Fantasy Football: NFC South division preview

August 4, 2010 @ 03:39:52

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Tim Heaney

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy situations to watch

• A healthy Turner beats no Turner

  The Falcons' coaching staff says they'll limit running back Michael Turner's touches on a game-by-game basis, depending on the flow of each contest. Not good news for fantasy owners ... then again, a healthy Turner with less work is better than no Turner at all.
• Is quarterback Matt Ryan ready to make the ascension to the next level? We're not quite as optimistic as others may be, but Ryan should be drafted as a low-end No. 1 or, ideally, a top backup.
• Slot receiver Harry Douglas (knee) is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament and may be slow to go in the first half of the year. He's a dangerous weapon but probably won't see enough looks to achieve fantasy relevance.

Fantasy football sleepers

• With Turner on a snap count and backup tailback Jerious Norwood (hip) still battling an injury, this leaves running back Jason Snelling in line for touches. He's the best handcuff for Turner owners and is a very late flier in deep leagues.

Offensive line analysis: This group has overachieved at times, but they're better than average. Left tackle Sam Baker is the key for this unit's success.

Carolina Panthers

Fantasy situations to watch

• Quarterback Matt Moore enters a great situation. He won't have to be the hero in this run-first offense, and the expectations placed on him are rather low. He's following Jake Delhomme, after all. If Moore does well, he could be playing for a starting job in another city in 2010, depending what happens with the current Carolina coaching regime. Jimmy Clausen isn't a threat to Moore's job this year.
• The No. 2 receiver job is up for grabs, with the primary gladiators being Dwayne Jarrett and rookie Brandon LaFell. We will be surprised if Jarrett wins this one.
• Can wideout Steve Smith (forearm) stay healthy? Looks unlikely. He should be fine for Week 1, but this softie already has his name penciled in on the injury report each week.

Fantasy football sleepers

• LaFell could be a nice late-rounder in point-per-reception leagues. He is a possession receiver and could play a fairly large role since Carolina doesn't know how to use the tight end position in the passing game and neither back is all too adept at catching passes.
• Both running backs, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, have been susceptible to injury. Could this pave the way for either Mike Goodson or Tyrell Sutton? Neither back is draftable, though.

Offensive line analysis: Built for plowing forward, Carolina's front five excel in run blocking. They're not terrible in pass protection, and Moore has a pretty quick release. Right tackle Jeff Otah (knee) underwent a knee scope but should be ready for Week 1.

New Orleans Saints

Fantasy situations to watch

• Bush has old burst

  Wide receivers Marques Colston (knee) and Robert Meachem (toe) are both coming offseason surgeries; Meachem remains on the active PUP.
• Tight end Jeremy Shockey hasn't completed a full season in his pro career. Backup David Thomas filled in admirably last year, but the Saints drafted Jimmy Graham - a 6-foot-8 former college basketball player - this year. Graham is expected to be used near the end zone as a jump-ball threat.
• Running back Reggie Bush is healthy after undergoing microfracture knee surgery before the 2009 season. He said it robbed him of his quickness until late in the season (looked great in the playoffs). How will the team use Bush and starter Pierre Thomas (wrist) now that Mike Bell (Eagles) is out of the picture?

Fantasy football sleepers

• Running back Lynell Hamilton could serve that Bell role in 2010. He's a bruiser and a goal line threat. Thomas owners should consider Hamilton as a very late handcuff in deep leagues (18 or more rostered players).
• Graham could snag several touchdown receptions, but he may be extremely difficult to play during the season. Consider him a No. 3 tight end in the rare event your league is that deep.

Offensive line analysis: Few teams have as b of a line as the Saints do. Right guard Jahri Evans anchors this group of unheralded standouts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Fantasy situations to watch

• The wide receiver battle is probably going to last well into the preseason. It looks like rookie Mike Williams has one of the spots practically locked up after a b offseason. Fellow rookie Arrelious Benn is struggling with the system but only has to beat out Michael Clayton, Reggie Brown and Maurice Stovall. Look for Sammie Stroughter in the slot.
• The development of quarterback Josh Freeman could hold back the receivers. A work in progress, his first year as a full-time starter should be filled with ups and downs, perhaps with more low points than shining moments.
• The running back split between Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward will be based on the hot hand each week. That stinks for fantasy owners, but we have a feeling a healthy Williams is ready to live up to his high billing.

Fantasy football sleepers

• Williams, Mike that is, fits the mold of a potential breakout rookie. He's a big-play threat, which could make for a few frustrating weeks. Draft Williams as No. 5 or No. 6 fantasy receiver.

Offensive line analysis: Since they have come to a contractual agreement with left tackle Donald Penn, this group is looking up. Jeremy Zuttah and Keydrick Vincent will battle for the left guard duties. Tampa's depth is questionable, at best.

Also see:

AFC: East | North | South | West

NFC: East | North | South | West

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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