DLF’s Weekly Impact Events
Finally, after a seemingly never-ending wait, football is upon us. Training camps are opening and the news cycle is busier than ever. 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!
Now that we’ve entered the training camp and preseason, the next few weeks will be filled with positive and negative reports of almost every NFL player. Much of the “news” will be speculation about the futures of individual players. While this can be important, it can also be a challenge to determine the validity of certain reports. I will include many of these reports and share my opinion about how the player’s value might be affected, for better or worse.
Here is a quick look at the events of the past week and how they impact players on your team:
Percy Harvin, WR SEA
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed the report this week that wide receiver Percy Harvin, whom the team acquired via trade with the Minnesota Vikings this off-season, might require surgery to repair a torn labrum. While the option of surgery is not definite, the report sent the dynasty world in a tailspin as the first huge news of training camp. Early reports have Harvin out up to six months should he undergo the surgery. Obviously, this affects Harvin’s dynasty value greatly, but he would be a great buy low if his owners were willing to part with him. Seahawks wideouts Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin could see a slight bump in value as a result of any long-term missed action. Rest assured, we’ll have much more on the injury in the coming weeks. Remember, we have the Dynasty Doctor!
Donald Jones, WR FA
The New England Patriots have waived wide receiver Donald Jones, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. When the Patriots signed Jones early in the off-season, he became a hot waiver pickup in dynasty leagues, yet he didn’t even make it to camp. The Patriots remain thin at the wide receiver spot and will seemingly focus on getting rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce involved in the gameplan.
Kendall Hunter, RB SF
The San Francisco 49ers placed backup running back Kendall Hunter on the active/PUP list following his Achilles tear last season. This is not the same PUP list that would ensure he misses the first six games of the season, and it is also not a surprise move, but it does suggest that Hunter may be ready sooner rather than later. It was also reported this week that the Achilles tear he endured was only a partial tear, another good sign for Hunter. Finally, a local beat reporter suggested Hunter is a lock for more touches than fellow backup LaMichael James. Hunter’s value was decimated after the injury, but it appears to be on the rise with these positive reports. He’s a great stash, especially when pairing him with James or rookie Marcus Lattimore.
Robert Griffin III, QB WAS
In somewhat of a surprise, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III received full medical clearance for the start of training camp. Since his knee surgery six months ago, nearly every report had been positive and most expected Griffin to start week one, but avoiding the active/PUP list is a huge accomplishment and shows Griffin is all the way back. He provides a great value in dynasty leagues, but expect his ADP and general trade value to be on the rise over the next few weeks.
Brent Celek, TE PHI
Beat writers in Philadelphia are saying tight end Brent Celek is now just considered a blocking tight end. Celek had some very promising seasons recently, but was never really able to fully breakout and establish himself as a top fantasy tight end. Despite another solid season in 2011, new head coach Chip Kelly brought in jack-of-all-trades James Casey, as well as rookie Zach Ertz. The writing is on the wall for Celek and he basically has no dynasty value. He has become a roster clogger for dynasty owners. Go ahead and drop him now.
Justin Blackmon, WR JAX
Wide receiver Justin Blackmon was placed on the active/PUP list following his off-season groin surgery. It has been an off-season to forget for Blackmon, who was also suspended for the first four games of the season, along with the surgery. The suspension gives the Jaguars a good excuse to take it slow with Blackmon’s recovery. Expect him to be ready by week five, when he is eligible to return from the suspension. If you are a risk taker, Blackmon is a great buy low option thanks to his tumultuous past few months.
Peyton Hillis, RB TB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed running back Peyton Hillis to a one-year deal. Following his breakout season with the Browns years ago, Hillis disappointed during his stint in Kansas City. This does nothing to the value of young starter Doug Martin, but Hillis could steal the backup job from Michael Smith or Mike James if he can return to his form of 2010. For now, I would use those valuable pre-season roster spots on another option.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB IND
The Colts have placed new running back Ahmad Bradshaw on the active/PUP list. Considering Bradshaw was still in a walking boot after the team signed him last month, this is no real surprise. There’s little reason to think he won’t be ready for week one, but Bradshaw is always a player to watch when it comes to injuries. If he can prove he’s healthy, he’s likely to earn the lion’s share of carries for the Colts and to see a short term bump in dynasty value.
Santonio Holmes, WR NYJ
We’ve covered this extensively the past few weeks, but Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes was placed on the active/PUP list. It is a bad sign that he still is not ready for action in his recovery from a Lisfranc foot injury after nearly a year of rehab. Local beat writers report there is growing concern that Holmes will not be ready for week one. There have also been rumors this week that the Jets may part ways with the wide receiver sooner than expected. Despite all of the bad news regarding Holmes this season, a release from the Jets would actually help his dynasty value.
Mike Williams, WR TB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a six-year extension this week, paying him $15 million in guaranteed money. Williams has been one of the most consistent wide receivers during his first three years in the league (other than in the touchdown department) and is an excellent complement to veteran Vincent Jackson. Williams has been severely underrated in dynasty circles and makes for a great buy heading into the season.
Jake Locker, QB TEN
Titans quarterback Jake Locker will reportedly start all four preseason games. This is another sign of the lack of confidence the team has in Locker and they are essentially asking him to prove he deserves the starting job, especially in week four, when most established starters will be on the sidelines. If he cannot improve this season, the team will likely draft his replacement next spring. Locker’s dynasty value is at his lowest point of his professional career. If you still believe in his talent, now is the ideal time to buy low.
Chaz Schilens, WR DET
The Detroit Lions signed wide receiver Chaz Schilens, formerly of the Raiders and more recently the Jets. Schilens started a handful fo games for the Jets last season and it is a bad sign that the wide receiver starved team was not interested in retaining him. Instead, he will compete with Mike Thomas, Patrick Edwards and Kris Durham for a roster spot. Behind Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles, Schilens has no dynasty value.
Braylon Edwards, WR NYJ
There has been much speculation about the wide receiver position for the New York Jets. After all, their depth chart is filled with some combination of injury and inexperience. This week, they signed veteran wideout Braylon Edwards, who was also with the team last season, to a one-year pact. This says much about the Jets situation, but Edwards is expected to line up as a week one starter. As I’ve said before, the Jets are not a team I want to focus on when filling out my roster this year. Edwards has failed to catch more than twenty balls the past two seasons. He has very little, if any, dynasty value.
Eric Winston, RT ARI
It is not often that we talk offensive line in this column, but the Arizona Cardinals have signed left tackle Eric Winston, formerly of the Texans, to bolster what most consider the worst line in football. Winston’s is an interesting case as he was expected to be one of the most sought after free agent offensive linemen, yet went this long without signing a deal. Most think this has to do with his asking price. Regardless of that situation, as long as he’s healthy, he gives a big boost to that line which could help running back Rashard Mendenhall find some larger holes.
Ryan Swope, WR ARI
Rookie wide receiver Ryan Swope, whom the Arizona Cardinals selected in the sixth round of last spring’s draft, has retired due to lingering symptoms from the multiple concussions he suffered while at Texas A&M. It’s a sad story for a promising player, but Swope seems to be making a wise decision for his long-term health.
Jonathan Stewart, RB CAR
As expected following his off-season ankle surgeries, the Carolina Panthers have placed running back Jonathan Stewart on the active/PUP list. Reportedly, his right ankle is now in worse shape than his left and there is no timetable for his return to the field. Stewart’s dynasty value will continue to tumble, while veteran DeAngelo Williams will see a boost thanks to his likely role as starter.
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