FFToolbox - Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could get short-yardage work plus 10 more

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Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could get short-yardage work
Bengals RB Jeremy Hill will 'certainly' break out in 2014
Panthers QB Cam Newton experiencing limited mobility
NASCAR Picks for Indianapolis
Jaguars plan on using RB Jordan Todman as a change of pace back
Seahawks RB Christine Michael set to have bigger role after impressive spring
Broncos TE Julius Thomas desires to stay in Denver long-term
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski thinks he will play every game this season
Capitalizing on ADP value from last year's injuries
Titans RB Bishop Sankey to be lead back in RBBC
Seahawks WR Sidney Rice on roster bubble?

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington could get short-yardage work

Posted: 21 Jul 2014 07:50 AM PDT

ESPN.com's Cardinals beat reporter Josh Weinfuss says he thinks RB Ellington is quot;capable of being a short-yardage workhorse." This opinion follows Cardinals HC Bruce Arians assertion that he believes Ellington can be a feature back, and wants to get him 20 to 22 touches per game in the upcoming season. In 2013, his rookie season, Ellington never touched the ball more than 17 times in a single game. He averaged 11 carries in the second half of the season. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Andre Ellington is 5'9" tall and weighs 199 pounds. So it's easy to forgive the skepticism around these predictions from Bruce Arians and company that Ellington is going to shoulder a 20-carry workload. The assertion that Ellington is going to be a goal-line or short-yardage factor will probably raise eyebrows even higher. It just doesn't seem like he's built for it. That said, if it does turn out that he gets anywhere close to that type of usage, he'll be at least an elite RB2 this fantasy season. Ellington is a high-risk, high-reward proposition in 2014.

Bengals RB Jeremy Hill will 'certainly' break out in 2014

Posted: 21 Jul 2014 06:59 AM PDT

Coley Harvey, Bengals reporter for ESPN.com, says that he expects to quot;certainly see rookie running back Jeremy Hill break out this year." Hill was taken by the Bengals in the second round of the 2014 draft, and already has been placed ahead of RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis during OTAs. He rushed for 1,401 yards in his final season at LSU, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. FANTASY ANALYSIS: That is high praise for a rookie running back, from a reporter who knows the Bengals well. The 6'1", 233-pound Hill should provide a good counter-punch to speedster RB Giovani Bernard. Given his size, expect Hill to take much of the goal line and short-yardage work in the Bengals offense. Running back is the best position for rookies to make a fantasy impact, so owners should not be ignoring this new addition to the Cincinnati roster. Hill is currently being drafted as the 37th overall fantasy running back.

Panthers QB Cam Newton experiencing limited mobility

Posted: 21 Jul 2014 06:42 AM PDT

The Charlotte Observer reports that Panthers QB Newton is not 100% after undergoing ankle surgery this offseason. Newton worked out with the Panthers receivers last week, but was unable to give full effort due to concerns about the ankle. The fourth-year quarterback did not miss any games last season due to the injury, but complained of stiffness following the Panthers' playoff game versus the 49ers. He opted to have surgery in March to quot;tighten" some of the ankle ligaments. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This news is absolutely concerning, coming, as it does, so close to the start of training camp. Newton's offseason surgery and subsequent recovery have largely flown under the radar, but this report should worry fantasy owners at least a bit. As the Observer article mentions, the Panthers have a new group of receivers this year, with whom Newton will need time to develop chemistry. But more importantly, Newton is a quarterback who depends on his legs for a fair portion of his fantasy value. Rushing, and especially rushing touchdowns, are a huge part of his allure. If he's limited at all in that aspect of his game, his fantasy value will take a major hit. Newton is currently being drafted seventh amongst fantasy quarterbacks.

NASCAR Picks for Indianapolis

Posted: 21 Jul 2014 06:25 AM PDT

Top 30 NASCAR Sprint Cup driver rankings for Crown Royal Brickyard 400: 1. Jeff Gordon, 2. Jimmie Johnson, 3. Tony Stewart, 4. Kevin Harvick, 5. Kyle Busch, 6. Brad Keselowski, 7. Matt Kenseth, ...

Jaguars plan on using RB Jordan Todman as a change of pace back

Posted: 21 Jul 2014 05:31 AM PDT

According to the Florida Times Union, Head Coach Jedd Fisch stated very clearly that Jordan Todman would be involved in their offensive scheme but, as a quot;change of pace" style back. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Jordan Todman is a great fit for a change of pace style of play but what really matters here is how much of a fit? Going into this season Toby Gerhart was NOT a name brand in many drafts or sometimes even noticed at all. Lately, Gerhart has been that late round steal seeing his ADP just barely breach the late third round but this news could hinder that, maybe, somehwat, a little, but probably not. While the 5'9 200 lb. Todman looks to be in the news today I don't expect it to be any much more as the 4th year back tries to make a name for himself. Gerhart should the the main back in the Jacksonville backfield with only a real threat from Storm Johnson.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael set to have bigger role after impressive spring

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 07:47 PM PDT

Seahawks running back Christine Michael should see more work this season. The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta admits that he doesn't know exactly how much more, but quot;[Michael's] play in the spring did nothing to quell the idea he will get regular carries this season," Condotta wrote Sunday. Michael was active for all of last season but played in only three games. He carried the ball 18 times for 79 total yards. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Condotta may not be certain how often Michael will play, but he has already gone on record with a guess, sort of. He thinks Marshawn Lynch will see 2-3 fewer carries per game this season. Assuming those touches go to Michael, that would put him around the 50-60-carry range. Lynch will remain the Seahawks' workhorse, and Michael will remain a clear backup/handcuff this season. But it's only right for the Seahawks to use the explosive and powerful youngster more often. He will likely be their starter once Lynch's contract expires after the 2015 season.

