DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell Posted On October 18, 2013

The 2013 National Football League season is in full swing. 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.

Kellen Winslow, TE NYJ

Veteran tight end Kellen Winslow has been suspended four games due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Considering the impressive comeback Winslow had made this year, this should not come as a surprise. Winslow had some short-term value even in dynasty leagues due to the number of targets he’s been seeing for the Jets, but this kills all value and will give Jeff Cumberland a chance to claim the full-time role.

Travis Kelce, TE KC

Rookie tight end Travis Kelce was placed on the Chiefs injured reserve list following microfracture surgery on his right knee. Kelce has yet to make his NFL debut, but should still have a chance to compete for Kansas City’s starting tight end role in 2014. He makes a great stash in dynasty leagues, especially if he can sit on your team’s injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Tim Wright, TE TB

Week six gave us a true breakout performance in the form of Buccaneers rookie tight end Tim Wright, a player most dynasty owners had not even heard of entering the week. With wide receiver Mike Williams out and tight end Tom Crabtree also missing the game, Wright saw nine targets, catching seven of them for ninety-one yards. Wright, like many of the top tight ends in fantasy football, if a former basketball player and he also went to Rutgers, which should only help his standing on the team, playing for former Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano. Don’t be surprised if Wright continues to earn increased playing time for Tampa Bay. He’s worth grabbing in deeper dynasty leagues, though I would not want to start him yet.

Justin Blackmon, WR JAX

In his second game back following a four game suspension, Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon continued to flash his dominant skills and picked up the slack for an injured Cecil Shorts. With his fellow starter leaving the game early, Blackmon totaled twenty targets, fourteen receptions and 190 yards. Expect the Jaguars to continue to play behind on a weekly basis, which is perfect for Blackmon owners. Shorts is also expected to miss some time, which will continue to result in addition looks for the former Oklahoma State Wildcat. Blackmon’s dynasty value is skyrocketing and he can be considered a top fifteen wideout.

Tavon Austin, WR STL

St. Louis Rams rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin continues to struggle and has seen both his number of snaps and targets decrease nearly on a weekly basis. Austin began his NFL career with three solid games in which he caught at least six passes for thirty yards each. He also found the end zone twice through those first three games. Since then, his role has decreased, capped with a week six performance in which he only played four snaps and saw just one target. It’s clear that the Rams are not using Austin to his full potential. If you are a believer in Austin’s ability and the likelihood that his talent can translate to the NFL, now is the time to acquire him.

Jonathan Stewart, RB CAR

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is now eligible to be activated from the PUP list, but the talented runner who has dealt with ankle injuries says he’s not ready. He won’t play in week seven for sure, and it reportedly could be a while before Stewart sees the field. Stewart’s dynasty value has basically vanished at this point. Thought he’s regarding as one of the most physically gifted runners in the league, he has been unable to stay healthy throughout his career and it now seems unlikely that he will ever be a starter in the league. He falls into the roster clogger category that I’ve previously written about; he’s not helping your team, but has enough “name value” that most owners feel like they can’t drop him.

Joseph Randle, RB DAL

With starting running back DeMarco Murray out of action, rookie Joseph Randle is expected to make the first start of his career. Randle struggled in place of Murray in week five. Seeing the first carries of his career, Randle totaled just seventeen yards on eleven carries, though he did score a touchdown on a goal line carry. Randle has a solid matchup this week against the Eagles, so he should have a chance to increase both his short-term and long-term value in fantasy leagues. Randle does not impress me as having the skills to be an every down NFL back, so I recommend selling high on Randle if you have the chance.

Nick Foles, QB PHI

Filling in for an injured Michael Vick couldn’t have gone any better for quarterback Nick Foles. Foles threw for nearly three hundred yards to go along with three touchdowns, leading the Eagles to a road victory. Over the past week, following Foles impressive performance, there has been much speculation that Foles may have won the job on a long-term basis. Thought Vick seems like the perfect option to run the Chip Kelly offense, the Eagles have struggled to win games. Foles dynasty value is on the rise, though his upside seems to be a solid weekly backup passer.

Zach Ertz, TE PHI

Following some solid performances, especially in weeks four and five, the Eagles have promoted rookie tight end Zach Ertz to the role of starter. Brent Celek is still listed as a co-starter, but has failed to make a strong claim for the job, while Ertz has been impressive if not inconsistent. Local beat writers have also predicted Ertz will become a major player in the Eagles offense. Without a true breakout performance this season, Ertz dynasty value remains fairly low. He can still be had at a reasonable price and could be a future starting fantasy tight end.

Danny Amendola, WR NE

In just his second game back after missing three weeks, Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola suffered a crushing hit, which resulted in a concussion in the team’s week six matchup against the Saints. Amendola is likely out for week seven, and it could be longer, considering the team has yet to give any real update on Amendola’s status. Although I usually do not cover short term injuries here, this one is unique as it’s yet another injury added to the long history of Amendola. He’s a solid wide receiver and a perfect fit with Tom Brady in the Patriots’ offense, but his dynasty value continues to take a hit as he misses action.

David Wilson, RB NYG

Although he will still miss the next few weeks, Giants running back David Wilson received some good news this week when he learned he would not need surgery for his neck injury. Wilson will likely miss another month of action and could return around the same time as fellow Giants running back Andre Brown. In more of a time share, Wilson will have a chance to regain some of the dynasty value he’s lost over the first few weeks of the season with his disappointing play.

Chris Ivory, RB NYJ

Due to process of elimination, running back Chris Ivory may begin to play a larger role in the Jets offense. Starting running back Bilal Powell suffered a shoulder injury, though he should not miss any game time. Meanwhile, Mike Goodson was not so lucky. In his second game back, Goodson suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Goodson can be dropped in all dynasty formats, though Ivory could see more carries and a chance to gain some dynasty value. If he’s on your league’s waiver wire, he’s worth adding while we see how the Jets game plan their rushing offense.

Randall Cobb, WR GB

Another week, another stud wide receiver goes down to injury. Last week, it was the Falcons’ Julio Jones who landed on the injured reserve list. This week, Packers’ Randall Cobb suffered a broken leg and will effectively miss the remainder of the season. Though he will be eligible to return very late in the season, it won’t be soon enough to help fantasy owners. Cobb had been performing as a WR1 and had maintained his dynasty value, which saw a huge spike last season. Cobb should again maintain his value over the next year before he steps on the field again. Use this injury as a chance to buy Cobb. In the meantime, Jarrett Boykin will have a chance to play a significant role for the Packers. Boykin is young and with the futures of some Packers pass catchers uncertain, Boykin may prove to have some long-term value. He’s a must add in nearly all dynasty 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.