Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates in 2024 - NFC North

July 30, 2024

Ellis Johnson selects a fantasy football player on each NFC North team for the 2024 season. These are players who have the talent and opportunity to become league- winners.

The NFC North has suddenly become the talk of the NFC over the last year. Between the Lions and Packers being Super Bowl contenders and the Bears seemingly nailing their rebuild, the Vikings are surprisingly left in the dust.

With two rookie QBs leading (or eventually leading) the Bears and Vikings, Jared Goff becomes the elder statesman in a division that could have many fantasy-relevant players. As a result, selecting breakouts in this division is very exciting. 

In this series of articles, I am selecting a potential breakout player on each NFL team. I have divided the teams by division and ordered them based on my confidence in the player’s potential to break out. Thanks for checking out my work!

Detroit Lions Fantasy Football Breakout

Jameson Williams (WR, DET)

It seems like forever ago when Williams was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Coming out of Alabama, Williams was touted for his complete skill set and big-play ability. This combination sounds perfect for the Lions’ high-flying offense; however, we have rarely seen it come through.

After dealing with a torn ACL coming out of college and other injuries, plus a suspension, Williams’ start to his career has been anything but normal. However, this season, the team seems to expect him to take a step forward. After letting all-around WR Josh Reynolds walk this offseason, Williams is the clear third option to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. Considering Jared Goff was second in the league in passing yards last season, there is plenty of volume to go around.

If Williams can show he is half the prospect he was touted to be, this could be an electric breakout for an already exciting Lions team.

Jameson Williams yet again scores a crucial touchdown for the Detroit Lions to break open the game.

Never ever EVER again do I want to hear Jameson Williams is a bust. pic.twitter.com/r7AiZhdecr

— Lukas Klotz 🤝 (@1ukasklotz) December 3, 2023

Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football Breakout

Luke Musgrave (TE, GB)

I’m not sure if the Packers can have another breakout player. After seemingly hitting on all of their recent offensive draft picks, it surely can’t keep happening. Then again, after Bo Melton, Dontayvion Wicks, and Tucker Kraft have all shown splashes, maybe they can’t miss.

If that’s the case, it’s Musgrave’s turn to join the party. Drafted before Kraft last season, Musgrave was a sleeper TE for many people in the fantasy industry heading into last season. Unfortunately, the injury delayed his breakout. He now finds himself in a crowded offense with four solid WRs (Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Wicks, and Melton), another TE, and Josh Jacobs in the backfield.

The 11th pick of 2023’s second round could break out this season. Musgrave was a talented receiving TE entering the draft who was known for his light footwork and ability to overmatch linebackers in coverage. The Packers offense currently lacks an every-down TE, which Musgrave should step into if he can stay healthy. Even though this team has many weapons, it’s one of those offenses that you want any piece of, and Musgrave could easily become a breakout fantasy TE in 2024.

Jordan Love finds a wide open Luke Musgrave! Packers lead 41-16.

📺: #GBvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/b922vhGkvP pic.twitter.com/Ri2s7hUwXM

— ✨ NFL Highlights Today ✨ (@TheeargirlCA) January 14, 2024

Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football Breakout

Ty Chandler (RB, MIN)

You hear about players having “juice” and Chandler is one of them. His 4.38-second 40-yard dash is very impressive; however, he seems even faster when you watch him on the field. When Alexander Mattison was nearly setting inefficiency records last season, seeing Chandler touch the ball was a breath of fresh air. 

This year, he finds himself behind historically efficient runner Aaron Jones and the clear No. 2 RB option. Although I love Jones and think he will have a very solid season, he is getting older and has not been the picture of health. As a result, Chandler may find himself as the lead back if Jones misses time. Even if Jones is healthy, Chandler should be the change-of-pace back and spring some big plays with his limited touches. 

Chicago Bears Fantasy Football Breakout

Roschon Johnson (RB, CHI)

The Bears are loaded with veteran stars and exciting rookies, making a “breakout” selection difficult. Since DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and D'Andre Swift all have broken out before and both Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze are rookies, the choices are limited.

Having said that, I am excited for Johnson this season. Although the 2023 fourth-round RB was fairly impressive with his limited opportunities last season, this is more a statement on Swift than anything else.

I am very concerned for Swift this season. Maybe that’s because I was burned last season by an RB leaving the Eagles and signing what appeared to be a very impressive contract (thanks, Miles Sanders). Swift has flashed elite playmaking ability; however, he’s always been boosted by incredible offensive lines. The Bears don’t have a bad line, but it is not what the Eagles line was last season.

Plus, Swift has never been great in pass protection. As a result, if Swift misses a block or two, leading to Caleb Williams being blown up, Johnson is the next in line for pass-catching duties and can shoulder the rushing workload as well.

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