FFToolbox - Browns WR Josh Gordon suspension appeal coming soon plus 15 more

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Browns WR Josh Gordon suspension appeal coming soon
Ravens RB Justin Forsett in line for third-down duties
Measuring Golden Tate's fantasy value in Detroit
QB Dalton's re-signing not a concern for star WR Green
49ers RB Marcus Lattimore to begin training camp on non-football injury list
Giants expect RB David Wilson to be medically cleared and ready to go
Cowboys RB Joseph Randle may be an every-down player if DeMarco Murray sustains injury
Eagles writer doesn't expect LeSean McCoy to have lighter workload in 2014
Bengals WR A.J. Green not focusing on contract extension
Keenan Allen versus the sophomore slump
Vikings intend to use RB Adrian Peterson differently this season
Podcast: AFC West Preview - Guest: Hall of Famer Bob Harris
Broncos see 'vast improvements' in RB Montee Ball
ESPN's Phil Sheridan: Eagles WR Jordan Matthews could be a star
Redskins WR DeSean Jackson to fill 'Z' role in HC Jay Gruden's new offense
Packers TE Jermichael Finley possibly returning to Green Bay

Browns WR Josh Gordon suspension appeal coming soon

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 07:48 AM PDT

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com spoke with Gordon's agent Drew Rosenhaus in which he confirmed the suspension appeal would be coming soon. Gordon is facing a year or more suspension after he failed a another drug test, which was the third time he's run into issues with the League's substance abuse policy. He was also arrested in early July for a DWI. FANTASY ANALYSIS: There isn't much to say about Gordon. He has very serious substance abuse issues that he has to get resolved before playing football again. He holds no re-draft value and is at best a deep bench stash in dynasty. If you do stash him, you'll have to wait a year or longer for him to return, plus he always runs the risk of getting in trouble again.

Ravens RB Justin Forsett in line for third-down duties

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 07:32 AM PDT

New opportunities have arisen from Ray Rice's likely suspension. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun is predicting Benard Pierce will be the starter this season while backup Justin Forsett will see third-down duties. Forsett will be given a chance in part because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's offensive scheme from their days together with the Texans. He also foresees rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro being in the mix to balance the running attack. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Forsett doesn't have much value this year in fantasy even as a flex. He's signed to a 1 year deal and is unlikely to see much playing time once Rice comes back from his 4-6 game suspension. If he does show well, he'll have an outside chance of moving to a better situation after the season.

Measuring Golden Tate's fantasy value in Detroit

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 07:54 PM PDT

Can the Lions get some reliable production from their No. 2 receiver spot? Golden Tate thinks so, but we need some convincing.

QB Dalton's re-signing not a concern for star WR Green

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 05:53 PM PDT

Superstar wide receiver A.J. Green gave yet another vote of confidence to quarterback Andy Dalton Thursday and believes the team will reach the long-term deal that Dalton desires before the season starts. quot;I know they know he's the guy," Green said when asked about the team's stance. "I feel like they're going to get something done before the season starts". Dalton put up career bests in yards and touchdowns last season with 4,296 and 33. He also attempted a career high 586 pass attempts, completing 61.9%. A bulk of that production went the way of A.J. Green. So, it's no wonder why Green has remained vocally supportive of his QB. Green posted career highs in 2013 as well, tallying 98 catches for 1,426 yards. His 11 touchdowns in 2013 was a repeat of his previous best in 2012. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Fantasy players have to hope the Bengals get Dalton under contract sooner rather than later. Green and his quarterback definitely have a chemistry that's hard to ignore. Anytime 33% of a QB's touchdowns and 27% of his completions go to one guy, that's noteworthy, especially when said QB finishes in the top five in fantasy leagues as Dalton did last season. With another season under their belts together, it's likely that they continue to put up solid numbers. While projections and ADP would indicate that fantasy players feel Dalton's 2013 numbers were a bit of a fluke --he's currently the 16th QB coming off draft boards and we have him projected as such--Green's status is a little less questionable. We have him projected as the number five wide receiver. His current ADP is projecting him as the third WR off draft boards. Either way, he's about as safe a player as you can find to be your WR1. Green could easily see his first 100 catch season, haul in 1,400 yards and post double-digit touchdowns yet again. Those numbers are worthy of a late first/early second round pick. Green is a can't-miss stud. Dalton, once signed, is a solid QB2 or a QBBC candidate.

49ers RB Marcus Lattimore to begin training camp on non-football injury list

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 05:17 PM PDT

49ers running back Marcus Lattimore is still not all the way back from his brutal 2012 knee injury, so he will begin training camp next week on the non-football injury list. The 49ers made the move Thursday. Lattimore didn't play at all last season, but did participate in offseason practices. Lattimore said in April that he was ready to play, but he reportedly didn't look close to his pre-injury form during OTAs. While playing at the University of South Carolina in 2012, Lattimore's right knee took a direct hit. He tore three ligaments, including his ACL, and his kneecap became dislocated. Lattimore tore the ACL in his left knee in 2011. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The NFI list is much like the Physically Unable to Perform list, and Lattimore can be taken off of it at any time once he is truly ready. Lattimore is just 22 years old and has plenty of dynasty value. But no one can definitively say how much his knee injuries have changed him as a player forever. Maybe he just needs a little more time and can make an amazing comeback. Maybe too much of his natural ability has been stolen from him. Right now, we wait until he can get into live action to give us a clue. Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter are currently in front of Lattimore as San Fran tries to figure out who will be their backup running back. Fourth-round rookie wideout Bruce Ellington was also among those that the Niners placed on the NFI list, but his injury isn't considered serious.

