It's February, and love is in the air.
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I will admit that I do develop, well, an affinity for certain NFL players each year that I think could be draft bargains or turn into superstars. No, it's not like the man crush George Costanza had on Tony in that episode of "Seinfeld." Call it fantasy man love, call it a little fantasy infatuation. Call it what you want.
If you think a player can help you win a fantasy championship, there's no shame in expressing your feelings, right?
Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens: I have never been a huge fantasy fan of Flacco. He's been good at home, unreliable on the road and an overall headache in the stat sheets. But look at who the Ravens added as their new offensive coordinator ... our old friend, Marc Trestman. That's the same Trestman who made Josh McCown relevant in 2013. He's also the same Trestman who has been an NFL coach (in some capacity) for 13 seasons. In those campaigns, his teams have had eight top-10 finishes in pass attempts. I am also going to crush on whomever the Ravens use as their featured back in 2015, Justin Forsett or otherwise (Melvin Gordon?).
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers: Newton was a disappointment last season, finishing outside of the top 15 fantasy quarterbacks due in large part to injuries. But down the stretch, we started to see Superman emerge from the Clark Kent identity. Newton scored 19-plus fantasy points in each of his final three regular-season contests and was running the ball with far more success. He also developed a great rapport with Kelvin Benjamin. When you consider that he had been a top-four quarterback in his first three NFL seasons and is likely to drop in drafts for 2015, well, Newton could turn into an absolute steal.
C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos: Anderson won't be handed the starting job in Denver with Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman in the mix, but let's be honest ... it would be an absolute shock if he didn't open 2015 as the featured runner. In that scenario, the Cal product could become a first- or second-round pick in 2015 re-drafts. He was a fantasy star once he took over the top spot in 2014, scoring 19-plus fantasy points in six of his final eight games. Anderson will also benefit from the presence of new coach Gary Kubiak, whose running backs have had quite a bit of success in his offensive system.
Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons: Freeman doesn't have the size to be a true featured back in the eyes of some fantasy fans, but he could end up in a great situation next season. Atlanta could release Steven Jackson, leaving the Florida State product as the favorite to start for new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. He said earlier in the week that he "loved" Freeman coming out of college, and that he's had both "big guys" and "smaller guys" in his system. Owners will want to keep close tabs on what the Falcons do with their backfield this offseason, but right now it's easy to crush on Freeman for 2015.
Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers: Hyde could end up being one of the big breakout running backs in fantasy football next season. If we assume that the Niners let Frank Gore walk as a free agent, then Hyde would be next up to bat in their backfield. The Ohio State product showed a few flashes as a rookie, and a year of NFL experience should help him make a statistical leap in his sophomore season. The Gore situation is no doubt one for fantasy fans to watch this offseason, but prepare for a lot of your fellow owners to be crushing on Hyde when it comes time to draft your squad next season.
Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders: I know ... it's tough to trust any member of the Oakland Raiders from a fantasy perspective. However, Murray is going to be given every chance to succeed as the top runner for new coach Jack Del Rio. He showed flashes of potential in 2014, and at 25 he's just about to enter his NFL prime. All jokes aside, the Silver & Black does have some potential on the offensive side of the football with Derek Carr under center and some young playmakers in the mix, including Murray. Look for new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave commit to him as one of his offensive centerpieces next season.
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints: Cooks played in just 10 games as a rookie, but he still hauled in 53 passes. Projected over a full season, that's an impressive 85 catches and 96 touches (including carries) for one of the brightest young playmakers in the NFL. Also keep in mind that the Saints will likely ask Marques Colston to take a pay cut in the offseason. If he refuses, well, Cooks could end up being the top wideout in a pass attack that should contiue to produce in 2015. It also doesn't hurt that the Oregon State product has a veteran quarterback in Drew Brees throwing him the football.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans: Not only do I love Hopkins for reaching 1,100 yards last season and keeping me from having to see James Koh in high heels, but it's clear that the torch has been passed in Houston. While Andre Johnson (146) had more targets than Hopkins (127), the latter scored almost 50 more fantasy points than his veteran teammate. He also did more with his touches, averaging almost 16 yards per catch compared to A.J.'s 11. Entering his third NFL season, the only thing that could keep Hopkins from reaching the next level of fantasy football stardom is the Texans quarterback situation.
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Who doesn't love Jones? I know, he's already one of the top wide receivers in fantasy land. But here are two reasons to think he could be the best fantasy wideout in 2015. First, Shanahan tends to lean on the "X" receiver in his offense. Just look at the numbers Andre Johnson and Pierre Garcon recorded in that spot in his system. Both of those players averaged at least six catches per game. Second, Jones is entering a contract year and would cash in with a monstrous statistical season. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he recorded Odell Beckham Jr. level numbers in 2015.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins: Did you know that Landry scored more fantasy points than Calvin Johnson, Kelvin Benjamin and DeSean Jackson in PPR leagues last season? And with the status of Mike Wallace in question down in South Beach, Landry could see an increase in targets and fantasy value sooner than later. A player with immense upside in an offense that now features a 4,000-yard quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, Landry could turn out to be more than just a PPR asset. Also keep in mind that more wide receivers are having breakouts in their second NFL seasons, so Landry could add to that trend.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
