Dynasty Watch - Week 2
Posted 9/12 by Jeff Pasquino and Will Grant, Exclusive to Footballguys.com
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.
Jason Avant, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
What has he done so far
Drafted in the fourth round in 2006 out of Michigan, Jason Avant was brought along very slowly in the Eagles organization. While everyone focused on Reggie Brown and Donte Stallworth, Avant and fellow rookie Hank Baskett learned the ropes and basically "red-shirted" in their rookie seasons. Avant played in just eight games in 2006, catching seven passes for 68 yards and one touchdown, with over half of that production (4-40-1) coming in a meaningless Week 17 game against Atlanta.
Current Situation
Avant had a great preseason and showed everyone in the Eagles' organization the skills that made them get him in the 2006 NFL Draft. Avant is not a huge WR (6'0, 212), but he does excel with the tools that he has and plays bigger than his frame. He passed fellow sophomore WR Hank Baskett on the depth chart to become the third option for the Eagles entering into the 2007 campaign, and he had a great Week 1. Avant pulled down three of his four targets for a combined 54 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, the only TD pass from McNabb on the day.
Spotlight ETA
2007 - as in now. Avant will be rising up the charts quickly and he should be on the radar of most Dynasty players out there. He is the third WR on a pass-happy team and his value should only go up from here.
Dynasty Upside
Top 25 WR. The Eagles throw, throw and throw some more. Avant could grow enough as a WR in his second year to make HC Andy Reid consider him for a starting position and supplant either Reggie Brown or Kevin Curtis. That doesn't seem likely, but if you have seen what other solid third WR options can do in the NFL, they are one injury or opportunity away from getting their shot to show what they can do. Avant seems either ready or close to ready to do just that.
Final Thoughts
Philadelphia is a high-powered, pass first offense that has their Pro Bowl QB back under center. Donovan McNabb will target whoever gets open and get him the ball in situations where the receiver can make plays and yards after the catch. Last year, the sexy sleeper wideout in Philly was Hank Baskett, but this year it is really Jason Avant. Avant can be both a possession receiver and move the chains, but he can also be a big end zone target for McNabb - something that could be really needed if TE L.J. Smith doesn't stay healthy. In deeper leagues or even for teams this season in need of WR help, Avant should be on your radar.
Jim Leonhard, DB, Buffalo Bills
What has he done so far
Jim Leonhard is entering his third season with the Buffalo Bills. He was an undrafted free agent back in 2005 from Wisconsin and has had very limited action during his first two seasons: 12 tackles, and six assists in 15 games. But when starting free safety Ko Simpson broke his ankle during the first quarter of last week's game against Denver, Leonhard became the de facto starter, posting an impressive eight solo tackles, five assists and a 36 yard interception return.
Current Situation
With Simpson out for several weeks with a broken ankle, Leonhard steps into the starting role for the Bills this season. He'll still have to share time with second year standout Donte Whitner, but there should be plenty of action to go around given how the Bills are struggling on offense .
Spotlight ETA
If this week's stats are any indication as to what Leonhard can do, you need to grab him now. It's unclear how long Simpson will be out with the ankle injury, but it will be several weeks at least. This gives Leonhard a chance to showcase his talent. He's a free agent at the end of this season, so it's important to his long term future to make the most of this opportunity now.
Dynasty Upside
Simpson's stats from last season were nothing to write home about (76 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs). However, given Leonhard's start so far this year, and his incentive to really knock it out of the part to secure a big contract next season, Leonhard is a genuine sleeper pick right now. A solid showing from him now could secure him into the starting lineup for Buffalo, or land him a big free agent contract with another team for 2008. His upside definitely deserves consideration.
Final Thoughts
Legitimate player or one week wonder? We'll find out soon enough as Jim Leonhard is the starting free safety of the Buffalo Bills for at least a couple weeks. At 5' 8" tall and only 185 lbs, he's not going to be able to out muscle guys like Randy Moss or Roy Williams every week, but he makes up for his lack of height in speed and attitude. The Bills don't have a lot of options until Simpson returns, and it looks like the job may already be Leonhard's to lose. Whether he returns to the Bills in 2008 or leave for greener pastures and a big fat offseason contract, Leonhard will be an excellent addition to your fantasy roster.
Players You Should Already Be Watching
Jesse Chatman, RB, Miami Dolphins - Head coach Cam Cameron held true to his words that Chatman would be sharing time with starting RB Ronnie Brown. Brown owners have to be upset, but at least they were forewarned. Chatman looked great in the preseason and put up solid numbers (18-116-2 rushing, 6-52 receiving) which got him his chance to get regular season touches. He didn't score in Week 1, but he did have two goal line carries and 15 yards rushing. He also added six catches for 48 yards, making him quite a value in PPR leagues as well.
Shaun McDonald, WR, Detroit Lions - McDonald rejoins coach Mike Martz once again this year in Detroit after they were both in St. Louis. McDonald was brought in by the Lions as a fourth WR option for a wide open passing attack in Detroit, and some have speculated that he could be the third WR (over Mike Furrey) by season's end. McDonald put up good numbers in Week 1 against the Raiders (6 catches on 7 targets, 90 yards and a TD) and could be this year's surprise pickup at WR.
Jarvis Green, DE, New England Patriots - Jarvis Green is off to a career year and it's only the first week of the season. Last season Green had 26 tackles, 5 assists, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass defense. This only landed him at #59 for fantasy DLs last year and many owners overlooked him this season. Green is off to a fantastic start, posting 5 tackles, 1 assist and 2 sacks against the Jets this week. He and Ty Warren are both seeing more action since Richard Seymour is on the physically unable to perform list because of a knee injury. With Seymour gone for the next five weeks at least, Green makes an excellent addition to your fantasy DL squad.
Ike Taylor, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Taylor had a nice breakout year in 2005, finishing with 75 tackles, 16 assists, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT 20 pass defenses. He finished 19th among fantasy DBs and many people expected that he'd build on that for 2006. However, last year he fell back to earth and finished just 66th among fantasy DBs with only 60 tackles, 9 assists, 2 INTs and 12 pass defenses. This season the Steelers have a new head coach in Mike Tomlin and it seems that Taylor is going to be used in different ways. Against the Brown this week, Taylor recorded five tackles, 1 sack (first of his career), 1 INT and 1 pass defense. Taylor's more aggressive style of play will lend to bigger fantasy impact, and he's definitely one worth having on your roster and probably in your starting lineup at this rate.
