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Breakout Players: NFC West
Posted by kyle smithAs we attempt to help fantasy football owners traverse to a 2009 fantasy championship, our look at potential breakout players takes us to the NFC West. The division does not have a reputation for quality football, which is understandable considering the struggles of its participants. Yet since 2002 when the NFL expanded to four divisions, the West has twice had representatives in the Super Bowl, which is as many as any other division outside the AFC East, where New England resides. Fantasy owners, however, are more concerned with getting themselves a championship, and hitting on a player having a breakout season could go a long way towards that.
Arizona Cardinals - Early Doucet: A third-round pick of the Cardinals last season, wide receiver Doucet caught just 14 passes and accumulated only 90 receiving yards on the year. Admittedly, Doucet needs some things to break his way to get a real opportunity. But considering that Anquan Boldin has been unable to stay completely healthy very often throughout his career (just twice in six seasons has he played 16 games), Steve Breaston has only one good season under his belt and Jerheme Urban has only proven to be an average player, it’s not unrealistic to think Doucet will get that shot.
San Francisco 49ers - Alex Smith: Yep, this is a leap of faith. And one in which it would be easier to take if there was a trampoline to use. But Smith is said to not only have a renewed sense of focus this offseason, but can claim that his shoulder is completely healthy for the first time in a couple seasons. He wasn’t the first overall pick for no reason; he clearly has physical talent. And though it’s doubtful he’ll ever totally live up to his draft status, that doesn’t mean he can’t help fantasy owners. With an offense that is supposedly going to feature the run to set up the pass, the pressure on Smith should lessen. He also has some young, dynamic receivers in rookie Michael Crabtree and second-year pro Josh Morgan to throw to. Granted, he still needs to win the job from Shaun Hill in the preseason, but if there was ever a time for him to do it, the time is now.
St. Louis Rams - Donnie Avery: Avery was successful in 2008, but this year, he could really be something special. The first receiver chosen in last year’s draft, the Ho
Seattle Seahawks - John Carlson: Okay, this is a bit of a cop-out. But looking at the Seahawks roster, the options are few and far between. As in, there’s Carlson, and then there’s nobody. So despite the fact he caught 55 passes for 627 yards and five scores, and will take nobody by surprise if he gets ramps it up a notch in 2009, he’ll be our call here. Besides another year of maturity, it should a healthy Matt Hasselbeck will be of great benefit to Carlson. He played much of last season taking passes from Seneca Wallace, who is an adequate backup, but Hasselbeck is Pro Bowl material when he’s healthy and firing on all cylinders. Carlson will be one of the first tight ends taken on draft day for fantasy owners, who have every reason to expect some 70 catches and 700+ yards this year.
Tags: , 49ers, Alex Smith, Arizona Cardinals, Cardinals, Donnie Avery, Early Doucet, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Draft Strategy, John Carlson, NFC West, Passing Touchdowns, Passing Yards, Quarterbacks, Rams, Receiving Touchdowns, Receiving Yards, Receptions, Running Backs, Rushing Touchdowns, Rushing Yards, San Francisco 49ers, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, St Louis Rams, Statistics, Tight Ends, Wide Receivers
