Anyone can draft a fantasy football team. What makes a good fantasy drafter, is when you can predict breakout players. So what I have been able to do in this article, is combine players who will be improving at least five spots from the previous season. Michael Vick finished last season at the 26 spot. This QB will be able to jump into the top 20 this upcoming season. He wasn’t able to play in all the games last season, but threw 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. With Chip Kelly as his head coach, I think he will be able throw lots of touchdowns and work this offense to perfection. This coach has the perfect team for his dynamic offense. Vick should excel and double his touchdowns from the 2012 season. Vick also only had one rushing touchdown last season, but with a new and improved high powered offense he will able to put up some more points on the ground. Matthew Stafford is a very interesting player in 2013. He had a very good football season in terms of yards in 2012, but that’s it. He finished the 2012 season at 10th overall for quarterbacks. It’s completely possible that Stafford could get into the top five this upcoming season. He was able to get a complete upgrade at running back. Yes, a running back with hands. He will be able to check down and complete more passes, instead of forcing the ball like he did so much last year. The 17 interceptions completely killed his season for fantasy owners. Not to mention he was only able to put up 20 touchdowns. With a healthy Ryan Broyles, and new addition Reggie Bush, look for Stafford to become that elite player we all know he can be. David Wilson was not the starting running back last season, but he was able to get into almost every game. With Wilson only having four touchdowns last season, I don’t see him doing much more than that this upcoming season. He isn’t a redzone guy, but he will be catching out of the backfield and be that big-play capable guy. Finishing the season at 47 last year, he can easily improve twenty spots in 2013. Additionally, with Bradshaw being gone, Wilson should get the bulk of the carries. Steven Jackson put himself in the right position for 2013. He will not be forced to carry the entire season. He will be able to relax, play how he wants and get plenty of rest. Jackson finished 2012 at 17, and has every chance to be in the top 10 in 2013. He will be able to pound the ball when close to the redzone and should be able to get 75 + plus yards a game. In a standard league, I predict that he should average around 13 points a game, while in 2012 he averaged 10.0 a game. Players like CJ Spiller and Ray Rice also averaged 13 last season. Look for Jackson to have a great year. Victor Cruz has shown consistency the past two years with over 1,000 yard receiving. His 2011 season was better than 2012, and he has a chance to duplicate it 2013. He should be able to have at least 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. In two seasons Cruz has been able to put up 9 and 10 touchdowns. He was the Giants’ most targeted player in the red zone 2012 with 18 targets. Last season, he finished at 13. This year I think it would be hard for him to be a top 5 WR, but is very capable of being in the top 8. Nicks has been banged up for two seasons, and the Giants lost their tight end. Cruz is the only player that Manning will be able to trust for those big plays. Jeremy Maclin has yet to have a 1,000 yard season, but don’t let that worry you. With the new offense that is in store for the Eagles, they will stretch the field with runningbacks and Jackson. This will leave Maclin to be the possession receiver that he does very well. He has a first good step, decent route skills, and has reliable hands. Maclin will also increase his receptions this year. I expect to see around 80 receptions, which would be ten more than his career high. Last year he was targeted 122 times. If he is targeted the same amount this season, he should be able to put up 2012 Eric Decker stats with 85 catches and 1064 yards. To follow more of writings of Chris Heil follow him on twitter @thegrizzlybeard
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 01:13:12 +0000
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