Denver Broncos: Top 5 Fantasy Players For 2013
Top Five Fantasy Players In 2013 For The Denver Broncos
With opening night less than a month away many people, myself included, are scrambling to put together their Fantasy Football Teams. Fantasy Football can be fun and frustrating at the same time. How do we know what players will have breakout seasons, or even breakout games? Handicapping the field on a Fantasy level is a different animal all in its own, but it will never stop us from trying.
The Denver Broncos offer Fantasy fans with one of the better selections of players. Having Peyton Manning at quarterback automatically means that the Broncos will be one of the highest scoring teams in the league. Lots of points on the scoreboard can translate into lots of Fantasy points for Bronco players. Question is which of the Broncos players are smart draftees?
Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Head Coach John Fox have put together an offense in hopes of wearing teams out. Not by pounding the football for four quarters, but by running as many plays a game as possible. Denver wants to leave defenses gasping for air by running quick snap after quick snap. That may mean lots of balls to go around, but with all the weapons Denver has, there may be opportunities for many players.
The acquisition of Wes Welker is great news for the Broncos offense but not-so-great for Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker owners. Combined a year ago, Thomas and Decker caught 179 balls for 2498 yards and 23 TD. Throw in Welker’s production of 118 receptions for 1354 yards and six scores you can see the problem. Someone’s production will drop. There simply is not enough footballs for all three to repeat their seasons from a year ago. Manning completed exactly 400 passes last season, so if the big three repeat their production from a year ago that means there are only 103 passes left for tight-ends, running backs, and other wide-outs. Just doesn’t add up.
It is possible that Manning will complete more than 400 passes, but not by much. Having said all of this, here are my top five Fantasy Players for the Broncos in 2013.
5. WR Eric Decker
Decker had a fine season a year ago and will look to duplicate his numbers. Unfortunately you can almost guarantee a drop in receptions and yards due to the arrival of Welker. Having said that, I like Decker’s touchdown number (10) to remain the same or increase.
Decker is a big body and he thrives in the red-zone. Plus the addition of Welker will give Decker better looks in the end-zone.
4. RB Montee Ball
Ronnie Hillman is listed atop the Broncos depth-chart at the present moment, but I fully expect Ball to be the starting back come opening day, with Hillman being the “change-of-pace” back.
Ball was a workhorse in college and should be the go-to-guy in Denver’s high octane offense. Ball may not get tons of yardage until later in the year when the temperatures drop, but he will get the majority of the goal line carries and Denver’s offense figures to have many opportunities near opposing goal-lines. Ball’s carries may be limited until he improves his blocking abilities.
3. WR Wes Welker
Welker has been a machine over the last six seasons in New England, and although he should still put up good numbers in Denver, Fantasy owners would be naive to think Welker will catch 100-plus balls. However, Welker will certainly put up good numbers with Manning as his trigger-man.
Welker will certainly be the number one target for Denver on third-and-medium situations. The diminutive slot receiver was never a big touchdown guy, and I expect the same in Denver.
2. WR Demaryius Thomas
Thomas emerged as one of the game's top wide receivers last season and looks to improve on his monster season. Thomas caught 94 balls for 1434-yards and ten scores. This was utterly fantastic production that should get even better.
At first glance, the addition of Welker could make one believe that Thomas’ production will drop, and his catches may, but his one-on-one opportunities will increase leaps and bounds which should lead to many more big plays down the field. I can certainly see Thomas near top of the league in yards-per-catch, and his touchdowns should increase.
1. QB Peyton Manning
Was there any doubt? Manning shocked all the pundits last season with what was the second best statistical season of his career. Manning threw for 4659 yards and 37 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions.
All of that after having to take a year off while his surgically repaired neck regenerated itself and all the nerves in his throwing arm reformed. Manning will still tell you he isn’t 100 percent recovered, but he is eons ahead of where he was at this time last season. Manning still has problems with strength in his throwing hand which can cause grip problems. These problems forced Manning to wear a glove as the temperatures dropped, but I expect Manning to at least match last season's numbers.
The addition of Welker certainly puts more emphasis on the passing game – good for fantasy owners – maybe not so good for the football team.
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