Giants expect RB David Wilson to be medically cleared and ready to go

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 04:44 PM PDT

Giants Co-owner John Mara gave an update on running back David Wilson saying quot;We expect him to be playing, all signs are he'll be ready to go." Wilson's health is questionable after suffering a season ending neck injury that required surgery last year to which he is still recovering from. Although he might be ready to return, running back Rashad Jennings was brought in from Oakland, and in June GM Jerry Reese said "We brought in Rashad Jennings and he's definitely a bell cow type of a running back – he can run it, he can catch it, he can block, he can do everything with it. David Wilson is an explosive player, but first and foremost we're concerned about his health." FANTASY ANALYSIS: By most accounts, David Wilson will be in a time-share with Jennings getting a majority of the snaps. He can be viewed as a flex option at best until his health status is 100% and we see in preseason how the Giants plan to split carries. Jennings is ranked RB27 in FFToolbox rankings while Wilson is RB49.

Cowboys RB Joseph Randle may be an every-down player if DeMarco Murray sustains injury

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 03:00 PM PDT

Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar is considered the team's version of Darren Sproles. Sproles isn't an every-down player and according to ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer, Dunbar won't be either if something bad befell starter DeMarco Murray. Archer wrote Tuesday that second-year player Joseph Randle quot;would likely take over an every-down role" if Murray was unable to play. FANTASY ANALYSIS: That is exactly what happened while Murray was sidelined for two games last season. Randle started both games and carried the ball 33 times collectively. He was far from impressive, averaging less than three yards per carry, and Dunbar missed the first of those two games as he was still recovering from a hamstring injury. But he did take part in that second game, and Randle out-touched him, 14-8. Yet, Randle gained more yards, 34-26, because he caught three passes. Randle's roster spot is not assured; he needs to fight off Ryan Williams for No. 3 RB duties. And Dunbar figures to still have every-week value independent of Murray's health. But if Murray comes down with an injury, as he has in every year of his career, Randle stands to earn the biggest increase in fantasy value.

Eagles writer doesn't expect LeSean McCoy to have lighter workload in 2014

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 02:29 PM PDT

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy isn't the most physically imposing runner in the NFL, not by a long shot. But no team asked more out of their starting running back last season than the Eagles did with McCoy. He led the league in carries (314) and touches (366). Darren Sproles was acquired to create more havoc out of Philadelphia's backfield, but not necessarily cut into McCoy's work. Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com opined Thursday that McCoy won't see fewer touches just because of Sproles' presence. Kapadia supports his side by citing McCoy's impressive late-game and late-season stats from 2013, insinuating that a heavy workload doesn't wear him down but only makes him better. quot;Matching last year's number of touches would be no surprise," Kapadia wrote. FANTASY ANALYSIS: McCoy was one of only two backs to get 300 carries last season, and his touches total bested his previous career high by 45. It's easy to be concerned about a player breaking down under that high level of labor, but McCoy doesn't have an extensive injury history, and he is in a perfect offensive system for him. Fantasy owners should continue to enjoy him as one of the first picks in any draft. Now, does that mean he'll match 366 this season? That seems impossible to me. Eagles backup running backs last year, Bryce Brown and Chris Polk, touched the ball a total of 98 times last season. Sproles averaged more than 120 touches over the past two seasons despite missing four games due to injury. He won't be used as quite as much as he was in New Orleans, but even a low-end projection of his touches per game will probably surpass what Brown and Polk contributed. And the Eagles are expecting more out of Polk. I think McCoy will end the year with about 310-320 touches, still a fantastic total. Sproles is a flex option in PPR leagues. Polk might actually be a better handcuff for McCoy owners as it's expected that he would take on most of the carries McCoy misses if he comes down with an injury. In such a scenario, Sproles would likely be kept in a receiver-first role.

Bengals WR A.J. Green not focusing on contract extension

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 02:13 PM PDT

Instead of giving Green a new deal, the Bengals exercised his 5th-year option for $10.5 million back in April. Green said he's focused on winning, "I think I'm on the backburner just because of the option. That's fine with me, I don't even look at it like that. I just go out there and play and my time will come.quot; He was drafted in the first-round of the 2011 draft and has gone to the to pro bowl every year including his rookie season. The move is suspect by the Bengals considering they are hesitant to lock up one of the leagues best WR's to a long term contract, but at only 26 years old and heading into free agency he'll be rewarded handsomely once a deal gets done. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Green is a stud WR1. The only concern is if quarterback Andy Dalton can stay consistent in the passing game. Feel free to take him as your first round pick and is in the discussion for 1st overall pick in dynasty formats. In our rankings he is the third WR off the board, with only Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas going ahead of him.

