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Dynasty Watch
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Posted 10/18 by Sigmund Bloom, Jeff Pasquino, and Will Grant, Exclusive to Footballguys.com
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The purpose of this column is to spotlight deeper roster moves that could pay
off big over the course of the season. Unless stated in a player's write up,
we're not looking for one-week wonders here, but shark moves that could really
strengthen your team down the road.
Dynasty Watch focuses on low risk; huge payoff roster moves that you might
be able make before the guys in your league think about it. This aim of this
column is to make you look like a genius to the other owners in your league.
When news breaks and the other owners are scrambling to make a waiver wire move,
we want them to be upset time and time again that the player is already on your
squad.
D.J. Hackett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
What has he done so far:
Hackett was drafted by the Seahawks in the 5th round in 2004. He didn't play
in his rookie year, but injuries to both of Seattle's starting WRs forced him
into the lineup in 2005. He emerged as a solid deep threat and posted 28-400-3
on only 43 targets. Hackett saw one obstacle to playing time, Joe Jurevicius,
leave for Cleveland in the offseason. Unfortunately for D.J., the Seahawks were
not done shuffling their WR corps. They signed Nate Burleson away from the Vikings,
and traded their '07 first for disgruntled Patriot Deion Branch. Hackett began
the season at #5 on the depth chart, often being inactive on gameday. A thyroid
condition has befallen Bobby Engram, and Hackett is part of four WR sets for
the time being.
Current Situation:
D.J. continued his productive 2005 ways, catching three balls for 66 yards
in limited duty last week. Two of the catches were of the clutch fourth quarter
variety. Nate Burleson has proved to be a colossal disappointment, and Bobby
Engram is out for at least another week. Hackett should see targets until Engram
returns, and he might take playing time away from Burleson if he continues to
produce.
Spotlight ETA:
2007? It's hard to say. Darrell Jackson is signed long term, but there have
been rumblings about D-Jack being unhappy about his contract, not to mention
talk of a degenerative knee injury in the offseason. Bobby Engram is best cast
a slot WR despite his having the ability to start in a pinch, and he's old (33).
Nate Burleson has struggled with an injured thumb and is yet to make an impact.
He's a player that Seattle only gave 5.25 million guaranteed money - far from
the large numbers connected to his contract when it was announced. There are
questions about all three players that Hackett would have to overcome to start
in Seattle. The important factor in Hackett's favor is his production when given
opportunity. If Hackett continues to contribute, Seattle will have to consider
increasing his role.
Dynasty Upside:
Ideally, Hackett would be the future big deep threat to compliment the speedy
Deion Branch in Seattle's passing attack. The third year WR has the size and
physical play to go up for the deep ball, and he's a good runner after the catch.
He could be a startable WR in start 3 WR leagues as a starter in the potent
Seattle passing offense.
Final Thoughts:
It's hard to get excited about Hackett when you look at the Seahawks roster
at WR. It's easy to get excited about Hackett when you watch him play. An investment
in D.J. has to be based on the belief that productive talent will make its opportunity.
Hackett is entering his prime years and has shown that he can come through for
the team when asked. He made an impression again in 2006, despite Seattle bringing
in multiple WRs to block his path. Rostering him is a stretch in offense only
dynasty leagues with shorter benches, but he's worth carrying in IDP dynasty
leagues with large roster sizes that allow you the luxury of dedicating 10+
roster spots to offensive prospects.
Derek Hagan, WR, Miami Dolphins
What has he done so far:
After just two catches for the season, Derek Hagan moved closer to becoming
the next starting rookie wide receiver in the NFL with his performance in Week
6. Hagan was targeted by QB Joey Harrington 12 times, more than any other Dolphin
receiver and tied for the most on the team (TE Randy McMichael). Hagan caught
one pass in each of the opening quarters against the Jets, and then added three
more for a total of six catches for 66 yards on the game. He dropped just one
easy pass, a problem that plagued him at Arizona State.
Current Situation:
Hagan is pushing for a starting spot for the Dolphins. He is in direct competition
not with WR Marty Booker but WR Wes Welker, who was supposed to be just the
third receiver and kick returner. HC Nick Saban likes Welker and values the
special teams (which sparked another promotion off the practice squad, see below),
so he would love to have Hagan more active in the passing game to minimize Welker's
usage.
Spotlight ETA:
Right about now. The schedule is favorable for the Dolphins for the next few
games (three NFC North battles with the Packers, Vikings and Lions) and Booker
is out at least one more week with the shoulder injury. If Hagan continues to
present himself as a nice big target for QB Joey Harrington, that connection
could be solid for the rest of the 2006 Miami campaign.
