Fantasy: Passing/rushing attacks you want a piece of in 2016
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2016 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
Sometimes we look a little too deep in our fantasy research and forget about obvious approaches that help capture fantasy titles.
Drafting quality players in successful offenses is a basic recipe for success. Bad teams sometimes produce big numbers, especially through the air thanks to garbage time, but rostering a piece of stronger attacks is almost always a smart move.
Here's a look at some of the offensive units you should be targeting in your drafts.
Passing Attacks
Pittsburgh Steelers
Players to target: Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton
Even with Roethlisberger missing four games last season, the Steelers still finished with the third-most passing yards. Brown is set up for another record-breaking season, and will help Big Ben deliver mid-level QB1 numbers. Coates is a low-risk upside play, while Wheaton should be able to produce some solid weeks from the slot.
Indianapolis Colts
Players to target: Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, Dwayne Allen
Without Luck, the Colts offense floundered in 2015, but his return will restore the fantasy value of every pass-catcher in the lineup. Hilton is an obvious pick, but Moncrief is poised for a breakout campaign and Dorsett will be a factor as the team transitions to more three-receiver sets. Don't count out Allen, who will be busy around the end zone.
San Diego Chargers
Players to target: Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin, Antonio Gates, Danny Woodhead, Tyrell Williams
The Chargers are always near the top of the league in passing offense. Stevie Johnson being out for the season will send more targets towards Allen, and should allow Tyrell Williams to get more snaps. Benjamin will take over the role vacated by Malcom Floyd, and Gates will continue to rack up touchdowns.
New Orleans Saints
Players to target: Drew Brees, Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Michael Thomas, Coby Fleener
Can you remember the last time a Brees-led offense wasn't dominant through the air? Cooks will see the most targets, but Snead and Thomas could return WR3 value. Fleener might be a little overhyped, but Brees has a tendency of making stars out of his tight ends.
Arizona Cardinals
Players to target: Carson Palmer, Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, David Johnson
The Cardinals have arguably the most talented and deep receiving corps in the NFL. Floyd will emerge as a true No. 1 option this season, as Palmer helps his trio of pass catchers top 1,000 yards each.
New England Patriots
Players to target: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Dion Lewis, Martellus Bennett
It may have to wait till Brady returns, but owning any part of the Patriots' aerial attack is beneficial. Brady will come back from suspension with a vengeance and his receiving weapons will reap the rewards. Don't sleep on Bennett, who could be a fantasy starter even playing across from Gronk.
Rushing Attacks
Minnesota Vikings
Players to target: Adrian Peterson, Jerick McKinnon
Mike Zimmer's team is built on stifling defense and a strong running game. Peterson still has plenty of tread left on the tire, but McKinnon will begin to see more touches in hopes of keeping "All Day" fresh for a postseason run. Peterson is a top-five option, with McKinnon being one of the better handcuffs available in drafts.
Buffalo Bills
Players to target: LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams, Reggie Bush, Jonathan Williams, Tyrod Taylor
The Bills were the top rushing team in the NFL last season, with a combined 2,432 yards on the ground. That number is inflated by Taylor's ability to tuck and run, but McCoy and Karlos Williams were both extremely successful behind a revamped Bills offensive line. With Williams suspended for the first four games, McCoy should get off to a very hot start.
Dallas Cowboys
Players to target: Ezekiel Elliott, Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris
Elliott is an elite talent running behind an elite group of blockers. The rookie said it best himself: "I think I probably have one of the easiest jobs in America. I get to run behind the best O-line in America." If Elliott were to go down, McFadden would be next, but even Morris could fill the stat sheet behind this line if it comes to that.
Atlanta Falcons
Players to target: Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman
Kyle Shanahan knows how to manufacture a running game, which was evident during his first season with the Falcons. Freeman finished as the No. 1 overall fantasy back, a title that he isn't likely to reclaim due to Coleman's increased involvement. The arrival of star center Alex Mack will only make the Falcons more effective.
Kansas City Chiefs
Players to target: Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West
The Chiefs were one of six teams to rush for over 2,000 yards last season, and that was with Charles missing most of the year. Ware is the handcuff to own, but if Charles goes down again, both backups will have value.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Players to target: Le'Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams
Whether it's Williams early in the season, or Bell once he serves his four-game ban, the Steelers' starting running back will be an an every-week RB1 for fantasy owners. Williams could also prove to be a league-winner once again, if Bell is sidelined by injury or another suspension.