It may be just me, but it really seems like more players than usual have “issues” going on this year that hurts their overall fantasy value. Whether it be an injury, holdout, or competition, it’s getting hard to keep track of who has got what and which players are actually “clean.” Today I will list all the major players that have some sort of concern, and to what degree they should be lowered on your personal rankings.
RBS
Maurice Jones Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Issue: being a bitch and holding out.
Reaction: Lower a few spots for now, if he’s still holding out in late August drop him a round or two.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Issue: coming back from ACL injury suffered in December
Reaction: Monitor whether he plays or not in preseason, drop from top 3 to mid second round.
Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
Issue: Broken collarbone, out 4-6 weeks.
Reaction: Goes from a top 8 pick to a low second rounder. He has never been durable in the past, and being injured in his first carry of the preseason doesn’t bode well for his 2012 status.
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Issue: Has to split carries with Michael Bush, likely resutling in a few vultured TDs.
Reaction: Goes from late first round to probably middle of second now, drops a few spots.
Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns
Issue: Undergoing knee scope, likely out most of Preseason.
Reaction: Drop a few spots in rankings, be sure to draft Montario Hardesty if you do take Richardson
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Issue: Coming back from ACL injury
Reaction: Target as mid to late second rounder depending on how he looks in preseason.
Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
Issue: Coming back from foot injury
Reaction: Rank as early to mid second rounder, is a boom or bust type, and is always an injury risk.
Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Issue: Coming back from injury, has a crowded backfield.
Reaction: Rank as third or 4th rounder, can’t be considerd much more than a flex at this point.
DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Issue: Coming back from ankle injury
Reaction: Mid to late second round is where Murray should be considered, assuming he appears healthy in Preseason.
Marshawn Lynch, Seatlle Seahawks
Issue: Drivning his car in drunken beast mode, facing possible suspension
Reaction: No word of suspension yet, so monitor for now. I’d still drop him a good round or so, and raise his backup rookie Robert Turbin.
Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals
Issue: Returning from knee injury, has to contend with healthy Ryan Williams
Reaction: Rank as a low end no. 2 back, with a late fourth to fifth round grade
WRS
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Issue: Is on the cover of Madden 12
Reaction: depends if you are superstitious or not, could lower a few spots if you are a believer of the Madden Curse
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Issue: Recovering from foot injury status for week one up in air
Reaction: Lower him a few spots, there are plenty of WRs without concerns who could be taken in the mid second round instead.
Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
Issue: holding out
Reaction: Lower him. No point in taking a risk on a guy who could hold out into the season when there are plenty of other quality options available.
Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
Issue: suffered concussion in scrimmage
Reaction: Rank him as usual. Doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy of missing any regular season time.
Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
Issue: holding out
Reaction: A likely late second round to early third round pick if he was practicing, should be dropped a full round if his holdout goes on another few weeks.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Issue: Slapped Momma around, could be suspended
Reaction: I’m lowering him a few spots, as a suspension is possible, as is another incident
Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans
Issue: recovering from injury, facing suspension due to DUI
Reaction: Britt has to be lowered significantly as he could miss a lot of games due to his injury and likley upcoming suspension
Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
Issue: pulled hammy
Reaction: Even if cleared to play week 1, hamstring injuries tend to linger all season long, and could really hurt Austin’s production this year. Lower at least five spots.
Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills
Issue: Pulled groin
Reaction: Johnson’s status shouldn’t be affected to bad as he’s dealt with this in the past, and still has been productive.
QBS
Peyton Manning
Issue: Coming off major neck surgery, playing with new team
Reaction: Manning was once considered a first rounder back in his Colt days, should now come off the board late third to somewhere in the 6th round depending on the size of your league
Ben Roethlisberger
Issue: rolled ankle in practice, looks to be sprained
Reaction: Roethlisberger is tough as hell so this shouldn’t keep him out of any meaningful games. Rank as you normally would.
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