Fantasy Football 2012: 8 Players Who Have Benefited Most This Offseason

The 2012 NFL draft may have just concluded, but that doesn't mean it's too early to begin thinking about your 2012 NFL fantasy football squad. As teams regroup for a successful 2012 with freshly signed free agents and eager rookies, it's time to get an idea about who you should select this season. 

The fact that many teams lost key contributors to their offense this offseason means that others prospered.

While the power for NFL supremacy shifts ever so slightly each offseason, a few teams made bold statements via free agency and/or the draft. 

Some of these players are already marquee names while others have something to prove. Regardless, all of the guys will reap the rewards of a positive offseason by their teams in 2012. 

The Extra Point: The Winner of This QB Battle Will Put Up Big Numbers in 2012

The Arizona Cardinals have a legitimate battle for the starting quarterback position heading into their 2012 camp. 

While Kevin Kolb is the man with the money (via Pro Football Talk), John Skelton was the better of the two in 2011. Skelton finished the season 5-2 while Kolb was only 3-6. 

Most likely, Kolb will get the benefit of the doubt to begin the season but the smallest amount of poor play and Skelton will be taking snaps behind center. 

In any event, the Cardinals quarterback of choice will have an impressive season as the team bolstered their receiving corps by selecting Michael Floyd with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Now that Larry Fitzgerald has a running mate, the Cardinals now have multiple targets for their quarterback to choose from. 

The victor of this battle will serve as a nice backup on your 2012 fantasy team. 

The Denver Broncos Receivers Are Automatically Better for Obvious Reasons

Peyton Manning is now a member of the Denver Broncos and instantly makes the Denver Broncos receiving brigade better. 

In 2011, the Denver Broncos leading receiver, Eric Decker, only had 44 receptions. He made them count as he compiled 612 yards and eight touchdowns, but his production didn't warrant fantasy stud status. His numbers, along with his receiving teammates, will undoubtedly rise in 2012. 

While it's true that the Broncos don't have a star receiver, Manning makes everyone better. 

2012 Bold Predictions: No real standouts, but plenty of mid-round sleepers

Reggie Wayne Made a Classy Move by Staying in Indianapolis and Will Thrive

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne made a classy move this offseason by opting to re-sign with the only franchise he's ever known, via Yahoo! Sports.

Despite being the worst team in the NFL last season, Wayne accumulated 75 catches for 960 yards without Peyton Manning.

Now, Wayne gets to catch passes from No. 1 overall selection Andrew Luck; he will definitely surpass the 1,000-yard plateau again. 

Both Wayne and Luck's numbers will be aided by the fact that the Colts drafted Luck's teammate at Stanford, tight end Coby Fleener, with their second pick.

A premier quarterback with a go-to tight end is a familiar formula for the Colts, and Wayne will once again thrive because of it in 2012.  

2012 Bold Predictions: 94 catches, 1,165 receiving yards, seven TDs

Maurice Jones-Drew Got Some Much Needed Relief This Offseason

Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards in 2011 despite the Jacksonville Jaguars owning the NFL's worst passing attack.

The Jaguars only averaged 136.2 yards/game through the air, so it's quite amazing that Jones-Drew's numbers were so prolific. 

Part of the Jaguars problem through the air was that they started rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert for 14 games. Throwing any rookie quarterback to the wolves is a recipe for disaster in the NFL. 

The other part of the problem was that Gabbert didn't have quality receivers to throw the ball. 

The Jaguars mended their receiving woes this offseason by signing free agent Laurent Robinson and drafting Justin Blackmon. 

These moves should allow Gabbert to grow as a quarterback and give Jones-Drew some breathing room.

After all, he did have 343 rushing attempts in 2011, which should dissipate. That doesn't necessarily mean his production will dip in the slightest.

2012 Bold Predictions: 5.1 YPC, 1,606 yards, 12 rushing TDs

Alex Smith and Frank Gore Will Be Better Because of the 49ers Moves

The San Francisco 49ers were the biggest surprise in 2011, and they'll prove in 2012 that it wasn't a fluke.

