QB Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals

2006 Stats: 2547 passing yards, 13 total TDs, 12 INTs
Projected 2007 Stats: 3420 passing yards, 20 total TDs, 15 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: 7th Round
Quarterbacks to be Picked ahead of Matt Leinart: Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Matt Leinart: Matt Leinart started looking more and more comfortable as his rookie season progressed. In Week 12, he torched the Vikings for 405 passing yards and two touchdowns. Leinart was able to throw for over 2500 passing yards despite being held out of four games. If Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald can avoid injury in 2007, then Leinart should rack up some healthy numbers in his first full season.   

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Matt Leinart: With the loss of Leonard Davis to their offensive line, coupled with the lack of a potent running game in Arizona, Leinart will likely face constant pressure from opposing defenses. Leinart averaged one interception per game in 2006, and he only passed for more than 253 yards in one game.  He also had eight fumbles in just 12 games.   

Bottom Line: Leinart appears to be poised beyond his years, and he has the potential to be a star in the NFL.  That being said, he is just in his second season, and he will likely need more time to develop.  Since the Cardinals appear to lack the ability to move the chains running the ball, thus allowing defenses to use an extra defender to pressure Leinart, he should be viewed as a lower tier No. 1 Quarterback, flirting with being a fantasy reserve.   

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