Geno Smith is heading in to training camp as the starting quarterback for the Jets. How long that will last remains to be seen with Mike Vick right behind him and Rex Ryan’s job on the line. Neither one are ideal dynasty buys – Smith because of his lack of talent and Vick because of his age.- Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks apparently played through a thumb injury last season that required him to be in a cast for a month this off-season. Despite that, he was still a top-20 IDPer and should stay there now that he’s healthy.
- Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski isn’t sure if he’ll be ready for the season after tearing his ACL in December. The news shouldn’t surprise anyone and further enhances my belief that he’d be a decent sell candidate. You just don’t know what you’re getting or when you get it.
- The Jaguars are expected to make Toby Gerhart a work horse this season. His role is set up a lot like Michael Turner’s in Atlanta where current Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell used to be.
- 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman isn’t expected to be ready for Week 1 and should be considered more likely to be back in the middle of the season. Bowman might be a decent buy-low candidate for a team that’s in win-now mode.
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Daily Dynasty Update – April 25th
The Patriots are hopeful that tight end Rob Gronkowski will be ready for week one. He isn’t practicing just yet so don’t hold your breath. Personally, I’d see what Gronks value is and move on. This article on Gronk’s injury history, and future, from Grantland was very accurate.- In other tight end news, Dwayne Allen is good to go for 2014. Colby Fleener failed to run away with the job last season so Allen’s chances are high for a productive 2014.
- Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw isn’t quite 100% yet but he’s still in line to contribute in Indy this season. However, with his injury history and the possibility that the Colts draft a running back, Bradshaw’s dynasty value is nil.
- Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin appears to be good to go. Maclin sat out all of 2013 with an injury but with DeSean Jackson in Washington, he becomes the primary target in a high-powered offense. His stock will only go up from now until draft day.
- In other Eagles news, running back Chris Polk had major shoulder surgery which could prevent the team from trading or cutting Bryce Brown just yet.
Daily Dynasty Update – April 24th
Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts is entering a contract year after two average seasons as a starter. Shoddy quarterback play can partially be to blame but he should have no issues this year as Jacksonville is expected to draft one in the early rounds. Just 26, Shorts is still a dynasty buy for me.- Lions running back Mikel Leshoure is skipping workouts in the hopes of getting out of Detroit. He’s a clear #3 on the depth chart and is hoping to catch on a #2 somewhere else. Chances are slim that happens.
- Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar is ready to go for 2014 as DeMarco Murray’s backup. Murray has a spotty injury history so it’s likely Dunbar will see some significant playing time, if he can stay healthy himself.
Daily Dynasty Update – April 23rd
The Raiders finally sent quarterback Terrelle Pryor out-of-town, trading him to Seattle for a seventh round pick. Expect Pryor to play all over the place but not to be a solid dynasty contributor.- Giants running back David Wilson expects to be cleared by OTA’s next month. It’s a great sign for Wilson but carries a huge risk for himself and dynasty owners. With the signing of Rashad Jennings in New York, it’s no guaranteed Wilson sees meaningful playing time even if he comes back.
- Bears linebacker Shea McClellin is taking the switch to the position seriously after intense training for it this off-season. He’s a sleeper LB in IDP dynasty leagues in 2014.
- Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is progressing well from surgery last season. Kelce was high on dynasty mock drafts last year after being drafted in the third round. He was slated to be the third option in the Chiefs offense before going down with the injury. With no apparent upgrades on offense, expect Kelce to reclaim that role.
Daily Dynasty Update – April 21st
49ers running back Marcus Lattimore says he’s ready to go. Lattimore sat out all of 2014 with a knee injury he sustained in college but should challenge both Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter for carries.- While Mason Foster’s hold on the middle linebacker position in Tampa’s new defense initially looked shaky, it appears he’ll get first crack at the position. Foster came on strong in IDP leagues last year and should replicate that success. He’ll be an ideal LB3 heading in to 2014.
- The Raiders are fully expected to waive quarterback Terrelle Pryor today. No one really knows what the Raiders plan is but it apparently doesn’t involve Pryor. And if you can’t make it Oakland, you probably can’t make it anywhere.
- In other quarterback news, it’s going to be an open competition in New York between Mike Vick and Geno Smith. This won’t help dynasty drafters but neither were supposed to be hot dynasty commodities anyway.
Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – April 2014
Click here for updated dynasty wide receiver rankings.
