Thursday, July 31, 2014

FFToolbox - Golf Rankings for WGC - Bridgestone Invitational at DraftKings #DFG plus 43 more

FFToolbox - Golf Rankings for WGC - Bridgestone Invitational at DraftKings #DFG plus 43 more

Link to Fantasy Football Toolbox Updates

Golf Rankings for WGC - Bridgestone Invitational at DraftKings #DFG

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 06:01 PM PDT

This article is designed to help you win WGC - Bridgestone Invitational at Draftkings - Daily Fantasy Golf:

Golf Rankings for WGC - Bridgestone Invitational

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 05:58 PM PDT

Our expert picks the top 30 PGA tour golfers for this week's tournament: 1. Rory McIlroy, 2. Adam Scott, 3. Jim Furyk, 4. Rickie Fowler, 5. Tiger Woods, 6. Henrik Stenson, 7. Keegan Bradley, ...

Evaluating Running Backs Using Yards Per Touch

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 03:56 PM PDT

Our fantasy football expert uses yards per touch to help determine the value of running backs. Profiled players include Giovani Bernard, Andre Ellington, Toby Gerhart, Rashad Jennings, and Zac Stacy.

Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson is over his minor foot injury

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 02:40 PM PDT

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is practicing today. The much-hyped wideout had been hampered by a foot injury for about a week. He took part in 11-on-11 drills earlier in the day. FANTASY ANALYSIS: That ends that. Patterson can resume focusing on being the Vikings' No. 1 WR and understanding everything offensive coordinator Norv Turner wants from him. Patterson, a favorite of mine, is a WR2 with top-10 upside. He has even higher expectations for himself this season.

Best and Worst Picks from the ComeGetSome Draft

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 02:37 PM PDT

A popular league's draft is critiqued by our fantasy football expert.

Bills give RB Fred Jackson 1-year extension

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 02:30 PM PDT

The Bills' practice today was delayed by rain earlier. It looks like they did some business while waiting. The team has extended running back Fred Jackson through the 2015 season, as reported by Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. Jackson, 33, ran for nearly 900 yards and scored nine times last season. He is expected to play second fiddle to C.J. Spiller more often this season. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Apparently, Jason La Canfora was right. With Spiller and Bryce Brown on the roster, I didn't think the Bills had a compelling reason other than sentimentality to keep Jackson past 2014. The team disagrees. I wonder if this has anything to do with Brown being listed as a fourth-string player on the Bills' initial depth chart. Perhaps the coaching staff is skeptical of whether he will ever be ready to handle more responsibility so they decided to keep Jackson as insurance. Jackson is an RB4 behind Spiller, but he proved last year that he can still get it done at a pretty respectable rate.

Colts WR T.Y. Hilton leaves practice with finger injury

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 02:11 PM PDT

Hilton left practice with a finger injury, and was later seen on the sidelines with ice and a hand wrap, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. Hilton led Colts receivers last year with 82 catches on 138 targets for 1,083 yards. Hilton became Colts QB Andrew Luck's leading target after Colts WR Reggie Wayne was lost for the season to a knee injury. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Hopefully the this problem is a mild one. Hand injuries are particularly troublesome for wide receivers. If he's at full strength, Hilton stands to improve over his 2013 statistics ths year as Wayne returns to the lineup. With his elite speed, the 5-foot-9, 178-pound Hilton developed into an elite deep threat last season. WIth Wayne back in the lineup distracting defenses, Hilton could see even more opportunity in 2014. He's currently being taken as the 22nd receiver in fantasy drafts.

Up Close With A High Stakes Fantasy Expert (PREMIUM PREVIEW)

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 01:38 PM PDT

A free preview of one of our Scout Fantasy premium articles.

