018 NFL draft, and he completed his rookie season with a strong 960 yards on solely 68 touches regardless of the Panthers’ offense struggling by Cam Newton’s shoulder damage. Moore flashed glorious fingers with just one drop on 82 targets and nice operating skill with a median of seven.7 yards after the catch. This season, Newton must be more healthy, former No. 1 wideout Devin Funchess has moved on to the Colts, and Moore is now the highest menace on the skin. Moore additionally must be regarded for extra within the purple zone this season with big-bodied Funchess gone, and the general anticipated improve in Moore’s goal share as a sophomore ought to translate to significantly better numbers. — André Snellings

Damien Williams, RB, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

Williams assumed a beginning position for Kansas Metropolis late final season and ascended because the video games mattered most. He scored a complete of 10 touchdowns in his last six video games (playoffs included), displaying a greater proficiency as a runner (362 speeding yards over his last 5 video games) than we have seen beforehand, alongside together with his strong passing sport acumen (28 catches throughout that five-game stretch). The Chiefs invested in Carlos Hyde in free company and Darwin Thompson through the draft, however Williams appears to be like entrenched because the starter now. The Chiefs’ offense could not match final season’s historic marketing campaign, however it’s certain to be near as electrical. In 2018, Kansas Metropolis reached the purple zone on 41.eight% of its drives (second-best) and there are scores available. — Subject Yates

Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns

Remember Mayfield started final season as a backup to Tyrod Taylor. After which Freddie Kitchens took over playcalling and adjusted the offense with Mayfield because the starter. From the time Kitchens took over, Baker was 10th in completion proportion, fifth in air yards per try, led the NFL in deep completions per sport and was the 10th-best quarterback in fantasy whereas displaying accuracy and decision-making that made it clear he was simply definitely worth the No. 1 general choose. Now he has a full offseason with Kitchens. Oh, they usually added Odell Beckham Jr. Mayfield is a particular participant in a fantasy-friendly offense with actual expertise round him. Sky is the restrict. — Matthew Berry