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Preseason Week 4 Fantasy Football News and Notes

September 2, 2015 By Draft Buddy Leave a Comment

No respect for Fred Jackson, at least from the Buffalo Bills front office. He was a surprise release this week and will have some fantasy impact when he inevitably lands on a RB-needy team.

The big news in our last update dealt with the Martavis Bryant suspension (appeal since denied) and bad vibes out of Washington for Robert Griffin III (inevitable benching since confirmed), and a handful of other smaller items.

We got through a big drafting weekend this past weekend, but the news didn’t stop as a few impactful things came to light, requiring another projections and rankings update this week. Lets get to it. News and notes first, and then the ranking changes.

Arizona Cardinals

Michael Floyd is working his way back from dislocated fingers that required surgery early in training camp. HC Bruce Arians is optimistic Floyd will be back Week 1. Floyd is a worthwhile risk as a WR5 on your team. It just might be difficult to justify starting him any given week.

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman returned to practice after missing multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. There is no clear indication which player will start or dominate carries – if anyone – between Freeman and Tevin Coleman. This situation looks like a mess.

Baltimore Ravens

Dennis Pitta placed on the PUP list. Only thing mildly surprising here is he wasn’t put straight on IR, the reports of his recovery are so grim.

Buffalo Bills

Released Fred Jackson. Fans can’t believe it, and fantasy players equally question the decision. There even appears to be some grumblings that not all of the Bills coaches were onside with this call by the GM. Regardless, FJax is out there ready for some other lucky team to pick him up. It will have some domino effect on that team, but keeping mind he is 34, it shouldn’t be a huge impact.

The Bills named Tyrod Taylor their starting QB as expected.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers acquired WR Kevin Norwood from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade. Rookie Devin Funchess does not seem to be doing much to establish himself as the projected starter in the absence of Kelvin Benjamin. I don’t mind Funchess as a rather late, hope for the best upside pick, but this is mainly a stay away from situation.

Chicago Bears

Alshon Jeffery continues to miss practice with a “day-to-day” calf injury. No adjustment yet but it is getting a bit worrisome. The way Bears receivers are limping around, Martellus Bennett may top his 90 catches from last season … and then promptly ask for a big raise.

Cleveland Browns

Duke Johnson is sidelined with a concussion. The team may have issues with Isaiah Crowell, but they may have no choice but to get him there to play unless they sign someone else. It is always a possibility even at this late stage. Seems fantasy players are shying as far away from Browns backs as possible right now.

Detroit Lions

RB Joique Bell returned to practice after a long layoff (longer than fantasy players feel very comfortable with, this time of year) and now represents a bit of a value where he is getting drafted. Even with rookie Ameer Abdullah wowing people, Bell should be a regular contributor on a good offense as long as he can stay healthy.

Green Bay Packers

Randall Cobb is expected to play Week 1 even with his shoulder he injured in preseason.

Indianapolis Colts

Did you know T.Y. Hilton has a concussion? Its true, and he is in the league’s concussion protocol, but he is trending in the right direction with positive reports he’ll be ready Week 1. No alarm bells to sound but something to keep tabs on.

Jacksonville Jaguars

If you saw the comment from my recent draft recap, you know how I feel about this one. After a quiet few weeks with the idea TE Julius Thomas would be back for Week 1, now he requires surgery on his hand and will miss 3 games. If you are desperate for a TE to start the season, give Marcedes Lewis a go.

Kansas City Chiefs

TE Travis Kelce also went down with an ankle injury, but this one looks minor as reports indicate he could play if it was the regular season.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady decision expected end of this week. No sense commenting any further on this story until that happens.

New Orleans Saints

Brandon Coleman has apparently won the WR3 job for the Saints. I did draft him the other night, but WR3 on the Saints is still pretty far down the pecking order for catches, in recent years. Still, if Marques Colston is truly at the end of the line there is a nice opportunity for Coleman if he can take advantage.

New York Jets

TE Jace Amaro placed on IR. Was not going to be a fantasy factor anyway, but he has enough name recognition I thought I should mention it.

Oakland Raiders

In no surprise at all, the Raiders released RB Trent Richardson. That was a short ride.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers lost another kicker. Garrett Hartley was placed on IR. Between this and the suspensions, it is almost like the fantasy Gods are trying to tell us something about Pittsburgh.

Washington Redskins

Kirk Cousins is the Redskins starting QB. God help diehard ‘Skins fans.

