With Steven Jackson‘s free-agent signing with the Atlanta Falcons, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

In sports, we love the story of the team that can’t quite make it over the hump. The 2012 Atlanta Falcons won 13 regular-season games and lost a close one in the NFC Championship Game to the 49ers. We also love the teams that add a few new parts to make another run; precisely what Atlanta did by adding Steven Jackson and talking Tony Gonzalez into coming back for one more tilt. Are the 2013 Falcons built for another amazing regular season or a Super Bowl-winning season?

On paper, Steven Jackson will replace jettisoned Michael Turner (800-10), while third-year man Jacquizz Rodgers will continue to develop into a versatile offensive weapon, despite his diminutive stature. As he has done throughout his career, Jackson will be a reliable work-horse back with excellent blocking skills. It will be interesting to see how much the Falcons throw to Jackson, as they tossed it to Rodgers 53 times last season, an aspect of the game where Jackson is very good as well.

Adam’s Prediction (3/26/2013): Rushing: 1,250 yards, 8 TDs and Receiving: 300 yards, 2 TD, a minimum Top-12 runningback

From Regan Yant (@reganfp);

Finally my cohort and I are in almost complete agreement!  Bringing in Steven Jackson to replace the plodding, concrete feet of Michael Turner should pay major dividends for this team, which is looking at an NFC that is loaded with atleast four to five teams that I could see advancing to the Super Bowl.

Jackson has rushed for over 1,000 yards in every year of his career with the exception of his rookie season, and has averaged 45 receptions a year in his career.  That bodes well for his chances of staying on the field on third downs, where Turner would be replaced by Rodgers.  Jackson also has excellent blocking skills for a running back, which also will be great in this pass first offense.  I’m expecting a rejuvenated Jackson to be just on the outside of the Top-10 running backs.  He will be a low-end RB1 and a high end RB2 for any team this year, a great 2nd-3rd round pick in redraft leagues.

Regan’s Prediction (3/19/2013): 1,400 total yards, 11 TDs, ranking 11-13 range for the year

With Danny Amendola‘s free-agent signing with the New England Patriots, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

The New England Patriots replaced a sub-six-foot former Texas Tech wide receiver, Wes Welker, with another in Danny Amendola; one who is four-years younger, but does have a history of injuries (elbow, shoulder and foot), preventing him from playing in just 12 of 32 games the past two seasons.

Amendola will fit nicely into the New England offense; an offense that despite having a healthy Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will still have plenty of offensive touches left over for the new wide receiver. The Patriots will also be without past free- agent disappointment Brandon Lloyd, leaving Amendola to carry the load for the wide receiving corp.

Adam’s Prediction (3/19/2013): 100 catches, 1,100 total yards and 9 TDs, good enough to be a Top-12 wide receiver.

From Regan Yant (@reganfp);

Danny Amendola to the Patriots.  Sounds like its a transitional match right?  One mighty mouse Texas Tech receiver for the next? He should be able to step right in and do what Wes Welker was doing right?  I’m not so sure.  For whatever reason, some WRs just haven’t been able to step right in to this offense and succeed.  Welker was the exception, catching 112 balls in his first season in New England and only having one season where he didn’t catch atleast 100. 

There are numerous similarities between Welker and Amendola but that doesn’t mean it’s a given that he steps right in and picks up where Wes left off.  His health is the key and I’m not convinced he will stay healthy through a full season until he proves it.  He did catch 85 balls from Sam Bradford in Bradford’s rookie season but that was also his best season statistically.  I’m not buying high on Amendola, if I’m a dynasty owner I’m selling high.  It’s not that I think he will fail miserably like Brandon Lloyd, I just don’t think he is going to repeat Welker’s numbers.  And finally, you never know what Bill Belichick has up his half sleeves, he could pull another surprise or two in regards to the receiving corps before camp starts.

Regan’s Prediction (3/19/2013): 80 catches, 900 yards and 5 TDs receiving, Top-25-30 wide receiver

With Wes Welker‘s free-agent signing with the Denver Broncos, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

Playing for NE from 2007-2012, Welker had a league-leading 672 receptions, 13% more than the #2 WR (Brandon Marshall) over that time. A pass-catching machine in a relatively compact package, Welker teams with another  Hall of Fame QB in Peyton Manning.

