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.
The New York Giants and quarterback Eli Manning finalized a four-year, $84 million extension this past week. The reason this is notable for dynasty owners is two-fold. First, Manning is 34 years of age and we can assume that this will be his last professional contract. Few players play to that age (38) anyway. But, at least we know the limit. Secondly, and possibly the most important for fantasy owners, is that the extension means stability for the other fantasy-viable players, notably Odell Beckham, Jr., for the next few years. By the way, the performance on Sunday night might have left the team reconsidering their decision.
Both Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported last week that St. Louis tailback Todd Gurley should be back by Week 4 as long as he encounters no setbacks. He has begun working out with his teammates and working with the scout team. The Rams need their first round pick on the field as soon as possible. This season could be a long, ugly one due to struggles on the offensive side of the ball. It was great to see the big win against Seattle even without the star tailback.
It was great to read blurbs from most of the Detroit Lions beat writers expecting rookie Ameer Abdullah to used heavily as a receiver. He will still need to earn snaps from Joique Bell running the ball. But, considering these quotes were before Sunday's game, Abdullah has turned heads and making his mark. Detroitlions.com writer Tim Twentyman's went so far as to say, Abdullah is "certainly a better receiver already than Reggie Bush was." Let's consider how strong of a statement Twentyman is making. Bush was a play-maker for the Lions and made the Detroit offense much more potent with a big-play option out of the backfield. And, the rookie did not disappoint in the loss against San Diego Sunday afternoon. The touchdown run was a thing of beauty as Abdullah showed great vision and accelerated through the hole. He has a bright future.
It was a surprise to many when the Tennessee Titans traded for Terrance West last week and placed rookie David Cobb on the Injured Reserve/designated for return list, making his eligible to return in Week 10. According to beat writer Terry McCormick via Twitter, Cobb's calf “popped” during a walk-through play. His absence leaves Bishop Sankey and West carrying the rock for the Titans.
The Seattle Seahawks have churned their running back corps this offseason. The team traded Christine Michael to Dallas and waived Robert Turbin with an injury settlement, while signing Fred Jackson. Turbin was given a five-week settlement for his high ankle sprain. He promptly signed with the Cleveland Browns, giving the team depth at the running back position needed after trading Terrance West. Rookie Duke Johnson Jr has battled concussions the past couple of weeks and this left Isaiah Crowell to be the main back against the New York Jets Sunday.
Perhaps the biggest news of the weekend was the broken bone in the foot of Dez Bryant. Regardless of the initial timetable, we would encourage patience as many fantasy footballers are anxious to get the star back in the lineup. The initial timetable of 3-6 weeks is optimistic and Bryant is likely to return in November …. at the earliest. We do not like the Dallas offense without the superstar. Do not pick up Devin Street thinking he will score fantasy points. Cole Beasley has a better chance, working the slot receiver position.
DeSean Jackson left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury and never returned. The Washington offense was a mess before, and will not be strong without their biggest playmaker. Two players to watch are Andre Roberts and rookie Jamison Crowder. But, by now, we all know to avoid the passing game led by Kirk Cousins.
The Seattle Seahawks think they got a steal in the NFL Draft with receiver and returner Tyler Lockett. For those that do not remember, the Seahawks traded up in the draft to select the Kansas State product. At first, many were excited about his return ability – and Lockett has surpassed even those lofty expectations. But, he has also earned a role as a receiver. We foresee a time coming quickly where Lockett is a starting receiver. He will vie for targets. The Seahawks offense needs play-makers and Lockett could be the best on the team at making big plays.
One rookie we were hoping to see early in the season was Baltimore wide receiver Breshad Perriman. He has all of the physical tools to be a star, but came into the NFL needing to work on the finer points of the wide receiver position (e.g., route running, hands, reading the defense, etc.). Last week, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that Perriman is without a time line for a return from his knee injury. We expect Perriman back on the field in the next few weeks and will slowly make progress. He is a player to acquire in dynasty leagues from frustrated owners wanting immediate return. Perriman has a chance to be a fantasy starter for the last half of the season. Boy, was he needed against Denver. The Ravens offense looked lost with just one weapon in the passing game (Steve Smith).
There has been much speculation regarding the return of New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz from his calf injury. Cruz injured the calf while returning from a serious knee injury last year. ESPN Giants reporter Dan Graziano said last week that he believes there is a good chance that we will not see Cruz before Week 4. The New York offense needs Cruz in the lineup. Rueben Randle is not consistent enough to keep opposing defenses from focusing their efforts solely on stopping Odell Beckham, Jr. Sunday night's game was a great example of how a middling Dallas defense can slow down the Giants offense.
Beat writer Matt Vensel voiced last week that he expects Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph to be a big part of the Minnesota offense. Vensel added the caveat as long as Rudolph stays healthy. Rudolph has struggled to stay on the field during his brief career. The Vikings have given quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ample weapons in which to utilize. Rudolph has a legitimate opportunity to jump into the Top 10 at the tight end position.
Many fantasy owners were excited to see athletic tight end Joseph Fauria signing with the Arizona Cardinals. Could this be his opportunity to be a NFL starter? The answer is “it does not matter”. The Cardinals do not utilize the tight end position in the passing game, other than an occasional red-zone target. Fauria signed after his release from the Lions and after Ifeanyi Momah was placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Leave Fauria on the waiver wire unless you are a glutton for punishment. This is especially true for those of you who want to pick up Fells off the waiver wire after his big catch and run Sunday against New Orleans. Avoid the heartache of the Arizona tight end position.
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.
