Category Archives: News

Dennis Pitta, Jeremy Maclin out for the year

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First it was Jeremy Maclin then Dennis Pitta. Maclin to a torn ACL and Pitta to a dislocated hip. The dynasty analysis:

  • Dennis Pitta – Pitta was ranked no later than six in dynasty rankings. With Anquan Boldin traded, Pitta was in line for a ton of targets and receptions. And with the lack of reliable tight end targets around the league, could have even improved his dynasty draft ranking. Now Pitta has a fractured hip which is not all that dissimilar from what Bo Jackson had which ended his career. In fact, two of the eight players with the same type of injury had their careers ended because of it. Needless to say, there’s little reason to draft Pitta unless you have some sort of injured reserve in your leagues. Ed Dickson will improve on his 44th dynasty ranking. He did have a respectable 54/528/5 line in his only season as a starter but that will probably be the ceiling for him.
  • Jeremy Maclin – Maclin was ranked 25th in dynasty rankings heading into the season (and a contract year) before tearing his ACL. 25th may have been high seeing as Chip Kelly goes run-first and the quarterback question is still up in the air. But showing glimpses of talent, being the #1 target on a team and at just 25 years old, Maclin still made a good investment in dynasty leagues. However, now he’ll have to wait until his age-26 season and find a team willing to take a chance. For the Eagles this year, Riley Cooper will take over. If a player of Maclin’s ability produced no more than 66 yards a game over four years, I don’t know that Cooper can do much more.

Daily Dynasty Football Update – July 25th

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Let’s do this:

  • DeAngelo Williams is penciled in as the starter at running back until Jonathan Stewart can prove he’s healthy. When that will be, no one’s exactly sure. Williams is sure to be of some value this year with one of the best quarterbacks in the league and with no additions to the receiving corps. After 2013 is another story for the 30-year old which is why he sits at only 52 in dynasty rankings. Only draft/trade for Williams if you’re in win-now mode.
  • With Robert Griffin III still recovering from his knee injury, Kirk Cousins will take first-string snaps at quarterback for most of the pre-season. In his lone start last year, Cousins completed 70% of his passes on 37 attempts for 329 yards in a 38-21 win at Cleveland. With a solid pre-season, Cousins can improve his stock even further. Signed to a four-year rookie contract, the Redskins will use Cousins as much as they can before he makes great trade bait a la Matt Schaub. I love Cousins as a taxi-squad player that could be a starter in 2-3 years. And if you’re an RG3 fantasy owner, what are you waiting for?
  • The Chiefs seem to be setting up rookie tight end Travis Kelce to line up in a variety of positions which bodes well for targets. Drafted in the third round, Kelce is competing with Anthony Fasano and Tony Moeaki for snaps. Fasano was just signed in March but has traditionally been a blocker while Moeaki has significant injury concerns. Kelce had serious character issues coming in to the draft but, after being drafted in the 3rd round, would appear to be set up to be the long-term solution in Kansas City. Kelce currently sits at 20 in dynasty rankings thanks to his age and the fact that tight end is such a premium.

Daily Dynasty Football Report – July 24th

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What’s happening around the league and how does it affect your dynasty team?

  • Santonio Holmes is starting training camp on the PUP list. If he can be medically cleared of his foot injury before training camp is over, he can start the season.  If not, he won’t be eligible to play until Week 7. As if there weren’t enough reasons to avoid our 66th ranked receiver, here you go. The whole Jets, with the possible exception of Chris Ivory, is one to avoid in dynasty.
  • Ahmad Bradshaw is also starting camp on the PUP list albeit with better prospects than Holmes. Signed as a temporary solution at running back for the high-octane Colts offense, Bradshaw should be ok to start the season. At just 27, it’s possible to get a couple of years out of Bradshaw in dynasty leagues which is why he sits at 36 in our combined ranks. But it is Ahmad Bradshaw we’re talking about, who’s only played all 16 games once in his five-year career so his injuries are worth monitoring.
  • Dez Bryant is doing Dez Bryant things at Cowboys camp. With a pass-happy offense, a good quarterback, and no doubt about who the man is, it’s possible Bryant is underrated at #4 in dynasty ranks.
  • Mike Williams signed a six-year extension to his rookie contract. While never passing 1,000 yards, Williams does get in the end zone with seasons of 9 and 11 TD’s. He has an excellent supporting cast around him with the only uncertainty being at quarterback. But whether Josh Freeman plays well enough to stick around or the Mike Glennon show begins, Williams should be able to produce. He’s currently at #41 in dynasty ranks.
  • Lastly, Trent Richardson dynasty owners should gear up for 300 carries this year. Just 22, Richardson is the youngest running back in the top 10 in our running back ranks which means you could have a dynasty stud for a decade. But conventional wisdom would conclude that many carries at that young an age could be a concern down the road. 13 players have carried it 300 times in their age-21 or 22 season (Edgerrin James did it twice). Of the 13, I count no less than seven backs that are Hall of Fame worth including Marshall Faulk, Jerome Bettis, Walter Payton, Curtis Martin, Edge, and the all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith. So it can be done.

And finally, if you’re able to read this, or anything else on the internet, it’s the best day ever.

The Matthew Stafford Contract Extension

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Contract extensions don’t usually mean much to fantasy football re-drafters but they do when Matthew Stafford is your franchise quarterback in a dynasty league. Stafford just signed a contract extension through 2017. While this news is great for Stafford’s dynasty value it’s especially great for Calvin Johnson’s, who’s signed through 2019. To have stability in the quarterback position is extremely important and should keep CJ at the top of dynasty big boards. Hopefully Stafford can keep getting 200 targets to Johnson for many years to come. Needless to say it also has positive value for other Lions like Ryan Broyles, who has the potential to be a very good #2 WR in the Lions offense for many years to come. Now would especially be a good time to buy low since he’s recovering from ACL surgery. It also solidifies Brandon Pettigrew as a top-15 tight end option for at least 2-3 years and makes Reggie Bush a solid top-20 option at running back for at least this year.