4 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates: NFC East Edition

Ellis selects a fantasy football draft sleeper from each NFC East team for the 2024 NFL season. These are players who have the talent to be draft value picks.

Welcome back to the series where we identify a potential breakout player for each team. In this article, we are analyzing the NFC East.

This division has two Super Bowl-contending juggernauts, one team trying to stay relevant, and a team that just had a huge draft to kick off its rebuild. As a result, we have multiple fantasy players in great situations within this division.

In this article, I will list these players in the order of breakout confidence. I am not including rookies in this list and I have a fluctuating threshold of what constitutes a breakout. So without further ado, here are my breakout players for the NFC East.

Cowboys Breakout Candidate

Rico Dowdle (RB, DAL)

I don’t think the Rico Dowdle story gets enough attention. Joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Dowdle fought injury issues to start his career. Despite having only seven carries for 27 yards over his first three years, the Cowboys kept bringing him back on the roster each year. Additionally, after they lost Ezekiel Elliott last offseason, they re-signed him on a one-year deal. For an undrafted free agent, this team has given him a lot of leash.

Last year, working in tandem with Tony Pollard, Dowdle showcased some hard-nosed running and at times looked like a better all-around back than Pollard. Again, free agency came and the Cowboys lost their lead back in Pollard, electing to re-sign Dowdle again on a one-year deal before Ezekiel Elliott returned.

All of that is to say that this team seems to love what Dowdle brings. Considering this team has a potential top-5 offense in the league, an RB who only has to compete with a 28-year-old back with over 2,000 career carries could be a draft gem. It’s already expected to be a committee approach between these two rushers, but if Zeke can’t turn back the clock or misses time, Dowdle could be a league-winner.

Rico Dowdle highlights for no reason pic.twitter.com/8G0UgZvMA1

— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) April 27, 2024

Giants Breakout Candidate

Devin Singletary (RB, NYG)

I’m guessing this name came as a surprise to some. Despite being in the league for multiple years, Singletary has never really broken out. Even after being on an electric Bills offense, he rarely strung together multiple top games.

Last year, he joined the Texans and became the lead back over the much-anticipated sophomore, Dameon Pierce. Although he had a productive year, he never had more than two games in a row as a top-20 RB on the week. Considering how potent the offense was, I found that surprising.

He now takes over the Giants backfield, with his only competition being a late-fifth-round pick in this year’s draft. Although Tyrone Tracy Jr. is impressive when catching the ball, Singletary will be the main early down rusher. Last season, the Giants were middle of the league in rush attempts per game. If their offensive line can take a step forward and Singletary can dominate touches, he might find himself inside the top 20 at the position for the first time in his career.

Giants RB Devin Singletary highlights pic.twitter.com/kPHTT2yLse

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) March 11, 2024

Commanders Breakout Candidate

Jahan Dotson (WR, WAS)

Typically when a rookie WR scores seven touchdowns in his debut season, you’d say he has already broken out. However, when you follow that up with a season playing every game and finishing with fewer than 50 receptions for 519 yards and four touchdowns, it’s hard to remember his early career success.

That’s where we find ourselves this year with Dotson. Although there is an abundance of data on rookie QBs failing to support two fantasy WRs, this team is desperate for pass-catchers. Outside of Terry McLaurin, this team has two senior citizens in Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler, along with rookie TE Ben Sinnott. That’s not great, Bob. As a result, the air yards should be focused on the two WRs.

Jayden Daniels had the accuracy of an elite pocket passer in college and also is a threat with his legs. If Daniels can carry over his traits and extend plays, his scramble targets could favor (who I believe) is the more athletic option between Dotson and McLaurin. Especially with McLaurin’s struggles in the red zone, Dotson could also become Daniels’ top red-zone target. All that lines up nicely for what could be a huge breakout season for the young post-hype sleeper.

The further away from last season we get, the more impressive the Jahan Dotson highlights look. What a baller. pic.twitter.com/qYBcaFYaQB

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) May 8, 2023

Eagles Breakout Candidate

Kenneth Gainwell (RB, PHI)

I’ll keep this one short and sweet as it was more of a "process of elimination" selection than a true "breakout" pick. With all the skill positions having bona fide top-end stars (and Dallas Goedert), there isn’t a great breakout pick.

However, Gainwell has flashed some electric playmaking and impressive hands when he has seen the field. Despite battling with rookie Will Shipley for the second RB position behind Saquon Barkley, he may become a premier backup if Barkley is to miss time.

Additionally, he is on a contract year. It will be hard for Gainwell to find weekly touches; however, if he can consistently make plays with his limited opportunities, he’ll set himself up nicely as a free agent and also as the best option if Barkley were to go down.

Nice 💪💪TD by Kenneth Gainwell @KENNETHGAINWEL #TBvsPHI #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/UcpNvMKWgs

— Dagger Highlights (@DaggerHighlight) January 16, 2022

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