Week 3 vs. San Francisco
Carson Palmer has been very good to start the 2015 season, following up a stellar Week 1 performance with an efficient day against the Bears in Week 2. While he only threw for 185 yards (and he did throw a pick), he threw four touchdown passes on the day, bringing his season total to seven, which ties Tom Brady for tops in the NFL.
Palmer faces a San Francisco team in Week 3 that is still reeling from getting thrashed by the Steelers last week. The defense won’t be as bad as they were against Pittsburgh, allowing Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 369 yards and three touchdowns, but Palmer should find a lot of open passing lanes against a shaky secondary. He’s a solid starting option in all leagues, ranking inside our top-10.
Week 2 at Chicago
Carson Palmer had a great start to the season, putting up 307 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over the Saints. He also didn’t turn the ball over, making him one of the better fantasy performers in Week 1.
This week, he’ll face a Bears defense with youth and talent, but also with inexperience. The Packers looked a little rusty against them last week to begin the game, but still managed three touchdown passes. Palmer should be considered a nice QB1 option this week, as we have him inside our top 10.
Week 1 vs. New Orleans
Carson Palmer looked sharp in the preseason and he seems healthy after ending last year on IR. He gets to face a New Orleans defense that struggled against the pass last year and is still without big time 2014 free agent acquisition Jairus Byrd in the secondary.
Palmer isn’t going to be confused with the elite players at his position at this stage in his career, but the 35-year-old still has some juice left in him and he has some nice targets to throw to and a good matchup. He should be worth a start for owners streaming QBs or for owners who waited on QB in the draft. We have him just outside our top-10 this week, making him a borderline QB1. He could be a sneaky start against the Saints.
Fantasy Upside
The Cardinals' fortunes are tied to the health of Carson Palmer's surgically-repaired knee. So far, so good. Palmer has been working without limitation (and performing well) since training camp opened. What could be in the works this season are more no-huddle looks as the Cardinals plan to push the tempo. That is a result of the players knowing the offense better, according to HC Bruce Arians, and that could lead to bigger passing numbers with Palmer having a strong trio of wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and second-year speedster John Brown.
Fantasy Downside
Palmer's knee will be worth watching as the exhibition season rolls on. Mobility has never been a big part of the 35-year-old's repertoire, which in the case of his knee injury means we aren't worried about his speed as much as we are his ability to avoid hits and evade opposing pass rushers (especially working behind an offensive line that has given up some hits already in August).
Bottom Line
If Palmer is healthy and the offensive line holds up, he should top the 4,274 passing yards and 24 touchdowns he produced during his first season in the desert in 2013. The next big question is whether he will be able to keep a lid on the turnovers -- he had only four in six games last season after committing 25 the previous year. Expect him to outperform his ADP if he can stay healthy.
Week 10 – Carson Palmer vs. St. Louis
Carson Palmer had a nice game against the Cowboys last week, finishing with 249 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick. He’s been a steady fantasy option since returning from injury in Week 6, and has now thrown 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions all season.
This week, Palmer faces a Rams defense that thrashed the 49ers offensive line last week for eight sacks and has allowed the 8th least passing yards per game so far this year. Palmer is an average option week-to-week, or a fringe starter for fantasy owners looking for a consistent, safe starter, with limited upside. Palmer is a nice bye week filler or streaming option for fantasy owners.
Week 9 – Carson Palmer vs. Dallas
Carson Palmer threw the ball 42 times against the Eagles last week, and wound up with 329 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Palmer once again didn’t turn the ball over, and that’s been the story with him. After years of being pick-prone, he’s only had one interception and one fumble in four starts and has thrown two touchdowns in each game.
This week, he has a tough matchup, limiting his fantasy potential, but he’s still a top 15 option against a Dallas defense that ranks top ten in points allowed and passing touchdowns allowed. Expect Arizona to air it out, but to also continue to lean on Andre Ellington and the run game. Fantasy owners should expect consistent numbers from Palmer as a borderline starter, but he has somewhat limited upside.
Week 8 – Carson Palmer vs. Philadelphia
Carson Palmer has looked good the past couple of weeks since coming back from injury and he finishes last week’s victory over the Raiders with 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He did throw a pick, but ultimately, the Cardinals offense looks good with Palmer under center, and fantasy owners can consider him a viable option again.
This week, Palmer has a decent matchup against a Jekyll and Hyde type of Eagles defense that has looked great some weeks and horrible in others. Ultimately, we expect Palmer to continue his steady ways and put up decent enough numbers to make him a borderline fantasy starter. We have him ranked just outside the top ten, making him a great QB2 or bye week start.
Week 7 – Carson Palmer vs. Oakland
Carson Palmer came back from injury against Washington last week to lead the Cardinals to victory behind 250 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and no turnovers (though he did recover his own fumble once. Palmer fits the Cardinals offense well and he has good weapons to throw to, making him a decent option at quarterback when he’s healthy.
Against the Raiders this week, we have Palmer outside the top fifteen simply because we don’t think the Cardinals will need to pass the ball very often. They’ll likely get up early and run the ball late, as has been the case with Oakland opponents thus far this year. I would expect a couple of touchdowns, increasing his value, but it’s not looking like a prolific passing day for the veteran out of USC.
Week 6 – Carson Palmer vs. Washington
Carson Palmer hasn’t played since Week 1, but he gets a nice matchup if he can return to action against Washington this week. Washington has been torched by opposing passers the past couple of weeks, and Palmer has the kind of tools to exploit a defense that is already struggling to protect the end zone.
Coming off an injury, fantasy owners should use caution when starting Palmer this week, and should keep a keen eye on the injury report as game time approaches, but assuming he’s healthy and ready to go, Palmer is a nice bye week filler option with a good matchup. We have him 15th on our board this week, making him a borderline starter and a nice QB2 or fill-in.
Update:
Palmer looks like he's going to start, but he's still a risky play for fantasy owners despite the great matchup. Coming off an injury that has kept him out since Week 1, it's hard to trust that he'll put up big numbers.
Week 5 – Carson Palmer vs. Denver
Carson Palmer hasn’t played since Week 1 and his status is still up in the air for this week’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Early indications are that he's still experiencing nerve problems that should keep him out. Should he get the start, there’s potential for the Cardinals to need to pass a bit more frequently in order to keep up with the Denver offense, but coming off an injury, we’d advise keeping him on your fantasy bench until we know exactly how healthy he really is.
