Bounce-back candidates
Underperformers in 2016 who could see a return to form this year
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
A top-three fantasy QB in 2015, injuries and poor line play (pressured on an NFL-high 36.5 percent of dropbacks) led to Wilson finishing out of the top 10 for the first time last season. He still managed the seventh-best yards per pass attempt and 21 TDs. The line remains shaky, but a healthy Wilson will run more often and effectively. He averaged just 3.6 yards on 72 rushes last season, down from 5.4 on 103 carries in '15.
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
He has been doubted before and will be again, but the balky shoulder is fixed and he remains a preeminent runner and his own goal line option. Forget about another 35 touchdown passes, but Newton can crash the top-five QB party. His 10.03 air yards per attempt trailed only Jameis Winston last year, and the Panthers just drafted OSU wideout Curtis Samuel and his 4.31-second wheels, so expect more big plays in Carolina.
Adrian Peterson, RB, New Orleans Saints
The future Hall of Famer is now 32 and coming off yet another knee surgery, and let's not forget that Mark Ingram is still in New Orleans (5.09 yards per carry last season). However, let's also not forget that AP is just one year removed from rushing for 1,485 yards and 11 scores (Ingram has never even sniffed those numbers), and he will have plenty to contribute to a dynamic Saints offense. Peterson is far from done.
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Make no mistake -- Gurley was pretty bad in '16. His 4.83 yards per carry fell to 3.18, and his TD count was just six. But consider that no back with Gurley's workload ran in less space, as he averaged just 1.59 yards before first contact. Then realize that the Rams had a league-low 34 drives that made it into the red zone, helping keep Gurley off the scoreboard. A new coaching regime will help him return to top-10 numbers.
Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite a three-game suspension to open the year, Martin is poised to bounce back from a disappointing campaign. Like Gurley, he saw very little space, averaging just 1.15 yards before running into contact, the lowest in the league. Expect some improvement toward the league mean of 2.56. One year removed from a 1,400-yard season, a healthy Martin will have an opportunity in an offense that isn't afraid to run.
Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Few wide receivers can match the volume of receptions, but major injuries derailed his past two seasons. Allen is hardly a sure thing, but if he can stay healthy, PPR owners could have a top-10 guy. Over the past two seasons, only Antonio Brown and Julio Jones averaged more catches per game than Allen's 8.1.
Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
From a top-15 pick to 25th in PPR wide receiver scoring, Robinson was healthy and actually saw more targets in 2016 than 2015, but his QB just couldn't find him downfield -- he caught less than half of his targets. With a heavy workload and a hefty 13.3 air yards per target, Robinson should again be a 1,000-yard and double-digit touchdown receiver.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
Brock Osweiler is gone, but the Texans still don't have the QB position solidified. Still, Hopkins recorded seasons of 1,210 and 1,521 yards in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and his touchdown total plummeted from 11 to four last season. Expect Nuk to return to elite status in '17.
John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
He won't be Carson Palmer's top target, but Brown's down '16 season was impacted by unusual health issues, and he is still very much a deep threat. Since 2015, Brown is third in air yards per target (14.3) and ninth in yards per catch (14.6) among players with at least 100 receptions.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Eifert struggles to stay healthy and doesn't really pile on the receptions -- he had more than three catches in just three of his eight games last season -- but the touchdowns! He has 18 scores in 21 games since 2015. He's a boom-or-bust option who has shown his obvious upside.
Underperformers in 2016 who could see a return to form this year
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
A top-three fantasy QB in 2015, injuries and poor line play (pressured on an NFL-high 36.5 percent of dropbacks) led to Wilson finishing out of the top 10 for the first time last season. He still managed the seventh-best yards per pass attempt and 21 TDs. The line remains shaky, but a healthy Wilson will run more often and effectively. He averaged just 3.6 yards on 72 rushes last season, down from 5.4 on 103 carries in '15.
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
He has been doubted before and will be again, but the balky shoulder is fixed and he remains a preeminent runner and his own goal line option. Forget about another 35 touchdown passes, but Newton can crash the top-five QB party. His 10.03 air yards per attempt trailed only Jameis Winston last year, and the Panthers just drafted OSU wideout Curtis Samuel and his 4.31-second wheels, so expect more big plays in Carolina.
Adrian Peterson, RB, New Orleans Saints
The future Hall of Famer is now 32 and coming off yet another knee surgery, and let's not forget that Mark Ingram is still in New Orleans (5.09 yards per carry last season). However, let's also not forget that AP is just one year removed from rushing for 1,485 yards and 11 scores (Ingram has never even sniffed those numbers), and he will have plenty to contribute to a dynamic Saints offense. Peterson is far from done.
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Make no mistake -- Gurley was pretty bad in '16. His 4.83 yards per carry fell to 3.18, and his TD count was just six. But consider that no back with Gurley's workload ran in less space, as he averaged just 1.59 yards before first contact. Then realize that the Rams had a league-low 34 drives that made it into the red zone, helping keep Gurley off the scoreboard. A new coaching regime will help him return to top-10 numbers.
Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite a three-game suspension to open the year, Martin is poised to bounce back from a disappointing campaign. Like Gurley, he saw very little space, averaging just 1.15 yards before running into contact, the lowest in the league. Expect some improvement toward the league mean of 2.56. One year removed from a 1,400-yard season, a healthy Martin will have an opportunity in an offense that isn't afraid to run.
Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Few wide receivers can match the volume of receptions, but major injuries derailed his past two seasons. Allen is hardly a sure thing, but if he can stay healthy, PPR owners could have a top-10 guy. Over the past two seasons, only Antonio Brown and Julio Jones averaged more catches per game than Allen's 8.1.
Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
From a top-15 pick to 25th in PPR wide receiver scoring, Robinson was healthy and actually saw more targets in 2016 than 2015, but his QB just couldn't find him downfield -- he caught less than half of his targets. With a heavy workload and a hefty 13.3 air yards per target, Robinson should again be a 1,000-yard and double-digit touchdown receiver.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
Brock Osweiler is gone, but the Texans still don't have the QB position solidified. Still, Hopkins recorded seasons of 1,210 and 1,521 yards in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and his touchdown total plummeted from 11 to four last season. Expect Nuk to return to elite status in '17.
John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
He won't be Carson Palmer's top target, but Brown's down '16 season was impacted by unusual health issues, and he is still very much a deep threat. Since 2015, Brown is third in air yards per target (14.3) and ninth in yards per catch (14.6) among players with at least 100 receptions.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Eifert struggles to stay healthy and doesn't really pile on the receptions -- he had more than three catches in just three of his eight games last season -- but the touchdowns! He has 18 scores in 21 games since 2015. He's a boom-or-bust option who has shown his obvious upside.
