Ranking Arizona’s 5 Best Fantasy Football Players

4. Carson Palmer:

May 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

If you are like me, you usually wait until the fifth round to select your starting quarterback. If you want to talk about a potential steal at the quarterback position in fantasy football, there is no better candidate than Carson Palmer.

In 2012 Palmer threw for 4,108 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on 565 pass attempts. The Oakland Raiders where often behind in football games which meant that Palmer  was forced to throw often on obvious pass situations. The good news is that the Cardinals will most likely rely heavily on the pass in 2013.

The Cardinals drafted athletic offensive guards who excel in pass protection. If there is anything that bothers a non-mobile quarterback like Palmer, it’s interior pressure, which is why the team invested in interior protection in the offseason. If the offensive line can protect Palmer, then he will have the opportunity to find playmakers down the field.

What will make or break Palmer’s season in 2013 is the quality of play that the team receives from the skill positions on offense. We all know about Larry Fitzgerald, but if players like Rob Housler and Michael Floyd can have breakout seasons in 2013, then the quarterback will be the one who benefits the most.

If you want a late round gem at the quarterback position, look no farther than Carson Palmer.