DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell Posted On September 13, 2013

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The 2013 National Football League season is underway. You have to pay close attention to everything 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:

Julius Thomas, TE DEN

Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, who entered the 2013 season with one career catch, enjoyed a break out week one game against the Ravens. Thomas shredded the Baltimore secondary, who chose to focus instead on the wide receiver trio of Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker. Thomas, starting at tight end, caught five balls for 110 yards and two scores. With a crowded second tier of tight ends, he vaults himself into the conversation as a top ten tight end. Many owners who rostered Thomas as a second or third tight end are choosing to cash in early. I have seen many deals based on Thomas for a future first round rookie pick, which would be excellent value. If you do need a tight end, Thomas is a solid option at the right price.

Marlon Brown, WR BAL

Following the first half injury to starting wide receiver Jacoby Jones, undrafted rookie Marlon Brown stepped up for the Ravens, catching four passes for sixty-five yards and a score. Brown could continue to be the second option in the passing game for Baltimore considering the lack of reliability coming from the tight end position, but don’t expect quarterback Joe Flacco to throw the ball sixty times each game, meaning Brown will be an inconsistent fantasy option. He does not seem to be a special talent, so if the trade offers starting coming in, flipping Brown for a pick will likely be a wise choice.

Percy Harvin, WR SEA

Lost in all the excitement of the first Sunday of the season was positive news on Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin, who is reportedly wowing his surgeon with his recovery. All of the reports on Harvin have been positive and Seattle chose not to place him on the injured reserve list. Harvin could return anywhere between weeks seven and eleven. The window to buy low on Harvin is quickly closing. Expect him to be the top target of quarterback Russell Wilson the second he steps on the field.

Mikel Leshoure, RB DET

Lions running back Mikel Leshoure, the team’s starter a season ago, was a healthy scratch for the team’s week one game against the Vikings. Leshoure’s dynasty value is officially gone, with his best hope being a trade to a running back needy team. Making the situation worse for Leshoure was the excellent game posted by both running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. Leshoure can easily be dropped in shallow dynasty leagues.

Ryan Broyles, WR DET

Another inactive player for the Lions, which may have surprised some dynasty owners, was wide receiver Ryan Broyles. Although some tabbed him too a healthy scratch, Broyles is clearly still dealing with the knee injury that prematurely ended his rookie season in 2012. Veteran Nate Burleson and rookie Patrick Edwards will play behind stud wide receiver Calvin Johnson. If Broyles can prove he is healthy, he could quickly eclipse those players and become the team’s second wide receiver. With this somewhat disappointing news, now is an ideal time to buy Broyles as a discount.

Danny Amendola, WR NE

In his Patriots debut, wide receiver Danny Amendola briefly left the game with a groin injury. Although he was able to return to action, the former Ram missed the team’s week two game against the Jets and reports are he could miss up to six weeks. Although we usually do not track minor injuries here, this is just another sign that dynasty owners should not trust Amendola. His dynasty value quickly shot up once he was signed to be Wes Welker’s replacement in New England, but that value is somewhat hollow and there are many better options, both short and long term.

Terrelle Pryor, QB OAK

It took quarterback Terrelle Pryor the majority of the pre-season to beat out Matt Flynn for the starter’s job, but it took him only one game to make a huge impression on dynasty owners. Pryor shocked the fantasy community and nearly led a major upset of the Indianapolis Colts, thanks in large part to his rushing ability – Pryor ran for 112 yards and threw for 217 and a score. Pryor’s numbers are so impressive that after a week of play, he leads the AFC in rushing. As we’ve seen from Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick, and yes, even Tim Tebow, rushing quarterbacks can be a fantasy gold mine. Pryor proved that point as he finished among the top twelve quarterbacks in week one. Expect this to continue, but be careful about valuing Pryor as a long-term fantasy option.

Kenbrell Thompkins, WR and Zach Sudfeld, TE NE

Two of the most hyped players of the pre-season, a pair of undrafted rookies for the Patriots, both disappointed their dynasty owners in week one. It was expected that Zach Sudfeld would be an admirable fill in for injured starting tight end Rob Gronkowski, in fact, many were already speculating on his role in the offense once Gronkowski returns. Instead, Sudfeld received one target and failed to record a catch. His dynasty value went away quickly as he has already been dropped in multiple dynasty leagues. Patriots rookie wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins received plenty of targets, but failed to turn those into catches, as he only hauled in four of the fourteen passes thrown in his direction. Thompkins still has some dynasty value, but he has quickly shown us he is likely not the next Marques Colston, a rookie wide receiver who comes from nowhere to be a fantasy difference maker.

Joique Bell, RB DET

The outstanding day of Lions backup running back Joique Bell has already been mentioned, but he deserves his own space. Playing behind starter Reggie Bush, Bell entered the game in goal-line situations and capitalized with two scores to go along with his twenty-five rushing yards. It’s somewhat difficult to rely on a player whose fantasy scoring is so closely associated with goal line carries, but Bell was very impressive and it would not be a surprise if the Lions gave Bush fewer touches and rewarded Bell with an increased role.

Kenny Stills, WR NO

There has been a great deal of change among the depth wide receivers of the New Orleans Saints since a season ago. Gone is former deep threat Devery Henderson, while the team has added rookie Kenny Stills and Nick Toon returned from the injury that landed him on the injured reserve list in 2012. The team has also re-signed Robert Meachem and of course, Joseph Morgan was in the mix before he tore his ACL, ending his season. Through the first week, and this is obviously a small sample size, it appears Stills has emerged from this crowded group to claim the third wide receiver’s role. He had two catches for eighty-six yards in his debut, while Toon failed to record a reception and Meachem was inactive. Stills was impressive, but as the Saints deep threat, he will not be a consistent fantasy option.

David Wilson, RB NYG

In a disastrous debut as the New York Giants starting running back, David Wilson fumbled twice in the team’s week one matchup with rival Dallas Cowboys. Following the second lost fumble, Wilson was benched in favor of Da’Rel Scott. Scott was later injured in practice and the team signed veteran and former starter Brandon Jacobs. Wilson will clearly be given another shot, but can’t afford another lost fumble anytime soon. For now, Wilson has been a popular trade target, though most owners seem insistent on being patient.

Shane Vereen, RB NE

Following a career high rushing total in week one, it was revealed this week that running back Shane Vereen broke a bone in his wrist and was placed on the injured reserve list, with the designation to return later in the season. It’s disappointing for Vereen owners who were primed to plug him into their starting lineup considering running back Stevan Ridley’s recent visit to head coach Bill Belichick’s doghouse. Instead, Vereen will miss several weeks and Ridley is back in the starting lineup.

Josh Freeman, QB TB

There have been rumblings out of Tampa Bay that quarterback Josh Freeman may not be the man to lead the Buccaneers. He struggled last season and got off to a poor start in a week one loss to the Jets. Tampa Bay drafted rookie Mike Glennon in the third round and he could get a shot to play sooner than anyone thought. Freeman is a free agent following the 2014 season and it seems to be a lock that he will not be with the team this time next season. Glennon is obviously unproven, but should be stashed in deeper leagues in anticipation of a Freeman benching.

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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.