Colts RB Trent Richardson returns to practice

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 01:38 PM PDT

ESPN's Mike Wells reports that Richardson is back at practice Wednesday after missing the last several workouts with a hamstring injury. Richardson comes back to head an Indianapolis backfield worn thin by the recent loss of Colts RB Vick Ballard to an Achilles tear. Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw impressed coaches while taking reps with the offensive starters during Richardson's absence. Richardson struggled with nagging hamstring injuries during his first year in Indianapolis. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is welcome news for the Colts and Richardson. If he's able to stay healthy this year, Richardson has a good chance to bounce back from a miserable 2013 season in which he averaged just 3.0 YPC. Playing in the AFC South, the Colts have the easiest 2014 schedule in the NFL in terms of opposing run defenses, according to FFToolbox's Strength of Schedule tool. Richardson will get the buik of the carries in the Indianapolis backfield, and should get the short-yardage and goal-line work as well. He's currently being drafted 21st among RBs and may be a value pick at that spot.

Seahawks excited about rookie WR Paul Richardson

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 01:29 PM PDT

This is not a story for the re-drafters out there. Seahawks second-round rookie wide receiver Paul Richardson is penciled in as the No. 5 wideout in the most conservative offense in the league. He will probably have the ball in his hands most often as a punt returner this season. But what he has done so far is making his coaches confident that they have a future star in their hands. quot;He continues to show that he's really, really fast, and he can get up on you, and he's real comfortable catching everything that you throw at him," head coach Pete Carroll said of Richardson on Tuesday. "We're real excited about Paul and hopefully we'll just keep learning him and figuring him out and figure out how to best utilize his talents. He got talents; he's really quick in and out of his breaks. I love his catching range, so we'll try to figure it out, but we're real excited right now." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Speed and big-play ability are the main reasons why Seattle choose the Colorado product with the 45th pick in May. Richardson ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the combine. He scored 21 times in three collegiate seasons and averaged an absolutely insane 40 yards per touchdown. However, the 183-pound Richardson has struggled with knee injuries -- He tore an MCL in 2011 and missed all of 2012 with a torn ACL. Whether his slight frame can hold up in the NFL is a big question mark. He also doesn't add anything as a blocker, which will severely limit his playing time in Seattle's offense. But with some experience, added strength and refined route-running, Richardson should carve out a prominent role in Seattle's receiving corps. That all comes with time, so he's a dynasty prospect more than anything else.

GM on Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch holdout: 'Next man up'

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 01:21 PM PDT

Seahawks general manager John Schneider told the Seattle Times that the organization's philosophy with respect to Lynch's holdout is quot;next man up." Schneider said part of managing a team is making "tough decisions." "We've had a plan in place here for a number of years, and we can't veer from that plan for one person because [football] is the ultimate team sport," Schneider said. Lynch's holdout is now in its seventh day. Yesterday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Lynch is accruing fines at a rate of $30,000 per day. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This hard-line posturing from Seahawks management is to be expected, as their struggle with Lynch's representation continues. It certainly appears that the team has more leverage in this situation, with Lynch's fines starting to stack up and Seahawks RB Christine Michael and Seahawks RB Robert Turbin performing well at camp. Lynch turned 28 this offseason, and showed some signs of slowing down toward the end of the 2013 season. Lynch is currently being taken as the 28th pick on average in fantasy drafts, but that number stands to drop precipitously if this holdout continues into the preseason.

Texans RB Arian Foster returns to practice, WR Andre Johnson does not

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 12:45 PM PDT

Veteran players missing a few training camp practices is usually no big deal and not worth a write-up. But when said players who have a debilitating history of hamstring injuries, you should pay attention. Thus, it's worth noting that Texans running back Arian Foster returned to practice Wednesday after missing a few days due to a hamstring ailment. However, a similar pain is keeping wide receiver Andre Johnson sidelined for now. He's been out of practice since Monday. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Head coach Bill O'Brien insists that he is just being careful with his two stars. That's most likely the case, but we'll continue to keep tabs on Johnson. The 33-year-old wideout missed nine games in 2011 due to two separate hamstring strains and skipped all offseason workouts this year. Foster is a low-end RB1 in fantasy. Johnson is a bit more of a value as he is being drafted as a mid-range WR2.

