DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell Posted On August 16, 2013

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Finally, after a seemingly never-ending wait, football is upon us. Preseason games are in full swing 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:

Daniel Thomas, RB MIA

Comments from both Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman and general manager Jeff Ireland are making it seem like Miami may be considering a running-back-by-committee approach, mixing Daniel Thomas along with Lamar Miller, who most considered the favorite for the job. Miller has seen a dramatic rise in value this off-season and is now being drafted among the top twelve running backs in our most recent series of mock drafts. This report slows down the hype somewhat, but may also give savvy owners a chance to buy Miller at a slightly reduced price. Don’t expect Miller to be cheap, but he may be available when he wasn’t a week ago. As for Thomas, we have seen what he is and you don’t want him on your dynasty roster. Take this chance to trade for Mike Gillislee on the cheap.

Knile Davis, RB KC

Combined with the Jamaal Charles scare early in the week, there have also been reports recently that rookie running back Knile Davis has already claimed the backup running back job. With Charles already banged up, Davis’ value is on the rise and should be rostered in all dynasty leagues.

Plaxico Burress, WR PIT

Veteran wide receiver Plaxico Burress suffered a torn rotator cuff in the preseason’s opening week and will miss the entire 2013 season. Although Burress was not a factor at all in dynasty leagues, it is important to note this is likely the end to his solid career.

Ed Dickson, TE BAL

Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson, considered the favorite to start following the injury to Dennis Pitta, suffered an injury of his own and is now doubtful for week one. Dickson’s hamstring injury led the Ravens to sign veteran tight end Dallas Clark, who is likely to start on opening day. Dickson is still the favorite to start once he returns to action and is worth hanging onto in deeper dynasty leagues. Clark, who had a respectable season for Tampa Bay last year, should not be on dynasty owners’ radars, even in tight end premium leagues.

Keenan Allen, WR SD

Rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen has missed some practice time this week due lingering pain in his left knee, which has affected him since last season at California. Not so long ago, Allen was the favorite to be the top rookie pick in dynasty leagues, but the knee injury and his disappointing numbers in college dragged down his stock. The Chargers are without Danario Alexander for the season and have had scares from both Allen and veteran wide receiver Malcom Floyd this week. San Diego is already considered one of the favorites for the top pick in the 2014 draft.

Kenbrell Thompkins, WR NE

Patriots undrafted free agent Kenbrell Thompkins continues to play with the first team and is the favorite to start alongside Danny Amendola. Thompkins has seen a huge jump in dynasty value through the first half of training camp and has even been selected in the first round of late rookie drafts.

Eddie Lacy, RB GB

Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy continues to impress in training camp while fellow rookie Johnathan Franklin has struggled. There are even some early thoughts that Franklin may struggle to be active on game days. Lacy will reportedly get the majority of the carries for the Pack. Meanwhile, Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy continues to insist that DuJuan Harris is his starting running back. Lacy is the clear favorite to be the lead back and he also has the most dynasty value of the trio, by far.

Devery Henderson, WR FA

The Washington Redskins released wide receiver Devery Henderson. Henderson had a solid stint with the New Orleans Saints, but received almost no attention as a free agent this off-season. There had been an earlier rumor than Henderson could return to the Saints, who lost deep threat Joseph Morgan last week, but there seems to be no real basis for that line of thought. This is no surprise, but Henderson has no dynasty value.

DeVier Posey, WR HOU

According to Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, wide receiver DeVier Posey is close to returning to practice following his recovery from a ruptured Achilles just months ago. Posey had little impact as a rookie, but was beginning to earn a larger role just prior to his injury. Posey should be monitored in deep leagues, but still has much to overcome.

Montario Hardesty, RB CLE

Cleveland Browns backup running back Montario Hardesty underwent a knee scope and will miss the next several weeks, keeping him out up until the third week of the regular season. When you combined the injury to Hardesty and the performance of fellow backup Dion Lewis in camp, Hardesty was sure to be cut. He still most likely will end up getting the axe, but the broekn fibula Lewis suffered last night could save his spot temporarily. While Hardesty can be dropped in all dynasty formats, Lewis is still a player to monitor and should be rostered in deeper leagues.

AJ Jenkins, WR SF

After his much-publicized struggles during training camp, there are now multiple reports suggesting the roster spot of 49ers wide receiver AJ Jenkins is not secure. The 49ers reached for Jenkins in the 2012 draft and he rarely saw the field during their Super Bowl season. With the injury to Michael Crabtree, many thought Jenkins would get his shot and see a great gain in dynasty value. Even with the lack of depth the Niners are currently experiencing, Jenkins is failing to capitalize and now could be cut. Obviously, his dynasty value is plummeting with these reports, but Jenkins would clearly get a second chance if San Francisco let him go and could be worth buying low as we watch this play out.

CJ Anderson, RB DEN

Broncos rookie running back CJ Anderson suffered a sprained MCL and will be out of action four to six weeks. Anderson had been creating some buzz among Broncos fans and dynasty owners about his possible role with the team, but this might be enough to dash his hopes of making the team. The Broncos could also attempt to stash him on the injured reserve, depending on his recovery. Anderson was only worthy of stashing in very deep leagues prior to the injury, so he can be ignored in all formats.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.