JUST SAYIN’: THE 32
Arizona Cardinals:
Majority are counting out legendary WR Larry Fitzgerald for 2016 as a fantasy factor. Fitz is no flop with Carson Palmer on the field, snaring 20 scores in 36 Palmer games. Closed out 2015 with 3 TDs over last 4 games (including playoffs) with a 176 yard post season effort vs the Pack.
Atlanta Falcons:
Falcs have quietly upgraded their o-line over the past 2 off-seasons. It paid off on the ground last season, and the pass-pro should keep QB Matt Ryan from the abuse he’s used to absorbing.
Baltimore Ravens:
Raven WR group is a swirl of uncertainty. Steve Smith tries to beat a double Achillis’ tear, Brashad Perriman is still not able to go and Mike Wallace has gotten jobs on rep rather than results the past few seasons. Two things are certain however for Raven receivers: Kamar Aiken can play, proved it and has a defined starting role. Kamar Aiken; take note!
Buffalo Bills:
RB Karlos Williams got all chunky in the off-season and now he’s gotta workout on the sidelines to shed to flab. Shades of Eddie Lacy circa 2015? Ya know, the pudge nagged by out-of-shape-induced injuries last year. Don’t dismiss tough Mike Gillislee here. Reggie Bush? Gotta’ stay available!
Carolina Panthers:
QB Cam Newton owns three towering targets for red zone use this season. WR Devin Funchess goes 6’4; he’s the “little guy”. Kelvin Benjamin and TE Greg Olsen tapes out at 6’5 each. Throw it up, Cam! Funchess is making noise and being a pro!
Chicago Bears:
Kevin White WILL overtake Alshon Jeffery as Jay Cutler’s go-to by mid-season. A beast-in-the-making!
Cincinnati Bengals:
In the past 2 seasons how many RBs produced over 1900 yards rushing and scored 21 combined TDs? OK, then WHY is Jeremy Hill’s ADP hanging around the end of the 6th round? I know, Gio Bernard is there… he’s been there the past 2 seasons also.
Cleveland Browns:
Josh Gordon is back in a Browns jersey. Robert Griffin III is his QB. Back in 2010 the pitch-n-catch duo teamed up at Baylor, with modest results. Gordon hauled down just 42 footballs and 7 TDs from RG3 as the WR played 2nd-fiddle to Kendall Wright. The QB/WR mojo is not a given folks.
Dallas Cowboys:
‘Boys’ WR Dez Bryant seems to be a forgotten WR1 this season thanks to his injury-marred 2015 campaign. Well, don’t dismiss! Dez is healthy and so is his QB, Tony Romo. He is the clear-cut go-to playmaker and has 100-catch potential as well as double-digit TD chops in 2016. The juicy SOS is a bonus.
Denver Broncos:
RB CJ Anderson is a looker as a very real and productive RB1 this year. But be sure to tag team with Devontae Booker.
Detroit Lions:
Matt Stafford is getting no ADP love with Cal Johnson collecting a pension. Seen it happen too often… teams performing better and more dynamic without the star player on the field. Hey! Marv Jones ain’t no slouch!
Green Bay Packers:
Davonte Adams continues to display his mediocre WR tools. Jeff Janis is in Peter Principle mode and Ty Montgomery is still missing time. How ‘bout that Trevor Davis… JUST SAYIN’!
Houston Texans:
In 2 seasons under Coach Bill O’Brien, RB Arian Foster saw 18+ handoffs in 13 of 18 games. In his 4-year, 61 game Dolphin career Lamar Miller hit the 18+ mark just 8 times. Miller-time in Houston!
Indianapolis Colts:
His SOS is far from attractive, but WR Donte Moncrief has a bunch of positive variables that, together, may be SOS-busters. QB Andrew Luck, potential target proliferation, red zone appeal, 4.35-forty speed, an offense gearing up for a full-speed-ahead passing attack and the only “size” WR among the starting 3. Despite the daunting SOS, I smell huge breakout!
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Jags offense was the breakout unit of 2015. This year, the Jacksonville DEFENSE has that potential. The cats have added impact players at all three levels of defense; DE, LB and DB. It’s a breakout unit for fanballers to target.
