TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Five NFL Offenses to Target in Fantasy Drafts: Cardinals, Saints and Steelers

The idea of stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team on your fantasy team, is nothing new.

It's generally more common on daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel, where a successful pairing of a quarterback and pass-catcher is often crucial to winning a big-money guaranteed prize pool tournament, but it's become more commonplace in redraft leagues.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium NFL Subscription, only $29.99 for the full season. We have all the preseason tools to help win your drafts, and in-season tools to win your seasonal and daily leagues: Draft Kit, Premium Rankings, ADP Sleepers Tool, Matchup Ratings for every player, Daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Load Up on These Offenses for 2016 Fantasy Football

Stacking can be a sneaky way to effectively double your points. If your quarterback throws a pair of touchdown passes to one of your receivers, points are going to add up quickly.

The trick, of course, is selecting the most consistent players from the most profitable fantasy situations. The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals both averaged more than 30 points per game last season, so their players offered more fantasy upside than those on the San Francisco 49ers who finished with an NFL-worst 14.9 points per game.

So what are the top fantasy situations entering the 2016 seasons? Which NFL teams should you target when constructing your fantasy team? I've identified five teams that I will be targeting heavily in my drafts this summer, along with individual players currently being selected in the top 100 of standard fantasy drafts (average draft positions are from Fantasy Football Calculator).

 
Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Antonio Brown (1.01), RB Le'Veon Bell (1.02), QB Ben Roethlisberger (5.10), TE Ladarius Green (8.02), RB DeAngelo Williams (8.07), WR Markus Wheaton (8.08)

No surprise here, a year after the Steelers were fantasy gold in 2015, I am expecting more of the same this season. The Steelers boast fantasy's undisputed No. 1 wide receiver in Brown, a top-three running back in Bell, and a top six quarterback in Roethlisberger. Brown continues to gain traction as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in redraft leagues, so pairing him with Roethlisberger, who can be had in the fifth round, is a solid strategy.

Outside of the Steelers' "big three," free-agent signee Green has legitimate top-10 tight end upside this season, while Williams proved last season he's arguably the most important running back handcuff available. Wheaton could be a steal in round eight with fellow wideout Martavis Bryant being suspended for the season.

 
Arizona Cardinals

RB David Johnson (1.07), WR Michael Floyd (5.07), WR Larry Fitzgerald (6.05), WR John Brown (7.02), QB Carson Palmer (7.09)

The Steelers might have the best individual receiver, but the Cardinals have the most dynamic group of receivers in the league. Second-year running back Johnson should emerge as one of fantasy's top backs with a full workload in 2016. Palmer will turn 37 this season, but he's still a top-10 quarterback and is being drafted as such in the seventh round.

Floyd, Fitzgerald and Brown are being drafted, on average, within two rounds of each other. The only concern here is that the three will cut into each other's targets, but all three were valuable last season when the Cardinals averaged 30.6 points per game. As a bonus, Arizona also boasts one of the top defense/special teams units in fantasy football.

 
Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Allen Robinson (2.04), WR Allen Hurns (5.06), RB Chris Ivory (6.02), QB Blake Bortles (7.05), RB T.J. Yeldon (7.12), TE Julius Thomas (9.02)

The Jaguars should be one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL in 2016. Robinson is a legitimate WR1, coming off a breakout 1,400-yard sophomore campaign in 2015. Hurns is being drafted as a WR3 and his WR2 upside makes him an attractive option in the 5th round of drafts. Bortles is being drafted eighth among QBs, four spots behind where he finished in 2015, which can definitely make him a value. Julius Thomas is a borderline TE1 and has 10+ touchdown upside in this young and explosive offense.

If there is one blemish from a fantasy perspective for the Jaguars offense, it's that the running back situation is muddled at best. Ivory and Yeldon should split carries, so barring an injury, neither appears to have RB1 upside.

 
New Orleans Saints

RB Mark Ingram (3.01), WR Brandin Cooks (3.05), QB Drew Brees (6.04), TE Coby Fleener (7.06)

New Orleans has been one of the top teams to target for fantasy production every season since Brees and head coach Sean Payton arrived back in 2006. The faces around those two have changed over the last decade, but the production hasn't.