Giants RB David Wilson to be examined by neck surgeon, out for the week

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 12:28 PM PDT

Giants running back David Wilson underwent a battery of tests last night after suffering a neck burner during Tuesday's practice. He'll have more tests done on Aug. 4 and won't practice until then at the earliest. Next week's tests will be performed by Dr. Frank Cammisa, who also performed Wilson's spinal fusion surgery during the offseason. According to Conor Orr of the Newark Star-Ledger, Wilson is optimistic about his situation and even sent some encouraging text messages to a teammates after completing his tests last night. Dr. Robert Watkins, who has worked with Wilson in the past, told Orr that a burner is quot;a compression of the nerve going out to your arm ... most of the time, it's transitory and goes away." FANTASY ANALYSIS: And so we wait. Rashad Jennings would benefit most if anything kept Wilson out of game action for a big chunk of time. The Giants have a few other running backs to chip in -- rookie Andre Williams, Peyton Hillis, Michael Cox -- but none of them are as naturally talented as Wilson or possess his tremendous quickness. He would be the perfect complement to Jennings' powerful style. If Wilson's absence runs into the regular season, that will probably mean a few more touches for Jennings while Williams vultures some goal-line carries. Jennings should be viewed as a solid RB2 until Wilson returns.

Jets TE Zach Sudfeld getting first-team reps

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 12:22 PM PDT

Sudfeld has been taking practice reps with the Jets offensive starters, according to New York Daily News' Manish Mehta via Twitter. Mehta also says that Sudfeld has earned praise from Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who says Sudfeld is quot;studying like nobody's business." Earlier this week there were reports that Sudfeld has been impressing coaches at training camp, and now he is being rewarded with first-team practice time. He'll need to beat out Jets TE Jeff Cumberland to become the starter in New York. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is the second time this week that positive news has come out about Sudfeld. Fantasy owners will take it with more than one grain of salt, given how badly Sudfeld burned his owners last season. But with a year of experience under his belt, and a clear shot at a starting position, and a 6-foot-7, 250-pound frame, Sudfeld might be worth a very-late-round flyer in drafts. Physically, he's clearly the better choice over Cumberland, and it appears the Jets coaches are giving him plenty of opportunities to earn the starting gig.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declares QB Tony Romo 100 percent healthy

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 12:06 PM PDT

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who underwent back surgery near the end of last season to fix a herniated disc, has had spotty participation in recent camp practices. But owner Jerry Jones says it is absolutely nothing to worry about, because Romo is healthy. "He is 100 percent. He's 100 percent," Jones said Tuesday. "He's just being real smart and sensitive about having come off the back surgery. He's certainly not losing any ground from the standpoint of opening up against San Francisco [in the regular-season opener]." FANTASY ANALYSIS: While I'd like to see how/if the surgery has affected Romo's arm strength or mobility, I'll take Jones' word here. Romo, who is a pretty sure bet for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns when healthy, is a steal as the 13th QB off the board on average in drafts. He's a great example of why you wait on quarterbacks this year if you don't draft Brees, Rodgers, or Manning. The position is just loaded with talent, and it seems to be getting deeper every year. With Scott Linehan calling the plays, Romo might set a career-high in attempted passes this season.

Arizona WR Michael Floyd impressing in camp

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 12:05 PM PDT

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reports that Michael Floyd has been one of the 'talks of camp.' The third year wide receiver out of Notre Dame has impressed everyone. Carson Palmer has nothing but good things to say about Floyd and how he uses his size and speed to overpower cornerbacks. Floyd reportedly scored twice in camp, once over Patrick Peterson and once over Justin Bethel. Floyd tallied in a 1,041 yard season last year with five touchdowns. If he continues to improve, his ADP of 64 will continue to rise. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Before the year started I had high hopes for Floyd. Lining up opposite of Larry Fitzgerald gives you many opportunities and Floyd simply takes advantage of those. Last season he was targeted 112 times, but only recorded 65 receptions. I can easily see Floyd reaching the 80 reception mark this season if he continues to impress. Palmer seems to be building a very good relationship with Floyd and it can only improve in their second year together. I would draft Floyd as a WR2 with WR1 upside.

