Fantasy Breakouts
I’m betting my house on these players to break out big in fantasy football this year.
#10: Ricky Pearsall (WR - SF)
With Brandon Aiyuk (expected) and Jauan Jennings out the door, Pearsall steps into a clear WR2 role opposite Mike Evans, and the talent to capitalize is already there.
Even in a season cut short, he was elite when on the field, ranking 14th in yards per target (9.8), 19th in yards per catch (14.7), and 7th in contested catch rate.
He's a true vertical threat, posting an 11th-ranked 13.9 average depth of target with 17 deep targets on limited snaps.
He commanded a 19.6% target share and a massive 33% air yards share despite missing half the season, proof he earns volume whenever he's healthy.
This is a make-or-break third year for the former first-round pick, and the talent profile says the breakout is overdue, the only question is durability.
#9: Jonathon Brooks (RB - CAR)
Two ACL tears would scare off most fantasy managers, but the physical tools and the path to volume make Brooks one of the highest-variance buy-lows on the board.
He's fully cleared for the 2026 offseason program and has reportedly already hit top speeds of 21 mph.
Carolina's backfield picture is wide open, with Rico Dowdle hitting free agency and Chuba Hubbard reportedly losing some prominence.
The team has internally floated Brooks as the lead back over Hubbard, with Top-12 RB1 upside if his health finally holds.
It's a true boom-or-bust profile, but if camp goes well, Brooks could be one of the best value plays in fantasy this summer.
#8: Greg Dulcich (TE - MIA)
Buried on Miami's depth chart no more, Dulcich gets arguably the league's biggest tight end opportunity vacuum, and he's already shown he can produce when given the chance.
He finished 2nd among all NFL tight ends in yards per route run (2.64) and yards after catch per reception (7.69).
Over his final 10 games last season he caught 26 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown, proving both health and utility down the stretch.
He's emerging as a primary target for new QB Malik Willis this spring, and his near-50% career slot usage makes him a mismatch weapon in an offense built on intermediate throws.
Projections already peg him for a jump to roughly 53 catches and 606 yards, legitimate fantasy TE numbers if he can just stay on the field.
#7: KC Concepcion (WR - CLE)
A first-round pick walking into a wide-open Browns passing game, Concepcion has the draft capital and immediate opportunity to be one of this year's top rookie fantasy assets.
Selected 24th overall to anchor a complete offensive overhaul under new HC Todd Monken and OC Travis Switzer, taking over a unit that ranked 31st in scoring in 2025.
He's already running with the first-team offense in offseason work, and with Jerry Jeudy banged up, he's positioned for early-season target dominance.
His college production backs it up: 919 yards and 9 touchdowns on just 61 catches, with an elite 7.0-plus yards after catch average and a versatile, run-game-friendly skill set.
The volume and the talent are both there early, making Concepcion a name to watch closely as the season approaches.
#6: Luther Burden (WR - CHI)
With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden enters 2026 as the favorite to lead Chicago in targets, and his rookie efficiency suggests he's ready for the bigger role.
He ranked 2nd in the entire NFL in yards per route run (2.62), trailing only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba among receivers with 40-plus targets.
He closed the year on fire, posting 21 catches for 324 yards over his final four regular-season games, then backed it up with 14 targets across two playoff games.
He stays connected with Caleb Williams under Ben Johnson, with new OC Press Taylor expected to expand his usage even further.
Early projections already have him pegged for around 77 catches, 1,100 yards, and 8 scores, real WR1 numbers for a Year 2 breakout.
So that’s the first half of my big-time breakout countdown. Tomorrow we’ll do #5-#1… and some of them might surprise you.
-Joe