DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell

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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:

Marcus Lattimore, RB SF

49ers rookie running back Marcus Lattimore recently said that he hopes to be back by week ten this season and Sports Illustrated’s Peter King confirms that thinking, saying Lattimore should practice by mid-season. Don’t count on Lattimore to have much impact this season, considering the injury and the depth the Niners enjoy at that running back position, but he is still an excellent stash in expectation of 2014 and beyond.

Golden Tate, WR SEA

It is clear that Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate has a golden opportunity (pun intended) due to the injury to Percy Harvin, but now he has also been pegged as the most impressive player at training camp, according to local beat writers. The Seattle Times also called Tate a player that could become a star at wide receiver. Tate’s dynasty value is clearly on the rise, but now is not the time to buy with all of the hype.

AJ Jenkins, WR SF

After enjoying a bump in his dynasty value after the injury to 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, second year wide receiver AJ Jenkins is again disappointing in 49ers camp. Jenkins has been out of action due to hamstring issues, which has led the team to search the waiver wire for wideout depth. It is becoming more and more difficult to put any faith in Jenkins and his dynasty value is possibly at its lowest point.

Riley Cooper, WR PHI

Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper came under fire over the past week when a video of him using a racially derogatory term hit the media. Cooper spoke to the media and his teammates before eventually being excused from team activities to seek counseling. That ultimately only lasted the weekend as Cooper was back with the team early in the week. The Eagles are desperate for wide receiver help after a couple of injuries, namely to starter Jeremy Maclin, but Cooper could still be on the chopping block after this incident. He currently has no dynasty value.

Stevie Johnson, WR BUF

Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson is dealing with a strained hamstring which could keep him out of action up until the season’s opening week, or even longer. Considering the youth inhabiting the Bills’ offense, especially quarterback EJ Manuel, Johnson was already a risky proposition this season. His dynasty value remains unchanged considering the minor injury, but it’s something to watch as dynasty owner begin to set their week one lineups.

Austin Collie, WR SF

The San Francisco 49ers have signed free agent wide receiver Austin Collie, who has famously dealt with multiple concussions the past few years, not to mention a sever knee injury a season ago. The 9ers are in need of depth at the wide receiver position due to injuries and inconsistent play and are throwing darts. In fact, the team also signed former Titan Lavelle Hawkins. Collie making a full comeback would be a great story, but one more concussion would likely end his career. With roster spots to spare, Collie could be worth a pickup, but he is not a lock to make the final roster.

Tyler Wilson, QB OAK

Rookie quarterback Tyler Wilson has been struggling in Raiders camp and has fallen to fourth on the depth chart, even behind unknown Matt McGloin. Wilson was an early favorite to upset Matt Flynn to earn the starter’s gig, but that is a distant memory now. With little long-term talent at the position, Wilson could get another shot, but will obviously need to show improvement. Wilson is worth hanging onto in deeper leagues considering he’s playing behind Flynn and Terrelle Pryor.

Kevin Kolb, QB BUF

Buffalo Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb, who is competing with rookie EJ Manuel for the starting job, tripped on his way to the practice field and tweaked his knee. He will only miss a few days, but those days are valuable in a tight competition for the starting gig. Most now consider Manuel to runaway with the job. Even if Kolb comes from behind to earn the job, he has no dynasty value and Manuel would be the player to target.

Ryan Williams, RB ARZ

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams has suffered a setback to his knee injury, which required treatment and put him on crutches. When asked about the latest development, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said that Williams roster spot could be affected by his inability to stay on the field. In addition to free agent signee Rashard Mendenhall, the team also drafted Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor to battle for carries. Williams’s value has nearly bottomed out and could soon start getting dropped in dynasty leagues, if he hasn’t already.

Russell Shepard, WR PHI

In the wake of injuries to Eagles wide receivers, undrafted free agent Russell Shepard has emerged and is now considered the favorite to earn the starting job alongside DeSean Jackson. The situation with Riley Cooper, along with the ACL injury to Arrelious Benn have vaulted Shepard’s chances of holding down a roster spot and earning playing time. He’s a solid add from the waiver wire, if someone hasn’t beat you to it.

Chris Polk, RB PHI

Eagles running back Chris Polk has been one of the standouts of training camp and is reportedly pushing Bryce Brown for backup carries. In fact, NFL reporter Daniel Jeremiah has stated he would not be surprised if Polk wins the main backup job. Brown has been criticized for bouncing too many runs outside and had trouble hanging onto the ball when given a chance last season. Polk is an intriguing option, especially for owners of LeSean McCoy.

