Breakout Alert

Dez Bryant is one of my biggest breakout candidates heading into the upcoming 2012 fantasy football season. He is entering his third NFL season, which is typically a rising star’s breakout campaign. Sometimes elite wide receivers breakout during their sophomore campaigns, something we feel will be true for both A.J. Green and Julio Jones this year, but Bryant didn’t go nuts last year… this upcoming season should be that year, though. He was very productive last season and he showed flashes of what is to come. Take a look at Bryant’s first two NFL seasons:

Dez Bryant Career Stats

Year	Team	G	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	100+	TD
2010	DAL	12	45	561	46.8	12.5	1	6
2011	DAL	15	63	928	61.9	14.7	0	9

If relatively healthy this upcoming fantasy season, I truly think 80 receptions, 1,100 yards and 7-10 scores could end up being the worst-case scenario for Bryant owners in 2012. Again, I’m predicting that as a worst-case scenario; he is capable of being a top 4-5 fantasy wide receiver.

Let’s take a look at current DraftCalc.com ADP Data, which is compiled using an average of industry ADP Data lists:

Current ADP Data

…

3.07 – A.J. Green

3.08 – Ahmad Bradshaw

3.09 – Julio Jones

3.10 – Victor Cruz

3.11 – Mike Wallace

3.12 – Frank Gore

4.01 – Jordy Nelson

4.02 – Doug Martin

4.03 – Hakeem Nicks

4.04 – Dez Bryant

4.05 – Percy Harvin

4.06 – Michael Vick

4.07 – Steve Smith

4.08 – Miles Austin

4.09 – Fred Jackson

…

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First off, as much as I love Bryant, even bigger steals on the ADP List above are A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Without hijacking my own topic, just know that the only two players I feel have more upside than Bryant heading into 2012 are Green and Jones… all three of these receivers can absolutely crush their current third-round ADP! For more on why these three players rank No. 1, 2 and 3 in terms of “Upside” heading into 2012, check out our 2012 “Upside” Board.

Now, just because I view Bryant as a potential top 4-5 fantasy wide receiver, that doesn’t mean anyone should draft him (or trade for him) at that value. The key is using his ADP to your advantage. Bryant should be your sleeper WR2 heading into Week 1… Or, if your draft plan is to load up on running backs, a quarterback, or a tight end early on in your upcoming 2012 fantasy football draft, Bryant could make a sneaky fantasy WR1 if your strategy and plan of attack are to draft your receivers late.

Comment below, and debate this topic on our fantasy football forums right now!