One change in the top five as Julio Jones enters the top five. Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, and Josh Gordon precede Jones.- Big risers this month include new Bronco Emmanuel Sanders to 45th from 55th thanks to having Peyton Manning as his quarterback; Eagles receiver Riley Cooper moves to 52nd from 60th thanks to the trade of DeSean Jackson; and finally Packers receiver Jarrett Boykin to 58th from 68th thanks to James Jones’ departure.
- The big drops this month include Saints receiver Marques Colston from 42nd to 50th thanks to the Saints more balanced offensive approach; the Vikings’ Greg Jennings drops from 43rd to 51st; finally Steve Smith drops from 58th to 70th thanks to his probably reduced role in Baltimore.
Daily Dynasty Update – April 18th
New Jets running back Chris Johnson understands he won’t be a work horse and will split carries with Chris Ivory. His dynasty stock was already slipping and dropping in to a time share won’t help matters. His days of being a top-end dynasty running back are about done.- Texans linebacker Brian Cushing appears to be 100% heading in to 2014. Cushing has had some injury issues over the past few years but could still bounce back as a LB1 if he stays healthy.
- Don’t look for Giants third stringer Ryan Nassib to move up the depth chart or your dynasty rankings any time soon. With Josh Freeman now the backup, Nassib has little upside.
- Another player that won’t move up dynasty rankings much is running back LaMichael James. James has nowhere to go in San Francisco behind Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and now Marcus Lattimore.
Updated Dynasty Running Back Rankings – April 2014
Click here for the complete updated dynasty running back rankings.
No changes in the top five: LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy, Adrian Peterson, and Doug Martin. - Biggest riser this month is Montee Ball of Denver, going from 21st to 16th. With the signing of Knowshon Moreno off to Miami, Ball is, without a doubt, the starter in the high-powered Denver offense.
- Other risers include new Giants starting running back Rashad Jennings going from 49th to 43rd. After finishing strong in Oakland, Jennings will be asked to take over the starting job in New York after the departure of Andre Brown and David Wilson‘s health still up in the air.
- Another riser is new starter Toby Gerhart in Jacksonville. Gerhart wasn’t even ranked in dynasty circles until he signed with the Jaguars and is now 46th. Still just 27 without a lot of wear on those tires, Gerhart could be a decent running back option on a young, improving team.
- The other significant riser is the Saints Khiry Robinson. With the Saints looking to run the ball more, Robinson is the youngest in the new New Orleans running attack.
- Drops include the previously mentioned Andre Brown from 43rd to 48th. Brown’s ranking was contingent on his status as a starter. He ended up in Houston where he’ll back up perpetually injured Arian Foster so he’ll be an interesting handcuff in 2014 but shouldn’t be relied on.
- Jets running back Bilal Powell also drops, this time from 54th to 59th. Powell drops to 3rd on the Jets depth chart after the signing of Chris Johnson.
Daily Dynasty Update – April 16th
The 49ers signed receiver Brandon Lloyd after missing out on, seemingly, every other free agent at the position. As it stands, Lloyd’s ceiling would be as the 49ers third receiver but it would be a huge upset if San Francisco didn’t use one of the six picks they have in the first two days on a receiver. There’s very little potential for Lloyd in dynasty leagues.- In other 49ers news, local writers predict that linebacker Aldon Smith won’t play for San Francisco next year. It would be a huge blow for them and Smith including his dynasty value. Here’s hoping he can get some help and get his life on track.
- Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey is excited about last year’s third overall pick, Dion Jordan. Jordan can be classified as either a defensive end or linebacker but will have to show more ability to get to the quarterback if he’s going to be worth anything in 2014 dynasty leagues and beyond.
Daily Dynasty Update – April 15th
As if we needed more confirmation, Lions running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell will split time. Bell is the better dynasty play due to his age and better overall ability. Target Bell for 2014 and beyond.- Local Redskins beat writers are predicting a big season for linebacker Brian Orakpo thanks to a new coaching staff and better health. Orakpo is one of the league’s best sack specialists and should be productive in 2014 dynasty leagues. Beyond that remains to be seen.
- Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is running again and should be good to go for 2014. Gronk still mans the second position in dynasty tight end rankings and could be a decent buy-low candidate.
- In other Patriots news, quarterback Ryan Mallett is not expected back in New England next year. This could either hurt or help his dynasty stock if he signs on somewhere to start.
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