Cardinals RB Stepfan Taylor running with first team offense

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 11:48 AM PDT

Andre Ellington sat out of Wednesday's practice with a slight neck injury. ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reports that Stepfan Taylor has been taking repititions with the first team offense. This is a big indicator that Taylor has a slight edge over Jonathan Dwyer in the backup race. Since the Cardinals are currently favoring a two-back set, Taylor may see some valuable playing time. The second-year back out of Stanford has yet to contribute for the Cardinals, but all signs point north for the sophomore running back. FANTASY ANALYSIS: There is no doubt to the fact Ellington is the starter for the Cardinals. With Arians concerned about Ellington's workload, he is guaranteed to insert Taylor or Dwyer to lessen the load. While there is no clear-cut handcuff for Ellington, there is some value in owning either Taylor or Dwyer when the final depth chart is released. If you're looking to handcuff Ellington at this moment, the current option is Taylor.

Lions TE Eric Ebron dropping 'an inordinate number' of passes

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 11:21 AM PDT

The Lions were looking for someone to stretch the field and take pressure off Calvin Johnson. They believe they found their guy in Eric Ebron. The 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft has been struggling in training camp though. Reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Ebron has been dropping 'an inordinate number' of passes. Lions' coach Jim Caldwell backed-up Ebron saying, quot;It's tough for any young guy that's coming in to a system." As a junior last year, Ebron had a drop-rate of 11.4%. FANTASY ANALYSIS: If you're looking for a really good pickup for a dynasty league, Ebron may be your guy. However, in redraft leagues, I would avoid Ebron. He has a lot on his shoulders and many people are expecting too much of him. As a rookie, you're still learning the offense, adjusting to the speed of the game and competing against greater talent. Drop-rate aside, rookie tight ends rarely break out into fantasy football capable players. Although Ebron has potential, there are better options at tight end around his ADP.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden has the 'starting edge'

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 10:55 AM PDT

The Oakland Raiders went out this offseason looking for more running back talent and they found Maurice Jones-Drew. With two backs that are capable of starting, Darren McFadden and Jones-Drew, the Raiders have an interesting situation to play with. The most likely scenario involves both backs in a committee running scheme. Sports Illustrated's Robert Klemko has reported, quot;Darren McFadden has the starting edge over Jones-Drew," indicating the Raiders may favor McFadden more in certain situations, resulting in more touches. FANTASY ANALYSIS: As a fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft, many had high hopes for McFadden. Those hopes were slowly diminished year-in and year-out. He simply cannot stay healthy. Even though McFadden has the starting edge, there's always the injury concern. He has never played all 16 games in a season since entering NFL. From a fantasy perspective, that is scary. With an ADP of around 100, the back is not much of a risk compared to previous years. You know what you're getting with McFadden, an injury-prone player who has potential to break out in one game or another, but is not an every week starter. If you can grab him late in the draft, he is a solid bye-week fill-in.