Kansas City Chiefs:
In FFB, special teams are “special” when there is a “special” kick/punt returner on board. Welcome to the fun Tyreek Hill. The rookie has been a productive blur since getting on the field. He’s coached by special teams mastermind, Taub.
Miami Dolphins:
Stop the charade, Coach Gase. Arian Foster is NOT your pass-down back. Count on Foster as Miami’s bell-cow right now. That is until the overworked one breaks down.
Minnesota Vikings:
Don’t lose sight that the Vikes are once again an indoor team. Helps QB Teddy B, the WRs and kicker Blair Walsh, who owns a booming leg.
New England Patriots:
RB Dion Lewis was on pace for 82 catches last season before going out for the year in week 7. Coach Bill always has his ‘Welker’ one way or another and is ever-changing the gears. Rookie DJ Foster, say hello!
New Orleans Saints:
Two names that QB Drew Brees keeps yakking up when he gets a microphone in front of him: rookie WR Michael Thomas and TE Coby Fleener. When Drew talks…
New York Giants:
Coach McAdoo gets his plays in fast and the ball snapped in rapid-fire fashion. That adds up to an extra quarter of offensive plays for Giants’ skill guys. Coach McAdoo is also a thrower of the football inside the 20. It’s in his coaching upbringing. His very veteran QB may be the best fantasy passer of 2016.
New York Jets:
WR Brandon Marshall sounds incredibly motivated to make THIS season quite special. Better be listening in and acting on his motivation!
Oakland Raiders:
Hey IDPers! Looking for a hidden gem to invest in? ILB Ben Heeney. The soph LB is a heat-seeking tackler that gets to the ball quickly. He is also a pretty good cover ‘backer with ball skills. Ben Heeney. Overall, the Raiders DST is a fantasy hot-buy!
Philadelphia Eagles:
So which Eagle RB could breakout a 1000-YFS campaign in 2016? Ryan Mathews? No. Rookie Wendell Smallwood? Nah! How ‘bout that Darren Sproles? YEP! Sproles has the pass-downs to himself and is a sneaky-good fit in Coach Pederson’s playbook in general. BTW, anyone realize Sproles has actually scored 9 rushing TDs over the past 2 seasons?
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Sammie Coates!!!! Bustin’ a gut to be “the guy” opposite Antonio Brown. Monster SOS and opportunity knockin’!
San Diego Chargers:
Heads up on WR Travis Benjamin. Defenses have to eye up top WR Keenan Allen and Benji can burn deep in the Malcom Floyd role.
San Francisco 49ers:
Lots of fanballers jumpin’ on the Carlos Hyde train thanks to Coach Chip’s mile-a-minute offensive pace and run-centric scheme. Coach’s system needs more than one RB to function, and there will be ample FFB opportunity for a 2nd Frisco back to chip in for FFB points this season. I’m still watching Mike Davis here.
Seattle Seahawks:
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but Christine Michael may be the best ‘Hawk RB to net in the early going. Thomas Rawls is still mending, rookie CJ Prosise is missing time with a hammy and Alex Collins is actually no better than Michael. Christine Michael? Really? I better look into this one more.
St Louis Rams:
Rams got a bit of a scare when WR Tavon Austin left the practice field with an apparent leg injury. Turned out to be leg cramps. But… what if? Who becomes rookie Jared Goff’s aerial playmaker? Still ICK!
Tampa Bay Bucs:
There’s a few yellow flags of pause waving around WR Mike Evans. He’s not the greatest route runner, his coaches want more off-field dedication and detail, and his hands proved to be unreliable last season. On tape it seemed quite easy for DBs to bracket cover Evans and break his concentration while closing in. And Evans just doesn’t drive corners back on their heels or get their hips turned in routes.
Tennessee Titans:
Ok, we get the Exotic Smash-mouth stuff, but QB Marcus Mariota has to ‘go-to’ one of his WRs more often than not. The steady position wideout since donning a Titan uni has been Rishard Matthews. He’s shown all that I’ve been preaching about him since coming out of Nevada a few seasons ago.
Washington Redskins:
If you’re taking in camp notes and/or tape footage for the Redskins you’ll note a whole lot of throwin’ going on by the QBs. A whole lot of throwin’!