Best Breakout Candidates For 2021-2022 NFL Season

• Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts’ odds suggest big seasons from both second-year products.
• Antonio Gibson and Chase Edmonds are both projected to build on their 2020 campaigns.
• Michael Pittman Jr. and DJ Chark Jr. are among potential breakout wide receivers.

LAS VEGAS – Whether for fantasy football or NFL betting purposes, accurately projected breakout seasons from NFL players can be extremely beneficial. One way to try and predict which athletes will improve is by looking at their season totals.

Quarterbacks

A quarterback’s numbers are often impacted by many different factors such as defense, pass-catchers and offensive line. However, there are a couple of year quarterbacks who should be set up for big seasons.

For clarity, no rookies are on the list.

Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow, as the No. 1 overall pick, had very high expectations entering his rookie season and while his team was not winning games, Burrow was putting up record-breaking numbers. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to a torn ACL, but he has since recovered and is ready to pick up where he left off.

Burrow had tallied 2,688 yards and 13 touchdowns in his 10 games last season. He also added 142 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Legal betting sites are projecting a big season from the second-year product as his season totals are set at 4,200.5 yards and 26.5 touchdowns.

This is an increase in about 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns in just an extra 6.5 games (Burrow tore his ACL on the first drive of the second half in Week 11).

Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts started just four games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season but made enough of an impression for the franchise to move on from Carson Wentz and pass on the keys to the Alabama-turned-Oklahoma product.

Hurts tallied 1,061 yards and six touchdowns in 2020 but NFL betting sites are expecting 3,650 yards and 20.5 passing touchdowns from him this season.

He also has season totals of 655 rushing yards and 7.5 rushing touchdowns.

Hurts’ legs are a big part of his game and if he can manage to stay healthy for the entire season should be able to tally some impressive numbers.

Running Backs

The running back position is seemingly becoming less and less important for the NFL teams, but the position remains incredibly valuable in terms of fantasy leagues. A pair of running backs have totals set a good bit off what they accomplished in 2020.

Antonio Gibson – Washington Football Team

Antonio Gibson had a very impressive rookie campaign as he was able to put up 795 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground while adding 247 yards in the passing game in just 10 starts.

Gibson’s sophomore season total for rushing yards is at 1,025. Unfortunately, his touchdown prop is unavailable but it’s safe to assume it will be near his 2020 mark.

An extra 230 yards on the ground may even be underestimating what he’s able to do assuming he gets most of the rushing work in the backfield.

Chase Edmonds – Arizona Cardinals

Chase Edmonds was stuck behind Kenyan Drake in 2020 but seemed to make significant plays each time he touched the field. He was primarily used as a passing threat on third down and recorded 53 receptions for 402 yards and four touchdowns.

He also contributed 448 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Assuming his threat as a receiver remains the same, his projected uptick in rushing yards could be very promising for Edmonds. Last season Edmonds averaged 4.6 yards per carry, a higher number than James Robinson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ezekiel Elliott.

His season total of 650 yards is alluding to an increase in workload as it’s a number he has never reached before.

Wide Receivers

As the passing game becomes more heavily utilized, wide receiver’s numbers are naturally going to hit new highs. The following is a pair of receivers who could put up career numbers in their new systems.

Michael Pittman Jr. – Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman Jr. had a respectable rookie season but was far from spectacular. He recorded 40 receptions for 503 yards and a single touchdown. In the 2021-2022 season, his totals are set at 800.5 yards and 4.5 touchdowns.

An increase in about 300 yards and four touchdowns is among the most of any receiver with available props which could hint that Pittman will be a favorite target of Wentz in his first season with the team.

DJ Chark Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars

In 2019, DJ Chark Jr. had an incredibly large breakout season. His receiving totals went from 174 yards in 11 games to 1,008 yards in 14 starts.

In 2020, his numbers fell back down to earth but is projected to be on the rise once again in 2021.

His projected total of 905 yards and 6 touchdowns is a solid mark higher than his 706 yards and 5 touchdowns from 2020. If Trevor Lawrence performs to the level he’s been hyped up to be at, Chark could go well past these numbers as well.

News tags: Chase Edmonds | DJ Chark Jr. | Joe Burrow | Michael Pittman Jr | NFL