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

Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates in 2024 - NFC South

Bijan Robinson - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Ellis Johnson selects a fantasy football player on each NFC South team for the 2024 season. These are players who have the talent and opportunity to become league- winners.

If there was a breakout division, it might be this one. After being the laughingstock of the league the last couple of years, three of these four teams have had busy offseasons trying to set their club up for success.

The Falcons have three young stars primed to break out, the Panthers loaded up with talent, and the Buccaneers re-signed a Baker Mayfield resurgence. Meanwhile, the Saints have taken “breakout” too literally. After “breaking” the hopes of their fans and already being “out” of the playoffs, they’re in a tough spot.

In this series, I am selecting a breakout player from each NFL team. I have divided the teams by division and will order them according to the level of confidence I have in their breakout this season. Without further ado, here are my NFC South selections!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football Breakout

Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL)

If there was a breakout team, this would be it. With four top-8 NFL Draft selections, all occupying fantasy-relevant positions, it has seemed that this team is a ticking time bomb. To be honest, this selection could have easily been Kyle Pitts or Drake London. However, if you have followed my work, you know I am expecting massive things from Bijan Robinson this season.

It’s no surprise that Robinson can be an NFL superstar; however, let’s raise the bar for this breakout. I was recently quoted saying that Robinson can redefine the dynasty RB landscape this year. So, of course, I’m going to double down. I would be shocked if Robinson finishes outside of the top-2 fantasy RBs in 2024.

I understand that is steep, so maybe shocked isn’t the right word, but that’s how confident I am for this season. The team now has Raheem Morris taking over as head coach, who stems from the Rams' coaching tree. The coaches from that tree are notorious for impactful fantasy RBs and utilize primarily one back. Mix this with the quotes from camp saying he will get Christian McCaffrey usage, and it’s all systems go for the second-year RB.

 

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football Breakout

Chuba Hubbard (RB, CAR)

The Sherwood Park, Alberta product has flashed elite athleticism and explosiveness so far in his NFL career. Coming out of Oklahoma State, Hubbard’s former track experience made him an electric back with game-breaking speed.

To end last season, Hubbard had four of his final six games with 20+ rushing attempts and 80+ rushing yards. He has surpassed last season’s free-agent acquisition, Miles Sanders

The big elephant in the room is Jonathon Brooks. I liked Brooks as a prospect and think he will become one of the few workhorse RBs in the future. However, reports are that his ACL recovery is going slower than expected. With no incentive to hurry him back, Hubbard could be the lead back for the first few weeks. That sets the table for the impending free agent to show the league what he can do and potentially receive limited touches once Brooks is fully healthy.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Football Breakout

Cade Otton (TE, TB)

Ever since Tom Brady started to find Otton toward the end of his last season, the TE has remained on the fringe of fantasy relevance. Last year, he had nine of his 16 games with four or more targets. It’s not elite, but if that can continue to grow, he could find himself as a high-end TE2 for fantasy.

This team is locked in with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin for this season; however, the depth chart is bare after that. There is excitement for rookie Jalen McMillan, but if one of Evans or Godwin misses time, Otton could be the biggest benefactor. 

 

New Orleans Saints Fantasy Football Breakout

A.T. Perry (WR, NO)

If you have followed my writing this offseason, you’ve seen the Saints catch a lot of heat. It’s no surprise that I think this team is the definition of lackluster and could be relegated to the XFL in a year. However, I think Perry has some intrigue.

All jokes aside, there will be 11 players wearing Saints jerseys every week. As a result, the ball has to go somewhere. With Juwan Johnson recovering from an injury, it’s Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed in the WR room. With no Johnson and the departure of Michael Thomas, Perry is the only big-bodied target. Last year, we saw him flash his physical prowess with three touchdowns in his last three games.

