Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

After finishing fourth in points in 2010 and placing second in points in 2011 to Tony Stewart by one measly point, Carl Edwards had a completely miserable 2012 NASCAR season.

In his forgettable 2012 campaign, Edwards finished in 15th place with 1,030 total points. It was the worst showing since his first full season in the sport all the way back in 2004. His average finish was 16th place, which was also his worst statistical finish since his true rookie year. Edwards failed to win a single race last year, so needless to say, he left a couple fantasy NASCAR owners scorned.

Edwards even failed to make the Sprint Cup Chase last year for only the second time that he has missed the finals in his eight-year career. Many fantasy NASCAR fans had high hopes for him last season, only to see him crash and burn.

However, that is no reason to give up on him heading into 2013. In his two glory years of 2010 and 2011, Edwards still only won three combined races, so he has never racked up fantasy numbers by wins alone. He is also one of the more low-key drivers out there, so fantasy owners don’t have to worry about him throwing any helmets or getting into a fistfight with Clint Bowyer.

Edwards even finished the year rather strong with two consecutive top-12 finishes. He was finally starting to look like his former self as the season concluded, so there is certainly a reason to be optimistic heading into the 2013 season.

Look for Edwards to put last year in the rearview mirror and get back to racing hard. Edwards will easily fall out of the top-six drivers this fantasy season due to his recent struggles, but he will still prove to be a great value pick week after week.

Adam McGill is the Fantasy Sports Network Manager at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.