DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

The 2012 fantasy football playoffs are underway. You have to pay close attention to everything in order to stay on top of your dynasty league. For most of us, we do well to steal some time away from our families and jobs to watch the games on Sunday. It becomes difficult to monitor the daily happenings around the league and even more demanding to process how that news affects your dynasty team.

That’s why we’re here!

Each week there are many news items that are important and helpful in the day-to-day managing of your fantasy team, yet have little affect on the dynasty value of players. Because of this, I will not be mentioning those here.

Here is a quick look at the events of the past week and how they impact the players on your team:

Joique Bell, RB DET

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell continues to see an increasing role in the offense and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan says he will continue to use Bell extensively. Bell has been near the 100 overall yard mark the past two weeks as he and starter Mikel Leshoure have shared carries recently. Bell is becoming a decent starting option as a RB3 or flex.

Doug Martin, RB TB

Following his huge four game span in the middle of the season, Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin has struggled somewhat of late. The good news is that a disappointing game for Martin could still include nearly 100 total yards or a touchdown. Martin has totaled over 1,600 yards already this season, along with eleven touchdowns. He has put himself in the conversation to be a top five dynasty running back and a first round startup pick this off-season.

Taiwan Jones, RB OAK

This week, Raiders running back Taiwan Jones revealed that he would be open to switching positions from running back to cornerback. Jones has been little used on offense and is buried on Oakland’s depth chart, and him admitting that he may not make it as a running back is terrible news. Jones only has 21 rushing yards on the season and even with injuries to starter Darren McFadden and backup Mike Goodson, Jones was unable to see increased touches. Even though head coach Dennis Allen mentioned plans to take a long look at the young players on his roster, Jones has no dynasty value.

Armon Binns, WR MIA

Wide receiver Armon Binns was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals and then claimed by wide receiver needy Miami Dolphins. Binns started early in the season for the Bengals, but eventually lost snaps to younger wide receivers. He has eighteen catches for 210 yards and one score on the season. The Dolphins are expected to add at least one wide receiver this off-season, so Binns may not have a long-term role in South Beach.

Brandon Jacobs, RB SF

San Francisco 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs expressed his frustration with his role on the team, then was suspended for the final three games for conduct detrimental to the team. Even though he had played sparingly this year, there were some thoughts Jacobs would see an increased role when backup Kendall Hunter was lost for the season. Even with the injury, Jacobs has only totaled seven yards on the season. He will be searching for a new team this off-season, but is unlikely to find many suitors.

Montell Owens, RB JAX

The new starting running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Montell Owens, had a very solid week, rushing for 91 yards and a touchdown. Owens might be a decent option for fantasy teams in the playoffs, but he has little or no dynasty value. Owens is a traditional fullback and starter Maurice Jones-Drew is expected back next season, if not later this year.

Danario Alexander, WR SD

Chargers wide receiver Danario Alexander continued his breakout season, catching two more touchdowns this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the past five games, Alexander ranks as the WR4 overall and has scored five touchdowns over that same span. Alexander’s injury history limits his dynasty value somewhat, but he has certainly burst onto the scene and his value is quickly rising.

Kenny Britt, WR TEN

After being pleased with the Tennessee Titans change at offensive coordinator a couple of weeks back, wide receiver Kenny Britt finally had his breakout game of the season, catching eight balls for over 140 yards. Britt has dealt with injuries and suspensions, and changes at quarterback this season and has never been able to live up to his potential. Although his dynasty value has taken a slight hit, he is still a talented young wide receiver and could be a bargain this off-season in startup drafts or in trade talks.

Marvin Jones, WR CIN

Rookie wide receiver Marvin Jones of the Bengals has taken over where fellow rookie Mohamed Sanu left off before his injury. Jones totaled over eight yards last week, his best game of the season. With Jones and Sanu both impressing at times this season, the Bengals look to be set at the wide receiver position, along with second year men AJ Green and Andrew Hawkins. Although all have flashed at times this season, having so many options (with Green clearly being the top threat) limits the group as a whole.

David Wilson, RB NYG

Many NFL and fantasy experts have been high on the New York Giants rookie running back David Wilson, despite his early season struggles. In last week’s game against the Saints, Wilson began to show what everyone likes so much. Wilson gained 100 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns, on top of 227 kick return yards and another touchdown. The 327 all-purpose yards are a new Giants team record and could be a sign of things to come for Wilson, with starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw injured once again. Wilson would have made a fine buy low this off-season, but his dynasty value just exploded with that one game.

Fred Jackson, RB BUF

Bills running back Fred Jackson suffered an MCL injury in week 14 and was placed on the injured reserve list, ending his season. Despite his age and recent injury history, Jackson is likely to return to the Bills next season, although many dynasty owners are hopeful that the starting job will finally be handed to the much more explosive CJ Spiller. It is hard to envision Jackson as being a reliable fantasy starter next season, placing his dynasty value up in the air.

DeJuan Harris, RB GB

Earning some carries for a team desperate for production at running back, the Packers DeJuan Harris played well in his season debut, gaining 31 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. Don’t rush to add Harris to your dynasty roster yet, but he will be a player to watch as the NFL’s regular season winds down.

Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina

Running back Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina, who suffered the devastating knee injury earlier this season, has declared for the upcoming NFL draft. Lattimore was considered the slam dunk top overall choice for dynasty rookie drafts before the injury, and considering the lack of depth in the running back class, he could still be a first round rookie pick. Lattimore will be unable to work out for scouts or at the NFL Combine, but could still be a mid-round pick in the real draft. Expect to wait at least a full season to see any production from the talented runner.

Jared Cook, TE TEN

The Titans placed starting tight end Jared Cook on the injured reserve list with a torn rotator cuff. Cook had been a serviceable fantasy tight end this season, but has never really lived up to the expectations many held for him. Cook is entering free agency and had been unable to work out a long-term contract with Tennessee. Now, he’ll hit the open market, albeit after suffering an injury that will require surgery.  In dynasty leagues, Cook may never become a difference making tight end. It will also be interesting to see if the team gives any increased playing time to raw rookie Taylor Thompson, who has played very little this season.

Brian Hoyer, QB ARI

The Arizona Cardinals claimed quarterback Brian Hoyer off waivers from the Steelers, adding him to the duo of John Skelton and Ryan Lindley, who have both been dreadful this season. The team also placed former starter Kevin Kolb on the injured reserve list, concluding his season. While it is possible the team turns to Hoyer at some point in the season’s final three weeks, it is doubtful he will have any success behind that offensive line. Hoyer, along with Lindley and Skelton, have no dynasty value, currently.

Dwayne Bowe, WR KC

After breaking two ribs in the week 14 game, the Chiefs placed wide receiver Dwanye Bowe on the injured reserve list, ending his season, and most likely, his career with Kansas City. Bowe will be a hot free agent this off-season and is almost certain to be with a new team in 2013. Until we know where he might land, his dynasty value will remain unchanged.

Braylon Edwards, WR NYJ

The New York Jets claimed wide receiver Braylon Edwards off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks. Edwards has less than 100 receiving yards on the season, but the Jets needed another wideout following the injury to rookie Stephen Hill. Edwards will be 30 years old by the beginning of the 2013 season and the final three weeks of this season may be his last shot to prove he has something left.

Join us next week as take our normal Friday look at the league.

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