Potential reigns supreme over experience in the up and coming NFC South
The NFC South has some of the premier young talent in the league, and it only got better with Mark Ingram and Julio Jones entering the division. All 4 teams provide some useful fantasy football options for 2011.
New Orleans Saints
The greatest show on turf in recent years, the Saints offense puts up points in bunches. Lead by pro bowl QB Drew Brees, Sean Payton employs a pass happy offense, making any and all WR’s viable fantasy options. However, constant production is hard to count on from any receiver other than Marques Colston, due to the number of options for Brees. Even Colston is a solid WR2 at best, somewhat surprising as the top target on one of the top passing offenses in the league. Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Lance Moore all have the ability to explode, but starting them on a weekly basis isn’t recommended. Another WR has been added to the mix, with rookie Joesph Morgan impressing this preseason. TE Jimmy Graham has been pegged as a popular sleeper, and although he’s very talented, there are just too many pass catchers in New Orleans for me to take a chance on him as my starter. Rookie running back Mark Ingram should lead the crowded Saints backfield in carries, but will be hard pressed to get enough touches to produce better than RB3 stats. The Saints offense explosiveness boosts Brees’ value (top 5 QB), but limits the upside of all of his options.
Atlanta Falcons
With 2 potential first round fantasy selections, the Falcons own one of the more balanced offenses in the league. Michael Turner, who has 710 carriers in his last 2 healthy seasons, will get plenty of opportunities. He has a nose for the goal line, and he is a good bet to near double digit scores to go with his 1,400 yards. Roddy White is an elite receiver with the physical ability to dominate any opponent. As a receiver that can do it all, White may be the games top ranked WR when all is said and done this year. Rookie burner Julio Jones has lived up to the hype in the preseason, and appears to be a capable second option. His speed will create holes for White and third receiver Harry Douglas, giving QB Matt Ryan plenty of options. With top notch weapons around him, Matty Ice figures to put up numbers worthy of a starter in most leagues. If you decide against a top tier signal caller in the first 4 rounds, target the Falcons QB in the later rounds.
The youthful Buc’s made big steps forward in 2010, and look to continue the progress. Josh Freeman impressed as a dual threat QB, and trailed only first rounds Vick and Rodgers in rushing yards from the quarterback position. He developed a connection with Mike Williams, as the 2 connected 11 times for scores last season. However, Williams’ average of a TD every 6 catches is a ratio that cannot be duplicated, making regression seem probable. His first 1,000 yard is possible, but we expect less big plays and a TD total closer to 6. LeGarrette Blount also enjoyed a breakout 2010 campaign, sneaking up on defenses. Let Blount be drafted as someone else’s RB2, while you take a more proven commodity like a Steven Jackson. Kellen Winslow has value as a starting TE, and you don’t have to compromise the rest of your roster to land him. He won’t be part of the early run on TE’s, and is likely to be drafted some 8 rounds later. But his chemistry with Freeman is there, and Winslow will be a solid fantasy contributor this year. For where he is being selected, Winslow may provide the greatest value of any Buc this season.
Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton may be great someday down the road, but his time to become fantasy relevant is at least a year away. His lack of weapons and experience drop him out of the top 20 QB’s this year, and I wouldn’t even take him as a backup for 2011. Top target Steve Smith’s value is also very limited by this offense. Defenses will try to take away the only proven WR the Panthers have, and make the other guys beat them. Smith’s size also hurts him when playing with a young inaccurate QB: he doesn’t have the physical tools to make up for Newton’s errors. The Panthers, however, can run the ball with the tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams received a monster pay day this off-season and will take the majority of the carries. Stewart was billed as a TD specialist early on, but struggled big time last year when close to the goal line. Williams is a RB2 this year, with the chance to become a RB1 should Stewart go down. Stewart is a borderline RB3, but the same applies for him, in that if Williams goes down, Stewart gets a big upgrade. The Panthers will struggle through 2011, and won’t provide a whole lot of weekly production for fantasy owners.
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Tags: Blount, Brees, Buccaneers, Falcons, Fantasy Football, Panthers, saints, Turner, White
