Are you prepared to win your league? As the football season is getting ready to ramp up you need to stay on top of all of the stories during training camp. With training camp upon us, injuries, suspensions, and off the field issues have dominated the headlines.
On paper every team looks like they have the right chemistry to have a dynamic fantasy season, but the truth is you can't believe all of the positive projections. You have to stay up to date with the **Fantasy Draft Kit** to be able to discern production or pipe dreams. Here are the 10 teams' training camp stories I'm following:
The 2012 quarterback situation for the Cardinals was a complete mess. In Bruce Arians' first year as head coach, he addressed the quarterback crisis by trading for Carson Palmer. Coach Arians has helped develop quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Andrew Luck. If anyone one could get Palmer back to elite fantasy status, it's Arians. This means during training camp and preseason I am putting my eyes back on Larry Fitzgerald.
Steven Jackson has recorded 1,000 yards or better in every season except for his rookie year. During his nine-year career, he's averaging a little over six touchdowns a season. Pay attention to that stat because we could see a big increase in that department. Jackson has far more superior hands than Michael Turner. Last season, Julio Jones and Roddy White alternated in fantasy productivity, but I suspect with all of the offensive weapons this season, fantasy owners could see a more predictable pattern. No more guessing who's hot and who's not.
Ray Rice is the man in Baltimore, make no mistake about it. In 2013, Rice's fantasy value could take a slight dip for several reasons. First, Bernard Pierce's impressive production towards the end of the 2012 season suggests that there will be shared reps. Secondly, this Ravens team has had a high rate of attrition because of so many players leaving. Lastly, remember what happened to LaDanian Tomlinson's fantasy value when Lorenzo Neal departed? Vonta Leach is gone, and without a proven lead blocker, Ray Rice goes from one of the top three running backs off the board to number six.
The Bills drafted quarterback EJ Manuel after signing free agent veteran Kevin Kolb, so what does this mean? Kolb will have to fight until the end of the preseason. I know what you're thinking, could this be the Russell Wilson story all over again? The answer is no. EJ Manuel is talented, but don't think of drafting him high even if he gets serious hype out of training camp. Russell and Luck are anomalies, and that type of production is highly publicized but rarely duplicated. Now that Stevie Johnson potentially has some help with rookie wide receiver Robert Woods, I'm looking for Johnson's numbers to follow the upward trend.
We know what Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall can do as a tandem. Are there any doubts? Marshall, however, still needs some help opposite of him at the wide receiver spot. I believe that new head coach Marc Trestman's offense and teaching will expedite second year receiver Alshon Jeffery's production trajectory. Use the draft kit on NFL.com to get the latest updates on his progress during training camp.
The Law Firm, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, will have to represent during training camp, because there is serious hype about rookie running back Giovani Bernard. If the hype turns into split carries with the veteran running back, I see Green-Ellis coming off the board in Round 7, making him a worthwhile flex starter. The Hard Knocks series on HBO will give you some real insight on this competition.
Willis McGahee is no longer with the Broncos, so which running back will emerge as a fantasy workhorse? Montee Ball looks like the favorite to be the starting running back, and with his powerful running style he could be a great pickup late in the draft. But, if you're expecting to take him early to see a Doug Martin- or an Alfred Morris-type of introduction you can just pump the brakes. Adding Wes Welker to the Broncos wide receiving corps just made things interesting. The Welker, Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas bunch may look like traffic, but Peyton Manning is more than capable of handling this crew. Remember when Peyton had Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne? Each of them produced multiple seasons with 1,000 or more yards. Pick on any one, just make sure Thomas is first.
The Jets really didn't do anything to upgrade the offense around Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith, so why should fantasy owners be keeping an eye on this team? From a distance, the Jets looks like a fantasy wasteland, but with a closer look there might be a gem you could find with a last round pick or even in free agency. With no true vertical threat on this team, Kellen Winslow Jr. could ultimately emerge as a go-to guy. Last year, fantasy owners over-valued the tight end position. This year, the position has a lot of uncertainty. If Winslow can keep everything in check he could be the check down guy for his quarterback.
When you hear Panthers in fantasy, it's easy to automatically think Cam Newton. Well, I'm starting off with their defense. The Panthers have really solidified their front seven with the addition of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. This should have a big impact on the production of middle linebacker Luke Kuechly. Look for this defense to be a solid spot play. Cam Newton, on the other hand, will continue to be a fantasy sensation. His work with Panthers quarterback coach Ken Dorsey during the offseason will continue to elevate his game. This year, he will have more options than just Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell. Adding Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon may not seem like much, but their presence alone will allow Cam Newton to blow the roof off like in his rookie campaign.
