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QB Cam Newton successfully returned to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 but how valuable can he be for fantasy football teams? Dom evaluates Newton's rest of season value beyond Week 12.
How good is the 2021 version of Cam Newton? Will he be a quarterback you can ride to the playoffs like a Patrick Mahomes or will he be an average replacement like Daniel Jones? Only time will tell but so far, things are looking good for the returning hero.
During the Denver Broncos' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, with Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, and Patrick Surtain II on the field together, the Alabama stories were flowing. From the 2017 Alabama roster, there were now 47 players in the NFL. By contrast, can you guess how many players, other than Cam Newton, from the Auburn national championship team were drafted or made an NFL roster? Zero. Newton was that Auburn team. It is not hyperbole to say that he is the best goal-line quarterback in NFL history. With his size and tenacity, he will get the yards needed and usually the touchdown.
Christian McCaffrey is back in the fold and Robby Anderson for sure loves the fact Newton is back. We also saw this week that he still can find D.J. Moore in the passing game. What really is going to determine his success will be his rushing ability. So, what can we expect for the rest of the season and is he worth a starting quarterback slot on your fantasy roster?
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What to Expect from Cam Newton?
In his first game action this season, Cam Newton came in against the Arizona Cardinals and on his first touch, ran in a touchdown. For good measure, on his second touch, he threw a touchdown pass. He is clearly excited to be back with Carolina and after the Sam Darnold experiment for half a season, the Panthers are ecstatic to have him back.
CAM NEWTON TD. HE’S BACK. 👏
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/2DIyYQGH3T— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2021
Due to his successful return, the Carolina Panthers decided he would be their starting quarterback this past weekend against former coach Ron Rivera. Although the team lost the game, Newton had yet another two-touchdown game with one rushing score and one passing touchdown to D.J. Moore. Matt Rhule had not ruled out using both Newton and P.J. Walker behind center but Newton never left the game and has cemented his status as the starter.
Although his passing may leave something to be desired, evidenced by his 8-10 TD-INT rate last year, the rushing ability Newton possesses makes him a top-10 fantasy quarterback play for the remainder of the 2021 season. Even in a down season with the Patriots, where he never quite fit in the offense, Newton ran in 12 touchdowns last season and finished as the QB16 in fantasy.
With Carolina firmly in the NFL playoff hunt, he will be the reason they do or do not make it. His ability to make plays and score on his own will allow some pressure to come off the defense.
Cam Newton's Fantasy Football Outlook
The upcoming schedule for Carolina is far from difficult. With games left against the likes of the Falcons and Saints following a Week 12 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, things are looking good for Newton to shine. The down side is that Carolina still has their bye remaining in Week 13 and have to face the Bills in Week 15. For that reason, he can't be your only QB the rest of the year, but he is one worth starting in key playoff games for Weeks 16-17.
2021 has been a season of injury. From Russell Wilson to Kyler Murray and others, no position has been spared from the injury bug. Getting so late in the season, even those players who have not been hurt are feeling the pain of a long and brutal season. Aaron Rodgers is suffering from an injury deemed "worse than turf toe" and Baker Mayfield is limping through the season with multiple injuries. What a perfect time for a quarterback the size of Derrick Henry to come in fresh and healthy.
Does Newton still have the same form as in 2015 when he passed for more than 3,500 yards and 27 touchdowns? Of course not. But in a league increasingly dominated by athletes at the quarterback position, Newton is right up there with Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts when it comes to rushing ability. With fantasy stats increasingly skewed in their direction, do not be surprised to see Newton as the quarterback on many championship rosters by the end of the fantasy playoffs. If he's still available on waivers in your league and you aren't set with an elite performer at the position, it's best to make a claim and ride him through the remainder of the season.
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