Broncos TE Julius Thomas desires to stay in Denver long-term

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 07:25 PM PDT

In a pre-ESPY's interview last week, Broncos TE Julius Thomas told Larry Brown Sports that he hopes to remain with the Broncos long-term. As he enters the final year of his current contract with Denver, Thomas has made it clear that he likes his current team and the city he plays in. quot;Absolutely. I love Denver. It's a great city. I really love that franchise, fan base, I would look forward to being there for a long time," the star tight end said. "But it's business. We'll see what happens." Thomas is coming off a season in which he caught 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Along with New England's Rob Gronkowski, Thomas is in the conversation as the number two tight end in fantasy for 2014. Thomas is one of many options in the best passing offense in the league. He was one of four Broncos pass-catchers that quarterback Peyton Manning threw double digit touchdowns to in 2013 on his way to an NFL record 55 touchdown season. For the sake of fantasy players, we can only hope that Thomas's contract doesn't become of point of contention heading into the 2015 season. Assuming Manning doesn't hang it up after this season, Thomas could be a top TE option for the next few years. As for 2014, the season that Thomas had in 2013 is easily repeatable. He only played in 14 regular season games. With a full season, 70 catches, 900 yards and 12 touchdowns can be expected from Thomas.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski thinks he will play every game this season

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 07:21 PM PDT

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is probably going to spend part of training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. But once the regular season begins, Gronkowski thinks he will be active from September through December. quot;I'm planning on playing the whole season this year," Gronkowski said Friday. "... I'm always antsy to get back on the field, no matter when it is. I just want to play football. I love playing the game." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Every player thinks they will play in every game, every season. If intentions were reality, Gronkowski would be an easy second-round pick, and I think he would be the best tight end in fantasy football. However, Gronkowski has missed 14 games over the past two years. Since November 2012, he has been the subject of more surgeries than touchdowns. He is trying to come back from an ACL/MCL tear, and while some think he will play in Week 1, we've still got seven weeks until we get there. With Gronkowski, a lot can happen. He is not out of the woods yet, and I think it's foolish to blindly expect him to stay healthy all year long given recent history. Draft at your own risk.

Capitalizing on ADP value from last year's injuries

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 01:08 PM PDT

With a little fortitude, you can find some great values in the draft if you target players who can overcome their injuries from a year ago. Profiled players include Jay Cutler, Reggie Wayne, and Rob Gronkowski.

Titans RB Bishop Sankey to be lead back in RBBC

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 11:31 AM PDT

Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt predicts quot;Sankey will be the busiest back this season in terms of carries and production, even though the Titans plan on using a running back by committee approach." After watching OTAs he notes that offensive weapon Dexter McCluster has been an "offseason star" and while Sankey was absent due to the University of Washington's late graduation, and power running back Shonn Greene missed OTAs because he's still recovering from his second knee surgery. Titans open training camp July 26th and we are sure to get a better look at how the backfield will pan out. FANTASY ANALYSIS: We figured this was coming but it's important that beat writers are continuing to confirm Sankey will likely be the lead back in a committee. If Greene gets injured or doesn't play well, that means the only two RB's for the Titans to split carries would be McCluster and Sankey, with RB Jackie Battle likely playing full back. The only issue here is Sankey's current ADP. In FFToolbox's rankings he is currently a RB19 going off the board in the fifth round, one spot behind the Pats Shane Vereen (RB18) and two spots ahead of Toby Gerhart (RB21). Essentially, you are already paying a premium price for a shaky situation. Depending on how things shake out in camp, Sankey could be a solid RB2 option this year.

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice on roster bubble?

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 10:53 AM PDT

ESPN's Seattle writer Terry Blount drew up a likely 53-man roster for the Seahawks in which it left off WR Sidney Rice. The WR corps he mentions as 'locks' are Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson, with Ricardo Lockette and Kevin Norwood making the two final spots. Rice has missed 25 games since 2010 and missed the remainder of last season after tearing his ACL in week 8. FANTASY ANALYSIS: I think this is just a 'buzz' piece from Blount. The Seahawks gave Rice a one-year $1.4 million "prove it" contract this offseason. A team would not usually pay that money to send someone down to their practice squad. For fantasy purposes, Rice can be kept on the waiver wire as Seattle is a run-heavy team with Harvin, Baldwin and Kearse being initial starters.