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Ellis Johnson selects a fantasy football player on each AFC East team for the 2024 season. These are players who have the talent and opportunity to become league- winners.
The AFC East is loaded with question marks this season. Thankfully, most of the questions are “Is this team a Super Bowl contender?” If everything goes right, three teams could answer this question with a “yes” (sorry Patriots fans).
I’m selecting a fantasy breakout player from each NFL team in this series of articles. I recently finished a series listing the top dynasty players on each NFL team, which you can find here.
Based on my confidence in a breakout this season, I am ordering these players. How you define a breakout season is very subjective, and many players can be debated on whether or not they have previously “broken out” or not. As a result, I’m selecting players who may not just break out this season but are in line to put up career numbers in 2024.
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New York Jets
Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ)
Hear me out, I know Wilson is an upcoming star and has already “broken out.” However, I think relative to his previous seasons, we may look back at this year as his true “breakout.” Much like CeeDee Lamb before last season, we know the talent is there for elite fantasy production. Unfortunately, the cards haven’t fallen in a way for that potential to be reached.
Last season, Lamb destroyed fantasy football scoring and truly entered the elite tier. That’s the kind of breakout I’m expecting for Wilson.
This play by Garrett Wilson is INSANE! The effort, concentration and ability to finish is off the CHARTS! Garrett is going to TURN UP with Rodgers this season! #Jets pic.twitter.com/EdyKr8g0zP
— The Long Beach Joe Show (@TheLongBeachJoe) July 18, 2024
Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid (TE, BUF)
I’ve been flipping back and forth this offseason on how much to buy into Kincaid. There are stretches where I think he is the TE1 this season, while sometimes it’s hard to get him into my top five. Either way, both are lofty expectations for the second-year TE.
The bullish argument is that this offense is going to run through him. Keon Coleman is often criticized for his playing style not being NFL-ready. Coleman does struggle to create separation, which is fine if you have a hyper-accurate QB, but Josh Allen is not. As a result, Kincaid being a master of separation could make him the first read on many plays.
The opposite side is that this team still likes to use Dawson Knox as its primary blocking TE and therefore will find his way on the field regardless of game script. I also believe there is a world where the franchise has finally put too much on Allen’s shoulders, and the entire offense suffers because of it.
Whether you want to rank him in your top three or top six, Kincaid is set for a breakout season in 2024.
Who doesn't want to watch Dalton Kincaid highlights?
You're welcome, #BillsMafia.#GoBills pic.twitter.com/IRhPt9Kuek
— The Wandering Buffalo (@TheWanderingBuf) April 21, 2024
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA)
I believe that all in all, Tagovailoa has not truly broken out at the NFL level. When this offense is cooking, we are always quick to put the praise on De'Von Achane or Tyreek Hill. Somehow, despite this offense being incredible, Tagovailoa rarely gets his flowers for being under center.
It’s hard to argue that he should overshadow Hill and Achane, as his numbers seem fairly pedestrian considering the offensive output this team had. As a result, I think it’s time for Tagovailoa to assert himself as the leader of this team. Without a long-term deal in Miami, this is a season where he has to prove he can be “that guy.”
It might take a lot, but if this offense starts to break records once again and Tagovailoa can lead this team to some late-game comebacks, we might finally see why #TankforTua was a trend.
2023 Tua Tagovailoa Mid-Season Highlights pic.twitter.com/Q4ArVgCX8A
— VBS (@VBSofficial_) November 12, 2023
New England Patriots
Demario Douglas (WR, NE)
This might be my least confident selection for a breakout in this entire series. But seriously, who else could break out? This team is in uncharted waters of a rebuild with limited talent on the offensive side of the ball.
Despite spending an early second on Ja'Lynn Polk and a fourth on Javon Baker, Douglas remains the top slot option for this team. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound, sixth-round pick from last year’s draft has shown glimpses of impressive playmaking during his rookie season. However, he is more of a PPR floor play as a fantasy option. Either way, Douglas could create some chemistry with Drake Maye and be a reliable target for years to come.
Cleansing the timeline with DeMario Douglas highlights pic.twitter.com/KMaLzgBSM2
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 15, 2024
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