5 Breakout Fantasy QBs in 2015

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson is going pretty high in fantasy drafts (usually the 3^rd-5^th QB off the board,) and for good reason. Wilson is on pace for his best season to date as he plays for a big contract and the Seahawks continue to slowly take the training wheels off of their QB. Russell Wilson has improved every season in the NFL and his rushing numbers increased a ton from 539 to 849. His 452 pass attempts were also the highest of his career but he ranked 19^th in the NFL for most passes attempted. With another increase in his passes and more freedom to go down the field, Wilson could finally hit the 500 pass mark and have the big games to take your fantasy team to the playoffs.

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

Year 4 is the make or break year for Ryan Tannehill. All signs point to a break out as Tannehill was 1 of only 5 QBs to put up double digit points in the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs (weeks 15 and 16). The Dolphins have put together an offense that could be extremely productive with a pass catching RB in Lamar Miller and a bevy of weapons with Jarvis Landry, Devante Parker, Kenny Stills, and Jordan Cameron. Tannehill should have plenty of options when slinging the ball and the coaching staff should allow him to throw a bit more than last year. Tannehill has the athleticism and arm to tear up opposing defenses and could be a value as a potential top 7 QB by season’s end.

Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings

Bridgewater is going into Year 2 after plummeting to pick 32 in the 2014 NFL Draft. He showed plenty of promise last season and now gets Mike Wallace, Adrian Peterson, and a healthy Kyle Rudolph should enhance the scoring opportunities for the Vikings offense, leading to more Bridgewater fantasy points. Norv Turner’s offenses have definitely produced good fantasy QBs and Bridgewater seemed to be getting very comfortable with the system late last year. Bridgewater may not hit his prime in year 2, but he should be a solid committee QB for your fantasy team where he chews up easy match-ups and has a few big games of 300+ yards and 3 passing touchdowns.

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It is tough to rely on rookie QBs in fantasy football, but Jameis Winston is one to invest in for 2015. First and foremost, Tampa Bay seems set up for some high scoring games. The Buccaneers defense should be below average and behind in plenty of games and have to throw to come back. Winston has plenty of weapons at his disposal with great 2^nd year WR Mike Evans and upcoming 2^nd year TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Veterans Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin should catch plenty of passes and allow Winston to sling the ball all over the field. New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has shown in Atlanta that he prefers passing over running and is not afraid to open the playbook for his QB. This should give Winston the opportunity at plenty of big games that you could use in a QB by committee system on your fantasy team.

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr got plenty of publicity for bringing back the Raiders QB position last year and now gets top flight rookie WR Amari Cooper as a toy for himself. Carr has some good physical tools and had a volatile rookie season, but he could be a solid fantasy QB for 2015. As bill Musgrave takes over as offensive coordinator, he is expected to take a balanced approach and set Derek Carr up for success. Carr had the occasional big game in 2014 and with the addition of Cooper, Michael Crabtree, and a healthy Latavius Murray, he should have more scoring chances in 2015 and is an ascending QB who could become a sneaky fantasy start and a top 12 option this season.

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