Keenan Allen versus the sophomore slump

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 01:44 PM PDT

Projecting Keenan Allen in his second season could go either way. Our fantasy expert tells you what to expect.

Vikings intend to use RB Adrian Peterson differently this season

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 01:41 PM PDT

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson may not reach 300 carries this season, but that doesn't mean he will be used less than in years past, just differently. According to ESPN's Ben Goessling, head coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner want to turn some of Peterson's would-be rushes into receptions. They want to give him the ball with more space to run and reduce the number of hard hits he absorbs. FANTASY ANALYSIS: We've heard this before. Goessling also writes that Turner has quot;big plans" for wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. We've heard that before, too. These plans have been made publicized so commonly this offseason, fantasy owners aren't going to be really upset if they both don't pan out as planned. Peterson is a top-three fantasy RB and staring down his first season with 50 receptions or more. Patterson, despite having just one NFL season under his belt, is a high-end WR2.

Podcast: AFC West Preview - Guest: Hall of Famer Bob Harris

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 01:38 PM PDT

The FFMagicMan Micah James is joined by Fantasy Hall of Famer from FootballDiehards.com Bob Harris

Broncos see 'vast improvements' in RB Montee Ball

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 12:48 PM PDT

ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold reports that the Broncos quot;have seen vast improvements in [Ball's] work as both a receiver and blocker in the passing game." Legwold says that Ball has every-down potential in the Broncos offense. Ball took 120 carries for 559 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season. He also added 145 yards on 20 receptions. Knowshon Moreno, Denver's leading rusher in 2013, left the team this offseason to sign with the Miami Dolphins. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It certainly looks like Ball is set to be "the guy" in Denver. His production last year was solid enough, but he'll need to improve greatly if he's going to justify the RB1 status he's currently being awarded in drafts. As Legwold mentions in his piece, the Broncos don't plan to expand their running game much this year. The allure of a Broncos running back, rather, are the open looks they'll get from defenses, and the garbage time runs to be had at the end of a game as the Broncos run out the clock. If Ball does indeed fill an every-down role in Denver, he'll open the season as a no-question fantasy starter.

ESPN's Phil Sheridan: Eagles WR Jordan Matthews could be a star

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 10:57 AM PDT

Phil Sheridan, who covers the Eagles for ESPN.com, says that there were quot;people at organized team activities comparing [Matthews'] physique to that of Terrell Owens" and that "[Matthews] could be a star in the future." The Eagles drafted the rookie wideout in the second round of the 2014 draft. He will likely be rostered as the number-three receiver, behind WRs Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Matthews' measurables - 6-feet 3-inches tall, 212 pounds, 4.46 speed, 35-inch vertical - match the star receiver prototype perfectly. While rookie WRs typically take some time to develop in the NFL, Matthews should see the field right away, given the departure of former Eagles number-one WR DeSean Jackson to the Redskins. In Chip Kelly's fast-paced, high-octane offense, it's not hard to imagine Matthews breaking through as a serious producer in his first year. Fantasy owners would do well to remember this name in the late rounds of this year's drafts.

Redskins WR DeSean Jackson to fill 'Z' role in HC Jay Gruden's new offense

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 10:08 AM PDT

According to the Washington Post, Gruden wants WR Jackson to slot into the 'Z' role - the primary deep threat - in the Redskins new offense. This was the role filled by WR A.J. Green during Gruden's time as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. The Post also mentions that Pierre Garcon is expected to be the 'X' receiver, a role characterized by short, quick routes. During Gruden's last year with the Bengals, the 'Z' role player saw 178 targets, versus 80 for the 'X' slot. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Obviously, the fact that Green was slotted into the 'Z' role in Cincinnati had some effect on the number of targets that went that way. However, the disparity in those targeting numbers does speak to Gruden's propensity for throwing the deep ball. Last year, the Bengals led the league in passing attempts over 20 yards. While there's no guarantee that those statistics will translate to Gruden's play-calling for the Redskins, they do create some conversation fodder for fantasy owners seeking to determine the value of Pierre Garcon versus DeSean Jackson for the upcoming season. Currently, FFToolbox.com ranks Garcon as the 13th WR and Jackson as the 20th WR.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley possibly returning to Green Bay

Posted: 17 Jul 2014 09:51 AM PDT

In a very vague and unclear tweet, Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley indicated he may be returning to his former team less than a day after meeting the Pittsburgh Steelers and they apparently offered him a contract at that time. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This would be big news, although it remains unclear what is actually going on. There has been speculation about undrafted rookie TE Richard Rodgers possibly being a breakout star this offseason. There was brief hype surrounding former Oregon Ducks TE Colt Lyerla. The incumbent from last season, TE Andrew Quarless, also was a factor. It's all a moot point once someone officially confirms this early speculation.