Training camp has arrived and now is the perfect time to get a head start on your fantasy football research. We will learn a lot about every player in camp, but some players stand the most to gain or lose in camp. These players are generally newcomers to their current NFL team or just players who may see an increased or decreased role due to the supporting cast around them.
In this series, it will be our job to highlight these players in an effort to help you get ahead of the game in your research. Today, wrap up the South divisions with the NFC South, one of the NFL’s highest-scoring divisions. Let’s dive in.
(Keep up with the whole series here.)
Devin Funchess, WR, Carolina Panthers
Funchess enters his third NFL season in a weird spot. In year one, he was vaulted up draft boards after the Kelvin Benjamin season-ending injury. He didn’t live up to expectations. In year two, he was a post-hype sleeper pick that rose up draft boards in late August. Funchess once again disappointed. His draft stock has plummeted and now might be the perfect time to buy on the third-year former second-round pick.
The narrative: Funchess can be a post post-hype sleeper (and late-round flier)
In year three, Funchess seems primed to finally play a big role in the Panthers offense. With Ted Ginn and Philly Brown gone, Funchess is projected to start opposite Benjamin. Earlier this offseason, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera admitted the offense could’ve used Funchess better. Funchess played just 493-of-1,108 (44 percent) offensive snaps in 2016 and has played just 44 percent of total offensive snaps over his first two seasons. If he does emerge as the starter, he could see another 300 snaps in 2017. On just 44 percent of the snaps, Funchess has still managed nine touchdowns and 15.6 yards per catch over two seasons.
What reports to focus on: The Panthers plan to debut a new-look offense in 2017 predicated on getting the ball out of Cam Newton’s hand fast. It will be important to keep an eye on the new personnel and formations the Panthers use with new weapons Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel added to the offense. Obviously, you’ll want to read about Funchess running with the first team on the vast majority of first-team snaps — this is the most important factor in a potential breakout.
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