Dynasty Upside:
Hagan represents a nice big target at wide receiver, but his inconsistency
with making the catch despite many many targets pushed him down to the third
round of the 2006 NFL Draft. If Hagan takes advantage of the current opportunity
before him, he could become one of the core players that Miami will build the
future offense around. Hagan will not be mistaken for a burner receiver, but
anyone that can keep the chains moving and get open has a good NFL future at
wide receiver.
Final Thoughts:
The jury is still out on Hagan, but for the short term he represents a solid
sleeper and decent waiver wire pickup for many fantasy team owners. The Dolphins
need sparks and playmakers (no not like the short-lived show - that's for The
"U" on the other side of town), and Hagan showed this past Sunday
that he can make plays. He is running solid routes and emerging as a solid target
and quite possibly a member of the new nucleus of the Miami Dolphins' offense.
Players You Should Already Be Watching
J.J. Arrington, RB, Arizona Cardinals - Edgerrin James set a record
for futility with the lowest yards per carry average when getting more than
30 carries in a game in the history of the league. As Righetti from the Shark
Pool put it in a thread title, "maybe JJ Arrington wasn't that bad, Edge
is miserable behind that line". Arrington is not as good as everyone thought
he was going to be heading into 2005, but he's not as bad as his 2005 numbers
either. The Cards are going to have to gives Arrington some touches to give
the running game a shot in the arm, and he could still figure a big part into
their future plans with Edge looking like he's closer to the dreaded aging RB
drop-off than anyone thought coming into this year.
Ahmad Brooks, LB, Cincinnati Bengals - The rise and fall of Ahmad Brooks
was quite the epic saga at Virginia. He went from being an All American and
Butkus Award finalist in his sophomore year to an injury plagued 2005 that saw
him balloon to near 300 pounds. His college career bottomed out when he was
kicked off the team by Coach Al Groh this Spring. He entered the supplemental
draft, and was selected with a 3rd round pick by the Bengals, who haven't been
the best judges of character in recent drafts. Brooks shattered any skepticism
about his physical shape last week, when he posted 10 solo tackles and an assist
in place of late scratch Brian Simmons. He could have a better standing in the
race to be the 2007 MLB than suspended Odell Thurman by the end of the season,
and a possible conversion to the 3-4 could make that competition moot. He should
be owned in every IDP dynasty league.
Marcus Vick, WR, Miami Dolphin - Yes, Ron Mexico's little bro is back.
The Dolphins, faced with a shortage at wide receiver, activated Vick from the
practice squad. With all the issues at quarterback, however, don't be surprised
if this guy might do a little something with his arm more than his legs. He
also may contribute on special teams, with the potential ability to show speed
as a kick returner. WR Wes Welker is getting a lot of work on offense as a receiver,
so anyone that can reduce his exposure is a comfort to HC Nick Saban.
Patrick Crayton, WR, Dallas Cowboys - Look over there, everyone - it's
Terrell Owens. You know, "T.O." Pay no attention to the other receiver,
Terry Glenn, who is also putting up pretty good numbers. Even if they do notice
Glenn, they sure don't seem to notice the emerging third wide receiver for the
Cowboys in Patrick Crayton. We mentioned him here at Dynasty Watch in Week 3,
and now Crayton has just caught five balls for 61 yards in Week 6 against Houston,
which just so happened to be the same number as the first two receivers we mentioned.
If he is somehow still available, you may want to grab him before he becomes
the next Bryant Johnson.
Terrance Copper, WR, New Orleans Saints - Copper, an ex-Dallas Cowboy,
hasn't done too much to date. The Saints have used him as a kick returner and
a spot player as a third or fourth wide receiver. He is worth noting as there
are always injuries in the NFL. With WR Devery Henderson out, one nick or hamstring
pull by either WR Joe Horn or WR Marques Colston would thrust him right up towards
the starter role for a very good offense and QB in Drew Brees.
Dave Rayner, PK, Green Bay Packers - For the guys who just lost John
Hall to IR, this may be a good pickup for you. Rayner missed a 53 yard FG the
first week of the season and hasn't missed many since then. He's 6-6 in kicks
under 40 yards and has enough leg to put through the long ones, including a
54 yarder against Philly a couple weeks ago. He's coming off a bye week and
many people have forgotten about him. The Packers are not a scoring machine
this season, but they will get close enough to give Rayner his chances. He's
worth a backup role for now with solid upside given the fact that he's only
in his second season.
Ruvell Martin, WR, Green Bay Packers - Martin was here last week and
we're reminding you about him again. Krob is gone for the year, and with Ferguson
injured and possibly out for the season, Martin jumps to the #3 spot. Expect
the Packers to add another WR to the mix because Driver isn't really known for
being a hardy player, Martin could be starting opposite Jennings before the
season end.
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