Preseason Week 2 Fantasy Football News and Notes

August 19, 2015 By Draft Buddy Leave a Comment

Benjamin about to be carted off. Left knee. pic.twitter.com/EBWly497EL

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 19, 2015

Here is a recap of up to the minute (Kelvin Benjamin!) NFL news and notes since our last update before Week 1 of preseason. We are still a day away from more game action but we’ll call it Preseason Week 2 news and notes. These will factor into our next projections and rankings changes, later today or tomorrow.

Free Agents of Interest

Ray Rice

Arizona Cardinals

The team signed RB Chris Johnson to a one-year contract with minimal guarantees, heavier on the incentives. We’ll slot him in behind Andre Ellington and rookie David Johnson on the depth chart for now. We aren’t that interested in drafting CJ, unless ridiculously cheap with a roster spot to burn perhaps, but it’s a signal to be even less confident in the entire Cards RB corps.

Baltimore Ravens

WR Breshad Perriman continues to miss practice after practice (12 straight as of Tuesday). Twitter reports say he had an MRI and it came back normal, and the Ravens expect him back in about a week. The missed time does not inspire a lot of confidence Perriman will have a significant fantasy impact this season.

Buffalo Bills

LeSean McCoy limped off the field Tuesday with a hamstring injury. MRI results were negative (or should I say results were positive?), but looks like he’s out for preseason and plans to be ready for a Week 1 return.

Fred Jackson, Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown and the latest, rookie Karlos Williams, are all missing practice due to injuries. Educated guess is Jackson is still the RB2 to own in this backfield. With all of these injuries Ray Rice’s name keeps popping up as a possible signing.

Listened to a Bills reporter Sal Capaccio on the radio Monday say the QB competition is quickly becoming a two-player race between Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor. E.J. Manuel is a distant third. None are worth drafting except in deep start two QB leagues at this point, of course.

Carolina Panthers

I apparently can’t get this update written fast enough! Kelvin Benjamin went down during practice this morning (Wednesday) with an apparent knee injury. One of those didn’t touch anyone when it happened injuries, which are usually not good. Waiting initial results. Worst case, torn ACL and out for the year. Best case, simple sprain or tweak of the knee. Outcome could have a major impact on rookie WR Devin Funchess (who also tweaked him hamstring, by the way), Cam Newton and Greg Olsen.

Update August 20: Confirmed, Benjamin tore his ACL and is out for the season. We’ll distribute his hefty targets between rookie Devin Funchess, Jerricho Cotchery and Corey (Philly) Brown plus Greg Olsen, with the remainder falling into a generic “other player” bucket (like Ted Ginn, Jr. or Jarrett Boykin). Do not draft Benjamin. Funchess’ ADP will rise sharply. Cam down. Olsen a slight bump perhaps. He was already projected and ranked pretty high.

Chicago Bears

Rookie WR Kevin White is out for an extended period after requiring surgery on his shin due a stress fracture. He’ll go on regular season PUP at a minimum, missing at least the first six games, and his entire rookie season is in jeopardy. Do not draft.

Alshon Jeffery has a calf injury but it isn’t considered serious. There is a little risk here but on the plus side Jeffery’s targets could be off the charts with White out indefinitely.

Dallas Cowboys

RB Darren McFadden was removed from the PUP list this week, but pretty clear this is Joseph Randle’s job to lose at this point because McFadden is so far behind.

Denver Broncos

Reports are there is no clear backup or handcuff pick for starting RB C.J. Anderson between Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman. Both looked good in the first preseason game. Hard to imagine it will be Hillman when we hit the regular season.

Emmanuel Sanders is missing practice with the injury du jour, a strained hamstring. He is doubtful for their next preseason game.

Houston Texans

Starting QB watch: Brian Hoyer started the first preseason game. Ryan Mallett will start the second. It is still a coin flip call with no timeline on a decision.

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Marqise Lee continues to miss practice with a hamstring injury. Allen Hurns should start opposite Allen Robinson at the beginning of the regular season.

Miami Dolphins

DeVante Parker appears 2-3 weeks away from returning to the team. He could make an impact this season and is worth the late pick in redraft leagues he currently costs as your second or third bench WR.

Damien Williams, not rookie Jay Ajayi, holds down the backup RB spot to Lamar Miller at this time. Ajayi only recently returned to practice.

Minnesota Vikings

The team lost RT Phil Loadholt to a torn Achilles’. While this didn’t prevent me from taking Adrian Peterson as the second overall pick in a recent moderate stakes redraft league, it isn’t good news for the Vikings running game and I thought worth mentioning.

