DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell

manzielThe 2013 fantasy football season is over, but the dynasty season is just beginning. As you prepare for next season, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of the news. 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! 
Here is a quick look at the events of the past week and how they impact the players on your team.

Johnny Manziel, QB FA

Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has officially declared for the May NFL draft and following his impressive bowl performance on top of his two spectacular seasons as the Aggies quarterback, his “draft stock” seems to be on the rise. Just this week, TheSidelineView.com has called Manziel the draft’s top overall prospect and ESPN’s Mel Kiper mocked Manziel to the Houston Texans with the first overall pick. There is plenty of time until the NFL draft and much can change, but Manziel’s dynasty value is rising as a result.

Markus Wheaton, WR PIT

Steelers rookie Markus Wheaton is already focused on 2014, saying he wants to play a larger role next season. He barely got on the field this past season, but has a lot of upside and the Steelers have a need at the second wide receiver spot. Also, there has been speculation that Wheaton’s production could greatly grow with the possible departure of Emmanuel Sanders via free agency. Wheaton is an ideal trade target if his owners have grown impatient.

Khiry Robinson, RB NO

Rookie Khiry Robinson rushed for fifty-seven yards and added another thirteen yards receiving in the Saints playoff loss to the Seahawks. Robinson led the team in rushing and added a touchdown. With veteran Pierre Thomas already rumored to be on the chopping block and Mark Ingram proving to be a first round bust, Robinson could have a solid role in 2014. He makes the perfect dynasty stash during the off-season.

Keenan Allen, WR SD

Chargers rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen ended his season on a high note. In the Chargers loss, Allen caught six passes for 142 yards and two scores. He’s clearly the top option in the San Diego passing game and that shouldn’t change anytime soon. Thought former offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt left the team to take the Titans head coaching position, the team stayed in house and promoted former quarterbacks coach Frank Reich to the position. Allen can be considered a solid low end WR1 or high end WR2 heading into 2014 and will likely be drafted in the second round of startup drafts.

Peyton Manning, QB DEN

A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that the future of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning depends on the results of some off-season tests on his neck. Of course, that is a follow up to the neck injury and surgery, which cost him the entire 2011 season. Manning is difficult to place a value on since his career will be ending soon, even if the reports are positive. As long as he’s playing, Manning is a candidate to be the top overall fantasy scorer in the game, but has no place on the roster of non-contending teams.

Dwayne Allen, TE IND

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen revealed this week that the surgery required to correct his injured hip ended up being more serious that first reported. Allen is looking at a timeline of six months of rehabilitation before he could return to action. Allen should be able to return to action in time for training camp, but this report might be enough to calm the sleeper hype he’s been receiving lately.

Chris Johnson, RB TEN

Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt says he still expects the team to release running back Chris Johnson this off-season. Johnson is due $8 million in 2014 and has already publicly stated his unwillingness to restructure his deal to remain in Tennessee. Johnson had yet another under the radar RB1 season and is a solid buy low with some risk while we wait to see which team gives the former 2,000 yard rusher a chance to play.

Percy Harvin, WR SEA

Seattle wide receiver Percy Harvin returned to action in last week’s playoff game against the Saints, but that stint didn’t last long. Harvin took a brutal hit on one of the early plays of the game and it looked like he may have suffered a concussion. He passed the subsequent protocols and was allowed to return to the field, where he took another hit, which did leave him concussed. Harvin missed the remainder of the game and has yet to be cleared to return to action, meaning he is a long shot to play this weekend when the Seahawks face the 49ers. With the injuries piling up for the talented wideout, dynasty owners have to begin to question his long-term value.

Darren McFadden, RB OAK

When speaking about the running back position, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie expressed a desire to re-sign veteran back Rashad Jennings, yet just said that he expected former starting back Darren McFadden to test the free agency market. It sounds like McKenzie is assuming that McFadden will not be back with the team, just as we’ve assumed for months. There have been rumors lately that the Bengals and McFadden have mutual interest in each other, largely based on the promotion of Hue Jackson as Bengals offensive coordinator. I view McFadden as a perfect buy low target. His health will likely continue to be an issue, but when he’s on the field, he’s been a playmaker. McFadden was the twenty-ninth running back drafted in our recent dynasty mock draft series.

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ryan mcdowell