Let’s take a quick look at the 2012 Broncos and look ahead to 2013. Demaryius Thomas should follow his 94-1,434-10 campaign with a nice encore as he continues to develop. Eric Decker (85-1064-13) and tight end Jacob Tamme (52-555-2) both had solid years and should perform similarly in 2013. Brandon Stokley (45-544-5) exited Denver and left the door open for Welker to continue his strong career with the Broncos.

Adam’s Prediction (3/19/2013): 85 catches, 1,100 total yards and 10 TDs, good enough to be a Top-12 wide receiver.

From Regan Yant (@reganfp);

“Wes Welker with the catch from…Peyton Manning?”  That’s right, Tom Brady‘s safety blanket bolted to the Rockies to play with another future Hall of Famer in Peyton.  I have a feeling this one is going to work a little better this year than Amendola in New England for a couple different reasons.  First, I feel Welker instantly takes all of Stokley’s stats/work, and as much as I like Eric Decker I think he is the one that suffers the most from Welker’s presence.  Secondly, I think Peyton will forcefeed the ball to Welker to show he can get him those stats too, not just Brady.  This will be an interesting offense to watch in terms of distribution and who feels the effects of adding Welker.

Regan’s Prediction (3/19/2013): 90 catches, 1150 yards and 8 TDs receiving, Top 12-15 wide receiver

With Rashard Mendenhall signing a free-agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

As the Cardinals released a disappointing running back with a spurious injury history and proclivity to fumble the ball in Beanie Wells, the team signed a less-disappointing running back with a spurious injury history and proclivity to fumble the ball in Rashard Mendenhall.

Mendenhall, along with the return of third-year man Ryan Williams, Arizona hopes to improve upon their 32nd ranked rushing yards per attempt (3.4) under new head man, and reigning NFL Coach of the Year, Bruce Arians. Mendenhall’s dutiful blocking, coupled with Arizona’s patchy offensive line, should provide plenty of on-the-field action for him, provided he is back to the offensive effectiveness he showed early in his career.

Adam’s Prediction (3/14/2013): 800 yards rushing, 150 yards receiving and 6 total TDs which makes him a flex play in nearly all formats

From Regan Yant (@reganfp);

I seem to be one of the few that was ok with this signing.  Beanie Wells simply did not and could not get the job done in Arizona.  I will forever refer to him as the running back chosen 22 spots ahead of LeSean McCoy.  But this is not about Beanie, this is about Rashard. 

Nevermind his weird beliefs and the crazy things he has said, he knows Bruce Arians offense, he is only 25 years old, he will be over a year removed from his ACL injury, and he can block.  I feel he wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh last year and his rough play was more the fact he was in Coach Tomlin’s doghouse constantly.  I like the fact he is coming to a change of scenery on a relatively inexpensive one year “prove it” deal. 

I feel he can easily reproduce and even outproduce Vick Ballard’s stats last year in Arian’s offense, which were 966 total yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs, ranking him 25th overall in standard scoring for running backs.  Despite Mendenhall’s reputation as a fumbler, he has never had more than 3 in a season, Adrian Peterson has had more than four in four seperate seasons, including twice with more than seven.  Not trying to be a homer here, but I think he may open some eyes.

Regan’s Prediction (3/14/2013): 1060 total yards and 6 TDs, which puts him in Benjarvus Green-Ellis range of 18-21 ranked RBs

As Reggie Bush has signed with the Detroit Lions, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

As Reggie Bush enters his eighth season and joins his third team, his signing with Detroit he appears to be poised to produce another strong fantasy season for the Lions. The fact that Detroit lost three of its five starting offensive lineman (left tackle Jeff Backus‘ retired, guard Stephen Peterman was released and right tackle Gosder Cherilus signed with Indianapolis) is more than worrisome.

The bright side is that the salary cap and free-agent has left devastation of the Lions’ defense as well; both starting defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch (released) and Cliff Avril (signed with Seattle) are gone, which should make for some high scoring games this season. Bush’s ability to catch balls in space and turn them into highlight plays will make him a fun player to own this season.

