DLF’s Weekly Impact Events

Ryan McDowell

We’re early in the season and every fantasy team is still in contention, but things move fast in the NFL. Here’s what you need to know for week four of the 2016 season.

Michael Floyd, WR ARZ

Playing in the first game of Week Five, Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd continues his season-long struggles. Floyd saw just three targets from backup quarterback Drew Stanton and wasn’t able to catch any of them. Floyd has only hit double-digit fantasy points in one game this season and has even fallen behind Jaron Brown when it comes to snap counts. Floyd can no longer be counted on as a fantasy starter, and simply needs to be stashed deep down dynasty rosters until he rights the ship.

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Paxton Lynch, QB DEN

Broncos starting quarterback Trevor Siemian suffered a shoulder injury in Week Four, which led to rookie Paxton Lynch seeing his first official NFL action. Lynch entered the game with a big lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and maintained the lead, throwing his first touchdown. With Siemian expected to sit out this week, Lynch should get his first career start. After playing well in his debut, Lynch has a chance to realty boost his dynasty value in his Week Five playing time.

Kenneth Dixon, RB BAL

After missing the season’s first four games and a portion of the pre-season, rookie running back Kenneth Dixon is expected to make his debut for the Baltimore Ravens. The team has said they want to bring Dixon along slowly, but they also released veteran Justin Forsett earlier in the week with Dixon now healthy. Dixon was a first-round rookie pick in dynasty leagues after landing in a nice situation with the Ravens. Through four games, that situation looks even better thanks to the struggles of Forsett, Terrance West and Javorius Allen. None have separated themselves and it is easy to see how Dixon could quickly move to the top of the depth chart, gaining dynasty value along the way.

Maxx Williams, TE BAL

Even with the loss of veteran tight end Ben Watson this pre-season, second-year man Maxx Williams hasn’t done anything for the Ravens and now that the team has placed him on the injured reserve list, that won’t change. Williams will require surgery for a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season. Williams can be stashed on injured reserve lists in dynasty leagues, but could even be dropped in shallow leagues.

DeAndre Washington, RB OAK

Another young player who is expected to get a increased opportunity due to an injury is Raiders rookie running back DeAndre Washington, along with his teammate, Jalen Richard. Both backs should see plenty of action in Week Five with starter Latavius Murray expected to miss the game with a turf toe injury. While the toe shouldn’t keep Murray out long-term, the rookie duo had already been closing the gap on Murray, who was expected to be a workhorse back this season.

Kevin White, WR CHI

In what looked like it might be the best game of Kevin White’s career, Chicago’s second-year wide receiver suffered a season-ending leg injury. White saw a team high nine first-half targets, but a severe high-ankle sprain put him on the sidelines. After further testing, the team also learned White had a broken fibula. While White has been placed on the injured reserve list, there is an outside chance he could return later in the season. This seems like a very long shot. After missing his entire rookie season with a leg injury, White’s dynasty value won’t be able to withstand another serious injury. If you’re a believer, now is your chance to buy low.

Josh Gordon, WR CLE

We already knew Browns receiver Josh Gordon would not be returning to the team in Week Five, and probably not again this season, but the NFL announced this week that Gordon would remain on the suspended list. This likely means the report of yet another violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, which includes alcohol for anyone already suspended. It is not a stretch to assume Gordon’s NFL career could be over.

Tyler Lockett, WR SEA

Sophomore wideout Tyler Lockett continues to struggle in what was expected to be a breakout season. He has just one catch in his past two games combined and his teammate, Doug Baldwin shed a little light on the potential reason for his slow start. According to Baldwin, Lockett is playing through a torn PCL. Much like the Cardinals’ Floyd, the expectations were sky high, but Lockett is now not even worthy of a fantasy starting spot.

Jordan Howard, RB CHI

Rookie running back Jordan Howard got a chance at a starting gig due to the ankle injury suffered by Jeremy Langford and he took full advantage. Howard put up a total of over 130 yards and considering how disappointing Langford was even before the injury, Howard may have done enough to earn the full-time role going forward. Obviously, Howard is quickly gaining value and has a chance, just as Langford did last year, to earn the job even beyond this season.

Le’Veon Bell, RB PIT

After serving a three-game suspension, the Steelers welcomed back running back Le’Veon Bell and he wasted no time in re-establishing himself as one of the top backs in the game. Bell pounded the Chiefs defense for 178 total yards, pushing veteran DeAngelo Williams to the bench for the majority of the contest. Bell’s dynasty value had dropped after his late-season injury and the second suspension for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. If Bell continues to put up performances like his season debut, dynasty players will forget all about his injury and off-field issues.

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ryan mcdowell