There are several things to take into account when choosing quarterbacks and other offensive players for your fantasy football team. In relation to a player’s schedule for the season impacting their outlook, is the level of competition within their division.
Some divisions, who sport higher-ranked defenses could obviously pose more of a threat to a player’s overall fantasy value. Whereas, some divisions with weaker defenses could actually work in the favor of some fantasy players.
Let’s look at a few teams and their key players who either play in a division with more threatening defenses, or softer defenses and how this might impact their fantasy football draft stock down the road in 2014.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, NFC South
Ryan, and basically most of the Falcons’ offense struggled in 2013, particularly against their own division, which includes the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2014, the Falcons play against their own division, which all have defenses ranked in the top 16, in six matchups throughout the season. Currently, the Panthers boast the NFL’s second-best defense, and the Buccaneers and Saints defenses are ranked 11th and 12th.
Being pitted up against their own divisions’ stiffer defenses definitely could pose some weeks where Ryan, along with offensive players like Roddy White and Steven Jackson will struggle, affecting their fantasy value. Julio Jones, if he returns without limitation, is always a must start, no matter the opponent, but keep in mind he will always be covered by his opponents best cornerbacks.
The last two weeks of the regular season, when fantasy teams are in playoffs, Ryan and team play the Saints at the Super Dome in Week 16, and host the Panthers in Week 17. If your fantasy football team has any shot at a championship, and you have any Atlanta Falcons players on your team, consider who they are going up against, and that the NFC Divisional title could still be up for grabs, presenting further challenge to your Falcons.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers, NFC West
If you’re the risky type, who drafts Kaepernick because of his ability to earn fantasy points both through the air on the ground, you’ll have to consider that he and his team will face the daunting defenses of their own NFC West six times over the 2014 season.
These matchups will include two games each, against the Seattle Seahawks, who hands-down have the scariest defense in the NFL, the Cardinals’ sixth-ranked defense and the Rams’ seventh-ranked defense.
Kaepernick, is nearly a must-start most weeks, however, if you look at his numbers from 2013, he disappointed his fantasy owners pretty badly on some of his outings against his own division. This should be a red flag to watch for when the 49ers are scheduled to meet their divisional rivals in 2014.
We all know Seattle’s best cornerback, Richard Sherman will foaming at the mouth at a chance on causing repeat havoc for Kaepernick and wide receiver, Michael Crabtree. Fortunately, the 49ers do not play the Seahawks until Week 13. However, if you’re relying upon any of the 49ers to lead your fantasy team to championship, note that in the last five games of the regular season, they meet the Seahawks twice and play the Cardinals once.
This surely could affect your fantasy numbers, so strongly consider using replacement players of like value if they have better matchups during this end-of-the-season period.
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles, NFC East
Like a knight in shining armor, Foles came to the Eagles’ aid after former quarterback, Michael Vick went down with injury, and led his team, with only one interception, to a 10-6 season in 2013.
Foles and the Eagles belong in this article, because their divisional rivals are the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and New York Giants, all whose teams have defenses that, let’s just say, aren’t exactly defenses you pick for your fantasy team.
Foles, even though the team lost their No. 1 wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, is certainly draft-worthy as a starting quarterback in 2014. He along with key players such as Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, and newly added Darren Sproles should thrive on those weeks where they face their own division, increasing their fantasy football draft stock.
Unlike the two teams mentioned above, if you have any of the Eagles’ elite players on your fantasy football team as the season inches to a close, and you approach your playoffs, they should reward you with even more fantasy points.
If you’re not salivating yet, here are who the Eagles oppose in four of their last five games of 2014. In Weeks 13 and 15, they play the Dallas Cowboys’ worst-ranked defense, the Washington Redskins’ 30th-ranked defense in Week 16 and in Week 17, the Giants’ 17th-ranked defense. Foles and the Eagles' starters should be golden during this period.
When you begin drafting your 2014 fantasy football teams, definitely keep in mind your players’ divisional rivals, because certain weeks will either be a cakewalk, or a potential nightmare for some of your players.