C.J. Stroud among 3 NFL breakout fantasy candidates from the AFC South

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The Jaguars, Texans, Colts, and Titans have a combined 10 players inside the top 80 overall ADP. These guys are, of course, must-draft options. But who are some under-the-radar breakout candidates?

With Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, the Colts’ wideout corps probably will be a two-man operation. The team has pieced together a supporting cast that includes Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and seventh-round rookie Deion Burks. This reality gives Josh Downs a huge opportunity to bust out. Downs owns a WR47 / overall-105 ADP. Only two years ago, he was the WR31 in points per game. The 24-year-old is primed to surprise.

Are any managers all in on C.J. Stroud? Maybe some. Not a lot, and that’s okay. Injuries to him and his receivers have undercut his career, which looked incredibly promising after his impressive 2023 rookie campaign. His QB22 / overall-135 ADP assumes that Malik Willis (QB21), Tyler Shough (QB20), and others will outshine him. I disagree. Stroud is a great young quarterback surrounded by talented receivers. He has a better shot at top-12 production than Willis, Shough, and at least a dozen other starting QBs.

Finally, don’t sleep on Gunnar Helm (TE25 / overall-183 ADP). Last year’s fourth-round rookie gobbled up most of his targets and came on strong in the second half of the season, compiling a combined 25-160-1 receiving line in Weeks 11-15. Cam Ward owned a sterling 105.8 passer rating when looking his way. There’s a clear path for Helm to hit 55-550-3, which last year would have placed him in the top 16.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: C.J. Stroud among 3 breakout fantasy candidates from the AFC South

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