This offense won’t be potent enough for this to provide weekly value, but if Shaheed is primarily in the slot and Perry can be the option opposite of Olave, he might be worth keeping an eye on for the future.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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

Keon Johnson

Gets Team Option Picked Up
Rayan Rupert

Staying in Portland
Jonathan Kuminga

Recieves Qualifying Offer
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Sam Merrill

Sticking with Cavaliers
Davion Mitchell

Staying in Miami
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Cody Ware

Rarely Enough Attrition at Atlanta for Cody Ware to Seriously Contend
Ryan Blaney

Is Always Strong at Atlanta
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Looking for Third Atlanta Win
Denny Hamlin

Has Huge Place-Differential Upside But Shaky Atlanta Record
Isaac Okoro

on the Move to Chicago
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Lonzo Ball

Traded to Cleveland
Kyle Busch

Has Been Elite at Atlanta Lately
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Ross Chastain

a Prime DFS Target at Atlanta
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Daniel Suarez

Hopes to Rekindle Atlanta Flame as Contract Concerns Loom
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. an Easy DFS Pick at Atlanta
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Todd Gilliland

Has Shown Upside at Atlanta
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Nick Martinez

Flirts With No-Hitter, Settles for Win
Gary Sánchez

Gary Sanchez Homers, Reaches Five Times in Onslaught
Trea Turner

Blasts Two Homers, Steals Base
MLB

Ron Washington to Remain on Medical Leave for Rest of the Season
Jeremy Peña

Imaging Negative on Jeremy Pena's Ribs on Friday
Spencer Steer

Slugs Three Home Runs in Win
Ace Bailey

to Report to Utah on Saturday
Sonny Gray

Tosses Complete-Game Shutout
Justin Edwards

Sixers Agree on a New Contract
Naz Reid

Agrees to a New Contract with Minnesota
Hunter Goodman

Dealing With Hamstring Soreness
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Returns Against Marlins
Wyatt Langford

Rangers to Place Wyatt Langford on Injured List
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Now in Friday's Lineup
Wyatt Langford

Out With Strained Oblique
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Friday
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Not in Friday's Lineup
Xander Bogaerts

Back in Lineup on Friday
Jae'Sean Tate

Rockets Want to Bring Back Jae'Sean Tate
Andre Drummond

Accepts Player Option
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Donovan Jackson

has Inside Track on Starting Job
Matthew Golden

Appears Set for Significant Role
Derrick Harmon

in Line to Start
Jahdae Barron

Primarily Working at Cornerback
Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Proctor Selected by Cavaliers With the No. 49 Pick
Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Love Lands with Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard Signs a Two-Way Deal with Mavericks
Orlando Magic

Noah Penda Drafted and Traded to the Magic
Phoenix Suns

Rasheer Fleming Taken With the First Pick of the Second Round
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Josh Giddey

Receives Qualifying Offer from Chicago
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
SJ

Sharks Buying Out Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Jamie Benn

Stays in Dallas on One-Year Deal
Reilly Smith

Signs New One-Year Deal with Vegas
Michael Kesselring

Traded to Sabres
Josh Doan

Moves to Buffalo
JJ Peterka

Mammoth Acquire JJ Peterka
Evander Kane

Traded to Canucks
Miami Heat

Miami Selects Guard Kasparas Jakucionis
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Takes Nolan Traore in the First Round
Utah Jazz

Walter Clayton Jr. Heading to Utah
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Poehling

Becomes a Duck
Trevor Zegras

Moves to Philadelphia
Andre Burakovsky

Traded to Blackhawks
Jamahal Hill

Gets Dominated At UFC Azerbaijan
Khalil Rountree Jr.

Dominates At UFC Azerbaijan
Rafael Fiziev

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ignacio Bahamondes

Drops Decision At UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Gets Split-Decision Win at UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Rizvan Kuniev Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Tofiq Musayev

Submitted In His UFC Debut
Myktybek Orolbai

Scores First-Round Submission
Nikolas Motta

Gets Finished After Back-And-Forth Fight
Nazim Sadykhov

Scores Second-Round TKO
Bogdan Grad

Drops Decision
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF