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We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most for you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all of the recent happenings around the league.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been snake-bit this season. After enduring the knee injury, and rehabilitation to get back on the field, Roethlisberger injured his foot in Sunday's win against the Oakland Raiders. Landry Jones will start in his stead. Pittsburgh hopes to have the star quarterback in the lineup after the Week 11 bye. This would be a quick return for a foot sprain. At this point, a Week 12 return is the best any Steelers fan or fantasy owner expect.
After the big shake up in the Detroit Lions front office, the future of Matthew Stafford is in doubt. A new general manager will hire a new head coach, replacing Jim Caldwell. The new coach may want to bring in his own quarterback. Stafford is still young, just 28 years of age, and has tremendous value as trade bait. With so many teams struggling at the position, the Lions could garner a large return if trading Stafford. We would expect multiple first round and other mid-round picks to be the price. This uncertainty cannot be good for his dynasty value. If Stafford cannot produce strong fantasy numbers with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate lined up as receivers, few situations will be better.
The benching of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had to be tough for the athletic quarterback's psyche. We understand. Can you imagine how bad it would hurt when your friends and family remind you that you were benched for Blaine Gabbert? Then, he had to watch Gabbert lead the offense, without Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin, and Vernon Davis, to a victory. With his immense potential, and so many teams with poor quarterback situations, there will be a solid trade market for Kaepernick after the season. If he is dropped in your league, Kaepernick makes a solid waiver acquisition.
Many fantasy owners were riding the waiver wire pick up of Patriots tailback Dion Lewis. He broke the “elusive rating” score for those sites who track such things. Lewis was injured in the game against Washington Sunday, tearing his left ACL. Thankfully, he signed a contract extension a few weeks ago. New England will now turn to the less-than-dynamic duo of James White and Brandon Bolden to replace Lewis in the passing game role. LeGarrette Blount will see an uptick in carries, especially with the weather turning colder. The good news is that Lewis should be healthy for training camp. Sadly, it has been injuries which have caused him to miss so much action over the past few years.
Few NFL stories have been as odd as Joseph Randle in Dallas. Many will remember his theft of cologne and underwear. Then, a couple of weeks ago, Randle went missing from practice after being told he was going to play behind Darren McFadden. Last week, the Cowboys released Randle. We went unclaimed. This feels like there is much more going on than has been reported. Still just 23 years of age, we are concerned about Randle's mental stability. In Dallas, we are fading McFadden knowing he is unlikely to hold up physically as a primary running back.
Branden Oliver has often been compared to Darren Sproles. Neither is tall. Both are elusive, and surprisingly strong physically. Each wearing number 43 in a Chargers uniform seals the image for many. Oliver saw his role reduced this season after the selection of Melvin Gordon in the 2015 NFL Draft. He injured his toe a couple of weeks ago and was placed on Injured Reserve with a turf toe. His loss only makes Gordon and Danny Woodhead better fantasy options. We expect Oliver back with the Chargers uniform in 2016. He might be a better fantasy player after leaving San Diego.
Another Chargers player was placed on Injured Reserve last week. After a strong start to the season wide receiver Keenan Allen was lost for the season with a lacerated kidney. He should be able to make a full recovery. We like Allen as a “buy” in dynasty leagues. He is still just 23 years old and was on pace to finish in the Top 6 fantasy receivers. In addition, the 2016 season will be the final campaign of his rookie contract. Allen will be playing for a new deal next year. He will be motivated to have a strong season.
Impatient dynasty owners will have to wait longer to see Ravens rookie Breshad Perriman on the field. Last week, Ed Werder tweeted that, “Breshad Perriman (is) weeks away” from returning. After the loss of Steve Smith, Baltimore could use the rookie. Many wonder why Perriman has not landed on Injured Reserve yet. The answer is simple. The team is desperate for receivers (especially after losing Smith) and may need Perriman down the stretch. On Monday, coach Harbaugh told reporters that he hopes to have Perriman for the last four games of the season. The rookie has missed most all of training camp and practices. A gifted, but raw, receiver, Perriman could have used the practice time to hone his skills.
This past weekend, the Buffalo Bills placed embattled receiver Percy Harvin on Injured Reserve, citing hip and knee injuries. A few weeks ago, we speculated on this happening when the Bills brass stated Harvin's absence as “personal” and leaked to the media that he may retire after the season just so the team may pursue some of the signing bonus given the receiver. It is difficult to believe that Harvin is still just 28 years of age. Josh Moore (@JoshMoore) tweeted an amazing stat Saturday, “In 8 years since being drafted, Percy Harvin has played in 65% of his team’s regular season games (73/112). 44% since 2012 (28/64).” Harvin may retire after the season. However, Adam Schefter tweeted early Sunday morning that Harvin will undergo knee surgery this week and “intends to resume NFL career next season.” We do not see him getting a big-money contract. Also, there is a strong chance that the Bills release Harvin from Injured Reserve before Christmas. This will not end well.
The biggest trade before last week's trade deadline was the Broncos acquisition of tight end Vernon Davis from the 49ers for an exchange of late round picks. We love the move for Denver, acquiring another play-maker for Peyton Manning. Owen Daniels has sure hands but could not threaten opposing defenses. Plus, Davis is a strong blocker. We expect Davis' playing time to increase over time. It might be Thanksgiving before he is up to speed. Manning was asked about David playing soon after the trade. He replied, "His head is probably swirling a little bit trying to kind of figure out where his locker is and where the meeting rooms are, but he's been around … We're going to try to catch him up to speed in as short an amount of time as possible and put in him in a position to help us win some football games." We fully expect Davis to become a low-end fantasy TE1 by the fantasy playoffs.
It was not a shock when beat reporter Stephen Holder wrote last week that he expects Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen to leave in the offseason. The 2015 season is the last Allen is under contract. Holder said Allen is "as good as gone” in the offseason. He went on to say, "I can't see a plausible scenario where Dwayne Allen re-signs," Let's remember that the Colts drafted both Allen and Coby Fleener in the 2012 NFL Draft. Fleener was the college roommate of quarterback Andrew Fleener. Even though Allen played ahead of Fleener the first couple of season, the playing time has flipped this season. Allen will sign for decent money elsewhere. We expect Fleener to re-sign in Indianapolis.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.