Fantasy Football 2014: Top 10 Quarterbacks
Aug 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs to the sidelines after a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Newton
Cam Newton for two seasons has been showing his NFL critics that he can be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. One of the reasons why Cam Newton and the Panthers only averaged 190.2 passing yards per game this past season (4th-worst in the league) was because Cam Newton’s only targets were either graybeard Steve Smith or red zone threat TE Greg Olsen (73 receptions for 816 yards and six touchdowns). Other than those two receivers, Newton didn’t really have that much to work with in terms of receivers in 2013. Hopefully next season, with Newton playing inside the pocket and throwing the ball safely and accurately, the Panthers will make it to the NFC Championship game like they deserve. With rookie Kelvin Benjamin out of Florida State, the Panthers are getting a solid receiver. He is a national championship winner and ultimately NFL-worthy. As well, the 54 receptions for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns don’t hurt either. We all know that the Panthers needed receiving talent with their three best receivers in Steve Smith going to Baltimore, Brandon LaFell off to New England and Ted Ginn to Arizona. In their place will be the combination of former Eagles’ WR Jason Avant (averaged 586.8 yards, 1.4 touchdowns and 47 receptions since 2009), former Bucs’ WR Tiquan Underwood (432.5 yards, three touchdowns and 26 receptions per season with the Buccaneers), former Steelers’ WR Jerricho Cotchery (46 receptions for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns) and former Ravens’ TE Ed Dickson (54 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 2011). While I want to say that the Panthers have a solid receiver corps, I can’t. Besides TE Greg Olsen, the only other reliable receiver would have to be graybeard Jerricho Cotchery. I think that Kelvin Benjamin is ready for the NFL, however nobody is quite sure how ready he is or how productive he will be in his rookie season.
With all of that said, Newton still does have fantasy value. Last season, despite throwing for just 3,379 yards, Newton was able to rank third in total fantasy points for QBs. His 585 yards and six touchdowns on the ground helped Newton to be a solid fantasy starter. Out of Newton’s 16 games, he went single digit fantasy points in just three. In those 13 games that Newton went for double-digit fantasy points, the former Heisman trophy winner averaged 20.1 fantasy points per game. I think that this season should be difficult considering that Newton will be working with entirely new receivers and will be coming off of ankle surgery. I think that he will still prove to be a valuable fantasy asset though. He is fast, nimble and able to get past defenders. Draft him in the fifth round if he is still there. He could pay fantasy dividends.