This final installment in the series of articles examining the fantasy impact of the offseason moves, both via free agency and through the NFL Draft for each team.
Arizona Cardinals
A year ago, the Cardinals made a big splash bringing in Bruce Arians to run the team. The move proved to be a good one as Arians had his team playing very well down the stretch. Arizona has talent on both sides of the ball and could make another playoff run in 2014.
Quarterback
This will be year two for quarterback Carson Palmer playing in the desert. While Palmer is in the twilight of his career, he represents a big upgrade over the team's recent quarterbacks: Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, and Ryan Lindley. The veteran passer stabilizes the offense. Palmer has a chance to be a Top 10 quarterback in this offense. He is often overlooked, but has the receivers to put up solid numbers. Drew Stanton was acquired to be the backup. However, rookie Logan Thomas has looked extremely sharp in training camp. Arians is known for developing quarterbacks and Thomas has greatly improved his footwork and mechanics just this summer. He has some very anxious to see the final product.
Running Back
Last year, Arians signed his running back from Pittsburgh, Rashard Mendenhall, to lead the ground attack. Mendenhall retired from football unexpectedly this offseason. This leaves two second-year backs leading the way for the Cardinals. Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington should split time in the backfield. Taylor is better between the tackles while Ellington enjoys getting to open space. While the latter is a budding star in the making, he will not bear the full burden of the running game. Taylor is vastly improved and will have a role in the committee. Also in the mix is Jonathan Dwyer, who came from Pittsburgh.
Wide Receiver
Larry Fitzgerald is an aging superstar receiver who will still be valued more on his accomplishments by some than his expected production. He will see plenty of pass targets once again, enough to be considered a borderline top fantasy player. The Cardinals are expecting third-year pro Michael Floyd to take another step in his development. He could surpass Fitzgerald as the team's top pass catcher this season. Ted Ginn Jr will be mostly a returner, seeing the field rarely. It is rookie John Brown who should be the third receiver on the field. Brown is very fleet afoot and has enjoyed an outstanding training camp. The rookie has been compared to TY Hilton and Marvin Harrison in the last few weeks.
Tight End
A year ago, hopes were high for Rob Housler to emerge as a fantasy option. He failed miserably. The Cardinals drafted Troy Niklas out of Notre Dame to possibly become the tight end of the future. A warning for Niklas owners, though. Coach Bruce Arians rarely has a tight end who is a fantasy star. He just does not utilize the position often.
St. Louis Rams
Jeff Fisher has quietly built the Rams into a viable team. The defense is strong – especially up front - and underrated while the offense is still young. The success of the 2014 season will hinge on the play at the quarterback position. This can be said about St. Louis almost every season.
Quarterback
This may be a make or break year for quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford has shown glimpses of greatness packaged in with too many BAD plays where he either gets antsy in the pocket or is afraid to throw the ball down the field. He does not have good pocket presence or comfort in the pocket. Bradford is backed up by Shaun Hill, coming over from Detroit. Hill is an above-average backup and could be fantasy viable if Bradford is injured again this season.
Running Back
Zac Stacy emerged last year to become the bellcow for the Rams. Whether he can take another step to be a perennial 300-carry rusher is something to watch. Benny Cunningham is back. Cunningham is a player who flashed some potential last year and could push Stacy for touches, especially at the goal line. Another back to monitor is the play of rookie Tre Mason. Mason is still learning the nuances of the passing game, especially in protection, but has made strides of late. It is conceivable that Mason pushes Stacy for touches. His biggest weakness is pass blocking The three backs combine to give St. Louis a viable running attack.
Wide Receiver
Tavon Austin was selected in the first round of last year's NFL Draft to provide a spark for the St. Louis offense. He is a big-play player who adds value as a returner and receiver, and can even line up in the backfield. Expect the Rams to find ways to utilize Austin's tremendous speed and quickness in the open field. This is one area where the coaching staff could improve over last season. Veteran Kenny Britt joined the Rams from the Titans, where he was coached by Jeff Fisher – the current St. Louis head coach. Britt is still only 25 years of age and is said to be matured and playing at a high level in training camp. He is a player to watch as the team is missing a legitimate WR1 lining up on the outside. Brian Quick looks to be finally putting it all together. He was drafted with all the potential in the world, but has needed time to develop. Austin's college teammate, Stedman Bailey, was selected late in the 2013 draft, and will provide depth. He has been reportedly the top receiver in camp and is a player to keep an eye on after he serves a suspension to begin the season. Speedy Chris Givens and Austin Pettis have each slid down the depth chart and will compete to make the final roster. It will be up to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to find the best ways to get these play makers the ball.
Tight End
Last season, one of the disappointments for St. Louis was tight end Jared Cook. Cook enjoyed production early in the year, but that was about it. He is another player who followed Fisher from Tennessee. While he is athletically gifted, consistency will be difficult to grasp once again. Lance Kendricks will play behind Cook.
San Francisco 49ers
Coach Jim Harbaugh has done an impressive job of transforming the 49ers into a perennial power. He has begun signing and drafting his own players after utilizing those left from the previous regime.