Packers TE Brandon Bostick getting first-team reps

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 10:48 AM PDT

ESPN Green Bay reporter Rob Demovsky tweeted out from camp saying TE Brandon Bostick is running with the first-team in training camp after returning from an injury. Also of note is Demovsky mentioning quot;I'd say he delivered" when referring to Bostick's opportunities running in the primary offense. This sheds light on a muddied TE situation for the Packers as Andrew Quarless, Richard Rodgers and Colt Lyeria all have been hyped as potential starters in the high-flying offense this offseason. Jermichael Finley is also in the conversation and is welcome to return after suffering a devastating neck injury in 2013. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's a situation to watch throughout camp. It seems Bostick has the upper-hand but both him and Quarless started last season to fill in for Finley and neither particularly shined. Whichever one starts will be a TE2 option with plenty of upside and could be a steal given their current ADP.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski likely to sit out preseason

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 10:20 AM PDT

Gronkowski will likely sit out the entirety of the preseason schedule as he recovers from knee surgery, according to the Boston Globe. The fourth-year tight end has undergone six surgeries in the past two years, and has not played a full season since 2011. Gronkowski was cleared for training camp, but has thus far been held out of organized team drills, instead working individually on the sidelines, or with small groups. In seven games in 2013, Gronkowski caught 39 balls for 592 yards and four touchdowns. FANTASY ANALYSIS: As expected, the Patriots are being extremely careful with their star TE as he returns to the team. Gronkowski is a very important piece of the New England passing game, and they won't take any unnecessasry risks with his health leading up to the season. That said, though, it will be much harder for fantasy owners to assess Gronkowski's game-readiness, without first seeing him on the field. Gronkowski expects to be ready for Week 1, but how ready he is physically may be a different question. He's currently being drafted like he's fully recovered, at 28th overall, but there may be a greater element of risk here than some fantasy owners realize.

Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar impressing at camp

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 09:59 AM PDT

The Dallas Morning News says Dunbar quot;continues to be impressive" at Cowboys training camp. The former undrafted free agent is heading in to his third season with the Cowboys, and has the number two running back spot secured over Cowboys RB Joseph Randle. In two NFL seasons, Dunbar has carried the ball 51 times for 225 yards. He could see a spike in his workload this year, as new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has a history of favoring two-back systems. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Dunbar is a guy that you should strongly consider drafting if you take Murray. Backing up an injury-prone starter gives him value as a handcuff, but Dunbar may see carries in Linehan's offense regardless of Murray's health. Last year in Detroit, Linehan ran an offense that saw both Lions RB Reggie Bush and Lions RB Joique Bell hold significant fantasy value. In the event of an injury to Murray, Dunbar will probably see the larger share of a split with Randle in the Cowboys running game. Dunbar's being taken as the 58th running back in drafts.

MOCK DRAFT NOW - Custom Simulator

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 08:25 AM PDT

Custom practice for your big draft

Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman winning backup battle

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 06:39 AM PDT

Hillman has quot;usually been the running back up" in Broncos camp so far, according to denverbroncos.com. With Broncos RB Montee Ball solidly positioned as the team's starter, Hillman and Broncos RB C.J. Anderson are in competition for the lead backup role. While many saw Anderson as the better player coming in to camp, it looks like Hillman has the edge at this point. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The Denver job is Ball's to lose, so whichever player winds up with backup duties will have little more than handcuff value. Anderson missed most of last season with a knee injury, allowing Hillman the opportunity to split backup duties with Ball. Now, Anderson may be in danger of being relegated to the third string again in 2014. Anderson is currently being taken 57th among running backs, and Hillman is going undrafted. If Hillman is indeed the Denver backup, those ADP's should be reversed.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington sidelined with neck injury

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 09:41 PM PDT

Ellington sat out Tuesday's practice with a neck injury, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Little is known about the injury, but it does not appear to be serious. Cardinals RB Stepfan Taylor took reps with the offensive starters in Ellington's absence. Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has previously spoken about making Ellington a focal point of Arizona's offense, but due to durability concerns, Arizona took a conservative approach with Ellington in the 2013 season. FANTASY ANALYSIS: While the injury does not seem to be a major concern, this type of news will make fantasy owners nervous. Ellington, at barely 200 pounds, does not have the physical stature characteristic of a workhorse running back in the NFL. Fantasy owners are drafting Ellington as a high-end RB2, because of his explosiveness and big-play ability. Those same owners should take note that Taylor has an edge on Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer for backup duties. Ellington is a good choice for handcuffing this year, due to injury concerns.

