There has been some debate in the world of fantasy football about the difference between a breakout candidate and a sleeper, but it's not that difficult to understand.
Breakouts differ from sleepers in that the latter are defined as less-prominent players who could exceed their modest statistical expectations. Derek Anderson and Ryan Grant are two perfect examples from last season.
Breakout candidates are known commodities who have the potential to produce the best numbers of their NFL careers. Tom Brady and T.J. Houshmandzadeh both fit the description after the 2007 season.
Now that we have the definitions established, let's take a look at 10 legitimate breakout candidates to target heading into this season.
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Denver Broncos |  Jay Cutler Quarterback | Cutler had seven touchdowns in his final four starts of last season, and he should build on that success in 2008. The Broncos added Darrell Jackson and Keary Colbert to an offense that includes Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler, so Cutler will have more weapons at his disposal. He has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in the offseason, but the condition won't hurt his value. Cutler should record career bests across the board in 2008. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Jacksonville Jaguars |  David Garrard Quarterback | Garrard started slow last season, but he finished as one of the top fantasy quarterbacks. He threw multiple touchdown passes in five of his final six starts and found the end zone 13 times in those starts. With an improved pass attack that now includes veteran wide receiver Jerry Porter, who signed in the offseason, Garrard should emerge into an attractive low-end No. 1 quarterback in fantasy land. Look for him to record 20-25 total touchdowns this season. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Green Bay Packers |  Ryan Grant Running back | Grant came out of nowhere to become a top fantasy sleeper last season. He rushed for 100-plus yards in 50 percent of his starts, and his 201-yard, three-touchdown performance against Seattle in the postseason added to his value. The Packers will lean on the run with Aaron Rodgers under center, so a season with 1,000-plus yards and double-digit scores is in the cards. Grant will be seen as a first- or second-round selection in almost all fantasy drafts. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Pittsburgh Steelers |  Santonio Holmes Wide receiver | Holmes recorded career bests across the board last season, and he did it in 13 contests. With two NFL seasons under his belt and a tremendous rapport with Ben Roethlisberger, he appears destined to find even greater statistical success in 2008. Holmes will a prominent option in what should remain a productive Steelers offense and should post the first 1,000-yard season of his career. He'll be seen as a solid No. 2 fantasy wideout in most formats. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Houston Texans |  Andre Johnson Wide receiver | Johnson was on pace to have a breakout season in 2007, but an injured knee cost him seven games and a chance to join the elite wideouts in fantasy football. The Miami product had 60 receptions, 851 yards and eight touchdowns in nine starts, which projects to an incredible 107 catches, 1,513 yards and 14 scores over a full slate. With Matt Schaub back under center, Johnson should be seen as one of the top five wideouts in fantasy football headed into 2008. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Detroit Lions |  Calvin Johnson Wide receiver | Johnson was one of the most highly-touted wide receivers to come out of college in a decade, but an injured back and a crowded core of wideouts in Detroit hurt his production. While the team will run a more balanced offense under new coordinator Jim Colletto, Johnson is still almost certain to improve on the 48 receptions, 756 yards and four touchdowns he produced in 2007. Fantasy footballers should consider him in the middle rounds as a potential No. 2 wideout. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Buffalo Bills |  Marshawn Lynch Running back | Lynch showed immense potential in his rookie season, rushing for 1,115 yards with seven touchdowns in 13 games. New offensive coordinator Turk Schonert plans to use Lynch in a featured role in 2008, so it's hard not to expect him to record career bests across the board. The California product will also be utilized more as a receiver out of the backfield, so a season with better than 1,700 all-purpose yards and double-digit touchdowns is not out of the question. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 New York Giants |  Eli Manning Quarterback | Manning threw for a mediocre 3,336 yards with 23 touchdowns and a career-high 20 interceptions in 2007. But based on his impressive run en route to a Super Bowl championship, it's hard to discount Manning as a breakout candidate. Chances are he won't put up 4,000 yards and 30 scores, but a season with 3,800 yards and 25 touchdowns isn't a stretch. Manning will be seen as a low-end No. 1 fantasy quarterback and is well worth a middle-round selection. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
 Atlanta Falcons |  Michael Turner Running back | Turner is a combination sleeper/breakout candidate headed into his first season as a featured back at the NFL level. The Burner showed flashes of real potential in San Diego behind LaDainian Tomlinson, and he's a terrific fit for the offense of new coordinator Mike Mularkey. Like McFadden, Turner needs his offensive line to step up if he's to meet expectations, but a 1,000-yard season appears to be imminent. He'll be considered a viable No. 2 fantasy back across the board. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
| Denver Broncos |  Selvin Young Running back | With Travis Henry no longer in the mix and Denver's track record for producing solid runners, it's no shock to see Young on our list of breakout candidates. Young, who believes he can rush for 2,000 yards this season, is the favorite to start for head coach Mike Shanahan. Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are also in the backfield mix, but Young has the most value headed into 2008 drafts. He could turn into a solid No. 2 fantasy back in all formats. |
