Just a heads up out there readers: This is a list of the 5 best teams to pick FANTASY players from, not the best teams in the league overall for the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Pittsburgh Steelers were fantasy gold last season. Antonio Brown was the highest scoring fantasy wide receiver last season and has been in the top 3 for quite some time. This year however will be about the supporting cast. Both Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are looking to have big years for the Steelers. Bryant is a 6'4 red zone monster who finished with 8 touchdowns in his rookie season. Wheaton has been more of a disappointment but has been contending with Antonio Brown eating up a ton of targets. Wheaton is not the tallest guy or has the best hands but he definitely has the support of his teammates and quarterback.
It will be interesting to see how the targets are spread throughout the season but look at Brown and Bryant for red zone targets and Wheaton for deep ball duty. The running back situation is pretty clear cut; Le'Veon Bell is the player to own. DeAngelo Williams will only be effective as the starter in the two games Bell is suspended otherwise it's really Bell's show. The Steelers offensive line is pretty solid and they do not have a shutdown defense so expect them to be constantly looking to put up points. Roethlisberger had a career year last season so expect him to be a solid quarterback option in the middle rounds of the draft.
Green Bay Packers:
The Packers have the best quarterback in fantasy football in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has a bunch of solid receiving targets to choose from this season. Jordy Nelson will probably be the first receiver taken on this team because he is truly the Packers number 1 option. Randall Cobb is more of a utility knife for the Packers, he can return kicks, punts, and make plays.
Cobb should be the first wide receiver gone in PPR leagues due to his versatility. The players to breakout will be rookie Ty Montgomery and sophomore Davante Adams. Adams can create space and really make a defense pay for leaving him open while Montgomery is a solid route runner with great hands who has been dominating in camp. In the running game, it's all about Eddie Lacy. Lacy will be the Packers first string back for as long as he is healthy. Lacy is easily a first round pick on an explosive offense that should see the red zone plenty of times.
Denver Broncos:
The Denver Broncos have quite possibly the most legendary quarterback of all time under center, Peyton Manning. Now Manning is old and could retire next year but he is still heads and tails better than most of the QB's in this league. His primary weapons will be Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and C.J. Anderson. The running game will be increasingly important in keeping Manning fresh as well as keeping defenses from keying in on the aging passing game. Anderson will likely play a huge role in the offense this season.
As for Thomas and Sanders some of their production may go down as a result of the enhanced running game. Sanders is expected to spend most of his time in the slot which will limit what he can do in terms of game breaking plays but should get a solid amount of targets in the middle of the field. Thomas will get the majority of targets now that Julius Thomas is gone.
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts have supercharged their offense with the additions of Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, and Frank Gore. Gore will bring stability to the rushing game as well as an added punch for good measure. In an offense that throws so much Gore will stay healthy by having his carries limited and splitting time on the field pass blocking. Johnson will likely have to compete for targets with other top receiver TY Hilton.
Hilton was already a very capable and productive fantasy player so having 2 new star wide receivers competing for their quarterbacks attention is a little concerning however there will be enough targets to go around. Phillip Dorsett is one of my picks for rookie of the year because he has been utterly monstrous in camp. He has the speed of a young DeSean Jackson and the hands of Antonio Brown, this kid is going to be something else when he gets going in this offense. Dorsett should come on in the middle of the season while Johnson and Hilton carry the load to start the seasons. The concern for targets only creeps into the tight end position. Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen should be a little less appealing than Johnson, Dorsett, and Hilton.
Dallas Cowboys:
The Dallas Cowboys have several fantasy weapons that always seem to produce. Dez Bryant is their unequivocal star in the offense; he also had the most touchdowns of any wide receiver in the NFL last season. Bryant is the Cowboys 1st-2nd round pick, but there are a lot of core players that can help you find value in the middle to late rounds of your fantasy draft. The running game is pretty clear cut, none of the Cowboy's RBs have any season ending injuries so they are all still ago for game one.
The most durable back on the roster appears to be Joseph Randle as far as starters go. If you want to see what Randle is about watch his highlights from last season's game against the Jaguars. This is a guy with incredible burst and explosiveness when he hits the hole. He has a great nose for the end zone and is a constant threat in the passing game. The guy to watch in this offense is Gus Johnson. The undrafted free agent has made a name for himself at Cowboy's training camp; he will also get the start in preseason. Johnson will be fighting most likely for the number 2 running back spot and definitely has a shot to overtake Darren McFadden who is often injured.
The Cowboys also have Terrance Williams, Jason Witten, and Cole Beasley as their secondary play makers. Beasley is the newest of the bunch but he has a younger Wes Welker feel to him, he will also be a PPR dream as he is often used as a possession receiver and now a kick returner. Williams is the Cowboy's clear cut number 2 WR and will see more targets than he did last year. The Cowboys have the best offensive line in football so points are pretty much guaranteed.
