Atlanta Falcons

The Super Bowl runner-ups unsurprisingly also had a fantastic fantasy season in 2016, as Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Devonta Freeman all finished inside the top-six at their respective positions. Largely bringing back their entire roster, the Falcons are looking to build upon their excellent season with an even more explosive 2017. This should be a signal for fantasy owners to once again buy stock in Atlanta, as they are likely to repeat as one of the top fantasy rosters this upcoming season.

Fantasy MVP: Julio Jones

I know Matt Ryan won the league MVP this past season, but there has been little question that Julio Jones has been the Falcons fantasy MVP for most of the last six seasons. To call Julio a “consistent fantasy option” is quite the understatement, as he has recorded over 80 catches, 1,400 yards, and six touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Sure we all would like to see him utilized around the goal line more, but even if he isn’t, his incredibly high-volume skillset more than makes up for his lack of elite touchdown production – especially in PPR formats. Word has it that new OC Steve Sarkisian plans on giving Jones more looks inside the red zone this season, which should translate to potentially his best fantasy season yet.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Duke Riley

Please spare me your hate, but this is an IDP selection. I try to avoid it at all costs, but the fact of the matter is that the Falcons don’t really have any exciting offensive rookies… Riley is a crazy explosive and athletic linebacker who the Falcons took in the second round. He will pair up with fellow young stud linebacker from LSU, Deion Jones, giving the Falcons one of the more athletic and dangerous cover linebacking duos in the league. Slotting in at the WILL position gives Riley a ton of freedom to roam around in coverage and to clean up the backside of run plays. He should often be unblocked, so expect him to tally a ton of tackles, while his rare athleticism at the position gives him a chance for high interception and pass deflection totals.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Taylor Gabriel

What often happens in fantasy drafts is that players are drafted in order off of their final season totals from the year prior, once you get through the first two rounds. When looking at Gabriel’s season totals from 2016, they aren’t that impressive. On the year he tallied 35 catches, 579 yards, and six touchdowns, however what isn’t displayed for most drafters is that a large portion of his production came in the final eight games of the season. Truth be told, from Halloween on, Gabriel was one of the more productive receivers in the league. Spanned across a full 16 game slate, Gabriel would have tallied 70 catches, 1,158 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Entering 2017, Gabriel is clearly involved in the Falcons offensive game plan and may end up being treated as the number two target in the passing game – even over Mohamed Sanu. Because of this, I am investing in Gabriel this season, likely more so than most.

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Mohamed Sanu

Everything I just said above is why I’m punting on Sanu in 2017. He produced rather consistently across the season, but ultimately doesn’t offer enough to be considered ownable in a standard sized fantasy roster. Where Taylor Gabriel emerged as a true weapon for this Falcons offense, Sanu remained solidly as a secondary target for Matt Ryan. With Gabriel’s promotion, Sanu is sure to only fade further into obscurity, or at best remain at his numbers from last season, which should still keep him fantasy irrelevant in 2017.

Carolina Panthers

Coming hot off of a Super Bowl appearance in 2015, the Panthers had sky-high expectations for 2016. Unfortunately things did not roll their way and 2016 ended in massive disappointment – a 6-10 record and a season with no playoffs. While their defense certainly regressed towards the bottom half of the league, the main problem for Carolina in 2016 was their offensive line. They failed to protect their quarterback and to open lanes for their backs, which led to an ultimately ineffective offense. To remedy this, Carolina elected to cut ties with Mr. Blindside Michael Oher, while they replaced him with Matt Kalil and rookie Taylor Moton. Both additions are sure to shore up their offensive unit, likely improving the Panthers overall for the 2017 campaign.

Fantasy MVP: Cam Newton

The former league and fantasy MVP is still the bonafide star of this team. Cam not only serves as one of the league’s top passers, but he also possesses the skillset of one of the league’s best goal line backs. While he’s scheduled to run far less this season than in years past, that doesn’t mean that his 6-foot-6, 250 lbs. frame will not be used around the goal line where he is most effective. My expectations for Cam are lofty. He should return to elite form, while his goal line touches may increase if Christian McCaffrey is set to be the lead back. Think 4,000 passing yards and near double-digit rushing touchdowns once again for Newton in 2017.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Christian McCaffrey

Speaking of McCaffrey, he’s gonna be awesome. You're looking at a rookie who enters the league as already perhaps the most intelligent running back and one who possesses maybe the league’s best dual-threat skillset – Yeah, I’m looking at you Le’Veon Bell. His production may take a little bit to get on track, as is the case with all rookies, but there is no doubt that he will be the best rookie on this team and likely in the entire league.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Kelvin Benjamin

He’s 6-foot-5, 245 lbs. and is the unquestioned number one wideout for the Panthers. Considering the ability of Cam Newton, there is no excuse for Benjamin not being a double-digit touchdown scorer. With a better offensive line this season, Cam should have more time to throw, which bodes better for his completion percentage. Completing passes at a higher clip will likely improve the production of Benjamin towards 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. On to the next one…

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Jonathan Stewart

Stewart has had a solid career, but his time is coming to an end. With the addition of McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel, the Panthers are going to look to spread it out more and capture the edges in the running game. Stewart doesn’t seem to fit that mold much, if at all, therefore I’m punting on him outside of a handcuff selection for McCaffrey. There is little chance that the Panthers would have spent a top-10 pick on a rookie back without having big plans for him, so Stewart is just the logical odd man out.

New Orleans Saints

Constants in this world: 1) The sun rising in the east and setting in the west. 2) Death and taxes. 3) The Saints finishing 7-9.

All joking aside, the Saints finished 7-9 for the third straight season in 2016, making them officially the most mediocre team in the league. The scouting report has long been simple: they play little defense but have one of the league’s most high-octane offenses. They enter 2017 with that same mantra, which should bring smiles to the faces of fantasy owners.

Fantasy MVP: Drew Brees

Drew Brees has the most career games with 300+ passing yards, (106) and 400+ passing yards (15). He has tied the record for most touchdown passes in a single NFL game with seven in 2015. He owns the records for most consecutive seasons with 30+ passing touchdowns (9), 4,000+ passing yards (11), and most seasons leading the NFL in passing yards (7). And he is the fastest quarterback to not only reach 40,000 yards, but also 50,000 and 60,000 passing yards. He’s currently third all-time in completions, yards, and touchdowns, and is likely to finish first in all three categories before his career is said and done. Need I say more?  

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Alvin Kamara

He’s not likely to see too much burn this season considering the two players ahead of him on the depth chart, but I doubt the Saints would have taken Kamara this high without building at least a few personalized packages for him to be featured in early on. Chances are that Kamara’s presence will be most felt in PPR formats, however keep a close eye on his name if anything happens to either Mark Ingram or Adrian Peterson during the (pre)season.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Ted Ginn

Ginn has been a rather large disappointment since being drafted ninth overall by the Dolphins in 2007 NFL Draft, however, briefly he was paired with a strong-armed quarterback – Cam Newton – in a high-powered offense and really excelled. The season I’m talking about was 2015, when Ginn ran mainly deep routes and hauled in double-digit touchdowns. Sure he dropped a helluva lot of balls, but the fact of the matter is that he was fantasy relevant when utilized correctly. The Saints elite aerial attack may be the best situation possible for Ginn, as he will be asked to do one thing and will see a large share of targets. Double-digit touchdowns aren’t out of the question for him once again this season, provided Drew Brees stays healthy.

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Adrian Peterson

This isn’t a knock on AP, but I just have a feeling that some people are going to be disappointed when he doesn’t rush for 1,000 yards and score 10 touchdowns. The fact remains that the Saints retained Mark Ingram – a back coming of his best season, and a back with a more complete skillset. Peterson isn’t 28 anymore and wont be asked to carry the ball 250 times this season. Expecting Peterson to live up to his hall of fame season total averages will only cause disappointment for fantasy owners. Manage those expectations and you will have a really solid split-carry back.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are a team that everyone is expecting to take a great leap forward this season, as they are young, talented, and have had a really good offseason. With emerging star quarterback Jameis Winston; the Buccaneers weapons are set to explode this fantasy season. I’m keeping a close eye on Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, and DeSean Jackson in draft rooms this summer.

Fantasy MVP: Mike Evans

Evans, since entering the league three years ago to an incredible rookie season, has seen his targets, receptions, and yards production increase in every subsequent year. The trend is set to only continue, while his already 27-career touchdown receptions shouldn’t be ignored either. He is the best red zone target in the league – yes, even better than Gronk – and this season has legitimate weapons around him to help take attention away from him. Expect 2017 to be Evans’ best season yet.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: O.J. Howard

Howard was the best tight end in college football for the last two seasons, and it wasn’t really even close. Because of this, he will be the de facto number one tight end in the Bucs passing game this season, despite the fact that Cameron Brate returns as a more than capable incumbent starter. Many are already writing the scripts for Howard to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and while I like other players for the award, I’m finding it hard to really tell those people they are wrong. He’s got all the physical talent in the world and he’s got the quarterback to get him the football. With DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans commanding attention on the outsides, the middle of the field should be wide open for Howard to wreak havoc.  

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Jacquizz Rodgers

When called upon last season, Rodgers performed admirably. This season he will likely open as the starter, while Doug Martin serves his PED suspension. As the lead back in this high-powered offense, behind this improving offensive line, there is a chance that Rodgers doesn’t give the job back once Martin returns. Consider him a sleeper name to keep an eye on in your drafts.

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Cameron Brate

For all of the reasons that I love Howard, I have to hate Brate. Howard is bigger, stronger, faster, and more talented overall. The Bucs just spent a first round pick on him, and plan on getting an immediate return on their investment. Sure Brate won’t completely disappear, as dual-TE systems have worked in the past, but expecting Brate to threaten double-digit touchdowns is a lost cause. Howard is the tight end to own in Tampa.