New Orleans Saints

C.J. Spiller had knee surgery recently, described as a “maintenance” procedure to clean things up, and is expected to be out 2-4 weeks. That puts him in line to return for the start of the season, but it is an ominous sign for a RB with a bit of a track record being dinged up, and getting drafted relatively high on a team with other RB options. Moving down and marking Spiller as an “avoid” in our next rankings update. Khiry Robinson is one to watch, perhaps even target.

New York Giants

Rueben Randle is missing practice with knee tendinitis, while reports of Victor Cruz’s recovery continue to be positive. Cruz should be drafted ahead of Randle at this point. If Cruz is healthy enough to start the regular season, and it seems to be trending that way, then might as well leave Randle for the waiver wire in most leagues.

Philadelphia Eagles

TE Zach Ertz required surgery for a sports hernia and will sit out the rest of the preseason. Strangely enough, this happened not long after my last news and notes update in which I expressed buyer’s remorse drafting Ertz. He is expected back for Week 1 (albeit that seems a little optimistic) and we already moved him down our rankings slightly and slapped an “avoid” icon on him.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins TE position is decimated. Niles Paul (ankle) and Logan Paulsen (toe) are both out for the season, while Jordan Reed is, as usual, missing time due to injury (hamstring). Reed is hopeful to play in the team’s third preseason game. He’s a nice late flier pick, but health is a major concern.

MFL10 Draft Recap From First and Sixth Overall Picks

August 17, 2015 By AskTony Leave a Comment

In a recent MFL10 draft, Mike selected Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson at 1.01, and Tony took Green Bay Packers RB Eddie Lacy at 1.06. Check out how the rest of their respective drafts played out.

A great way to practice drafting for your upcoming fantasy football drafts, and to get a handle on Average Draft Position (ADP) for players (not to mention, they are a lot of fun) is to enter an MFL10 fantasy league, hosted by MyFantasyLeague.com.

The format is a redraft league with performance plus PPR scoring. The starting lineup is 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE) and 1 DEF for 9 total starters, and 20 roster spots.

MFL10s are draft-only leagues – no trading, no free agency waiver add/drops – and “best ball” scoring. Due to the best ball scoring, NFL players with high weekly variance might get drafted a bit earlier than usual.

Fantasy owners benefit in weeks these players blow up, while the player is automatically benched in weeks they disappear. These riskier players do take up a valuable roster spot however, so all in all, MFL10s are still a good gauge on where players get drafted in our regular fantasy leagues.

Recently, Draft Buddy creator Mike MacGregor and I participated in an MFL10 draft with other industry experts. Let’s take a look at each of our teams, post-draft. Draft Buddy users can review all of the teams in a copy of Draft Buddy that Mike uploaded to our members area that he used during the draft.

Mike: 1.01 RB Adrian Peterson, MIN

It is hard to go wrong with the first overall pick in a redraft. I expect Peterson to have a monster year. I’m thinking “revenge” for 2014. He will be fed every game and no signs point to him slowing down any time soon.

Tony: 1.06 RB Eddie Lacy, GB

Lacy is among the top three running backs in the league, so for him to fall to me at sixth overall, I gladly scooped him up. He is young, he doesn’t have much competition challenging him, and with the best quarterback in the league throwing passes, what is there not to like about Lacy?

Mike: 2.12 RB Justin Forsett, BAL

Forsett was the 2014 breakout candidate of the year as he carried the Ravens backfield after the Ray Rice controversy. With the addition of offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, who helped Matt Forte earn the most receptions by a running back in a season last year, Forsett is in line for a bigger receiving role, which is gold for PPR leagues. Finally, according to Pro Football Focus offensive guard rankings, the Ravens have two in the top 10, meaning Forsett should see some big holes to run through.

Tony: 2.07 WR Calvin Johnson, DET

I will gladly take Calvin Johnson here. Last year, Johnson was the first overall wide receiver taken. Yes, injuries have limited him the past few years, but he is still a freak athlete on a team that loves to throw the ball. Johnson says he is the healthiest he has felt in years, and all signs point to a rebound year.

Mike: 3.01 WR T.Y. Hilton, IND

Hilton is the lead receiver for one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Andrew Luck. With the addition of running back Frank Gore to help keep defenses worried about the run, Hilton should see less defensive coverage. I expect him to finish with a career high in touchdowns, topping his 2014 total of 7.

