QB Sam Bradford (St. Louis)
8/27/12: I was a little bit lower on Bradford than I should have been. He’s only a QB2, but I’m moving him up slightly.
Tough to get behind Bradford as anything more than a QB2 because of his lack of offensive supporting cast. He could improve on the 3512 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions he had in 2010, but at the same time, I don’t expect them to pass 590 times again, like they did in 2010. And, of course, he might not last the season behind an offensive line that led the league in sacks in 2011. They got a new center, which helps, but that’s just a center. They also inexplicably didn’t address the line until the 5th round in the draft.
Projection: 3720 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 50 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns (205 pts standard/245 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)
RB Steven Jackson (St. Louis)
8/31/12: Isaiah Pead has failed to lock down the #2 back job behind Steven Jackson. He will split the role with follow rookie Daryl Richardson. This is good and bad news for Jackson’s fantasy stock. The good news is that there’s no immediate threat to his workload and he should see the type of carries he’s used to so long as he’s healthy and running well. The bad news is that there’s no obvious handcuff should he get hurt so you’re taking a big risk with Jackson that he doesn’t get hurt or decline. History suggests he might have one more good year in him so he’s worth that risk in a weak running back class outside of the top-10 backs.
Like Michael Turner, Jackson will be getting a reduced workload this season, but Jackson’s reduced workload is more well known after the Rams spent a 2nd round pick on a running back, Isaiah Pead. Pead will be able to do what Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood couldn’t last season, reduce Jackson’s workload. He’s also 29 in July and has 2138 career carries and stagnated fantasy wise by the offense he’s on. He’s only scored 10+ touchdowns once in his 8 year career.
Projection: 240 carries 1010 rushing yards 7 total touchdowns 40 catches 330 receiving yards (176 pts standard/216 pts PPR)
WR Steve Smith (St. Louis)
8/13/12: If any of St. Louis’ wideouts are going to be fantasy relevant this season, it’s probably going to be Smith. Smith seems to be healthy off of essentially 2 lost years with injuries. He’s working with the 1st team, having a strong camp, and was Bradford’s favorite weapon in their 1st preseason game. He probably will never be his 100 catch self again, like he was in 2009 before injury, but he’s got the most value of any of St. Louis’ receivers. He’s worth a late round pick.
Projection: 63 catches 780 receiving yards 5 receiving touchdowns (108 pts standard/171 pts PPR)
WR Danny Amendola (St. Louis)
Bradford showed great chemistry with Amendola in the slot as a rookie in 2010 as he caught 85 passes for 689 yards and 3 touchdowns. Even after a major injury last year, he should still have similar numbers in 2012.
Projection: 80 catches 700 receiving yards 4 receiving touchdowns (94 pts standard/174 pts PPR)
TE Lance Kendricks (St. Louis)
Lance Kendricks was their 2nd round pick in 2011. He had a disappointing rookie year, but in his 2nd year in the league, he could definitely have a better year. Sam Bradford probably won’t miss as many games as he did last year and with little to no proven outside receivers, he could target the talented Kendricks early and often. There’s some upside here.
Projection: 45 catches 570 receiving yards 5 receiving touchdowns (87 pts standard/132 PPR)
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