Top 10 Unconventional Fantasy Predictions:
#4 . . .
Peyton Manning will not be among the top 5 QB fantasy scorers this season. I've witnessed too many real and mock drafts where Peyton is gone by the 2nd round--and often by the 1st.
No doubt, the future Hall of Famer has the talent and weapons (3 elite receivers) to kick ass. But in his final 4 games last season, his completion rate on passing attempts of 20+ yards was only 27%--about a 40% drop-off from the rest of the season. He also threw 583 passes--the 3rd most of his career.
The Broncos placed their fortunes on Peyton's shoulders and fell short of their goal of a Super Bowl title. A healthy Peyton down the stretch matters more to this team than a record-setting aerial assault.
Therefore, I don't think Peyton will--or will be expected to--throw as much as he did last year. This will translate into either (a) an injury-plagued season or (b) a season with more conservative numbers due to concern that he overextended himself last year.
Consider that Denver's defense is among the league's best. If Denver is up 20-0 in the 3rd quarter, how likely will we see Peyton risk injury by stepping back in the pocket and finding receivers? Instead, the team's 3-headed RB contingent--although hardly appealing at this stage--will limit Peyton's fantasy ceiling.
At best, the elder Manning will be around the 7th or 8th best fantasy QB. At worst, fantasy competitors everywhere will regret placing their fantasy fortunes on the shoulders of a 37-year-old who will fall well short of last season's numbers.
#4 . . .
Peyton Manning will not be among the top 5 QB fantasy scorers this season. I've witnessed too many real and mock drafts where Peyton is gone by the 2nd round--and often by the 1st.
No doubt, the future Hall of Famer has the talent and weapons (3 elite receivers) to kick ass. But in his final 4 games last season, his completion rate on passing attempts of 20+ yards was only 27%--about a 40% drop-off from the rest of the season. He also threw 583 passes--the 3rd most of his career.
The Broncos placed their fortunes on Peyton's shoulders and fell short of their goal of a Super Bowl title. A healthy Peyton down the stretch matters more to this team than a record-setting aerial assault.
Therefore, I don't think Peyton will--or will be expected to--throw as much as he did last year. This will translate into either (a) an injury-plagued season or (b) a season with more conservative numbers due to concern that he overextended himself last year.
Consider that Denver's defense is among the league's best. If Denver is up 20-0 in the 3rd quarter, how likely will we see Peyton risk injury by stepping back in the pocket and finding receivers? Instead, the team's 3-headed RB contingent--although hardly appealing at this stage--will limit Peyton's fantasy ceiling.
At best, the elder Manning will be around the 7th or 8th best fantasy QB. At worst, fantasy competitors everywhere will regret placing their fantasy fortunes on the shoulders of a 37-year-old who will fall well short of last season's numbers.