X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Way Too Early 2017 Breakouts - Quarterback

RotoBaller's Frankie Soler continues analyzing potential breakout candidates for 2017 with a focus on the quarterback (QB) position.

The 2016 season is but a faint memory, and the 2017 season seems ages away. We've yet to go through the NFL combine, let alone the draft. Absent those distractions, this seems like a perfect time to consider which quarterbacks could have breakout campaigns.

Unlike the running back position, the QB position is generally quite stable. Scoring at the QB position tends to be more bunched up than at other positions, so breakout is a relative term. That said, here are three signal callers who could post better than expected performances in 2017.

Editor's Note: Our industry-leading NBA DFS Lineup Optimizer/Generator tool helps you build winning DFS lineups in seconds. Try it now for free, and get an edge on your competition.

Early Breakout Candidates: QB

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz started all 16 games as a rookie, something worth noting. It wasn't a great performance by any means. A 16:14 TD to interception ratio is nothing to write home about, nor is a QB rating of just 79.3. His 3,782 passing yards were just 18th-best, and his 5.7 adjusted yards per attempt (AYA, a measure of efficiency that accounts for yards, TDs, interceptions, and sacks) were 28th. Ouch.

So why the optimism? Wentz had the fifth-most pass attempts last year, so any improvement in effectiveness, combined with a similar volume, could really boost his numbers. On the same volume, a half-percentage point of improvement in his TD rate would produce about three more TDs. A similar improvement in his interception rate would cut about two interceptions. Improving his yards per attempt to seven would net over 450 additional passing yards. All three of those improvements would still leave him at below-league-average rates, so it's not like forecasting some amazing growth. But if he could hit those benchmarks, he'd be in the mix for the QB1 fantasy tier.

Wentz could mature enough just on his own to meet those improved numbers. As a first-year signal caller he has a lot of room for growth. He could also stand to get some help. So far this offseason, the Eagles have been linked with wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Torrey Smith, and Alshon Jeffery as free agent targets. Adding a WR through the draft is also a possibility. Whatever happens, it seems like the Eagles are looking to boost their receiving corps, and that could also boost his numbers.

I don't think Wentz will be an elite fantasy option, but I think he could be much better than he was last year, and given his likely cheap cost in fantasy drafts, he could be a boon to your roster as a second quarterback.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bortles' 2016 season was widely considered a disaster, and it was from a real football point of view. For fantasy purposes however, he was still at top-10 performer. I think he could do as well - or better - in 2017. It's helpful to remember that despite having three seasons under his belt, Bortles is still just 24 years old. He was a very young prospect and still has time to grow as a QB.

What if Bortles isn't as bad as his 2016 performance? What if he isn't as good as his 2015 performance? What if the truth lies somewhere in the middle? If we average those two seasons we get 4,167 passing yards, 29 TDS, 17 interceptions, and 346 yards rushing. Those numbers would have been good for a QB5 finish this season.

Technically, that's not much of a breakout from this year's QB8 finish, but I think an improvement is the last thing most people expect from Bortles. Even a modest improvement, coupled with a low ADP could make him a great asset.

Bortles could have a better cast around him too. The Jaguars just jettisoned Julius Thomas, who added nothing as a receiver. In exchange they're getting tackle Brandon Albert. That upgrade to their offensive line could help Bortles. Bortles already has two quality WRs in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, but Marqise Lee started to emerge last year as well. Bortles could have one of the youngest and most productive receiving corps in the league. He has been largely dismissed as a fantasy starter, but it's too early to overlook these reasons for optimism.

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco

Hold the phone, what? Bear with me. Obviously, a lot would have to go right for Kaepernick for him to be considered a breakout candidate. For starters, he needs a team. There's a chance that San Francisco keeps him, in which case he'd get to work with Kyle Shanahan. Not a bad thing at all. Kaepernick averaged over 21 points per game last season, and went over 19 points in eight of 11 games. Shanahan gets some credit for helping Kirk Cousins develop and he helped Matt Ryan win an MVP award. Perhaps he could help Kaepernick as well. If nothing else, Shanahan has overseen some high volume passing games, and given the state of the 49ers defense, that should continue. Finally, San Francisco has a ton of available cap space, and they could very well improve their receiving weapons in free agency.

Things obviously get dicier if Kaepernick leaves San Francisco, but there are a number of teams around the league that could use a QB, and there's a decent chance Kaepernick gets to compete for a starting job. We already know he can produce low-end starting QB numbers without elite receiving options, so I'm not too worried about where he'd end up. It's obviously a risk to pursue Kaepernick at this point in time, but keep an eye on him. If he ends up back in San Francisco, he could have a great season. If he ends up elsewhere, he could still produce starter-level numbers. If you can time it right, you'll be able to get him for next to nothing.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jordan Hicks

Headed to Boston
Kyle Harrison

Traded to Red Sox
Brady House

Nationals Promoting Brady House to Major Leagues
Rafael Devers

Traded to San Francisco
Jayden Higgins

Impresses During Minicamp
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Seattle Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence Making an Impression With his New Team
Isaiah Simmons

Being Used Exclusively as a Linebacker
Tyler Mahle

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Travis Etienne Jr.

the Jaguars Lead Back?
Luis Robert Jr.

Scratched with Thumb Soreness
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Byron Buxton

Scratched from Sunday's Lineup
Daniel Jones

the Favorite in Colts QB Competition?
Brendan Donovan

Returns to the Lineup
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Royce Lewis

Hits 10-Day Injured List
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Shohei Ohtani

Blasts Two Homers in Win
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Michael King

Not Making Progress
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Jackson Merrill

Removed Early on Saturday
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Riley Herbst

Surprisingly Outqualifies 23XI Racing Teammates at Mexico City
Cody Ware

a Very Experienced Road Racer but Still a Long Shot
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite to Win in Mexico City
Christopher Bell

the Chalk DFS Play in Mexico City
Tyler Reddick

Has a Lot of Work To Do To Be Competitive in Mexico
AJ Allmendinger

Struggling to Find Speed in Mexico City
Chris Buescher

Says Car is "Bad Fast" Heading into Mexico City Race
Michael McDowell

Confident Heading into Viva Mexico 250
Giancarlo Stanton

Likely Returning Early Next Week
Spencer Strider

Registers 13 Strikeouts
Hunter Brown

s Records 12 Strikeouts
Emeka Egbuka

"the Talk" of Bucs Minicamp
Royce Lewis

to be Placed on Injured List
Byron Buxton

Exits Early on Saturday
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Jaxson Dart

Working as No. 2 QB During Offseason Workouts
Xavier Gipson

Roster Spot Could be in Jeopardy
Josh Reynolds

the Front-Runner for WR2 Duties
Garrett Wilson

Stock Up This Offseason
Breece Hall

Motivated Going into 2025 Season
Brandon Aiyuk

Making Good Progress From Knee Injury
Keon Coleman

Inconsistent at Minicamp
Mitchell Trubisky

Not a Lock for Backup Job
Dalton Kincaid

Adds Strength and Bulk
James Cook

a Full Participant in Mandatory Minicamp
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Jacob Misiorowski

Expected to Make Next Start
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Charlie Morton

Continues Good Work With 10 Strikeouts
James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF