NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Carolina Panthers.
Must Own
Cam Newton, QB: Newton finishes every season as a Top 5 quarterback, but is still going in Round 8 this year due to injuries and concerns about the weapons around him. Newton is the top dual threat QB in the NFL, so his draft reflects the consensus opinion of his receivers despite a near-guarantee for RB-like production on the ground.
Last season Newton's receivers were no picnic, and he still managed 24 touchdowns as well as 585 yards on the ground to go with six touchdowns. The name value of Steve Smith is gone, but the upside is greater, and the rest of the corps isn't much downgraded from the very mortal Brandon LaFell.
Greg Olsen, TE: Olsen's been given up on as a TE with potential to land in the Top 3 of his position, but he will battle for the team lead in targets, and hasn't scored fewer than five touchdowns since 2008.
Kelvin Benjamin, WR: One of the most intriguing players in football, Benjamin's a big of a project with the raw potential to finish among the Top 15 WRs. He had over 1,000 yards as a senior at Florida State, and pulled down a scary 15 TDs. He stands at six-foot-four, and weighs nearly 250 lbs.
He's also inexperienced, with just two seasons of action under his belt at FSU, and he'll have the best CBs in the NFL on him with safety help. The likeliest scenario is a boom-or-bust type with the allure of multi-TD outings dancing in front of owners' eyes.
Sleepers (Best format)
Deangelo Williams, RB (Standard): Williams may be a consistent, starting running back, but he doesn't produce long plays, and he is an afterthought in the red zone. Draft Williams with the intention of using him in desperate circumstances only, or in the event he faces a truly putrid rush defense.
Defense/Special Teams: LB Luke Kuechly is arguably the best in the game at his position, and this defensive line is a sight to behold, but the secondary and poor offense could conspire to sabotage an otherwise stellar group.
Jerricho Cotchery, WR (Standard): Cotchery grabbed 10 touchdowns last season, blowing away every other season of his career. Wave it off as a fluke if you want, but all 10 of them came from the 20-yard line or closer. Cotchery has become a real guy in the red zone, likely because of immaculate route running. That may repeat itself with Cam Newton, a QB not dissimilar to Ben Roethlisberger in his ability to extend plays.
Deep Finds (Best format)
Ed Dickson, TE (Standard): Dickson is a quality tight end who could see the field along with Olsen if the low-end veterans at WR don't work out.
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