1. Who will be this season's biggest breakout player?
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Jay Cutler. Yes I grew up in Chicago, and still consider myself a Bears fan, but this is obvious to even the most ardent supporter of the Green Bay Packers. Cutler finally has weapons, he's lost the completely insane Mike Martz and the 11-step drops he insisted Cutler take to get the ball downfield to receivers that either couldn't create separation or were incapable of catching a ball. With Jeremy Bates + Mike Tice + Brandon Marshall as a legit No. 1 receiver, his numbers will look a lot more like the ones he posted in his 2008 Pro Bowl season.
2. Who will be the biggest fantasy bust?
Cam Newton. Some lunkhead is going to draft the kid in the first round, and that same guy is going to be whining about how his year was blown because Cam came back to earth. Call it being a "hater", but I'm still floored over how Newton was able to get away with what he did all season long. Defenses will have had a full season to look at his tendencies, and they'll take advantage. Far too much of his production came on broken plays, and that can only keep you going so long. He had less than 20 fantasy points in three of his last four games of 2011.
3. Biggest fantasy impact with his new team?
Sticking with the theme from breakout player, and Jay Cutler, I'll go Brandon Marshall. Again, legit No. 1 receiver with one of the best arms in the league. Mike Tice did it in 2000 with the Vikings, and he'll follow that same Culpepper/Moss blueprint with his dynamic duo in Chicago. Marshall isn't some one-season wonder either, he's done it his entire career, and will continue to do so with the Bears.
4. Comeback fantasy player of the year?
Michael Vick. Again, this is relative to his draft position. Instead of going No. 1 overall after his magical 2010 season, this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vick slip to the 3rd round, and watch at least six quarterbacks selected ahead of him. While he won't reprise his numbers from a two seasons ago, he will finish with a production level that's closer to 2010 than 2011.
5. Fantasy rookie of the year?
Trent Richardson. Quite simply there's nobody else who will have the opportunity to put up the numbers that Richardson can. I like Brandon Weeden at quarterback, as he's an upgrade over Colt McCoy when in comes to throwing the ball down the field, thereby opening up the field for Richardson to perform. Look out for Justin Blackmon to finish a close second, but because he's dependent on Blaine Gabbert, I'm more comfortable with the pick of Richardson.
