Fantasy Football 2012: Bold Fantasy Projections for Last Year's Breakout Stars

Fantasy football owners of Cam Newton, LeSean McCoy and Jimmy Graham were all smiles last year, as these three players became gods of the fantasy football world. 

Many others emerged as statistical superstars, guys who'll certainly be frozen in keeper leagues across the country. 

But now, we aren't concerned with the amazing 2011 season that guys like Newton, McCoy and Graham pieced together. We want to know if they'll build on their breakout years or regress with defenses paying them more attention. 

Here, I give bold 2012 predictions for the guys who took the 2011 fantasy football season by storm with surprisingly staggering numbers. 

LeSean McCoy

"Shady" McCoy was dynamic for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, rushing for more than 1,300 yards with a ridiculous 17 touchdowns. 

He also added 48 grabs for 315 yards and three receiving touchdowns to cap off one of the best fantasy football season's we've witnessed in quite a while. 

After his All-Pro year, McCoy will remain an integral facet of the Eagles' potent offensive attack, but it won't be easy to rekindle the magic of last season once again. 

Mike Vick will be firing the ball downfield often, and with a new contract, a happy DeSean Jackson could return to form. 

McCoy will still be one of the best fantasy running backs in the NFL, but he won't account for 20 total touchdowns. It'll be close, though. 

Bold Prediction: 17 total touchdowns

Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz absolutely exploded onto the scene for the Giants last year.

He caught 82 passes and was the most electric YAC receiver in the league, turning those receptions in 1,536 yards, or a 18.6 yards-per-catch average. 

His speed and initial burst are undeniable, but chances are he'll get more attention from opposing secondaries in 2012. 

No longer will he face team's No. 2 or No. 3 cornerbacks out of the slot. 

Cruz will still make a handful of huge plays for the G-Men, but he won't be as effective as he was in a special 2011. 

Bold Prediction: 65 catches, 1,100 yards

Jimmy Graham

The 6'6'', 260-pound Graham, who runs as swiftly as a wideout, caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards with 11 scores in 2011, as he emerged as one of the most intimidating pass-catchers in the NFL. 

The quarterback mastery of Drew Brees certainly benefited the former Miami Hurricanes basketball player in this breakout campaign. 

At the ripe age of 25, Graham is ready for another outstanding campaign this season. 

The Saints have been hit hard by the bounty penalties, but the only weapon they lost on offense was Robert Meachem. 

Though Meachem wasn't a primary target, he stretched the field for Brees and certainly threatened opposing secondaries. 

Graham will gladly fill his void. 

I expect another huge year for the Saints tight end. 

Bold Prediction: 110 catches, 1,400 yards 

Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski was a monster last season, catching 90 passes for more than 1,300 yards with 17 receiving touchdowns. 

He doesn't look fast and isn't wildly agile, but he's a menacing target and has extremely large hands to reel in anything thrown his way. 

Because he's 6'6'' and 265 pounds, he can easily box out defenders in the secondary, making him an exquisite red-zone target. 

As long as Tom Brady's throwing him passes, Gronk will be one of the league's most prolific receiving weapons. Although the newly acquired Brandon Lloyd could take some targets away from Gronkowski, I envision him building on his ridiculous touchdown numbers. 

Bold Prediction: 18 touchdown receptions

Cam Newton

Newton instantly proved critics wrong who thought he couldn't throw the football by eclipsing the 400-yard mark in each of his first two NFL games. 

He cooled off throughout the 2011 season but still finished with a rookie-record 4,051 passing yards.

The most admired aspect of Newton's year was his versatility. 

He tossed 21 touchdowns and ran for 14 more.

Can he eclipse 35 total TDs in 2012?

He should improve as a passer, and he'll remain the team's primary "goal-line back."

Bold Prediction: 40 total touchdowns  

Matthew Stafford

While Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady received the accolades for breathtaking seasons as passers, Matthew Stafford quietly threw for 5,038 yards with 41 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions. 

He finally stayed healthy for an entire year, and we saw what the live-armed youngster can do to secondaries. 

Luckily for him, he's got Calvin Johnson, the unquestioned best receiver in the NFL, and great complementary pieces like tight ends Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler and secondary wideouts Titus Young and Nate Burleson.

The Lions seem content throwing often and practically neglecting their running game. In today's NFL, that type of offensive game plan can yield fantastic results.

There's not much more Stafford can do from a statistical standpoint as a signal-caller, right? Actually, it'd be quite the feat if he could piece together another 5,000-plus passing yard, 40-plus TD season.

Bold Prediction: 5,100 yards and 43 touchdowns