Quarterback
In 2013, Colin Kaepernick exploded onto the scene to lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl. His blend of speed and passing accuracy make the 49ers offense seemingly impossible to defend. Fantasy owners should look for signs of development in preseason, especially as it manifests itself in the passing game. Kaepernick has had big passing games against the Packers, but found consistent success in the passing game difficult to attain. The 49ers traded for Blaine Gabbert to be his backup. This has not been a shrewd move as Gabbert has struggled mightily. There is a slight chance he is cut and the team using Josh Johnson to play behind Kaepernick.
Running Back
Every year, fantasy owners expect Frank Gore to slow down or get injured, and every year he proves the doubters wrong. Gore is a true “workhorse” back. The 49ers have been diligent adding depth behind the veteran, drafting talented tailbacks in each of the past four seasons. Kendall Hunter is injured and out for the season. LaMichael James was drafted a couple of years ago to add another dimension to the running attack. James is a speedy player who will push for carries with the Hunter injury. Last year, San Francisco selected the injured Marcus Lattimore, who was severely injured (again) late in the 2012 season. Lattimore basically received a redshirt year. He has immense upside but is struggling to recover his explosion and cutting ability. San Francisco drafted Carlos Hyde to be the heir apparent for Gore. Hyde is a very good running back and will get an opportunity to play earlier due to the Hunter injury. Kaepernick's ability to run the football will allow this group of runners to put up big yardage.
Wide Receiver
Michael Crabtree is back and healthy. He will want to show the world he can be a legitimate WR1 in the last year of his contract. Crabtree has battled injuries for most of his career. Last year, Anquan Boldin was traded from Baltimore to San Francisco (from one Harbaugh brother to the other) and will again have a large role in the passing offense. His run blocking and general toughness makes him a great fit for the 49ers. To add depth and talent at the position, the 49ers traded for Steve Johnson, from Buffalo. This could be to shore up the WR3 in 2014 and possibly replace Crabtree next season. A player to monitor in preseason is Quinton Patton. Patton is more quick than fast, and runs tight routes. The addition of Johnson pushes him down the depth chart some. Brandon Lloyd was signed off the street and could make the team. Rookie Bruce Ellington is a play-making receiver. Ellington is explosive but will not be able to find the field much as a rookie. This is a deep and talented group.
Tight End
Many are expecting Vernon Davis to once again be a fantasy star. This might be asking too much, even though he is very athletic and talented. The addition of Johnson and good health of Crabtree should limit pass targets for the tight end. Vance McDonald was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. McDonald has not been consistent as a professional and is not a threat to Davis.
Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll seems to have the magic touch in the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks are a balanced team who will be a contender. The strong defense and strong running game will lead the Seahawks to a deep playoff run once again.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson does not get his due from the fantasy community even though he is a high-percentage passer and a great athlete. Wilson, thought too small to be a NFL starter, is a heady player and an efficient quarterback. The strong running attack results in fewer pass attempts for Wilson than his peers. He makes the most of those attempts, exploiting defenses keyed on stopping the run. Behind him on the depth chart are Tarvaris Jackson and Terrelle Pryor. It is doubtful Seattle wins another Super Bowl with either of these backups under center.
Running Back
Marshawn Lynch is back as the primary ball carrier. He has been solid and steady throughout the years. This could be his last season in the Pacific Northwest so the team could run him hard and see if the wheels fall off. Third-year pro Robert Turbin will play often, even with Lynch healthy. Christine Michael is uber talented but still makes too many mistakes. Michael is the future starter at the position. This trio of ball carriers will enable the Seahawks to run the ball often with fresh legs all game – and season – long. Carroll will want to use the running game to control the game.
Wide Receiver
In March of 2013, Seattle made a huge trade to acquire Percy Harvin from the Minnesota Vikings. Harvin was subsequently given a six-year contract, with $25.5 million guaranteed. The play-making Harvin added a new element to the Seahawks offense, when healthy. That is the rub. Harvin has been a star when playing but misses way too much action due to injuries. Golden Tate took the money and ran to Detroit. Doug Baldwin is entrenched for the second receiver job. Seattle has plenty of depth, too. Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette, and rookies Paul Richardson Jr and Kevin Norwood are all quality players. Richardson is very slightly built but has the speed to impact the offense. The issue for fantasy owners will be that the Seahawks are, and will continue to be under Carroll, a running team. There may not be enough passes to keep everyone (especially fantasy owners) happy.
Tight End
Zach Miller has been the starting tight end for several years. He is not a fantasy option in this offense. Keep an eye on second-year Luke Willson, who might be starting by 2015 if his blocking improves. Willson is a good receiver, though his blocking will dictate playing time given the focus on running the football.
This division will be a two-horse race between Seattle and San Francisco once again. Each of these teams is considered a favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The other two teams will each be lucky to win eight games, but have enough talent to knock off any team on any given day. The teams in this division face the teams of the AFC West which might limit some of the win totals for each.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.
