Cam Newton has been an absolute fantasy stud since entering the NFL, but much of his fantasy value comes from his legs. Newton has never had less than 6 rushing touchdowns and 585 yards on the ground in a season. That might change this year, as he continues to nurse a broken rib suffered in August and is still recovering from an off-season ankle surgery.
Coach Ron Rivera, when asked when Newton can expect to stop receiving treatment for both injuries, told the Charlotte Observer, "Probably sometime in February, in all honesty. Because it's going to go with the position and the way he plays. He plays hard and he plays where he cuts it loose. It's going to be like that. He'll have the nagging soreness constantly."
Constant soreness is not the prognosis you want to hear for your starting fantasy QB. Especially a guy you expected to have a top-five season. Newton's run-heavy approach was lessened in his first start in week two when he attempted a career low three rushes (not counting a kneel-down).
"Rivera acknowledged teams may not respect Newton's rushing ability this season as much as they have in previous years, when he averaged more than 677 rushing yards per season in his first three years," wrote the Observer's Jonathan Jones.
Bottom line: you need to have a strong back up option if you're planning on staying with Newton this season. Given all of the turnover at the receiver position and a good chance Newton won't be 100% at any point this season, a waiver wire pickup for someone like Kirk Cousins or a trade for a guy like Andy Dalton is a necessity. Newton has got immense talent, but his mobility is his strongest fantasy asset. Without that, even with rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin looking like the real deal, another top five season from Newton could be too good to be true.
