Number one overall pick Cam Newton exploded for a NFL rookie debut record 422 yards and 2 TD’s and a rushing TD on Sunday quieting all of his critics in the process.
He had a ton of help from elite receiver Steve Smith who hauled in eight receptions for 178 yards yards, they look to be forming quite the dynamic duo.
No rookie QB has ever thrown for over 400 yards in his debut and while he will not get to face off against cornerbacks as inexperienced as the Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson and A.J Jefferson every week this is a very auspicious sign for a quarterback and draft choice that was slammed by ‘word-eating’ so-called analysts this summer.
Fantasy Impact:
Cam Newton is a must-add in all leagues. As mentioned above he will not put up these sort of stellar numbers every week, or perhaps never again in his career but he has proven that he can be a more than capable QB2 in one QB leagues and would be an excellent bye week filler option in two QB leagues. Newton is currently available in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Steve Smith has just leaped from flex territory to WR2 status in one game, and should Newton show that he can consistently find Smith open Smith will regain his WR1 status. Steve Smith is a very happy man with Netwon under center as opposed to Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen.
Jonathan Stewart gets a fantasy boost with Cam Newton in the lineup as Stewart is better at blitz pickup and thus should slowly but surely take the snap count lead over DeAngelo Williams. He is still nothing more than a flex option but the upside is there.
Greg Olsen figures to be a serviceable TE1 all season depsite the presence of another talented tight end in Jeremy Shockey. Olsen almost found the end zone on Sunday and as defenses other than Arizona’s key in on Smith a little harder after his week one explosion Olsen will become the main beneficiary.