Falcons WR Julio Jones looking like himself 'and maybe even better'

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 07:25 PM PDT

NFL.com's Jeff Darlington interviewed Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on Tuesday. His first question was about wide receiver Julio Jones and how he has looked on the field in the first few days of camp. quot;I think he's looked great," Ryan said. "I think he handled the surgery well this offseason and the rehab. He was incredibly detailed in how he was in here going everything he needed to do in order to get ready for camp. Really, through the first four or five days of camp, I've thought he's looked back to himself and maybe even better. He's looked really, really good so far." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Beat writers have also said Julio looks to be running well in camp. The seemingly chronic nature of his foot injuries is a red flag, but Jones has top-five-WR upside. Maybe top-three. And with both Jones and Roddy White returning from injury-marred seasons, Ryan's numbers return closer to 2012 standards. The Falcons will throw a ton this season -- that's what happens when your lead running back is hurt -- and they have put forth a lot of work to stabilize their offensive line. Ryan should reach 30 touchdowns again

2014 Auction Draft Ripoffs

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 07:03 PM PDT

A list of fantasy football players to avoid in auction drafts due to their over-sized price tags. Profiled players include Nick Foles, Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel, Matthew Stafford, and Giovani Bernard.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson taking fewer practice reps to preserve health

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 07:00 PM PDT

Much like the value of preseason football to a couple of star running backs, what good is it to put the best wide receiver in football through every play in practice? That's what Calvin Johnson has always wanted to do, but after seven years in the league and nothing to prove, Lions coaches are pulling the reins on Megatron just a bit. quot;I'm older now," the 28-year-old Johnson said Tuesday. "I'm not diving for the balls anymore (in practice). Coach (Jim) Caldwell has a big emphasis about us staying off the ground. "I don't see a lot of the reps that I'm used to seeing. They'll come, but I'm used to being out there every play." FANTASY ANALYSIS: So when you read Wednesday practice reports during the season and see Calvin listed as "DNP," don't freak out. This is a good thing. Johnson limped through the final stages of last season and underwent minor surgeries on his knee and finger during the offseason. Anything to reduce his wear and tear, I'm all for it. He is in the prime of his career; the Lions need to get the most they can out of Johnson and don't need him spending extra energy on a ton of 11-on-11 reps in July. Johnson is the No. 1 fantasy wide receiver without question and a mid-first-round lock. Even with the new additions to Detroit's passing offense -- Golden Tate, Eric Ebron -- Megatron shouldn't see any sort of decline in targets or production.

Dolphins want to make WR Mike Wallace a complete receiver

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 06:34 PM PDT

The Dolphins did many things last year with Mike Wallace that he was already used to. Lined him up right, sent him deep. Lined him up right, sent him deep. Those days are over in Bill Lazor's offense. He wants Wallace and all of Miami's wideouts to do more. They will run a variety of routes and line up all over the formation. There will be a lot of motion and some end-arounds. That puts the onus on Wallace, never a great technical player, to adapt to the Dolphins' timing attack. quot;I think I'll get to run everything," Wallace said last weekend. "I'll be able to be a complete receiver instead of a one-dimensional guy. Coach tells me every day he's going to work me to continue to push me to boundaries I've never been to. ... I'm excited about it." There have been reports of Wallace and quarterback Ryan Tannehill already connecting better on deep passes than last season. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It should also be mentioned that Wallace didn't practice today due to some unspecified muscle soreness, but he should be OK soon. There is bound to be a learning curve for Wallace, but at least Lazor is being imaginative with him. Previous OC Mike Sherman criminally underutilized him. There is bounce-back potential here for Wallace as the No. 1 target in Lazor's fast-paced scheme. He is a nice WR3.