Tony: 3.06 WR DeAndre Hopkins, HOU

Hopkins went into 2014 as a sleeper and he definitely lived up to that label. He finished as WR14, even with the questionable quarterbacking he had throwing to him. With running back Arian Foster out with a groin injury, Hopkins will see a ton of targets this year as the Texans will likely be playing from behind. I expect Hopkins to finish in the top 15 receivers again.

Mike: 4.12 TE Greg Olsen, CAR

I rank Olsen as my third overall tight end. He continuously produces for the Panthers. With a healthy running game and the addition of Devin Funchess on the outside, Olsen should find plenty of room in the middle of the field.

Tony: 4.07 WR Emmanuel Sanders, DEN

Sanders helped form one of the best wide receiver duos in the league in 2014. It helps that he has the great Peyton Manning throwing to him. With Demaryius Thomas continuing to demand double coverage, I expect Sanders to have another great year as long as Manning can continue to sling the ball.

Mike: 5.01 WR Jarvis Landry, MIA

Landry was one of the most underappreciated rookie wide receivers in 2014. He finished with 84 receptions on 112 targets, which is an insane 75% catch rate. That translates to a PPR machine. If quarterback Ryan Tannehill continues to take the next step forward, Landry is in for a big season.

Tony: 5.06 RB Shane Vereen, NYG

I have a lot of stock in Vereen this year. Come the end of the year, I expect Vereen to finish as the best running back for the Giants. Not only will he lead the backs in receptions, but, as training camp reports suggest, he will also split the running duties as well. With rookie phenom Odell Beckham Jr. earning double coverage and speedy Victor Cruz returning from injury, Vereen should have plenty of room to work.

Mike: 6.12 RB Doug Martin, TB

Martin gets another, and maybe his last, chance to be the lead back for the Buccaneers. He is their best running option. Training camp reports suggest he has lost weight and body fat in preparation for a major role in the offense. A motivated Martin could produce rewards at the flex option for fantasy teams.

Tony: 6.07 QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT

Roethlisberger had back-to-back 6 touchdown games in 2014, which is unbelievable. His offensive weapons have only gotten better in 2015. Despite the two-game suspension for running back Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers will be one of the highest scoring teams in the NFL this year. I will gladly take Roethlisberger as my quarterback.

Mike: 7.01 WR Mike Wallace, MIN

Mike Wallace is one of my candidates for sleeper status in 2015, or very underrated if you don’t care for the term sleeper. All the hype in Minnesota is around Charles Johnson, but Wallace is not a guy to forget about. Teddy Bridgewater, who I expect to finish in the top 10 quarterbacks this year, has a healthy Peterson back to keep defenses honest, which means there should be plenty of room for burner Wallace to get open on deep routes.

Tony: 7.06 WR Roddy White, ATL

An oldie but a goodie, White, even though he has a slew of knee injuries the past few years, continues to produce worthy fantasy stats. He may not start the season healthy as his knee is still bothering him, but when healthy, the veteran can still play. In my opinion, a move to the slot may help White thrive as he winds down his career.

Mike: 8.12 RB Rashad Jennings, NYG

Jennings should rotate with Vereen as the lead running back, but as I stated about my 6th round pick, I like Vereen to assume more work than Jennings this year. I expect the Giants to do very well this year, providing adequate opportunities for both players.

Tony: 8.07 TE Martellus Bennett, CHI

Despite holdout talks during OTAs, Bennett has shown up to training camp and been blowing new head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase away. Bennett has proven he can handle a big workload. I like him to finish within the top five this year.

Mike: 9.01 WR Steve Smith, BAL

We have two great veteran choices here in the ninth round. Both Smith and Boldin should continue to lead their respective teams in targets this year. Smith is the lead receiver for the Ravens with only a rookie as the second option.

Tony: 9.06 WR Anquan Boldin, SF

Boldin now has Torrey Smith opposite him, which should help spread the coverage out, allowing Boldin to utilize his great skills.

Mike: 10.12 QB Ryan Tannehill, MIA

Another player with a lot of hype is Tannehill. He has great offensive weapons that should make 2015 a career year for him as long as he continues taking those steps forward.

Tony: 10.07 RB Roy Helu, OAK

I am drinking the Helu Kool-Aid this offseason. I loved him as a sleeper for the Redskins when he came out of college, but Alfred Morris broke out as the lead back. I am not a believer in the Raiders lead back Latavius Murray. I expect Helu to start as the pass catching back, but to make his way to the starter role by year-end.

Mike: 11.01 TE Delanie Walker, TEN

Walker is a very good backup to have on your fantasy team, and he could even suffice as a starter in deep leagues. The Titans are in a transition year with rookie franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota now driving the offense, and Walker could be utilized as a safety valve until the offense gets acclimated.

