Peyton Manning, QB
After having multiple neck surgeries and missing the entire 2011 season, Manning had a spectacular comeback with his new team. His 4,659 passing yards was sixth best in the NFL, his 37 TD passes third-best and his 68.6% completion percent led the league. Each number was the second-best in his long career. Manning started all 16 games, as he has done every year except for 2011. And now Wes Welker gives Manning yet another top receiver.
Demaryius Thomas, WR
After catching 54 passes for 834 yards and six TDs over his first two seasons, Thomas broke out with 1,434 yards (fourth-best) on 94 receptions for 10 TDS (both top ten). Thomas was the number one WR on Denver last year with 18 more targets and 370 yards more than Eric Decker. The addition of Welker does not threaten his status as a number one and could even enhance it as opponents have another receiving threat to worry about. Thomas was the first WR picked in 2010, going 22nd overall, two spots ahead of Dez Bryant.
Wes Welker, WR
Welker tied for second in receptions with 118 and was fourth in targets with 175 in his final season with the Patriots. On a new team that already has two top receivers in Thomas and Decker, Welker figures to see his enormous targets total take a hit, but a player who has totaled over 1,300 receiving yards in three of the last four seasons should continue to be highly productive with Manning throwing to him.
Eric Decker, WR
Decker, a third-round pick in 2010 when Thomas went in the first round, also had a breakout season, with 85 receptions for 1064 yards. His 13 receiving TDs were second-best in the NFL. Even without the additional of Welker, Decker would probably not have that many TDs again, and Welker could cut into his other totals.
Montee Ball, RB
With the release of Willis McGahee, Ball, a second-round pick out of Wisconsin, is positioned to win the starting job or at least pick up plenty of carries in a share. Ball led the NCAA in rushing yards with 1923 in 2011 and was third in 2012 with 1830, rushing for 55 TDs over the two seasons.
Ronnie Hillman, RB
Hillman, a 2012 third-round pick, is competing with Ball for the starting job. Hillman rushed for 327 yards and one TD. Also in the mix is Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for 525 yards and four TDs, but injured his knee in the playoffs and needed offseason surgery.
Did you know?
Peyton Manning’s 37 TD passes in 2012 was the second-highest total in his career.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm
Jon Lewin is a fantasy football expert who writes for a variety of top sites. He also writes on fantasy baseball. In addition, he plays in a variety of fantasy football leagues.
