Carson Palmer
  • Carson Palmer

  • QB
  • ,
  • 45
  • 230 lbs
  • 6' 5"
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Scouting report

by Bob Harris

ARI QB Carson Palmer - 2017 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

In what seemed inevitable -- especially after WR Larry Fitzgerald announced he would play in 2017 -- Carson Palmer informed the Cardinals he, too, would return for another season earlier. Despite a slow start (and a game missed due to concussion) last season, Palmer still set a personal high for pass attempts with 597, completing 364 for 4,233 yards to go with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Indeed, Palmer finished the last six weeks of 2016 on a high note, rekindling memories of his 2015 season and making head coach Bruce Arians and GM Steve Keim believe the 37-year-old has more left in the tank. The Cardinals are wisely looking for Palmer's eventual replacement, but the veteran is locked into the starting job for at least one more season.

Fantasy Downside

Palmer was sacked 40 times -- 15 more than in 2015 -- and was hit the third-most in the NFL last season working behind an injury-ravaged offensive line. The Cardinals also had issues at wideout with John Brown absent for stretches due to sickle cell-related reasons and Jaron Brown suffering a torn ACL. Arm fatigue was an issue early last season, according to both Palmer and Arians. The team began holding Palmer out of Wednesday practices down the stretch and then limited his throwing in March and April this year. By the time the Cardinals were wrapping up their offseason program in June, Arians was delighted to find Palmer's arm was "stronger than ever."

2017 Bottom Line

With David Johnson providing a strong presence on the ground and as a receiver, Palmer is primed to carry over last year's late-season surge with Fitzgerald, a hopefully healthier John Brown, J.J. Nelson and Jaron Brown all providing solid downfield weapons. If you're among the ranks of those who believe in drafting your QBs late, keep Palmer on your radar. His current ADP (QB19) makes him a very appealing QB2 with the ability to deliver QB1 numbers any given weekend.

by Brandon Niles

ARI QB Carson Palmer - Week 17, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 17 vs. Los Angeles

Carson Palmer had 284 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks last week and managed not to turn the ball over. Palmer has been uneven at best this season and the Cardinals have chosen to lean wisely on the running game instead over the later part of the year.

Los Angeles is top ten in passing yards allowed this year, but only the Packers, Jets and Browns have given up more touchdown passes. Still, it’s hard to trust Palmer to finish strong after such a disappointing season, and fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.

by Brandon Niles

ARI QB Carson Palmer - Week 16, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 16 vs. Seattle

Carson Palmer had a nice game against the Saints last week, despite losing a shootout 48-41. He wound up with 318 yards and a pair of touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over. Palmer has been inconsistent for much of the year however and it’s hard to trust him week-to-week, especially in tough matchups. This week’s game against Seattle doesn’t figure to be a lucrative one for Palmer. The Seahawks allow the third least touchdown passes to opposing teams this season and will likely keep Palmer from being a solid fantasy option. Owners should look elsewhere if possible.

by Brandon Niles

ARI QB Carson Palmer - Week 15, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 15 vs. New Orleans
Carson Palmer looked bad against the Dolphins last week, throwing for 145 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions in a loss. He hasn’t looked right for much of the season and the Cardinals have stumbled to a 5-7-1 record as a result.

This week, Palmer could rebound against the Saints. Weather won’t be a factor in an indoor game and the Saints allow the fourth most passing yards per game this season to opposing passers. While New Orleans has looked a little better in recent weeks on the defensive side of the ball, the opportunity is there for Palmer to rebound a bit and take advantage of a nice matchup. He’s a borderline starter this week, just outside our top-10.

by Brandon Niles

ARI QB Carson Palmer - Week 14, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 14 vs. Miami

Carson Palmer had 300 yards and three touchdowns against Washington last week as we saw a semblance of the potential that Arizona was supposed to show this year. Palmer has been largely inconsistent and turnover prone this year, but he’s a quality player when he’s able to sling and he’s given enough time to get in a rhythm.

This week, he’ll face a Dolphins defense that was just torched by the Ravens last week, but has overall been average to above average against the pass this year. They allow only 243 passing yards per game and an 88.9 quarterback rating to opposing passers, both top-15 numbers. Palmer has been too inconsistent to trust him on the road this week, even if some of the other weapons in the Arizona offense are poised for good games. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.

by Brandon Niles

ARI QB Carson Palmer - Week 13, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 13 vs. Washington

Carson Palmer had 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Falcons last week, adding an interception and turning in a very average fantasy day. He has been very disappointing this year following an MVP-caliber 2015 season and he should be considered a risky week-to-week start.

This week, he faces a Washington defense that has been very average against the pass this year, giving up 14 touchdowns passes on the year and allowing 252.9 yards per game through the air. Expect Palmer to throw the ball enough to be fantasy relevant, but he’s too risky to bank on as a legit QB1 in most leagues. He should be considered a borderline starter as we have him ranked just outside our top-12 this week.

by Brandon Niles

ARI QB Carson Palmer - Week 12, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 12 vs. Atlanta

Carson Palmer had a pair of touchdown passes last week against the Vikings, but he only had 198 yards and threw two interceptions. Palmer is now tied for fifth most in the league with 10 interceptions this season and he’s looked like a shell of his MVP-caliber form from a year ago.

This week, Palmer should be able to do well against a struggling Atlanta defense that gives up the second most passing yards per game to opposing teams this season. The Falcons have also given up 23 touchdown passes this year, tied for second worst in the league. If you’re desperate, then Palmer is worth considering because of the matchup, but it’s hard to trust him with how poorly he’s been playing outside of 2QB leagues.

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