Tony: 11.06 WR Devin Funchess, CAR

Funchess will play opposite Kelvin Benjamin. Both receivers provide big, athletic targets for quarterback Cam Newton. With Benjamin warranting more coverage, Funchess could be a primary target, especially in the red zone, for Newton.

Mike: 12.12 QB Carson Palmer, ARI

Prior to tearing his ACL, Palmer was having a Pro Bowl season, with 62.9% completions, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions through six games. In 2015, he looks to finish what he started in 2014.

Tony: 12.07 RB Knile Davis, KC

If an injury were to happen to all top five running backs (boy do I not wish that to ever happen), the best backup to own is Knile Davis. He has proven he can carry the rock well in support of Jamaal Charles.

Mike: 13.01 RB Fred Jackson, BUF

Jackson is the oldest running back in the NFL today. It is undetermined what role he will have in the new Bills offense under head coach Rex Ryan as training camps report indicate rookie Karlos Williams is quickly moving up the depth charts, so Jackson may be in for a position battle all year.

Tony: 13.06 QB Joe Flacco, BAL

Flacco has consistently been a mid-tier quarterback, but a more than suitable backup for this format. With Trestman now the offensive coordinator, Flacco may be asked to throw more often, which could lead to big stats.

Mike: 14.12 WR Phillip Dorsett, IND

Dorsett has quarterback Luck and receiver Hilton showing him the ropes. So much so that he has passed sophomore Donte Moncrief on the depth charts. Dorsett may have a few big games in him this year.

Tony: 14.07 TE Larry Donnell, NYG

Prior to rookie Beckham Jr. joining the active roster last season, Donnell was the hottest tight end in the NFL, even posting a three-touchdown game in Week 4. Donnell will be a serviceable tight end for my bye week.

Mike: 15.01 WR Kenny Britt, STL

Britt has had an underwhelming career in the NFL and he hopes to improve with new quarterback Nick Foles. All Rams receivers are fast and athletic, so Britt may have some stiff competition on the field.

Tony: 15.06 DEF Houston Texans

Any defense with J.J. Watt is automatically a threat for a big scoring week. The man creates a ton of sacks and turnovers, which he converts into touchdowns himself sometimes. The Texans defense will rank in the top five this year again.

Mike: 16.12 QB Blake Bortles, JAC

Bortles struggled in his rookie year in 2014. He now has more offensive weapons and reports are he has taken great strides this offseason.

Tony: 16.07 RB Javorius Allen, BAL

Rookie running back Allen may threaten Forsett as the pass catching back, especially in Trestman’s offense. As I’ve already stated, we should expect to see this offense air the ball out more, so Allen has plenty of potential in PPR leagues.

Mike: 17.01 DEF New England Patriots

The front seven players for the Patriots defense should be dominant this year. It is the defensive backs that are questionable.

Tony: 17.06 WR Josh Huff, PHI

Personally, I feel Josh Huff will earn the number two WR position this year opposite Jordan Matthews. I know rookie Nelson Agholor is there, but Huff has been dominating camp and will come extremely cheap in all drafts this year.

Mike: 18.12 DEF Indianapolis Colts

The Colts defense provides some depth at the position and they will suffice as a backup.

Tony: 18.07 WR Allen Hurns, JAC

Hurns passed Marqise Lee to deserve the number two receiver designation opposite Allen Robinson. We saw Hurns handle the number one role in 2014 quite well, so if Bortles takes that next step in 2015, I expect some big weeks for Hurns.

Mike: 19.01 WR Robert Woods, BUF

With defenses focusing on sophomore Sammy Watkins, Woods may find some open spots on the field for the Bills. He has nothing but upside.

Tony: 19.06 DEF New York Giants

The Giants defense should take a huge step forward this year with their improved linebackers and defensive backs. Let’s just hope Jason Pierre-Paul makes it back quick from his offseason hand injury.

Mike: 20.12 DEF Jacksonville Jaguars

I personally think the Jaguars are the most underrated defense in the league. They have a great linebacker corps and improved their defensive backs. The defensive line still needs improvement. Do not be surprised if they finish in the top 15 this year.

Tony: 20.07 WR Danny Amendola, NE

As my last pick, Amendola is practically free. Over the first four weeks while Tom Brady is likely suspended, Amendola should be a safety valve out of the slot for QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

Below are the final rosters for each team. Which side do you prefer, and what would you do differently constructing your best-ball MFL10 team from either of these draft spots?