As Cam Newton told us on Sunday when he crossed the pylon on his first snap of 2021: He’s baaaaaack. Although Patriots fans across New England most likely puked at the sight of Newton on a football field, all the man does is put up fantasy points, and that’s what we care about here.
As we know by now, the Sam Darnold reclamation projection came to an abrupt end when he was placed on IR with a shoulder injury. As a result, Matt Rhule dialed up the franchise’s all-time leading passer and former league and fantasy MVP to return to Carolina.
Cam’s back
pic.twitter.com/b6BSSHheoT— Roto Street Journal (@RotoStJournal) November 14, 2021
Backing up XFL legend PJ Walker, Newton made an impact right away. He rushed in a touchdown and then found Robby Anderson in the end zone on his ensuing snap. That’s right, he finished 3-of-4 for eight yards and a score, along with 14 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground — which was good for 12 fantasy points on a very limited snap count.
After giving Newton a ridiculous contract for the remainder of the season, he will get the majority of first-team reps and is in line to start Week 11 and beyond.
Rhule Monday says he loves Newton’s energy: “I don’t want Cam-lite. I want the full Cam. "
"We’ll give Cam most of the reps and get him up to speed as much as possible.”
Says if he’s ready, he could start against Washington.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) November 15, 2021
Now, no one is going to confuse 2021 Cam with 2015 Cam. His arm is shot and he had issues completing intermediate throws last season for the Patriots. He threw a pathetic eight touchdowns to 10 interceptions, but he finished QB16 due to his 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. The Konami Code upside remains real and his passing should only improve with an improved surrounding cast that features Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, and more.
Next, Newton and the Panthers get a Washington Football Team defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He then gets a very favorable schedule with Miami, Atlanta, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans. If Joe Brady can put him in favorable situations and isn’t afraid to run him into the ground, then he could arguably be a rest of season fantasy QB1.
The Wolf agrees. He has Newton QB13 overall (+12 vs ECR) on his Rest of Season Fantasy Big Board.