Adam’s Prediction (3/14/2013):  1,200 total yards and 8 total TDs, good for a top-10 season and taken waaaay to early in a few of your leagues

From Regan Yant (@ReganFP);

First David Wilson, then Percy Harvin, now Reggie Bush.  He is the flavor of the week in fantasy football circles.  His addition to the Lions’ high-powered offense has been met with excitement and it is showing in mock drafts, as he is being taken as high as early first round!  I know this will drop off as the excitement wears down but lets get ourselves together.  This is a guy who is now 28 years old and has never made it to 1,400 yards from scrimmage and has been let go by two teams now. 

Could he excel in the Lions offense?  Sure he could, he could do some exciting things in the passing game.  But is he going to be their every down back?  That’s the question.  Will the Lions split the carries amongst Bush, Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell? I do believe he automatically becomes the most talented back on their roster but i’m not putting him down as a top 10 RB. 

Regan’s Prediction (3/19/2013): 1,150 total yards 5 TDs, putting him in my 15-18 range for RBs

With Tony Gonzalez delaying retirement another season, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

There are three guarantees in life; Death, Taxes and Tony Gonzalez as a top-10 tight end. Outside of his rookie year in 1997, Gonzalez has ranked in the top-10 the past 15 seasons and in the top-5 the past two. It appeared retirement was eminent after a brutal loss in the NFC Title game; even Gonzalez himself said he was “95% sure” 2012 would be his last season.

Good news for the Falcons and NFL diehards, as he will return for his 13th season and we have little doubt that his production will be anything less than the usual from #88.

Adam’s Prediction (3/13/2013): 85 catches, 900 yards and 9 TDs and remains the cream of the tight end crop

From Regan Yant (@reganfp);

Man is this guy starting to sound Brett Favre-ish.  We thought you were 97% sure?  I don’t blame Tony Gonzalez for wanting to come back.  Last year was the first time he had ever won a playoff game in his entire career!  To finally taste playoff victory after having arguably the greatest career for a tight end ever, only to come up short in the Super Bowl quest would leave a bad taste in my mouth and have me craving for more.  The Atlanta Falcons are primed and loaded for another run at the Lombardi Trophy, why not give it one last shot?  I don’t have Atlanta as my Super Bowl favorite, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up on top.  If anybody deserves to ride off into the sunset with a championship, it’s Tony Gonzalez.

Regan’s Prediction (3/12/2013): 91 catches, 878 yards and 8 TDs putting him right back in the top 5

With Percy Harvin’s trade to Seattle, let’s take a look at his fantasy prospects in 2013.

From Adam Rainbolt (@adamrainbolt);

With his general malaise in Minnesota in the rear-view mirror and a fat contract extension awaiting him in the Emerald City, Percy Harvin will enhance a team already loaded with playoff-caliber talent and be one of the more interesting fantasy stories going into the season.

In 2012, former-Vikings castoff Sidney Rice and Golden Tate put up 50 and 45 catches respectively; Harvin should easily surpass those numbers. Add in Harvin’s abilities on kickoffs and in the backfield and you have a player who can score points many different ways and would be a welcome addition to any fantasy roster.

The NFC West just got tougher.  With the trade of Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks for a package of draft picks the odds-makers in Las Vegas lowered the ‘Hawks Super Bowl odds from 10-1 to 5-1, matching the 49ers as the teams with the best odds of making the Super Bowl.  Percy Harvin should catapult into solid top 10 territory. 

With the release of Leon Washington I expect him to take over kick return duties, which helps in leagues that award points for that.  He should really help Russell Wilson in the screen game as the young QB can look for him to dump the ball and use his open field skills.  He should take some pressure off Sidney Rice also, enough so that I feel Rice will have a better season than last year statistically.  Finally, his presence should keep defenses honest enough that I feel Marshawn Lynch slides into top-5 territory.  They won’t be able to stack the box to stop Seattle’s run game when Harvin in the slot can beat them over the top on a slant.  This team should be dangerous this year and I am excited to watch NFC West games this year, despite my love for the Cardinals.

Regan’s Prediction (3/13/2013): 72 catches, 835 yards and 5 TDs receiving, 358 yards and 2 TDs rushing, 2 Kick Return TDs, making him a borderline top 10 WR