By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Each offseason brings change to NFL rosters, and those changes often have fantasy implications. Below, I lay out the changes at the skill positions and how those moves impact the fantasy status of the new roster.
2017
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QB: Carson Palmer, Blaine Gabbert
RB: Adrian Peterson, Kerwynn Williams, Andre Ellington, Elijhaa Penny
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, John Brown
TE: Jermaine Gresham, Ricky Seals-Jones
2018
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QB: Sam Bradford, Josh Rosen, Mike Glennon
RB: David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, T.J. Logan, Elijhaa Penny
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, Christian Kirk, Brice Butler, Chad Williams
TE: Jermaine Gresham, Ricky Seals-Jones
Pre-Draft Offseason:
Sam Bradford is a good quarterback when allowed to do what he does best, make short, accurate throws and hand the ball off. He could be great for Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson, both who should see a lot of short- to medium-range targets, but Bradford’s health is the major concern when trying to project his numbers. I’ll hope for the best, but if the Cardinals have to move to Mike Glennon, this offense will have trouble.
The best move will of course be getting David Johnson back from his wrist injury, and thankfully, he’s already healthy and ready to go, so he’ll be in line for all offseason work. The Cardinals did sign Justin Pugh and will likely look to shore up their offensive line in the 2018 NFL Draft, so we should see some improvement there, but how much is still to be seen, as the line was a weak unit last season. Johnson doesn’t need a great line or offense to be a fantasy beast, but it would help.
Larry Fitzgerald had one of his best seasons last year, and unless Arizona signs Odell Beckham Jr., I don’t think Fitzgerald will have enough competition to keep him from another strong season. His big-play ability has decreased, but he still can get open and catch the ball over the middle, which is going to push him into the 100-receptions class once again.
The rest of the group will need to find a way to distinguish themselves as a strong No. 2 receiver and third target behind Fitzgerald and Johnson. We’ll likely see tight end Ricky Seals-Jones get his shot to move up the totem pole, and with such a weak group at the position, there’s a good chance he can carve a role for himself, but I don’t like any of the secondary fantasy players to have a great shot at seeing enough work to be useful.
Post-Draft Update
The Cardinals saw that Josh Rosen was falling in the 2018 NFL Draft and made their move, trading into the 10th-overall spot to snag him. It was a strong play, and one that worked out well, as Rosen has the ability to be a good starting quarterback in this league. He will likely be behind Sam Bradford to start this season, but there is plenty of injury risk with Bradford and the Cardinals aren’t likely to be a playoff contender, which would mean they could get Rosen some work when the playoffs look unreachable. He’ll be close to the top in my rookie fantasy-quarterback rankings.
Arizona also grabbed a much-needed wide receiver prospect when it took Christian Kirk in the second round. Kirk has the stuff to stick around the NFL and will likely be called upon this season at some point, if not Week 1. He is a slot receiver, but unfortunately, Larry Fitzgerald also plays in the slot. The Cardinals will likely move him around the formation, have him return kicks and play some slot when Fitzgerald is also moving around the formation. Kirk’s fantasy upside isn’t good for this season, but there is some long-term value in dynasty leagues.
Chase Edmonds ended up to Arizona with 134th pick overall and will likely serve as David Johnson’s backup. At 5-foot-9, 210 pounds, Edmonds moves well, yet can still inflict some pain with his size. I see him winning the No. 2 job in Arizona and to be worth a handcuff pick.
2018 Fantasy Outlook:
Stud: David Johnson
Solid: Larry Fitzgerald
Sleeper: Chase Edmonds
For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.
More 2018 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/21 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/21 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/21 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/30 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/27 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/22 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/1 (Chet)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 7/26 (Walt)
Fantasy Football 2-QB Dynasty Draft - 5/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Articles:
2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Busts - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Mid-Round Values - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Quarterback Preseason Targets Tracker - 8/30 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football D/ST Drafting - 8/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/15 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Quarterbacks - 8/15 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Target - 8/9 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football - PPR Draft Strategy: Rounds 1 and 2 - 7/27 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Doug Baldwin's Value - 7/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Chris Hogan's Value - 7/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Alvin Kamara's Value - 7/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Tight Ends - 7/11 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Wide Receivers - 7/6 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Running Backs - 7/5 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Quarterbacks - 7/4 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Better Than ADP - 6/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Better Than ADP - 6/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Target Shares - 6/22 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Points Per Game - 6/13 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 6/2
2018 Fantasy Football Value Players - 5/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Quarterback Look-Back - 1/28 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/28 (Walt)
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
