The Arizona Cardinals are 8-1 for the first time since 1948. However, they aren’t the happiest team in the NFL after reaching such a feat. The Cardinals were steamrolling the league with one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the game so far this season. Then in the fourth quarter, Carson Palmer went down with a torn ACL, meaning that he will be done for the season. This will be the second time in his career that he has torn his ACL in his left knee. Get well soon Carson! Now the Cardinals are turning the keys to the franchise over to Drew Stanton. So what does this mean for Fantasy Football?
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback: What is Drew Stanton’s fantasy value?Â
I’ve heard mixed views on Drew Stanton’s fantasy value so far this week. Some believe that he is an automatic top-12 play with Carson Palmer out, and some don’t really know what to believe. However, If you look at the two games that Drew Stanton started and finished, you’d realize that he is only averaging 12 fantasy points per game in those two starts.
Although 12 fantasy points per game isn’t the worst production, it does fail to meet the standards for top 12 production on a weekly basis. Plus, if you look at the remaining schedule for Stanton, you will become a lot less excited.
Schedule Breakdown:
Week 11:Â Â vs. Detroit (Allow the 2nd fewest fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks)
Week 12:Â Â at Seattle (Allow the 7th fewest fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks)
Week 13:Â Â at Atlanta (Allow the 19th fewest fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks)
Week 14:Â Â vs. Kansas City (Allow the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks)
Week 15:Â Â at Rams (Allow the 7th most fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks)
Week 16:  vs. Seattle (Allow the 7th fewest fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks)
Final Spin:Â
Drew Stanton is going to make a push for a top-15 Quarterback on a weekly basis because of the offense and the Head Coach. However, I think that Stanton should stay on your waiver wire unless you are really desperate or are in two-quarterback leagues. The schedule is really tough for me and I can only see you trusting Stanton in his two favorable matchups out of his six remaining games.
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back: Andre Ellington?Â
Andre Ellington has been a stud fantasy superstar regardless of who is playing quarterback. Right now, Andre Ellington is averaging 22.7 touches per game. Can he keep it up?
Andre Ellington in games that Carson Palmer started:
Averaging 24.5 touches per game
Andre Ellington in games that Drew Stanton started:Â
Averaging 19 touches per game
Schedule Breakdown:
Week 11: vs. Detroit (Allow the 10th fewest fantasy points to opposing Running Backs)
Week 12: at Seattle (Allow the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing Running Backs)
Week 13: at Atlanta (Allow the most fantasy points to opposing Running Backs)
Week 14: vs. Kansas City (Allow the 3rd fewest fantasy points to opposing Running Backs)
Week 15: at Rams (Allow the 9th most fantasy points to opposing Running Backs)
Week 16: vs. Seattle (Allow the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing Running Backs)
Final Spin:Â
Andre Ellington is going to remain exactly what he is right now, which is a running back number one. Sure he has a tough remaining schedule, but because of the running back position being watered down, Ellington will be still in RB1 territory. However, one must expect the production to dip slightly because the offense simply just won’t be what it was with Carson Palmer. Even though Ellington does have a series of tough matchups, he is still a must start running back going forward.
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates after making a 48 yard touchdown catch during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: Who gets the targets?Â
The Arizona Cardinals receivers are clearly going to be expected to take some sort of a drop off, but does it destroy their fantasy value completely? The answer is no. This Cardinals offense is too well coach and are definitely too talented to let a quarterback change destroy their playoff run.
Of course all quarterbacks have trends, especially young and inexperienced ones. Let’s dive into the receivers production with Drew Stanton under center so far this season:
 Targets: (Receivers w/ Stanton at Quarterback)Â
Larry Fitzgerald: 23 targets; 12 catches; 142 yards; 0 TD’s
Michael Floyd: 19 targets; 6 catches; 130 yards; 0 TD’s
John Brown: 18 targets; 10 catches; 132 yards; 3 TD’s
John Carlson: 6 targets; 5 catches; 76 yards; 0 TD’s
Troy Niklas: 1 target; 1 catch; 16 yards; 0 TD’s
What to do with each weapon?:Â
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Larry Fitzgerald is ultimately going to be the best wide receiver, even with Drew Stanton at Quarterback. The targets are going to be there and Fitzgerald is going to still be able to get open. However, you can expect inconsistency, but it won’t be because of Larry Fitzgerald’s play. It’ll be because Stanton will miss more throws than Palmer did. If you hold on to Larry Fitzgerald, you can expect inconsistency.
- Trade Value? Depends what you can get for him. I cannot imagine too many owners out there who are jumping all over Fitzgerald now that he’s back to having a below average quarterback. But if you can get someone to buy in, then capitalize.
- John Brown
- If you just go based off the numbers, then you’d realize that John Brown is Drew Stanton’s favorite weapon. Perhaps because he’s had more time to work with him compared to Floyd or Fitzgerald who have always been every week starters.
- Trade value? Don’t give up the house for John Brown, but attempt to trade for him. Brown could be the receiver that wins you your Fantasy Football Championship. It’s clear that he’s going to be the least covered going forward and that the Cardinals aren’t going to put Stanton in poor situations.
- Michael Floyd
- Michael Floyd is getting targets under Stanton, but it’s assumed that they are just using him as a clear out guy right now. They probably will continue to do this in an attempt to open up the field for Stanton and make reads easier for him.
- Trade Value? I don’t want Michael Floyd on my team going forward. If you have to drop him for someone this week, then I have no problem with it.
- Tight Ends
- I don’t believe that any of the Cardinals tight ends have ever had fantasy value and I certainly don’t expect them to now. Some of the people you talk to will tell you that they might have value because of check downs, but don’t buy it. Andre Ellington will fill that role.
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