Outlook: Cam Newton’s running abilities as a quarterback have always tantalized the fantasy community; however his arm failed to muster more than pedestrian stats in an era where passing stats have exploded. Last season, Newton and the Panthers were able to find a more efficient balance that paved a way to the Super Bowl. His dynamic approach allowed him to become one of the most consistent and highest producing fantasy players on a weekly basis. Can Newton sustain this new level of production in the passing game? Will his rushing totals decline after posting career best in rushing attempts and touchdowns in 2015? Yes and Yes. The receiving corps is stronger by getting their top man back, but veteran Ted Ginn Jr. also proved he can cut out a complementary role in the offense. The team moved up in the 2015 draft to select Devin Funchess and he looks ready to make a larger contribution with a year under his belt. Additionally, Carolina has one of the best red zone tandems in Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen. Newton will deliver on the ground but it would be wise to factor in some regression when forecasting his 2016 season. The absence of Benjamin likely contributed to the approximately 30 percent increase in Newton’s rushing attempts. Though the upside for double-digit scores on the ground is possible Carolina will have better supporting options available in 2016. Nonetheless, Newton figures to be a force again this season and worthy of anchoring your team on draft day.

Player Page | Track this player

Outlook: One of the most underrated elements of a team’s preseason and overall outlook for the year is the lack of a quarterback controversy. After scuffling with the quarterback situation a year ago, the team has an undisputed starting quarterback. Brock Osweiler has already impressed the coaching staff and his noted work ethic makes the burden of learning a new offense a clearable hurdle. Having DeAndre Hopkins split out wide makes life much easier and having a sturdy running back will keep defenses more honest. Unfortunately, Houston remains a run-heavy team and Osweiler won’t be asked to win games through the air thereby limiting his passing yardage to a league average level. Considering the team is better equipped to punch the ball into the end zone via the ground and doesn’t possess multiple quality red zone targets, Osweiler’s touchdown potential also takes a hit. Five times last season a Texans’ quarterback finished as a QB1 (top 12), and never higher than QB6 for the week… seems about right. He may provide a nice game or two if Hopkins gets loose, but more often than not, Houston’s new signal caller will fail to be anything more than an average backup to use a few times during the fantasy season.

Player Page | Track this player

Outlook: Like a fine wine, Carson Palmer seems to only be getting better with age. The quarterback will be 36 years old when the 2016 season begins, but is coming off the best season of his career, having thrown for a career high in both touchdowns (35) and yards (4,671). Those MVP-like numbers allowed Palmer to finish as a top five scorer at his position (QB5) and that combined with his relatively low ADP (QB17) made him one of the best values in all of fantasy football in 2015.

One of the best things about Carson Palmer is his consistency. He threw for at least 265 yards in all but three regular season games in 2015. The other three games? Oh, he threw for a total of eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Throwing to perhaps the deepest group of wide receivers in the league and having an explosive running game beside him to keep defenses honest, Palmer looks to be in line to put up great numbers this season.

Perhaps the biggest concern about Palmer, aside from his age, is the long history of injuries that he has sustained throughout his career. Thankfully the majority of his injuries have been to his lower extremities and not his throwing arm, but those drafting Palmer should be sure to have a backup plan in case the worst case scenario happens. Palmer doesn’t have quite the upside of most of the quarterbacks being taken above him, but he is an exceptionally safe player so long as he is on the field.

Player Page | Track this player

Outlook: He’s not the sexiest name on the board, but Philip Rivers quietly had another excellent fantasy season in 2015, throwing for nearly 4,800 yards along with 29 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. It was his eighth straight season of throwing for at least 26 touchdowns and while the Chargers continue to flounder in mediocrity as a team, their leader behind center continues to put up numbers that should one day give him a chance at enshrinement in Canton.

There doesn’t seem to be any reason why San Diego would change their offensive gameplan, but don’t look for Rivers to match his pass attempts from a season ago. Last season was the first time in his career that Rivers attempted 600 pass attempts and he blew by that number with ease (661). Even with a downtick in attempts, Rivers projects to be among the league leaders in the category as long as he stays healthy, especially if Melvin Gordon struggles in the running game, which could lead to more playing time for Danny Woodhead whose skill set is much more in line with a pass-first offensive attack. Rivers has averaged 4519 yards and 30 TDs over the last three years with a QB Consistency ranking of QB8 during that time. Early drafts see Rivers going off the board as a low-end QB1 in some deep leagues, but typically as a high-end QB2. Rivers’ upside is a bit limited with him being one of the least-mobile quarterbacks in football, but he is an ideal streaming option in good matchups whose high floor makes him a safe late-round pick.

Player Page | Track this player

Outlook: I guess the bar has been set pretty high when 3,800 yards passing and 31 touchdowns is a down season, but that’s life for what has been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks over the last half dozen seasons. Even though he was able to win a playoff game on the road, and nearly came up with a miracle win over the Cardinals, Rodgers’ play slumped noticeably, enough so that his end of year fantasy rank tumbled out of the top 10. He had only three 300-yard games in 2015 (compared to 9 in 2014) and only three 3-plus touchdown games (yup, 9 of those in 2014 too). So while his season numbers look decent, most of the fantasy season he was an uninspiring starting quarterback, but someone you wouldn’t dare sit. Owners with enough discipline or a deep bench may have had the guts to sit him, especially in the fantasy playoffs when he was particularly dreadful, but most were forced to ride it out.

But enough about 2015, it’s a fresh new year of possibilities, and Rodgers is back hungry and healthy, and again being considered in the top 2 at his position. So what changes in Green Bay bring about such a positive outlook? A few things. The anticipated return of Jordy Nelson, the development of young receivers, and the return of Mike McCarthy to play-calling duties. Lot’s of blame has been placed on the shoulders of Rodgers for last year’s offensive showing, but one must understand the importance of timing and continuity of the Green Bay offense. Nelson went down late in the preseason, the young receivers failed to develop as fast as was required, and the offensive line was a sieve. Randall Cobb couldn’t get open with extra defensive attention, and the play-calling failed to compensate. I anticipate that Green Bay learned a lot from their struggles, and the players and coaching staff are too good to have it happen again. If Nelson even approaches his pre-injury form, and the running game can be a threat, Rodgers should be right back at the top, and a surefire QB1 as one of the first selected.

Player Page | Track this player