DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell Posted On October 25, 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.

Tavarres King, WR CAR

Through an odd series of moves, rookie wide receiver Tavarres King landed with a new team, the Carolina Panthers, this week. At one point last week, there were rumors of King being signed from the Denver Broncos practice squad onto the Green Bay Packers active roster to combat the losses of Randall Cobb and James Jones. Instead, King was later promoted to the active roster of the Broncos, who drafted him. It seemed to be a perfect situation for King. Instead, just a few days later, King was waived by the team to make room for Von Miller, who everyone knew was coming back prior to week seven. It seems the move was simply to block King from going to the Packers. Instead, King is in Carolina where the Panthers could desperately use some playmaking wide receivers.

Sam Bradford, QB STL

The past week has been one of the worst in recent history when it comes to the number and severity of injuries. The St. Louis Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford suffered a torn ACL and a late hit out of bounds and will be lost for the season. The Rams offense was already struggling and considering the team has yet to score a rushing touchdown, Bradford was the key to any hope for success. There are some already questioning if this could end his time with the Rams, though front office personnel and head coach Jeff Fisher have already tabbed him as their 2014 starter. Bradford’s value was that of a QB2 already, so losing him for the season makes it even worse. Bradford’s fantasy upside can be questioned as he has yet to finish higher than QB18 in any of his four seasons.

Jordan Reed, TE WAS

Redskins’ rookie tight end Jordan Reed continued his breakout rookie season last week as he caught nine balls for 134 yards and a touchdown. Reed is now the top scoring rookie tight end and is among the top twelve fantasy tight ends in PPR leagues. His value has skyrocketed lately as his relationship with quarterback Robert Griffin III continues to grow. Reed quickly beat out veteran Fred Davis, who is now rumored to be on the trade block. If you can acquire Reed at the cost of a low TE1, make that move before it’s too late.

Rob Gronkowski, TE NE

Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski finally made his 2013 debut and immediately made his presence felt, hauling in eight passes for 114 yards, nearly missing a touchdown in the process. With other prominent pass catchers either gone from New England or battling injuries, Gronkowski instantly becomes the Patriots’ top option in the passing game and he regains all dynasty value.

Jermichael Finley, TE GB

Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley suffered a neck injury in last week’s game after a huge hit against the Cleveland Browns. Finley had already dealt with a history of concussions in his career and it was assumed that this injury would involve a concussion. In fact, the news was even more serious. Finley spent some time in intensive care and was later diagnosed with a bruised spinal cord. There is a wide range of possibilities at this point when looking forward in Finley’s career. There is almost no chance of Finley seeing the field again in 2013 and there was even some concern that he may never play again, though that worry seems to have passed as Finley has progressed this week. The good news is that Finley has been released from the hospital and is able to walk and perform everyday activities.

Jarrett Boykin, WR GB

With starting wide receivers Randall Cobb and James Jones out of action, inexperienced wideout Jarrett Boykin had his shot at a big role in week seven and took advantage of that opportunity with eight receptions for over one hundred yards and a touchdown. Combining Cobb’s long-term absence with the possible departure of Jones following the season, Boykin has a chance to carve out more of a long-term role for himself in Green Bay. If he is still sitting on your league’s waiver wire, he is worth an add and even makes for a solid starter this week.

Case Keenum, QB HOU

In the first start of his career, Case Keenum surprised many with a very solid game. Facing the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, Keenum threw for 271 yards and a score. He was unable to lead his team to a win, but he may have shown the coaching staff enough to move forward as the team’s starter. Considering the struggles of both Matt Schaub and TJ Yates this season, the Texans are expected to undergo a roster overhaul following the season. It would be a long shot for Keenum to win the job going into 2014, but he does have some short-term value for the remainder of this season.

Trent Richardson, RB IND

Yet another week and still more struggles from Indianapolis Colts’ running back Trent Richardson. Last week in the much-hyped showdown with the Denver Broncos, the Colts got the victory but Richardson did little to help as he rushed just fourteen times for thirty-seven yards. Excuses continue to be made for Richardson, but his lack of production is baffling and his dynasty value is dropping with each successive disappointing week. If you are still a believer in his talent, as I am, now is the perfect time to buy low since the price is dropping all the time.

Reggie Wayne, WR IND

Another top fantasy player that went down with a sever injury is Colts’ wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who tore his ACL in the week seven game against the Broncos. The team initially hoped it was simply a knee strain, but their worst fears were proven true and he will be lost for the season. Wayne will soon be thirty-five years old and this injury decimates his dynasty value. Wayne has already been dropped in some dynasty leagues. If you have an injured reserve spot available, which is doubtful at this point in the season, Wayne is worth stashing there. Otherwise, it will be difficult to keep him on shallow dynasty rosters.

Cierre Wood, RB FA

Rookie running back Cierre Wood, who was in line for some potential significant playing time with the top two Houston Texans running backs banged up, was surprisingly waived, along with two other rookies. Rumor began to swirl and ESPN ultimately reported that the trio of first year players were caught using marijuana in the team hotel during the week seven road trip to Kansas City. Wood was a long shot to gain any dynasty value in the first place and it’s hard to envision another team giving him a shot. He can be dropped in all dynasty leagues.

Doug Martin, RB TB

Yet another player who suffered a serious injury last week is running back Doug Martin of the Buccaneers. Martin took a hard hit to the upper body, which forced him from the game and was later reported as a torn labrum, which would cost him the season. Since the initial report though, everyone associated with the Bucs have refuted the report, namely head coach Greg Schiano, as well as Martin himself. Now, there are even reports that Martin could play by week ten. Martin’s dynasty value is in flux amid these conflicting reports, but if you have the chance to buy low on Martin, you should take it, no matter when he is set to return. In his absence, rookie Mike James will hold down the starting job, and as all young running backs do, will have some dynasty value based on potential and hope.

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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.