This series of articles will examine the fantasy impact of the offseason moves, both via free agency and through the NFL Draft for each team in the division.
Atlanta Falcons
Every year, the expectations for the Falcons rise a notch. Atlanta fans were disappointed with such a dismal performance in 2013. The injuries on offense did not help much, but the defense was atrocious.
Quarterback
All of the hopes ride on the right arm of Matt Ryan. He is the general for this team. Ryan has a great group of receivers to utilize. With the poor defense, the team's success will rely on Ryan more than ever. The Falcons traded for T.J. Yates from the Texans. Yates is a decent quarterback for Atlanta to groom as a long-term backup.
Running Back
The signing of Steven Jackson did not result in the outcome expected. He was injured for most of the 2013 season. Jackson runs hard and is an asset in the passing game. While aging, he still looks good running the football. Devonta Freeman was drafted out of Florida State to give the running game a boost. While he is not playing as Jackson's backup in the preseason, it is inevitable. Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith will add depth behind Jackson and Freeman. The group of backs are talented and will offer a complement to the prolific pass offense.
Wide Receiver
Atlanta boasts the top receiver duo in the NFL with Roddy White and Julio Jones. Having both on the field at the same time helps spread out the defense for Ryan. This did not happen much last year as both were injured for most of the year. White played through his ankle injury but was largely ineffective until late in the year. Harry Douglas adds a play-maker to the slot. His role will increase with Tony Gonzalez retired. Drew Davis and return specialist Devin Hester are a couple of players buried on the depth chart.
Tight End
As noted above, Gonzalez retired after his 17th and final professional season. Second-year Levine Toilolo will try to fill the void, but lacks the athletic ability to be a fantasy factor. He will not get many pass targets.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers can never seem to get over the hump and become the perennial contender some aspire. The one reason is the lack of talent on defense and absence of depth on offense. If all goes well for Carolina, a playoff run is possible. Much will depend on the quarterback play. A step back is a plausible outcome as the Panthers have lost several good players the past two years.
Quarterback
Cam Newton has made strides as a quarterback, even though many love to point out his flaws. Newton's ability to run and pass puts pressure on opposing defenses. Once again, he will be an elite fantasy player, even with only one top notch receiver. Considering that Derek Anderson and Joe Webb III are behind Newton on the depth chart, Panthers fans have to hope the starter can remain healthy. If either of these two were ever under center for the entire season, Carolina might be a four-win team.
Running Back
This backfield has been a quagmire for fantasy owners. Do we roster one – or both – of DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart? There has been no right answer, unless it is “neither”. Williams has produced big plays, especially off the read option play, but not enough to find any consistency. Stewart has been the proverbial tease, flashing talent, but injuries and inconsistency have cost him as well. Mike Tolbert will provide another option for the coaching staff. Add in Newton's running ability, and it is difficult to depend on any of of these backs unless there is a rash of injuries. Youngster Kenjon Barner was traded to Philadelphia. This could be the last season for the quagmire at the running back position. Williams and Stewart are vastly overpaid and their respective contracts are getting to the point where it is palatable to part ways.
Wide Receiver
Steve Smith was allowed to depart and sign in Baltimore. He will be replaced by rookie Kelvin Benjamin. Benjamin is a big, physical receiver, able to make plays after the catch. Underachiever Brandon LaFell left and signed in new England. To fill the void, the Panthers signed a pair of veterans in Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant. While neither is much of a big-play receiver, both offer reliable hands and are an upgrade over LaFell. Tarvarres King is a pass catcher making noise in training camp. He has the speed the other three do not and can stretch defenses. King was a fifth-round pick of the Broncos a year ago.
Tight End
Greg Olsen quietly put up solid numbers last season. He benefits from the lack of quality wide receivers for Newton to target. Ed Dickson was signed from Baltimore and will be an asset as a blocker. Youngster Brandon Williams is a player to watch in preseason. He is a big and athletic, possibly enabling Carolina to utilize “12” formations more, but with two strong receivers at the tight end position.
New Orleans Saints
Head coach Sean Payton returns to orchestrate the pass-happy New Orleans offense. Last year, Rob Ryan was brought in to run his aggressive defense. That word, “aggressive”, is appropriate for both sides of the ball.
