Last week Believe It Or Not got a little bit dark, focusing on some of the biggest busts of 2014. Well, it's the Holiday Season and the last installment of this article so I think we'll focus on the positives. There have been some remarkable, and surprising, performances in the second half. Of course not all of those performances will translate to 2015 and beyond. In season finale of Believe It Or Not we'll try to sort through the noise and predict which breakout players willbe stars in 2015.
Ryan Tannehill is a legitimate QB1 in 2015 and beyond. Tannehill has been QB7 on a per game basis in the second half and looks to be coming into his own as a quarterback. He's thrown for 750 yards and 5 touchdowns in his last two weeks to finish the season on a high note. He has a talented young weapon in Jarvis Landry and should get a second year in Bill Lazor's offense. If anything Tannehill should be even better next year.
Verdict: Believe it. Tannehill hasn't just seen an increase in fantasy points, he's actually become a much better quarterback. His 67% completion percentage and 27-12 TD/INT ratio are both career bests. Lazor's offense seems to be a great fit and comes with the added bonus of extra rushing yardage. Tannehill may not crack the top five next year but he should be a sure bet for a top ten season.
C.J. Anderson should be a first round draft pick in 2015. Despite being unhappy with his Week 16 performance, Anderson has been an absolute stud in the second half. He has over 1000 total yards since Week 9 and looks to be the focal point of Denver's offense moving forward. Anytime you can get the lead back in a high powered offense like Denver's you have to jump on it in the mid-late first.
Verdict: Don't believe it. Have you seen Peyton Manning the last few weeks? We have no guarantee that the Broncos are going to be an elite offense next year. Furthermore, we don't know what Denver's plan will be at running back once Montee Ball is at full strength. I still like Anderson to lead a committee in Denver, but I can't see drafting before the late second round at this point.
Odell Beckham, Jr. is the WR1 in dynasty formats. Beckham has been nothing short of spectacular this season. He's put up a high volume of catches, some incredible catches, and his fair share of touchdowns. He's a 22 year old wide receiver that has shown every trait you could want from your WR1 in just half of a season. With his age and skillset it's difficult to make a case for anyone over him.
Verdict: Believe it, if you like. What I will say is that Beckham is definitely in the equation. He doesn't have the track record that many of the other top receivers do, but his longterm future looks as bright as anyone's does. My biggest concerns with Beckham are the uncertainty in New York, especially at quarterback. Even with that I can't see ranking him anywhere outside of the top six.
Justin Forsett is a RB2 at worst if Baltimore doesn't add a frontline running back. Forsett has arguably been the biggest surprise of the 2014 season. He's saved the Ravens running game after the Ray Rice debacle and turned in a solid RB1 season that may have been better than anything Rice could have done. This team has plenty of holes, so if they stick with Forsett he should once again be a valuable fantasy player.
Verdict: Don't believe it. Forsett will turn 30 during the 2015 and he's never been anywhere close to this good. I don't believe the Ravens will stand pat and if they do I believe they'll be sorely disappointed. You don't bet on a running back that just had his career year at age 29 to repeat the feat.
