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

Cam Thomas

Will Be Waived by the Brooklyn Nets
Miles McBride

Will Miss Extended Time
Osvaldo Bido

Yankees Claim Osvaldo Bido Off Waivers From Angels
Ken Waldichuk

Nationals Claim Ken Waldichuk Off Waivers From Rays
Tarik Skubal

Wins Arbitration Case, to Make $32 Million in 2026
Jose Alvarado

Traded to the Knicks
Colt Emerson

to Begin the Year in the Minors?
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Will Likely Stay With Bucks
Cole Young

Appears to be the Favorite to Start at Second Base
Isaiah Jackson

Traded to Clippers
Peyton Watson

Will Have an MRI, Could Miss Significant Time
Bennedict Mathurin

Traded to Clippers
Brendan Donovan

Expected to Mostly Play 3B in Seattle
Ivica Zubac

Traded to Pacers
Luke Maile

Royals Re-Sign Luke Maile to Minor-League Deal
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
José Urquidy

Pirates Sign Jose Urquidy to One-Year Deal on Thursday
Corbin Burnes

No Setbacks for Corbin Burnes, Aiming for July Return
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Angel Genao

Ready to Rebound in 2026?
Marcelo Mayer

Expected to See More At-Bats Against Lefties
Gabe Vincent

Traded to Hawks
Luke Kennard

Traded to Lakers
Rob Dillingham

Traded to Bulls
Ayo Dosunmu

Traded to Timberwolves
Zac Gallen

Targeted by the Orioles?
Brice Turang

Brings Big Upside at a Thin Position
Kyle Stowers

Looks to Build on his 2025 Breakthrough
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
Mason Thompson

Joins Rangers on Minor-League Deal
Zac Gallen

Open to Returning to the Diamondbacks?
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Josh Fleming

Agrees to Minor-League Contract With Blue Jays
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
Wyatt Kaiser

Hurt Against Blue Jackets
Sandis Vilmanis

Injured in Wednesday's Win
Jack Hughes

Out Thursday
Guerschon Yabusele

Joins Bulls
Jhostynxon Garcia

to Compete for Starting Role in Spring Training
Tyus Jones

Lands in Charlotte
Spencer Jones

Facing More Competition for Role on Opening Day Roster?
Trayce Jackson-Davis

Warriors Send Trayce Jackson-Davis to Toronto
Josue Briceno

Invited to Big-League Camp
Los Angeles Dodgers

Eduardo Quintero a Budding Star in Dodgers System?
Buddy Hield

Moves to Atlanta
Kristaps Porzingis

Warriors Acquire Kristaps Porzingis
Jonathan Kuminga

Traded to Hawks
Joel Embiid

Questionable for Thursday Night
Dylan Harper

Ruled Out Versus OKC
Stephen Curry

Remains Sidelined on Thursday
Marcus Foligno

Out Wednesday Against Predators
Kiefer Sherwood

Set for Sharks Debut on First Line
Martin Necas

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Kirill Marchenko

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Sam Bennett

Anton Lundell Available for Panthers Wednesday
Nick Bjugstad

Devils Add Nick Bjugstad in Trade
Artemi Panarin

Traded to Kings, Signs Two-Year Extension
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
Mathew Barzal

Plays Key Role in Comeback Victory
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Sebastian Aho

Bags Three Points in Tuesday's Win
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Darren Raddysh

Extends Goal Streak to Five Games
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Nikita Kucherov

Posts Second Straight Four-Point Game
Travis Konecny

Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Elvis Merzlikins

Earns First Shutout of the Season
Filip Chytil

Dealing With Migranes
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
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF