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50 Shades of Fantasy Football, Vol. IV: Week 1

By Mike Randle

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates a touchdown with running back Eddie Lacy (27) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates a touchdown with running back Eddie Lacy (27) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown had a breakout season in 2015, tallying 101 targets and 65 receptions for 1,003 yards. Brown had 17 Red Zone targets and 10 Red Zone receptions. He finished with seven total touchdowns on the season.
  2. John Brown suffered the first concussion of his career on Aug. 1. As a result, his availability for week one is uncertain.
  3. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd battled health issues all last season. He started the year with three dislocated fingers which, as a result, severely limited his fantasy production. He also missed week 11 because of a hamstring injury, and finished the season battling through a knee injury.
  4. Despite those health issues, Floyd accrued five games of over 100 receiving yards. His previous career high was three such games.
  5. Michael Floyd enters the final year of his rookie contract.

Prediction: Michael Floyd starts his contract year in fine fashion, totaling over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. Floyd is a top-12 fantasy football wide receiver lock for week one.  

Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Last season, Tavon Austin saw increases in every major offensive category. He caught 15 more passes for 179 more yards, had five more receiving touchdowns, 210 more rushing yards, and two more rushing touchdowns.
  2. Tavon Austin received 17.1 percent of the Rams passing targets when quarterback Nick Foles started. More noteworthy, he received 22.2 percent of the targets when quarterback Case Keenum started.
  3. Case Keenum is the starting quarterback for the Rams in week one against San Francisco on Monday Night Football.
  4. San Francisco ranked 27th overall in the NFL last season with 261.2 passing yards allowed per game.

Prediction: Despite his 112th overall average draft position, Austin will total double-digit fantasy points in both PPR and standard scoring leagues. As a result, Austin will finish as a solid fantasy football WR2 for Week 1.

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