QB Breakout Candidates:

QB Breakout Candidates

Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals-

The newest gunslinger to enter Arizona, Kolb, will now be throwing to Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald’s talent alone can make a high school QB look good. Kolb has proven himself as a guy who can live on short reps and get it done. Arizona’s addition of Todd Heap during Free Agency only makes Kolb’s roof higher. Unfortunately for AZ they lost a great talent in Steve Breaston to the Chiefs. Beanie Wells isn’t exactly a candidate to be catching balls out of the backfield but I don’t find it hard to believe Kolb will find a rhythm with Early Doucet and Chansi Stuckey. 

Fantasy Value:  Kolb will be a starter in most 12 man leagues or solid backup/trade bait in 10 man leagues.

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers-

Freeman is coming off a year in which he went 25-6 TD/INT while completing 62% of his passes. Freeman’s young receivers seem to work very well with him in their offensive scheme. Mike Williams caught 11 touchdowns in his rookie year and all signs show that he won’t enter the dreaded sophomore slump. Kellen Winslow has been and will continue to be a great pass-catching TE who Freeman will likely look for when Williams is feeling the heat. Arrelious Benn, the other WR drafted last year, is also expected to begin making an impact on offense. Freeman will be handing off to LeGarrette Blount this year who has gone from punching players after the game to smashing them up in the middle of it.

Fantasy Value: Freeman will be a starter in all 12 man leagues and some 10 man leagues.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons -

For some reason, everyone and their mother are down on Matty Ice this year. The Falcons lost Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran (aka no one) to Free Agency while acquiring Julio Jones in the draft. Jones runs just under a 4.40 forty and can leap nearly 40 inches into the air. Tony Gonzalez, who is a legitimate target for Ryan this year, tweeted “This kid Julio Jones is the real deal. He's the best incoming receiver I've ever played with. Come to think of it, it's not even close,” on August 2^nd. When a guy like Tony says something like that you just have to believe the hype. Not to mention the league’s #2 WR, Roddy White, who will be scorching defenses every week. With Ryan’s stock  down this year he is a definite buy-low candidate. Plus the Ice Man will be playing Carolina twice this year (any one playing Carolina is a safe start).

Fantasy Value: Will start in all 12 man leagues and most 10 man leagues with upside.

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs-

We saw flashes of greatness from Cassel in New England until he was thrust into a talent-free zone in KC. That is, until last year. With Jamaal Charles proving is ability to run the ball and make plays catching it out of the backfield, Cassel is primed for resurgence. He has all the weapons in his receiving corps with Dwayne Bowe and the speedy McCluster. The addition of Steve Breaston is what really boosts Cassel’s stock this year. Often overshadowed by Larry Fitzgerald (and Anquan Boldin a few years ago), Breaston is a great talent with the ability to stretch the field. Not to mention the fact that the Chiefs’ coach, Todd Haley, was the offensive coordinator of Arizona during most of Breaston’s time there.

Fantasy Value: Cassel will make for a back up in most leagues with a lot of upside.

Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings-

I know what you’re thinking, too old, too slow, just no. But McNabb is back with a chip on his shoulder. As he watched the Eagles buy up every worthwhile Free Agent this off season he has to be puffing out his chest like never before. While the Vikings did lose Sidney Rice this off season they gained Devin Aromashodu who, if he can stay healthy, is bound to break out. He’ll now play alongside the speedster tandem of Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin. If McNabb struggles early they may give the ball to rookie QB Christian Ponder but if he was ever going to make a push at the end of his career now is the time. Oh, and that guy he hands the ball off to happens to be the best running back in the league.

Fantasy Value: He’ll work as a backup in most leagues with moderate upside.

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