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The AFC West may be one of the most intriguing divisions in football. For the second year in a row, this division has welcomed back a head-coaching icon. Last year, Sean Payton came out of retirement to coach the Broncos, and now Jim Harbaugh returns to the league after winning a national championship with Michigan last year.
Of course, this division also has the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions. From breakout teams to breakout players, this division has it all. For this series of articles, I am identifying a breakout player for each team.
I have divided the teams by division and will sequence my selections in order of my confidence that they will break out. Starting with my most confident and working my way down, here are the top breakout candidates for the AFC West.
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Los Angeles Chargers Fantasy Football Breakout
Joshua Palmer (WR, LAC)
Brampton, Ontario’s finest is set up for a huge season in 2024. Considering Palmer has been the third option on this team, he has made an impressive name for himself. The 2021 third-round selection has filled in valiantly when either Mike Williams or Keenan Allen have missed time.
His career highs came in 2022, where he finished with 72 receptions and nearly 800 yards. A lot of this production came as a result of filling in for injuries; however, this season, he doesn’t need any injuries to have a clear path to production.
The receiving depth chart for this team is bare. Highlighted by exciting rookie Ladd McConkey, the only other options are first-round bust Quentin Johnston and journeyman DJ Chark Jr. As a result, Palmer is the only talented option that has played with Justin Herbert.
This offense may be very run-centric; however, I trust Justin Herbert will force his way to support a couple fantasy-relevant pieces in the passing game. It may be inconsistent, but there is a world where Palmer can outproduce his career highs if he becomes the team’s top target.
Josh Palmer has had five games with 99+ receiving yards in the last two seasons.
This is as many as:
-Garrett Wilson
-Michael Pittman
-DK Metcalf
-DeAndre Hopkins
-Terry McLaurinpic.twitter.com/RigrAn1zNz— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) May 23, 2024
Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football Breakout
Zamir White (RB, LV)
Do I have confidence that White will break out? Not really. However, the amount of volume he should receive this year should make this a breakout season regardless of production. As the primary backup to Josh Jacobs since he entered the league, White now gets his time as the starter.
Ironically, this situation is very similar to Alexander Mattison, who took over for Dalvin Cook last season and is now White’s backup. Under head coach Antonio Pierce, this team wants to run the ball and play shutdown defense. Usually, this makes the starting RB very valuable for fantasy; however, in a division with Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes, relying on defense is not always successful.
Unless this team can usurp its six-and-a-half-game projected win total, the Raiders should be in negative game scripts more often than not. Although White is a sufficient pass-catcher, rookie Dylan Laube was selected as a pass-catching specialist. If Laube dominates third downs, White will need to rely on early down efficiency to find fantasy success.
Zamir White showing good vision pressing play side before cutting to back side. Nasty stiff arm, finishes run behind his pads to fall forward for additional yards after contact.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/2dQjISlXkX
— Ryan Holmes (@Rholm22) December 28, 2023
Denver Broncos Fantasy Football Breakout
Marvin Mims Jr. (WR, DEN)
This is a steep drop-off in my confidence of a breakout season from White to Mims. The second-year WR flashed electric playmaking ability in his rookie season; however, he only finished with 22 receptions. Those receptions impressively led to 322 receiving yards but only one touchdown.
Mims is now the third option behind Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds, primarily competing with incoming rookie Troy Franklin for the slot role. With Bo Nix under center, who knows how successful this offense will be? However, Sean Payton has a history of creating offensive prowess regardless of personnel (Russell Wilson not included).
If Mims can lock down the slot role and prove to be more than a big-play threat, he could find his way to a breakout season. This will most likely be an inconsistent season for the second-year WR, making him a better Best Ball pick than redraft.
Your weekly Marvin Mims highlight 👇
pic.twitter.com/0Q3Bnflvi8— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 1, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Football Breakout
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, KC)
If you haven’t immediately stopped reading this article after reading that name, I appreciate your commitment. I’m not saying that CEH will make up for setting multiple fantasy teams on fire as an early rookie selection, but he could have a decent season.
Right now, this team only has Deneric Prince, Keaontay Ingram, and CEH behind Isiah Pacheco. Of this list, CEH is shockingly the most well-versed in both the passing game and rushing attack. If Pacheco misses time, he will be the one shouldering the work; however, he may have a role even if Pacheco remains healthy.
We have seen Jerick McKinnon have explosive fantasy games despite not being the lead back. This is the role I think CEH can fill and find his way as a surprisingly boom-or-bust fantasy option in 2024. This isn’t necessarily a “break out” and more of a “resurrection” selection, but who’s counting?
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