Ingram is being drafted as a high-end RB2 in standard leagues, but has a legitimate case as an RB1 in PPR leagues. Cooks is a solid WR2, while free-agent arrival Fleener is expected to put up TE1 numbers in New Orleans' potent passing attack. The 37-year-old Brees is no longer a top-three lock at QB, but he's still a safe QB1. A Brees-Cooks pairing should be highly productive. This list also doesn't even include wide receiver Willie Snead, who is being drafted in the 11th round despite an impressive 2015 season where he caught 69 receptions for 984 yards and three touchdowns.

 
New England Patriots

TE Rob Gronkowski (1.11), WR Julian Edelman (4.03), RB Dion Lewis (4.08), QB Tom Brady (6.06),

Gronkowski is being selected, on average, 32 picks ahead of the second tight end (Jordan Reed) taken in standard drafts, by far the biggest gap of any of the fantasy positions. The injury-prone Edelman is going in the early fourth round, right on the dividing line between WR2s and WR3s. Lewis has considerably more value in PPR leagues than in standard leagues.

Brady is the wild card here. He's expected to serve his four-game Deflategate suspension, limiting his overall upside for 2016. However, 12 games of Brady is still better than most signal callers, and he's currently being drafted as the sixth overall quarterback. New England also boasts fantasy's top kicker in Stephen Gostkowski.

 

Honorable mentions (with ADPs for top players)

Green Bay Packers: WR Jordy Nelson (2.03), RB Eddie Lacy (2.06), QB Aaron Rodgers (3.08), WR Randall Cobb (4.03)

Seattle Seahawks: RB Thomas Rawls (2.11), WR Doug Baldwin (4.10), QB Russell Wilson (5.07), WR Tyler Lockett (7.10)

Cincinnati Bengals: WR A.J. Green (1.10), RB Jeremy Hill (5.05), TE Tyler Eifert (6.02), RB Giovani Bernard (6.10)

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Christian Braun

is Upgraded to Available
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic is Ready to Play on Saturday
Cameron Johnson

is Available to Play on Saturday
Buddy Hield

to Make Team Debut on Saturday
Keyonte George

is Cleared to Play on Saturday
Onyeka Okongwu

is Available to Play on Saturday
Malik Monk

Won't Suit up on Saturday
Jalen Smith

is Ruled Out for Saturday's Game
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Domantas Sabonis

Out Again on Saturday Night
Zach LaVine

Won't Play on Saturday
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Saturday
Amen Thompson

Available Versus OKC, Will Come Off the Bench
Jakob Poeltl

Questionable for Sunday Afternoon
Drew Rasmussen

: High-Upside Starting Pitcher Option with Health Concerns
Gavin Williams

Looking to Build on 2025 Emergence in 2026
Jo Adell

Can Jo Adell Repeat 2025 Power Breakout?
Brandon Woodruff

Looking to Put Injury Woes Behind Him in 2026
Lawrence Butler

Can Lawrence Butler Bounce Back from Underwhelming 2025 Campaign?
Yasiel Puig

Found Guilty of Obstruction of Justice, Lying to Officials
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out Saturday Against Lakers
Pelle Larsson

Exits Loss Early with Elbow Injury
Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Leaves Friday's Game with Illness
Josh Hart

Leaves Friday's Blowout with Ankle Concern
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined Midgame by Eye Injury
Shaedon Sharpe

Exits Friday with Calf Injury
Anthony Davis

Expected to Miss Remainder of Season
Brandon Nimmo

Carries High-Floor Profile into 2026
Trevor Story

Can Trevor Story Remain a Consistent Fantasy Option?
Spencer Strider

Carries High Risk Entering 2026
Drake Baldwin

Poised for More Productive Year 2?
Ben Rice

Could See More Time as Catcher Following Free-Agent Addition
Clarke Schmidt

Still Targeting Second-Half Return
Anthony Volpe

Unlikely to Return Until May?
Brett Wisely

Designated for Assignment by Rays
Mike Vasil

to Compete for Starting Rotation Spot
San Diego Padres

Padres Seeking Another Hitter, Starting Pitcher
Miguel Mendez

Could be on the Big-League Radar in 2026
Konnor Griffin

Can Konnor Griffin Win Shortstop Job in Pittsburgh?
Brandon Sproat

Should be in Mix for Brewers Rotation Spot
Dylan Ross

Pushing for Bullpen Role at MLB Level
Ben Rice

to Lose Playing Time With Veteran First Baseman Returning?
OG Anunoby

Won't Play on Friday
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF