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Fantasy Football Bounce-back Candidates in 2015

With new digs in New Orleans, C.J. Spiller should be a major bounce-back candidate

With new digs in New Orleans, C.J. Spiller should be a major bounce-back candidate

There’s one thing that happens each year, and that is players performing below expectations. Sometimes the expectations were just too high, but then there were times where the situations just didn’t lend themselves to successful campaigns.

A new year brings new players, roles, teams and hopefully a bounce-back season for those that disappointed. The experts have pointed out RBs, WRs and TEs that should fit that category after an offseason of moves.

Draft Wizard Mock Draft Simulator

Q1. Name one RB you expect to bounce-back strong from a disappointing 2014 campaign.

C.J. Spiller (RB, NO)
“You can bet on a return to relevance for C.J. Spiller. Reggie Bush averaged 5.0 receptions per game during his five years in New Orleans before giving way to Darren Sproles, who averaged 5.3 receptions per game in his three years with the team. Even Pierre Thomas totaled 77 receptions in 2013 and that was alongside Sproles. Spiller will challenge for the NFL lead in receptions among running backs, making him a PPR darling. And at the very least, he should merit a carry total more closely resembling the 8.1 carries per game that Bush and Thomas averaged than the 4.3 carries that Sproles averaged. Spiller is a worthy RB2 in all formats and will encroach on RB1 territory in PPR formats.”
Kyle Wachtel (FootballGuys)

Frank Gore (RB, IND)
“It’s easy to select a RB that missed most of last year here, but I’m going to go with a guy who has played every single game the last 4 seasons in Frank Gore. I wouldn’t say he had a “disappointing” 2014, but I bet most aren’t suspecting him to put up even better numbers on the wrong side of 30. Truth is, he will benefit from having an Andrew Luck passing attack to decrease his load, and he should see a huge spike in receptions in this offense and could see double digits total touchdowns for the first time in 6 years.”
Sean Koerner (STATS)

Darren McFadden (RB, DAL)
“I think the obvious answer here is going to be McFadden. 2014 was actually his best season since 2012, but that isn’t saying a lot. At one point, McFadden showed great potential to be a star in the league, but injuries and spotty production plagued his time in Oakland. He’s getting a fresh start in Dallas behind a monster offensive line. He will get his opportunity. There are big question marks. Can he stay healthy? Will he suffer in the Cowboys’ zone blocking scheme as he did when Oakland tried to implement it in 2013? I’ve attested that the line in Dallas will make even mediocre runners look good, so I think DMC has a shot at his best season yet. At RB33 in terms of 2015 ADP, McFadden has the potential to show bounce-back production at a value for fantasy owners.”
Kelly Smelser (Punch Drunk Wonderland)

Doug Martin (RB, TB)
“Last season I had zero interest in Martin. Win for me. This year, my sense is the Muscle Hamster moves back into viable RB2/flex territory. Maybe it’s the final year of his rookie contract. Maybe it’s the belief that Jameis Winston, even with his rookie mistakes, gives the Bucs offense more hope. Charles Sims is a threat, but Martin enters camp atop the depth chart.”
Ben Standig (CSN Washington)

Bishop Sankey (RB, TEN)
“I normally say “No Sankey” when Bishop Sankey’s name gets mentioned, but I think he will have a better year in 2015. QB Marcus Mariota will move around in the pocket which should provide more running lanes for Sankey. He has some good upside as a RB3 in your drafts.”
Dr. Roto (ScoutFantasy)

Andre Ellington (RB, ARI)
“I like Ellington to make some noise this season. He had injury issues last season, which marred his numbers, but still managed to top 1,000 total yards in just 12 games. He has more competition for carries this season, but will still be a huge asset in the passing game. If he can play a full year, I expect Ellington to top 1,000 total yards and score eight or so touchdowns, making him a good buy-low candidate for fantasy teams.”
Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Q2. Name one WR you expect to bounce-back strong from a disappointing 2014 campaign.

A.J. Green (WR, CIN)
“Green is a player who probably played in a handful more games than he should have last year due to injury. His overall numbers were poor, but that’s because he was playing at way less than 100% most of the time. It’s very important to brush off last year and remember that he is an elite WR that should not make it out of the 2nd Round.”
Sean Koerner (STATS)

Andre Johnson (WR, IND)
“For the first 12 years of his career, Andre Johnson has fought to overcome sub-par to mediocre quarterback play. Playing with Andrew Luck will be a dream come true for the veteran, who should also see the easiest coverage in his career with other playmakers lined up around him. Reggie Wayne had no more in the tank than today’s Andre Johnson when he maintained a 100-reception pace during Luck’s first two seasons. There’s a few more cooks in the kitchen these days, but Johnson is the smart bet to lead the team in receptions. 80+ receptions isn’t much to ask for and they should go a longer way in this offense than in Johnson’s previous few years. Expect an improved touchdown rate and WR2 production with upside for the future Hall of Famer.”
Kyle Wachtel (FootballGuys)

Keenan Allen (WR, SD)
“Allen looks primed for a bounce-back year. He is going to lead the Chargers’ offense in targets and is a former 1,000-yard receiver that is very young. Allen can set career highs in 2015. I project Allen to finish with 90 receptions for 1,000 yards and seven or eight touchdowns.”
Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Kenny Britt (WR, STL)
“Remember the youthful burner prospect Kenny Britt? So, he hasn’t worked out as many expected. Interestingly, he is just 26 years old and is getting a chance to start fresh with a new QB in St. Louis. While Nick Foles became shaky and had terrible consistency problems in 2014, he could find success with the Rams. He provides some upside at QB and can sling a deep ball, and that’s good news for Britt. Britt’s career has been largely disappointing, but he has a chance to post his best season yet in 2015. Another value at WR65 in terms of 2015 ADP.”
Kelly Smelser (Punch Drunk Wonderland)

Michael Floyd (WR, ARI)
“Floyd actually set career-highs last season with six touchdowns and a 17.9 yards per catch average. The thing is, he only had 47 receptions and huge chunks of that production came after his fantasy owners bailed on him. Floyd is a legit talent with great red zone size. He could score 8-10 touchdowns, and if his catches are just in the 65-70 range, owners will be rewarded.”
Ben Standig (CSN Washington)

Dwayne Bowe (WR, CLE)
“Could Bowe be any worse than he was last year? Chiefs QB Alex Smith was afraid to throw the ball downfield, but Browns QB Josh McCown will be so desperate for red zone targets that Bowe will be fed near the goal line. I still don’t think he will be more than a WR3, but he could surprise with 900 yards and 7 TDs.”
Dr. Roto (ScoutFantasy)

Q3. Name one QB you expect to bounce-back strong from a disappointing 2014 campaign.

Nick Foles (QB, STL)
“See statements above concerning Kenny Britt. Foles is getting the chance to start anew with St. Louis, and this could be a good situation for him. With Brian Quick, Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin in the offense, Foles has young receivers with potential. Additionally, Tre Mason showed that he can be a more than adequate weapon in the run game and rookie Todd Gurley will factor in to give the Rams some really good offensive potential. While there are question marks across the board and there are certainly some very real concerns about the offensive line in St. Louis, I feel Foles is walking into a potentially good situation. I expect him to bounce back from his train wreck 2014 season.”
Kelly Smelser (Punch Drunk Wonderland)

Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
“Stafford had a down season for his standards, but played much of the year with an injured Calvin Johnson, which is obviously a huge negative for him. Stafford has more weapons than ever in the passing game this year and a healthy Johnson ready to produce big numbers. Don’t overlook Stafford come draft day. He is a quarterback that can score 40-plus touchdowns.”
Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Sam Bradford (QB, PHI)
“All Eagles QB Sam Bradford has to do is stay healthy. If he can play 16 games, there is no doubt hat he can be a top 12 fantasy QB in Chip Kelly’s explosive offense.”
Dr. Roto (ScoutFantasy)

Cam Newton (QB, CAR)
“Look for Newton to bounce back in a huge way after an injury plagued 2014 season. With Deangelo Williams gone and the Panthers drafting Devin Funchess (who has been compared to Jimmy Graham), it’s clear the Panthers want to expand their passing game, even beyond studs like Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen. Look for his production this year to push back up to 30 total pass/rush TDs.”
Sean Koerner (STATS)

Colin Kaepernick (QB, SF)
“The decimation of San Francisco’s roster should actually be a positive for Kaepernick’s fantasy outlook. The 49ers have been supported by a tremendous defense over the past several years and required little from their offense. Opponents should find much more success versus the 49ers in 2015, placing more responsibility on Kaepernick to drive the offense down the field. No longer will they be able to grind out the clock. Despite the loss of Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, and Vernon Davis combine to create a formidable receiving corps. Kaepernick’s rushing ability won’t be going anywhere and his passing volume should only rise. Expect him to finish as a top-12 quarterback.”
Kyle Wachtel (FootballGuys)

Teddy Bridgewater (QB, MIN)
“Fine, it’s probably not fair to consider Bridgewater as “disappointing” considering the rookie status. It’s just that the Vikings offense has a chance to put up serious points with the addition of Mike Wallace and the apparent return of Adrian Peterson plus first round OL T.J. Clemmings. There are sincere playmakers at every position. That includes QB. Decent chance a healthy Bridgewater finishes the season among the top 15 QBs.”
Ben Standig (CSN Washington)

Thank you to the experts for chiming in on who should bounce back in 2015. For more from the featured experts, please follow them on Twitter. Got thoughts on these players? Come share them in our Forums.

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