Latavius Murray, RB OAK

Raiders rookie running back Latavius Murray finally returned to practice after missing the past week of training camp with an unknown injury. The much-hyped rookie also missed the team’s June mini-camp battling a foot injury. His measurables are off the chart, but if Murray can’t stay healthy, his value will be quickly diminishing. Don’t be surprised to see veteran Rashad Jennings hold down the backup running back job early in the season.

Dennis Johnson, RB HOU

After the Houston Texans signed four undrafted free agent running backs, dynasty owners were left to make their best guess on whom to stash. Now, with camp underway, more information is emerging and it appears that Dennis Johnson is the favorite to claim the third running back job behind starter Arian Foster and talented backup Ben Tate. With the success all Texans running backs have enjoyed the past few years, Johnson is clearly worth adding in most dynasty league formats.

Michael Vick, QB PHI

Local reports out of Philadelphia say that veteran quarterback Michael Vick has surpassed Nick Foles in the race to claim the starting job. Vick is clearly more of a redraft option and has little dynasty value, even if he does earn the starting job. Should Foles fail to beat out Vick, he could be cut or traded as the team looks to rookie Matt Barkley for their future. Barkley is the Eagles quarterback with the most long-term dynasty value.

Vince Young, QB GB

The Green Bay Packers signed veteran quarterback Vince Young to a one-year deal. Young is the huge favorite to win the backup job over Graham Harrell and BJ Coleman. Neither player was able to impress in camp, forcing the Packers to make a move. In very deep leagues or leagues starting two quarterbacks, Young is worth adding, while the two young Packers’ reserves can be dropped in all formats and are left with no dynasty value. One or both of them will also be let go by the Packers.

Bilal Powell, RB NYJ

With free agent signee Chris Ivory already battling a sore hamstring, veteran running back Bilal Powell is being listed as the Jets starter. While this could make Powell worthy of a waiver wire add, it means little in the long run. If healthy, Ivory will be the starter. Aside from unproven wide receiver Stephen Hill, he’s the Jets only player with any upside. Powell is worth rostering for now, but expectations should remain low.

Jordy Nelson, WR GB

Packers starting wide receiver Jordy Nelson underwent knee surgery and will miss up to six weeks. It’s a huge blow to the Packers, who already lost veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings to the rival Vikings. This will give Randall Cobb and James Jones even more targets early in the season, but it’s frustrating to Nelson dynasty owners, whose 2012 season was ruined due to nagging injuries. This also makes young wide receiver Jarrett Boykin worthy of a look in deep leagues.

Danario Alexander, WR SD

Chargers wide receiver Danario Alexander suffered a torn ACL that will cost him the 2013 season. It’s a huge blow to the Chargers and the future of Alexander. After making an amazing comeback in the latter half of the 2012 season, Alexander finally looked healthy. Alexander has undergone five surgeries on his left knee, but this injury was to his right knee. Nonetheless, Alexander’s career is in jeopardy. Even with his amazing half year in 2012, Alexander got no sniffs on the open market and landed back in San Diego. As a free agent again in the upcoming off-season, Alexander will be hard pressed to find anyone to give him a shot. The Chargers are left with Malcom Floyd, Vincent Brown and Keenan Allen as their top receivers. Dynasty owners in leagues with no injured reserve spot have to consider dropping Alexander outright.

Daryl Richardson, RB STL

Earlier in the week, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher mentioned that he would be comfortable with a multiple running back committee approach, but his recent comments seem to support second year back Daryl Richardson as the starter. This is just coach speak and we have a long way to go in hashing out this messy situation. In the end, all three backs, including rookie Zac Stacy and Isaiah Pead, will get their share of carries.

Joseph Morgan, WR NO

Saints wide receiver Joseph Morgan, who was competing for the coveted third wide receiver position in New Orleans, suffered a torn meniscus and a partially torn ACL and will miss the entire 2013 season. After showing himself as a deep threat last season, Morgan was penciled in for a larger role and more targets this year. He’s not worth hanging onto except in very deep leagues. Meanwhile, expect Nick Toon, rookie Kenny Stills and newly signed Steve Breaston to battle for the wide receiver position. Breaston has little to no dynasty value, but Toon should be a prime target for dynasty owners.

Zach Sudfeld, TE NE

Undrafted rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld has been one of the hottest names of the off-season, especially since all of the off-field issues with former Patriot Aaron Hernandez, but now he may be living up to the hype. Sudfeld has been running with the first team and looks like he will claim the starting role. That will be very important considering the latest rumor has Rob Gronkowski staying on the PUP list and missing the first six games of the regular season. Clearly, Sudfeld should have been added weeks ago, but if he’s still on your league’s waiver wire, add him now.

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