DeAndre Hopkins (WR), Houston Texans
Hopkins is entering the season when he could potentially explode into a superstar and household name. Since veteran WR Andre Johnson left in free agency, Hopkins will have all the opportunities he can handle. All signs, including his 74 catches last season, point to him being able to handle it, and he just needs to increase his TDs to make him a must-have fantasy asset.
Russell Wilson (QB), Seattle Seahawks
QB Russell Wilson added a new weapon in the off-season in TE Jimmy Graham, who is looking to rebound with a big season. Wilson now has some excellent threats in the red zone and should see his passing totals increase. Wilson has slowly developed from a QB who can manage games to one who can fully take them over. The Seahawks still have all the pieces, and Wilson also racks up yardage with his legs, which is a bonus. If you don’t land Luck, Rodgers, or Romo, Wilson is a great option.
Julio Jones (WR), Atlanta Falcons
Julio Jones had an excellent rebound season last year and proved he is worth your consideration as a top fantasy wideout. His pairing with QB Matt Ryan makes him a consistent option, and he should get more chances to cash in on TDs this season. When selecting Jones, you should expect over 100 catches once again and hopefully double-digit scores to make it really pay off.
Brandin Cooks (WR), New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints always put up huge passing numbers, led by QB Drew Brees. This season, they won’t have TE Jimmy Graham or WR Kenny Stills to catch passes, so somebody will need to pick up the slack. The main candidate is WR Brandin Cooks, who should be a breakout candidate and not someone you will need to spend too early of a selection on. This is Cooks’s big change to capitalize, and you want to buy before he hits it big.
Dez Bryant (WR), Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ secret ingredient is their offensive line, as it makes everything so much easier. It creates big holes in the running game and also gives QB Tony Romo time to create in the pocket. While most defenses can’t cover Dez Bryant, no defense can cover him when he has time to get free downfield when a play breaks down. He has the full trust of his QB in the red zone, and his ability to consistently haul in touchdowns makes him a must-have player.