Warner over Leinart in AZ.

With Kurt Warner being named the starting quarterback in Arizona, those who grabbed Warner late in drafts will be rewarded, as will fantasy owners that handcuffed him with Matt Leinart. The Cardinals were a lot more successful throwing the ball after Leinart’s injury in Week 5 last season, when Warner took over. Leinart started five games last season, and only threw the ball more than 30 times in one game. Warner started 11 games in 2007, and threw the ball more than 30 times in nine of them—and one he left after only two passes due to a torn ligament in his left elbow, and in the other he threw 28 passes. Leinart was a back-up fantasy QB going into the 2008, Warner will be an upgrade. Warner is a mid-to-low end QB1. Warner will throw the ball a lot, but he is also susceptible to the turnover—and injury is a major concern because of his age. Warner averaged 280 yards from Week 7 on, scoring a little over twice a game. Those are numbers of a number one fantasy quarterback—if he stays healthy, he could get to 30 touchdowns this season.  

There will be more balls in the air in Arizona this year, but who benefits the most? Well, the whole offense should receive a boost, but Larry Fitzgerald is Warner’s favorite target, since the 37-year-old quarterback likes chucking the deep ball. Fitzgerald only had one touchdown in the first five weeks of the season, but he finished with 10 touchdowns after Leinart went down with an injury. Anquan Boldin may have been better suited in an offense with Leinart starting, since he wouldn’t be targetting Fitzgerald as much, but the extra attempts with Warner under center should make up for that. Boldin is still a very good pick, especially in PPR leagues—he should be around WR15 on your draft board. Meanwhile, with Warner at quarterback, Fitzgerald’s value goes up. Fitzgerald was a fringe top-five wide receiver with Leinart at quarterback, but with Warner he is a definite top-five guy, maybe top-three.  

Warner has a good rapport with Fitzgerald. During the second-half of 2007, Fitzgerald had monster numbers. He had 767 yards and eight touchdowns from Week 9 on. During that same time frame, Boldin had 563 yards and four touchdowns. A lot of that production came in Week 16 when he had 162 yards and two touchdowns—so Boldin probably won’t be as consistent as Fitzgerald with Warner at quarterback, but overall his numbers will be very good.  

This move can impact running back Edgerrin James positively, since Warner should keep opposing defenses honest. Defenses could stack the box with Leinart at quarterback, but Warner should open things up for James. Don’t move the 30-year-old running back too far up your draft boards, though. Also, slot receiver Steve Breaston becomes a sleeper pick, and possible bye-week replacement. With Boldin looking for a trade, Breaston could break out if Boldin leaves town.