7 Fantasy Football Unheralded Breakout Stars to Consider for Next Season

It’s scouting season.

Much like an NFL team turns the page for the offseason and looks toward the 2019 draft, fantasy owners can begin to look toward next season. Maybe you’re chomping at the bit to be a part of the playoffs. Maybe you’re headed for the finals, and you want to ensure you get back. Either way, here’s a way to channel that energy with a list of players to keep on your radar.

The idea of this list is to identify players who are enjoying breakout performances at a time when most fantasy football folk have stopped paying attention. These aren’t the only players who broke out in 2018. But they are players who will be worth monitoring going into the preseason.

1. Robert Foster, WR, Buffalo Bills

He has more than 90 yards in four of the Bills’ last five games. He also has two touchdowns in that span. Foster didn’t get much run in Alabama, because he was buried on the team’s depth chart behind receivers like Calvin Ridley. But rookie quarterback Josh Allen clearly favors Foster, whose outstanding athleticism is perfect in helping Allen use all of his arm strength in stretching the field.

Foster may not get much attention because the Bills are one of the league’s least talented teams. But that doesn’t mean Foster is untalented. If he becomes Allen’s favorite weapon next season, Foster could present significant fantasy value next season.

Next up: the Chiefs running backs.

2. Damien Williams/Spencer Ware, RBs, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs could sign a free agent running back (see: Le’Veon Bell). They could also mine this year’s draft class for a promising running back. But for now, they have Ware and Williams battling for touches. Unless another running back enters the picture, the battle will continue into the 2019 preseason. It wasn’t long ago that Ware was a promising, young back, who was on the verge of a breakout season.

That came right before he suffered an ACL injury and Kareem Hunt took over the Chiefs backfield as one of the league’s best backs. His string of legal issues, including an incident when he kicked a woman in a hotel in February, has him out of the league.

Ware or Williams could be in line for a big 2019 season.

Next up: Derrick Henry

3. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennesse Titans

He has been an enormous fantasy disappointment until this point (ironically, his best performances are coming when his owners aren’t using him). But the hatred for Henry might be unjustified next year.

The logic for Henry enjoying a breakout season in 2019 is twofold.

First, he perfectly suits Mike Vrabel’s identity as a coach. Henry is a bruising running back, who can help with ball control. If the Titans hold a lead, they can run Henry at the defense and punish them into exhaustion. If they’re trying to build a lead, Henry can help Tennessee chew away at their opponent, which keeps the ball out of the hands of the opposing quarterback and Marcus Mariota, who had his worst season of his career in 2018.

Second, Henry’s emergence comes amid Dion Lewis’ disappearance. After joining the team in the 2018 offseason, Lewis was supposed to provide a thunder-and-lightning combo with Henry. Instead, the Titans look better with an all-thunder approach. Lewis is averaging just 3.4 yards per rush. It’s fair to say they might steer away from handing him the ball next season.

Next up: Josh Allen

4. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

He can’t keep running the ball like this, can he? Allen’s value is enormously reliant upon the fact that he’ll keep running the ball next season. But with his completion percentage at 52 percent, it’s hard to imagine he’ll suddenly turn into a pocket passer in a matter of months. (Yes, next season is roughly nine months away.) His development with accuracy won’t come at once. He’ll probably need to keep running the ball. If that remains the case, he might present great value next season.

Take him with a heavy dose of skepticism. But you can’t argue with 100 yards rushing on top of a mediocre passing performance, especially if he gets drafted in later rounds.

Next up: Kalen Ballage

5. Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami Dolphins

For whatever reason, the Dolphins don’t seem to like using Kenyan Drake. They simply will not feed him the ball. He logged only four games with double-digit carries and never got more than 14 rushes.

When Frank Gore suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15, Ballage got the bulk of the touches. That should continue into 2019 when the Dolphins look to their 2018 fourth-round pick in Ballage. He was a monster at ASU, and should be able to take over as a goal line and between-the-tackles back. If the Dolphins didn’t go to Drake this season, they won’t go to him next season. And Ballage could quickly turn into a powerhouse in fantasy.

Next up: Dante Pettis

6. Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers

There’s reasonable question about whether the return of Marquis Goodwin might erase Pettis from fantasy relevance. But what if Pettis erased Goodwin from fantasy relevance?

OK, maybe that’s too far. Point is, Pettis is putting together a great season. He’ll have to develop rapport with Jimmy Garoppolo, but Pettis seems to be ahead of where a second-round pick should be at this point in a lost season in San Francisco. He seems like the real deal, averaging 84.5 yards and a touchdown per game over the last four games.

If Kyle Shanahan and Garoppolo like Pettis, he’s golden.

Next up: Chris Herndon

7. Chris Herndon, TE, New York Jets

It’s time to find next year’s George Kittle or O.J. Howard. Herndon’s target share in the Jets offense is growing as he becomes Sam Darnold’s trusted target.

The biggest area of growth for Herndon, if he’s to become a significant fantasy contributor, is the red zone. Herndon is 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. In theory, he should grow into a role as a touchdown scorer. Herndon, 2018 fourth round pick out of Miami, has the promise to be a strong fantasy contributor, with Darnold’s affinity for the big pass-catcher growing.