Did your fantasy football question not make this week's Mailbag? You can still get an answer! Submit it to Fantasy Genius and have your question seen by millions of fantasy fans just like you!
What sort of impact will new head coach Jim Caldwell make on Matthew Stafford's fantasy value next season and beyond? -- @mlathrop11 (via Twitter)
Michael Fabiano: This move should be a good one for Stafford, as Caldwell has had success with the likes of Peyton Manning (Indianapolis) and Joe Flacco (Baltimore) during his last few stops in the NFL. Having success with an elite quarterback like Manning isn't as impressive, but it's tough to overlook what he did with Flacco en route to the Ravens winning a Super Bowl championship. When you consider the talent around Stafford, a list that includes Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson, it would be no shock if he re-emerges into a top-five fantasy signal-caller in 2014.
Will Chris Johnson return to an elite fantasy level under new coach Ken Whisenhunt? -- @evansinger (via Twitter)
M.F.: Here's the bigger question: Will Johnson remain with the Tennessee Titans next season? He's owed $8 million in 2014, and complaints about not getting the football enough won't endear him to Whisenhunt or any of his new coaches. Also keep in mind that not only did Johnson finish the 2013 campaign with a career-low 3.9 yards-per-carry average, but he's going to be entering his age-29 season. In the event that he remains with the Titans, I don't see Johnson's value seeing a major swing one way or the other. Keep in mind that he hasn't received more than 300 carries in a season since 2010, and losing goal-line opportunities to Shonn Greene is anything but an attractive scenario.
What are your thoughts on Ladarius Green? -- @KHughes226 (via Twitter)
M.F.: I love Green's athletic skills and statistical potential, so I'll be keeping close tabs on what the San Diego Chargers do with Antonio Gates this offseason. If the team decides to cut ties with the former fantasy superstar, who turns 34 in June, Green is going to be one of the hottest sleeper candidates of 2014. He showed flashes of becoming quite a star this past season, and fits the Gates mold of a tight end with a basketball player's background. In a best-case scenario, I can see Green ranking as a top-10 fantasy player at his position.
Will Alshon Jeffery be a high draft pick in fantasy leagues next season? He seemed to have more success with Josh McCown than Jay Cutler. -- @MakaveliXBL (via Twitter)
M.F.: Jeffery was definitely a more productive wideout with McCown, as he averaged 6.1 receptions and 103.8 yards with a total of four touchdowns in six games when McCown led the Bears in passing. In the other 10 games with Cutler at the helm, Jeffery averaged 5.2 receptions and 79.8 yards with three touchdowns. Of course, that had to due in large part to the massive rapport Cutler has with Brandon Marshall. That's why I still have Marshall ranked ahead of Jeffery among wide receivers for the 2014 season. I see Jeffery as a potential No. 1 fantasy wideout regardless of the quarterback, in fact, as his athletic skills and tremendous hands are enough to get him more than his share of targets.
Will Matt Ryan be a top-10 fantasy quarterback next season? -- @briangrandy (via Twitter)
M.F.: In our what-have-you done-lately world, Ryan could turn into one of the better draft bargains in fantasy football next season. Keep this in mind: In five games with Julio Jones in the lineup last season, Ryan averaged 19.8 fantasy points and was on pace to finish with 317.3 points. That would have ranked him an impressive third among quarterbacks. Without Jones, however, Ryan averaged a meager 13.5 fantasy points in his remaining 11 contests. Barring any setbacks, Jones should be back in time for training camp and once again at Ryan's disposal in the pass attack. That's good news for the veteran out of Boston College, who should still be on the board past Round 5 (and beyond) in countless drafts.
What are your thoughts on LeGarrette Blount next season after his stellar playoff performances? -- @THEfreeflyer01 (via Twitter)
M.F.: Blount has proven that he can make an impact both on the field and in fantasy football, rushing for 166 yards with four touchdowns in a monumental performance against the Indianapolis Colts. Of course, trying to predict what will happen in the backfield of coach Bill Belichick from one year to the next is close to impossible. Also remember that Blount is a pending free agent, so he's by no means a lock to be back in New England next season. If he does remain with the Patriots, I can't see Blount being more than a committee runner with Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen in the mix.
I can retain two running backs from Le'Veon Bell, Giovani Bernard, Doug Martin and Zac Stacy. I'm thinking Martin and Bernard. Thoughts? -- @DanMcLeod_ (via Twitter)
M.F.: I don't know the details of your scoring system, but on the surface I like Martin and Bell ahead of Bernard and Stacy. With that being said, offseason movement could have a big impact on the value of Bernard inparticular. The Bengals could wind up cutting ties with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who is owned $2.5 million in 2014, and use Bernard as a featured back. In that scenario, the North Carolina product would see an obvious increase in value. If the team decides that using the smallish Bernard as a featured runner isn't the proper direction, then he'll remain in a committee with either the Law Firm or maybe pending free agent Darren McFadden. Since Martin and Bell have little to no competition for their featured roles and have youth on their side, I'd side with that duo at this point.
Will Keenan Allen become a top-10 fantasy wide receiver next season? -- @KingKRool24 (via Twitter)
M.F.: Allen, who led all NFL rookies with 71 catches, 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns, certainly has the potential to be a top-notch wideout in fantasy leagues. However, I would be targeting him as more of a high-end No. 2 in his second pro season. There is a ton of good, young talent at the position including the likes of Josh Gordon, A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Dez Bryant (to name a few), who push Allen down into the top 10-12 wideouts. I see him as a fourth- or fifth-round selection in 2014 drafts.
Who do you like in a dynasty league from Vick Ballard, Bryce Brown, Christine Michael and Latavius Murray? -- @joeroads (via Twitter)
M.F.: The player who jumps out to me is Murray, as both McFadden and Rashad Jennings are slated to become free agents this offseason. Should Oakland let both of these players leave, Murray would be in the mix for the top spot on the depth chart (as the roster stands now). Even if one of the two veterans is re-signed, Murray could still see his share of backfield opportunities. McFadden has been prone to injuries at the NFL level, while Jennings will be entering his age-29 season. Clearly, Murray is a name to keep tabs on moving forward.
Will Marcus Lattimore be a factor in 2014? -- @SergeLeBlanc20 (via Twitter)
M.F.: Lattimore was "redshirted" for all intents and purposes as a rookie, but he hasn't had any setbacks in his return from major knee reconstruction and could be a deep sleeper next season. The ageless Frank Gore is entering his age-31 season and a potential candidate to break down, while backup Anthony Dixon is slated to become a free agent. While Lattimore does hold the most value in dynasty leagues at this point, he's going to be worth a late-round flier in re-drafts if his return goes without any issues.
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**!
