Quarterbacks
- Jay Cutler (ADP 108) – If Kristen Cavallari’s hub can stay healthy he’ll finally prove everyone in the fantasy football kingdom wrong. With WRs like Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey multi-TD games are on the horizon. People around Bears camp say he’s a changed man since being married but only time will tell if more info will be added to his medical chart.
- Josh McCown (ADP 185) – Just like Cutler, McCown has talented WRs to throw it up to. Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are all 6’5 and the Ivan Drago look-a-like had great success last year lobbing it up to the tall guys in Chi-Town. The threat of Doug Martin in the red zone will open some things up for more jump balls to those monsters.
Running Backs
- Carlos Hyde (ADP 115) – This is simply a “Gore could be done at any minute” kind of pick; he’s rushed the ball 2,187 times since the start of his career and this could be the beginning of the end. If you draft Gore, make sure you get Hyde.
- Mark Ingram (ADP 163) – New Orleans likes to run a lot of different backs out there but when the dust settles Ingram could be the go-to guy. Pierre Thomas is 30 now and is just a piece of the puzzle. Ingram rushed 55 times for 374 yards (6.8 YPC) and 2 TDs in the four games he got at least ten carries last season. He’s also in a contract year- got his mind on his money and his money on his mind.
- Shonn Greene (ADP 181) – It’s not often that rookie RBs make a tremendous impact in Year 1, but if the same holds true for Bishop Sankey than this guy will be a capable fill-in. He will get all of the goal line carries for the Titans and it’s possible that more is in the works with Chris Johnson now in New York.
- C.J. Anderson (ADP 182) – Monte Ball is already injured and he hasn’t logged a full year’s worth of starting RB action in the NFL yet. Anderson would be in line to get the meaningful touches should Ball go down and in Denver’s offense, anyone can be a fantasy stud.
Wide Receivers
- Anquan Boldin (ADP 113) – Just because the Niners added Stevie Johnson doesn’t mean that he’ll see fewer targets. Boldin was slated for a down year in 2013 but finished up with 85 rec, 1179 yds and 7 TDs. You won’t be getting that kind of production with a healthy Michael Crabtree in the lineup more often but at least you know he’s capable of putting up stellar numbers.
- Kelvin Benjamin (ADP 121) – He’s already drawn rave reviews for his lack of drops in camp thus far and let’s be honest, he’s all they got at WR. Benjamin has great height and should see a lot of red zone targets along with Greg Olsen in the Panthers offense.
- Jordan Matthews (ADP 127) – Before the draft I had already anointed him the “Poor Man’s Larry Fitzgerald” and now that he’s in Chip Kelly’s offense there will be nothing poor about him. If you’ve ever watched Matthews on film you know that the guy can flat out play and it’s an absolute slap in the face that he lasted until the 54th pick in the draft. Jeremy Maclin can’t stay healthy and Riley Cooper (who’s currently in a walking boot) benefited from DeSean Jackson’s presence last year; I see Matthews leading the Eagles in receptions, yards and TDs this year.
- Andrew Hawkins (ADP 161) – The speedster will play in the slot for Cleveland this year and should see a decent amount of touches. He’s not necessarily going to get you TDs, but not a bad bye week replacement at all for some catches.
Tight Ends
- Dwayne Allen (ADP 186) – The Colts offense clicked on all cylinders last year with Andrew Luck at the helm and they should only get better. They’re probably going to run a lot of two-TE sets that looked similar to the Patriots when they featured Gronk/Inmate #850753. Allen will probably see more red zone targets than his counterpart Coby Fleener. The Colts also have a fairly easy schedule.
- Zach Ertz (ADP 103) – Chip Kelly’s high-flying offense is lacking some playmakers and Ertz seems like a prime candidate to step in. He had a slow start to 2013, but finished up strong and will probably see more playing time than Brent Celek this year.
- Delanie Walker (ADP 162) – He may go undrafted in a good amount of your leagues, but don’t let that be your league. The former Niner had the best year of his career after finally emerging from the shadows of Vernon Davis with 60 rec, 571 yds and 6 TDs. With Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter on the radar for big seasons that could create some open space on the field for Walker.
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