DLF’s Weekly Impact Events
We’re just days away from meaningful National Football League games and there is breaking news daily concerning injuries, position battles and cuts. You have to pay close attention to all this 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:
Kenny Britt, WR TEN
The Titans troubled and talented wide receiver was suspended by the NFL, but for only one game, following his offseason arrest for driving under the influence. It is a surprise to many as speculation was that Britt could be banned for as many as eight games. The time to buy low is now gone and Britt will be back on the field for the Titans week two matchup. Even as one of the most talented wideouts in the game, his off the field behavior still makes him one of the biggest risks.
William Powell, RB ARI
Little known running back William Powell has impressed for the Cardinals and has a chance to unseat Alfonso Smith as third stringer behind Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams. Powell is the preseason’s leading rusher heading into the week four games. With the injury histories of Wells and Williams, Powell is a player to monitor in deep leagues.
Shane Vereen, RB NE
In the team’s third preseason game, Patriots sophomore running back Shane Vereen suffered a foot injury and has not practiced since. New England’s running back position has been murky all offseason, with rumors of both Vereen and Stevan Ridley being in line to start this season. Ridley seems to be in line for the job now and it is hard to envision Vereen becoming a fantasy starter this season.
Nick Foles, QB PHI
Rookie quarterback Nick Foles continues to impress all with his surprising play. Foles has stepped in with starter Michael Vick and once presumed backup Mike Kafka both suffering injuries. As the preseason’s leading passer, Foles has a great chance to unseat Kafka as the Eagles’ backup quarterback. In fact, some fans in Philadelphia are calling for Foles to take over as the starting quarterback. Foles has proven early on to have some fantasy value, especially to Vick owners and in two quarterback leagues.
Alfred Morris, RB WAS
In the Redskins preseason week three game against the Colts, undrafted rookie running back Alfred Morris gained over 100 yards on the ground. The messy situation that left owners guessing who to choose between Evan Royster, Tim Hightower and Roy Helu is now even more confusing with the strong play of Morris. The best advice is still to avoid all of these players. Just check out the web poll on the DLF home page and you’ll see just how much of a mess this truly is.
Rod Streater, WR OAK
Raiders rookie wide receiver Rod Streater had his third consecutive strong performance in the absence of fellow wide receivers Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford. Another Raider rookie Juron Criner also had a strong performance and is earning some playing time. With their impressive preseason play, both young pass catchers are dynasty buys before the price goes up even more.
Garrett Graham, TE HOU
Texans tight end Garrett Graham has continued his strong preseason play and has amassed over 140 yards. With injuries and age slowing down starting tight end Owen Daniels, there is a good chance that Graham could steal snaps and targets in the up tempo Texans offense. Graham is not yet worth a roster spot, especially at this time with many owners having to cut down rosters, but he is a player to watch closely.
Brady Quinn, QB KC
Veteran quarterback Brady Quinn has reportedly won the Kansas City backup job behind starter Matt Cassel, beating out Ricky Stanzi. Cassel’s play has been disappointing this preseason and it would not be surprising if he did not play all sixteen games this season. While Quinn could conceivably get some starts this season, there is little chance he is the long term answer for the Chiefs. Expect them to take a quarterback early in the 2013 NFL draft.
Daryl Richardson, RB STL
Rams rookie running back Daryl Richardson continues his strong preseason play and, according to the speculation of many, has surpassed the highly acclaimed fellow rookie Isaiah Pead. While neither rookie may play a huge role this year behind reliable veteran Steven Jackson, both have dynasty value and are worth stashing on your roster.
Terrell Owens, WR FA
The Seattle Seahawks released veteran wide receiver and future Hall of Famer Terrell Owens. After his impressive workout for the team, he struggled throughout preseason games. Many assumed that only one of the veteran wide receivers, Owens or Braylon Edwards, would make the team’s final roster. Edwards made some impressive catches playing on the second team with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. This is likely the end of Owens’ career and he obviously has no dynasty value.
Taiwan Jones, RB OAK
With the impressive play and speed shown by second year running back Taiwan Jones, he has earned the backup role behind starter Darren McFadden. Many expected veteran Mike Goodson to take the job after the team traded for him this offseason, but he has struggled to stay on the field and the explosiveness of Jones put him over the top. If McFadden were to get injured, it is unlikely that Jones would carry the load on his own, though. Jones is worth rostering as a McFadden owner, but Goodson is a safe drop to the waiver wire.
Tarvaris Jackson, QB BUF
The Seahawks traded backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to the Bills in exchange for a late round draft pick. The deal makes sense for both as Seattle had moved on from Jackson and were clearly parting ways with him, either by trade or release. Buffalo had been disappointed by the play of potential backups Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen and obviously felt Jackson provided them with a better alternative as a backup passer. Young and Thigpen were both released. For anyone still holding hope that Young could turn things around, time to give up that dream. He will be lucky to find a job.
Russell Wilson, QB SEA
The Seahawks named third round rookie pick Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback, beating out free agent signee Matt Flynn. Although this was not expected to be much of a competition at the start of camp, the strong play of Wilson and the mediocre play of Flynn, as well as some nagging injuries, made this an easy call. The Wilson hype is out of control in dynasty leagues. He is being mentioned in trades for other quarterbacks such as Matt Ryan and Eli Manning. I would suggest you buy the young signal caller, but the price just might be too high right now. As most rookies do, Wilson will likely go through a tough stretch this season – take that chance to pounce on a deal when his price goes down.
Jahvid Best, RB DET
As mentioned here weeks ago, the Lions officially placed running back Jahvid Best on the PUP list, meaning he cannot practice or play until week eight. We also heard reports this week that doctors hope to get Best a full year removed from his last concussion before clearing him to play. I still think Best is a player to avoid due to the risk he carries that any play could be his last. The running back duties will be handled by Kevin Smith early on with Mikel Leshoure playing a role after he returns from his suspension. The Lions are also rumored to be interested in adding a running back as teams make their final roster cuts.
Mike Wallace, WR PIT
Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace ended his holdout and reported to training camp. While the extended holdout had little effect on Wallace’s dynasty value, it will likely slow him down as the season gets underway. He is not a player I would feel good about starting the first week or two. Teammate Antonio Brown has seen his dynasty value rise during Wallace’s absence and he should still be a strong weekly play in all formats.
Chris Cooley, TE FA
The Washington Redskins released veteran tight end and former starter Chris Cooley. After his injury in 2011 and the breakout season of Fred Davis, this move was inevitable. With many teams lacking a pass catching tight end, there is a good chance Cooley will sign with a new team, but it would likely be following week one, as his contract would then not be guaranteed. For now, leave Cooley on your league’s waiver wire.
As cuts are rolling in, we have seen many well known players released. Each of these are names to keep an eye on with the hope they may sign elsewhere, but none have much dynasty value currently. Among the players released were wide receivers Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney,  Danny Coale, and Danario Alexander.
Check back next week for another update on the week’s impact events! Follow Ryan McDowell on Twitter @RyanMc23.
Editor’s Note: This closes out a record month for DLF as we posted no fewer than 90 articles in the free and premium content combined in the month of August alone. Team DLF has now posted 340 articles since the end of the Super Bowl in February and have a lot in store for you as we hit the regular season. We’d like to thank all our writers and you, our followers, for an incredible month and off-season of content, analysis, discussion and fun.
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