The red zone in the NFL is where fantasy football matchups are won and lost and dynasty value is mined. Championships are built, or torn down, as a team marches towards the end zone. Here is a breakdown of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers red zone turnover from 2014 and the changes in store for 2015:
Baltimore
Biggest 2014 Departure
Torrey Smith 16, Owen Daniels 15 opportunities
2015 Impact
The run game stays intact from 2014 with Justin Forsett getting plenty of fantasy juice, coming off a career year and the arrival of Marc Trestman. Despite an impressive season, Forsett was not a dominant force in the red zone. Lorenzo Taliaferro and Bernard Pierce totaled 36 red zone looks between them. Forsett had 52% of the team’s backfield red zone opportunities.
The Ravens pass game is in line for a significant shift in 2015. Steve Smith logged 20 red zone chances last season as a non-ideal league leader. Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels combined for 31 targets between and both departed this offseason. Crockett Gillmore and rookie Maxx Williams project as a low-level committee at tight. I give huge, but lumbering Gillmore the edge for goal line looks and a handful of vulture scores from close range. At wide receiver, Breshad Perriman will be given every opportunity to be a weekly starter and get close to double-digit red zone targets. Marlon Brown saw 14 red zone targets in 2013, but got lost in the shuffle last season. Kamar Aiken is a thick option and do not forget about slot options in Michael Campanaro and DeAndre Carter for preseason notes. The upside play is Breshad Perriman if he transitions well to the NFL. Steve Smith, even with a decline, is a good bet to see 10-15 red zone chances.
