5 Skill-Position Players Poised for Fantasy Football Breakouts in 2019

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Lots of fantasy football championships are built off seemingly unknown commodities. Drafting that NFL season's breakout fantasy star is often how titles are won.

With that in mind, here are five skill-position players that could break out in 2019.

1. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There has been plenty of hype for Chris Godwin coming into the 2019 season, and for good reason. Buccaneers new head coach Bruce Arians has already said Godwin may be "close to a 100-catch guy" and the receiver also has less competition for snaps this season, with DeSean Jackson back in Philadelphia. The increase in opportunities and the addition of Arians as the Bucs' head coach should elevate Godwin's fantasy value, so much so that he could be a breakout star this coming season.

2. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Let's face it, the Jacksonville Jaguars needed to make a change at the quarterback position. While Nick Foles might not considered elite, he is a significant upgrade over Blake Bortles. Foles is also known for attacking downfield, and Dede Westbrook should be the team's most dangerous deep threat. Westbrook led the team in receptions (66), receiving yards (717) and receiving touchdowns (5) last season, and is likely to beat those numbers as a third-year breakout in 2019.

3. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones looked like he would break out last season, but now-former Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy seemingly held the running back back. Jones has run for 728 yards on 133 carries and caught 26 passes for 206 yards in his young career, so he's been effective when given the opportunity. New HC Matt LaFleur comes to Green Bay with an innovative offense, which should undoubtedly help Jones. It seems like all the back needs is the opportunity to be great in order to do so, making him a big-time breakout candidate.

4. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions

If Kerryon Johnson didn't miss the final six games last season, he likely would have cracked 1,000 rushing yards and 50 receptions. The back averaged 5.4 yards per carry during his rookie campaign, and if he is able to remain healthy, Johnson has the opportunity and skillset to be a top-10 running back in fantasy this season.

5. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Vance McDonald has been in two different battles during his time in Pittsburgh – the battle for targets and his personal battle with injuries. While we cannot predict the latter, there are plenty of targets up for grabs in the Steelers' offense with both Antonio Brown and Jesse James no longer with the team. That's more than 200 targets to make up for in 2019, and McDonald finished as a TE1 last season while receiving 73 targets (TE12). There's no reason he can't get close to 90 targets this coming season, and break into the top-10 at the tight end position.

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