Fantasy Football 2011: How the NFC South Draft Picks Will Impact Your 2011 Team
The 2011 NFL draft picks will no doubt have a strong impact on their teams, but what will they do for your fantasy football team?
Let's look ahead and predict the stats of the NFC South rookie stars. The last few weeks have been full of mock NFL drafts, and player predictions.
Writers and analysts are predicting what the 2011 NFL season will hold, how teams will perform, who will stand out and which teams will thrive with their incoming stock of rookies.
That's all well and good, but where is the information that millions of other dedicated fans care about? I'm talking about the fantasy football fanatics.
It's never to early to talk fantasy, so I will do just that. Let's take a look at the best of the NFC South's class of rookie picks and see how they will fare in the 2011 NFL Fantasy season.
Atlanta Falcons: Predicting Rookie Fantasy Outcomes
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The Atlanta Falcons traded up big time to get Julio Jones with the sixth overall pick.
This move got them one of the players who will become a fantasy stud, but limited their number of players who could impact fantasy football this season.
Wide Receiver Julio Jones: Jones will no doubt have the biggest impact on the Atlanta Falcons in his rookie season. Playing opposite one of the best receivers in the game may limit his reception numbers, but he will be used as the target for the Falcons' big plays.
Expect big time yardage and touchdowns from this draft pick. He should still be hanging around your draft in Round 6 or 7 to act as your WR3.
Fantasy outlook: I expect Anquan Boldin type numbers from Jones this season, 65 receptions, 850 yards, eight touchdowns
Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers: Rodgers is an undersized running back who doesn't have the chops to be a major player early in his career. He is talented running through the middle and has good vision and will be a nice complimentary back for the Falcons.
He has great hands and will make a good showing as a receiver out of the backfield so could have a nice showing in deep PPR leagues. I say that it is safe to leave him undrafted and steal him if he heats up, or if Michael Turner goes down.
Fantasy outlook: An interesting combo of Tashard Choice and Carnell Williams, 275 rushing yards, four touchdowns, 26 receptions, 200 yards
Carolina Panthers: Predicting Rookie Fantasy Outcomes
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Of course the number one overall pick in the draft needs to have some sort of fantasy stature, right? Probably not the case here. The Panthers are going to stay bad.
The good news, however, is that they can help their young team even more next year with yet another first overall selection in 2012.
Quarterback Cam Newton: To be honest, I'm not certain that Newton will be a starter at the beginning of the year, so I'd be weary drafting him. Even if he does get the nod, he doesn't exactly have an impressive group of receivers around him.
Assuming that he does get a starting job mid-season he might be a good addition depending on your league's scoring. He can score with his arm and with his legs, so once he is starting under center, keep your eye on him.
Fantasy outlook: Borderline impossible to predict, but let's put him similar to Vince Young of last season. 1200 yards, 10 touchdowns, four interceptions, 350 rushing yards, fourrushing touchdowns.
Wide Receiver Kealoha Pirales: Pirales will likely have to step into a starting role very quickly. But I don't think he belongs on any fantasy team just yet. A word of fantasy advice: When a player is the second or third on the Panthers receiving depth chart, you should probably opt for someone else.
Fantasy outlook: I predict a Bernard Berrian-style year, 250 yards, three to four scores.
Panthers Defense: I suppose the Carolina Panthers updates on defense are worth mentioning. They added Terrell McClain and Sione Fua at defensive tackle in round three. They then secured cornerback Brandon Hogan at cornerback. All should see playing time, and the run defense may improve, but overall, I wouldn't exactly buy the Panthers defense anytime soon.
New Orleans Saints: Predicting Rookie Fantasy Outcomes
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The Saints made one of the boldest trades in the draft and picked up their only real offensive rookie stand out. Improvements took place on defense, which might make them a viable matchup based on matchup.
Running Back Mark Ingram: Ingram is entering a busy backfield. It was right of the Saints to secure a running back in the draft, but taking one this high was probably unwise. Splitting that much time, you should probably treat Ingram like you would pretty much any other New Orleans skill-player besides Brees...cautiously.
Fantasy outlook: Another hard prediction: At best he could put up numbers similar to Brandon Jackson, at worst, Derrick Ward. 500 yards, five touchdowns.
Saints Defense: The only real rookie impact that the Saints should see is on defense. Their draft was saved by the smart first round selection of Cameron Jordan at defensive end, and third round picks linebacker Martez Wilson and cornerback Johnny Patrick.
I expect this to be a much-improved defense over last season. Each game can still be a shootout, but more turnovers and sacks are a safe forecast. They can be used confidently depending on their matchup.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Predicting Rookie Fantasy Outcomes
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The Buccaneers went heavy on the defense in the 2011 NFL Draft. And it will show in their defensive fantasy statistics.
A running back and tight end will mix stats up. I think that the only player on the Bucs' roster to have fantasy numbers improve is Josh Freeman. Everyone else will stay about even or even drop due to splitting time.
Tight End Luke Stocker: The Bucs will line him up in two tight end sets opposite Kellen Winslow. He has good hands and has the potential to be a viable red zone target. I don't see staggering numbers as he will probably be used more for blocking purposes.
If Winslow's knees start acting up, he may turn into a nice sleeper pick-up.
Fantasy outlook: Moderate yardage, decent touchdowns, think Martellus Bennett meets Jacob Tamme, 250 yards, five touchdowns
Running Back Allen Bradford: Bradford is another player with pretty unpredictable numbers. I think that he might turn into the player that all fantasy owners hate. He'll see little yardage, but be called in to score on goal line stands.
He is someone to watch out for in the preseason though. Because if the Buccaneers like him, he could see a lot more time than anyone is anticipating.
Fantasy outlook: For now, we'll stay humble on him, 300 yards, six touchdowns
Buccaneers Defense: Of all the NFC South teams, rookies should have the most impact on the Bucs' defense. Expect huge increases in stats, fumble recoveries and probably interceptions. I had no problems using Tampa Bay during certain games last year, and it should be an even easier call to make this year.
Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers at defensive end will provide endless pressure. Mason Foster can contibute to locking up the middle and causing some havoc and if Ahmad Black steps into a starting role, he could have a few additional picks.
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