Fantasy Football News and Notes Heading Into Preseason Week 3

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– The Cowboys running back situation, featuring Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar, has not come into any greater focus for the 2015 season per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As a result, we’ve moved Randle, who still figures to eventually land in the catbird’s seat of the this competition, down somewhat in the cheat sheet’s most recent updates. The optimistic hope for Randle was that he would have separated himself somewhat coming into Week 3’s preseason dress rehearsals. We still have a very hard time trusting Darren McFadden, though, and view Lance Dunbar as mainly a non-factor for first and second-down duties, so Randle’s recent ADP slip might actually mean he can be had for better value due to the current murkiness of the situation.

– Per ESPN New Orleans, C.J. Spiller is rumored to “likely” be unavailable for the first two weeks of the season, making his current Round 6 ADP seem just a bit steep.

– The Ultimate Draft Cheat Sheet was updated following the news of Martavis Bryant‘s suspension Thursday to make sure his new status of being in line to miss the first-quarter of the 2015 season was reflected.

However, Bryant will appeal the suspension. If he was hit for four games, that means he was already in the substance abuse program and the easy culprit to point at would likely be weed. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Bryant gets the suspension cut from four to two games like teammate Le’Veon Bell, so if he slips far enough in pre-appeal drafts, there could be a point in which it’s worth taking the gamble in hopes of a reduction.

– A good friend of RosterWatch, Aaron Wilson (of @RavensInsider fame who now covers the Texans) reports that Arian Foster could be back much sooner than initially planned – possibly even in September.

Foster’s ADP has crept up a bit over the last week via FFCalculator – almost an entire round.

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– ESPN.com took a survey of all its team writers to name one breakout fantasy player from each NFL Team. Here is a recap of the beat writer answers from the NFC:

Cowboys – WR Cole Beasley – “So far in training camp, Beasley has not been defended. His quickness in the slot makes him a matchup nightmare.”

Giants – RB Shane Vereen – “They signed him as a passing-down back because of his ability to catch the ball, but they also see him as an excellent pass protector at running back. The Giants have significant question marks at both tackle positions and could struggle in pass protection. If they do, Vereen could be on the field more than expected out of necessity.”

Eagles – WR Nelson Agholor – “It would be overstating it to compare rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor to last year’s rookie star, Odell Beckham Jr. But in the preseason, Agholor showed flashes of that kind of playmaking ability.”

Redskins – RB Alfred Morris – “He’s comfortable in a power-based scheme because of his footwork and patience. The line should be improved in its run blocking.”

Bears – WR Eddie Royal – “I’d be surprised if Royal doesn’t exceed the numbers he put up last year in San Diego (62-778-7).”

Lions – QB Matthew Stafford – “Stafford has the full complement of weapons, something he didn’t have that often a season ago. He also is in the second year of the offensive scheme devised by coordinator Joe Lombardi and has looked extremely sharp throughout most of training camp.”

Packers – WR Ty Montgomery – “He’s a multi-dimensional player who might be the Packers’ most impressive rookie.”

Vikings – WR Charles Johnson – “Charles Johnson emerged as Teddy Bridgewater‘s favorite receiver late last season and has been the team’s starting split end all through training camp.”

Falcons – WR Leonard Hankerson – “Injuries have hampered his progress, but a healthy Hankerson has a legit chance to be a secondary threat behind Julio Jones.”

Panthers – WR Devin Funchess – “At 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, he should get a lot of looks in the red zone with teams focused on tight end Greg Olsen.”

Saints – WR Brandon Coleman – “The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder seems to have emerged as New Orleans’ No. 3 receiver this summer (despite the fact that he hasn’t produced in preseason games yet).”

Bucs – TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins – “Seferian-Jenkins is healthy now and the Bucs believe he can turn in 60 or more catches.”

Cardinals – WR John Brown – “Brown will have a larger role in the offense this season and it helps that he’s one of Carson Palmer‘s favorite targets.”

49ers – TE Vernon Davis – “The Niners not only promised he would be a bigger part of the offense this year but, well, they need him. It has the makings of a perfect fantasy storm for the Niners … in good way.”

Seahawks – QB Russell Wilson – “Wilson’s 849 rushing yards were tied for 16th most among all players last season, and he scored six rushing touchdowns.”

Rams – Rams D/ST – “This group looks poised for a breakout season that could result in plenty of sacks, takeaways and even touchdowns.”

6 Comments

  1. Hey guys, 12 team ppr, start 1/2/3/1, get to keep two guys with no round designation. I also have 3 picks in the 4th round(second after keepers). I can keep 2 of Demaryius, AJ Green or Jeremy Hill. Doing mock drafts I love the teams I get when I keep Hill and Thomas, but at 7th pick in the 3rd I usually stare Brandin Cooks in the face every time. Sometimes Forsett drops. Should i keep the two WRs and go heavy with Cooks as my 3. I can usually snag 3 of Gore, Ingram, Miller, Murray, and Ivory in round 4 with this set up. Or do I go Hill and Thomas, with Cooks as my 2? Any other draft strategies based on my predicament would help immensely. Thanks

    1. If it’s a full point ppr, I like keeping Thomas and Green. There’s a ton of value to be had in the fourth at rb. I’d try to make miller one of them, as he’s probably going to catch the most passes of that group.

  2. I have freeman . Would you trade Nelson Aghlor for Tevin Coleman?

    I have DT, AJ Green and adms as my WR
    Randel , Freeman, and Todd Gurley as my RB

    My thoughts is too lock up the alt rb situation to see who wins. I like their zone blocking scheme

    1. I think you’re on the right track. Randle could be in a timeshare and gurley will be eased in. You’re solid at wr.

  3. 12 team PPR, 3 player keeper, losing a round in the draft.
    I am keeping WR R.Cobb for a 9th, WR E.Sanders for an 8th, and TE Bennett for a 7th.
    I have the 1st overall pick. WR ODB, RB Anderson and Forsett WILL be on the board. (Rumor is maybe AP or Charles will be back on board as well, if so there is no need for this question)
    Should I take ODB and have the most dominant (on paper) starting WR group and see what RBs falls to me at 2/3 wrap, or get CJ as a #1 RB and see if any good WR depth falls to me? After that, i think i am set and excited about what this team can be. Thanks.

    1. I would nab ODB. He’s so good, and we don’t know how this Cobb thing is going to shake out by week 1.

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