Quarterback
Drew Brees has been as accurate as any quarterback in the NFL the past few years. He understands Payton's offense and seems to always find the open receiver. Brees is the favorite to be the top fantasy quarterback once again. Luke McCown and youngster Ryan Griffin will battle for the right to hold the clipboard on game days. Griffin might hold a slight edge at the time of this writing. He would not be a bad speculative stash given the weapons in the Saints passing game.
Running Back
New Orleans has now let running backs leave in subsequent seasons. Last year, the team made a splash by trading Chris Ivory to the New York Jets for a late draft pick. This season, it was Darren Sproles who departed in free agency. The team must feel comfortable with the trio of backs who remain: Khiry Robinson, Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas. Each will all play often and in specified circumstances. All three are talented and have their respective roles. With the departure of Sproles, Thomas is expected to see an uptick in receptions. A player to monitor in training camp is Travaris Cadet, an undersized player with big-play potential.
Wide Receiver
Marques Colston seems to go under the radar every year, even coming off strong fantasy campaigns. Gone is Lance Moore, who was a salary cap casualty. The emergence of rookie Kenny Stills in 2013 makes the loss of Moore less impactful The team drafted Brandin Cooks to play often. Local reports have Cooks as the standout in training camp. The speed of Stills and Cooks will be a huge asset for the pass-happy Saints. Joseph Morgan will look to stay healthy for a change. Morgan has great suddenness and speed to stretch the defense. He is one player few know about now, but who could be a star by season's end. Third-year pro Nick Toon could also see playing time in the season. The Saints have a prolific pass offense and this group of players will have strong fantasy numbers. This is a talented and deep receiving corps.
Tight End
Jimmy Graham is a superstar. Graham's elite athleticism is too much for opposing defenses. After injuries to Graham in recent seasons, the Saints will rely on Ben Watson as the second tight end. The veteran Watson could have big fantasy upside if Graham misses time with another injury. Josh Hill is a young guy to watch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coach Schiano has been kicked to the curb and replaced by veteran Lovie Smith. Smith has re-made the defense and brought in his quarterback. Most of all, the ex-Bear coach has brought a new culture to the Buccaneers, one much-welcomed by the players after the previous regime.
Quarterback
Last year, Tampa Bay drafted Mike Glennon to provide competition with Josh Freeman. Glennon played often and had some strong moments. Coach Smith brought in Josh McCown from Chicago to be the starter, though. Glennon will get a chance to learn behind the veteran and is still a fair prospect.
Running Back
Doug Martin was very impressive as a rookie, but missed most of last season with injury. He is a hard-running tailback, who offers receiving and blocking ability in the passing game. The Buccaneers had tremendous depth behind Martin then the injuries hit. Mike James looked very good last year, but has recently been nicked up. He is a tough runner with great vision, able to pick up solid yardage most every carry. The speedy Bobby Rainey is a big-play runner. He would be more widely known if not buried on the Tampa Bay depth chart. In addition, the team selected Charles Sims in the NFL Draft. Sims was a good college back, reminding some of Matt Forte in style. Sims had surgery this past week and will be out of action until late in the season. This is a very good foursome with a varied skill set. Coach Smith will want to run the ball often.
Wide Receiver
Vincent Jackson is back and looking to make big plays down the field once again. His ability to track the football and out-jump defenders is special. The Buccaneers drafted another large receiver in May's draft, Mike Evans. The Jackson/Evans combination should be formidable for some time. The team traded Mike Williams to Buffalo. He was not showing well in Tampa Bay and needed a change in scenery. Behind the two starters is a group of middling players: Louis Murphy, Robert Herron, Tommy Streeter, Chris Owusu, and Eric Page just to name a few.
Tight End
Bringing in more size was the drafting of Austin Seferian-Jenkins. The rookie is another huge pass catcher. The trio of Seferian-Jenkins, Jackson, and Evans, give McCown three monsters as pass targets. Last year, Tim Wright emerged to play well down the stretch. There is talk of moving him to WR3 just to help Wright get on the field more. Also returning is Brandon Myers and Luke Stocker. It is a deep position for the team.
This division should be New Orleans for the taking. Sean Payton is a genius and underappreciated in the fantasy community. Carolina and Tampa Bay could each make the playoffs in one of the league's most contested divisions. With the defensive deficiencies, Atlanta has no shot at the playoffs.
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