Quarterback Alex Smith finally had a breakout season as he threw for 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Smith had 10 receivers with double-digit catches in 2011, but only two, Michael Crabtree (72) and Vernon Davis (67) had above 20. 

Running back Frank Gore did well with 1,211 yards in 2011 and has a solid backup in Kendall Hunter, but these days in the NFL teams can't get enough quality running backs.

The 49ers beefed up their receiving corps by signing Randy Moss and Mario Manningham along with drafting A.J. Jenkins.

The Niners also wowed football fans by selecting running back LaMichael James in the NFL draft.

Now the team is all sorts of scary on offense. Smith and Gore will put up even better numbers in 2012.

Alex Smith's 2012 Bold Predictions: 3,644 passing yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs

Frank Gore's 2012 Bold Predictions: 4.7 YPC, 1,269 rushing yards, 13 rushing TDs

Marshawn Lynch Will Continue to Taste the Rainbow in 2012

Running back Marshawn Lynch had a wonderful 2011 season in Seattle, totaling 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

He put up those numbers with a mediocre Seattle Seahawks passing game, which should be improved with the signing of quarterback Matt Flynn. 

Although some predict that there will be a quarterback battle between Flynn and incumbent Tarvaris Jackson, the Seahawks didn't sign Flynn to have him watch from the sidelines. 

Flynn showed he's capable of greatness with 480 passing yards, and a six-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 of 2011. While this shouldn't be expected again from Flynn, opposing defenses have to respect that fact as he'll make the Seahawks aerial attack a threat.

The improved passing game of the Seahawks will make Lynch that much more dangerous as he'll continue to excel in 2012.

2012 Bold Predictions: 4.4 YPC, 1,320 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs

Andy Dalton Will Solidify Himself as a Star in 2012

Quarterback Andy Dalton impressed all in his rookie year in 2011 with 3,398 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. More importantly, the Bengals made the playoffs. 

Now, thanks to a great offseason for the Bengals, Dalton will become a star in 2012. 

The Bengals signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis to the backfield and drafted offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones along with tight end Orson Charles. 

Now Dalton has a stable of weapons to play catch with for the foreseeable future. Although it's not easy to become a perennial playoff team, the Bengals are set to do so with Dalton behind the wheel. 

Don't think twice when debating on whether or not to draft Dalton in 2012.

2012 Bold Predictions: 3,802 passing yards, 27 TDs, 14 INTs

The Time Is Now for Josh Freeman to Make His Presence Known

Despite throwing for 3,592 yards in 2011, Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a dismal season.

Freeman threw 22 interceptions in 2011, compared to just six in 2010, as the Bucs only won four games last season.

Now with new head coach Greg Shiano calling the shots, the Bucs had a dynamite offseason.

They hit the jackpot in free agency by signing wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Carl Nicks. They also landed running back Doug Martin in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. 

All around, the Bucs are better and should compete for the NFC South in 2012. Expect Freeman to feel comfortable and not make as many mistakes as he did in 2011. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 4,088 passing yards, 31 TDs, 12 INTs

Jay Cutler Can No Longer Hang His Head in Chicago

The Chicago Bears traded for Jay Cutler after he threw for 4,526 yards as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2008. 

Since then, Cutler's highest production was 3,666 yards in 2009. While Bears' fans can't be thrilled about Cutler's numbers, the argument can be made that he didn't have anyone worthwhile to throw the ball to. 

This is true no longer. The Bears made a splash in the offseason by acquiring wide receivers Brandon Marshall via trade and Alshon Jeffery during the draft.

On paper, Cutler and the Bears now have one of the deadliest duos in all of football as their passing game has tremendously improved. 

Cutler should be all smiles in 2012, and his numbers should prove that.

2012 Bold Predictions: 4,365 passing yards, 28 TDs, 17 INTs

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