Patriots WR Danny Amendola working with Tom Brady's trainer

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 06:02 PM PDT

When you have an injury history like Danny Amendola's, you'll try just about anything to stay healthy. Amendola's newest hope: Working out with Tom Brady's trainer. His name is Alex Guerrero, and he worked with Amendola this offseason, according to NFL.com's Albert Breer. Guerrero worked with Julian Edelman before last season, and he ended playing a full slate for the first time in his career and caught more than 100 passes. For what it's worth, Brady hasn't missed a game since his 2008 ACL tear. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's worth a shot, right? This story with Amendola is the same as it was entering last year: He can catch 80+ balls in New England if his body doesn't break down. But it seems to do so year after year. In 2013, he was limited for basically the entire year by a groin injury. This development would be more important if not for this fact: A lot of injuries are just bad luck. A bad landing, an awkward step, a rough or low tackle, they can all lead to major injury. Ultimately, there's really not much a trainer or a player can do to prevent it. Amendola has just been unlucky for most of his career. There's as good of a chance that his luck will change this season, but fantasy owners are understandably shying away. He is being drafted as a WR 4/5.

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch accruing fines

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 05:53 PM PDT

Marshawn Lynch has racked up $455,000 in fines related to his holdout for a new contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter via Twitter. Lynch, unhappy with his current deal that is set to pay him $5.5 million this year, has failed to report to Seahawks camp for the first six days of its duration. Lynch is being fined $30,000 per day of his holdout, plus a $275,500 penalty mandated by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement that was triggered Tuesday. The 28-year-old Lynch lead Seattle in rushing last season, with 301 carries for 1,257 yards. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The pressure is on Lynch now. Each additional day of the holdout gives the team more leverage. The Seahawks appear to want Lynch back, but it's equally apparent they're not ready to give him a significant raise. If Lynch does return to the team, the fines will probably be forgiven. For now, Seahawks RB Christine Michael is taking reps with the offensive starters, and each additional day he does so will raise his fantasy value relative to Lynch.

Bears WR Marquess Wilson impressing in camp

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 05:28 PM PDT

Envision this: A 6-foot-4 wide receiver with 4.50 speed lining up in the slot. That's what the Bears have been doing with wide receiver Marquess Wilson in training camp. With Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on the outside, the Bears have been trying to find ways to give Wilson consistent snaps. So, he's in the slot and reportedly taking to it well. Matt Bowen wrote for the Chicago Tribune on Monday that Wilson has shown an increased dedication to training and working on his fundamentals, including his route-running. The results so far have been promising quot;The young receiver has been impressive in camp and there are very positive signs of his development on display," Bowen wrote of Wilson. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Wilson is entering his second season and is just 21 years old. A dynasty darling, Wilson has a chance to become a known name in many fantasy circles this season. It will most likely happen in conjunction with an injury to Marshall or Jeffery, but Wilson could produce good numbers with the Bears' aggressive offense in case of such an event. He is a guy to put on your watch list late in drafts.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree is 'step or two quicker' this year

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 04:46 PM PDT

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said wide receiver Michael Crabtree was never fully healthy last season. The sixth-year wideout did make it back from an offseason Achilles tear on Dec. 1 and caught 19 passes for 284 yards in the final five regular-season games. But according to Kaepernick, that wasn't the real Crabtree. That guy has showed up in training camp this year. quot;He's a step or two quicker now," Kaepernick said of Crabtree on Tuesday. "He has a burst out of his routes. He has burst when he catches the ball. (He) looks really good out there." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Crabtree's average draft position is in the fifth round, in the early 20s among WRs. He's being drafted after Percy Harvin and Roddy White on average. Thus, I think he's fallen a bit too far. Almost a year and a half removed from the Achilles tear, Kaepernick makes it clear that Crabtree is operating at a high level. He was an 1,100-yard player in 2012, and while the 49ers have added more targets in the passing game, they are also go to throw the ball more often this season. A lot of fantasy teams out there are going to land Crabtree as a WR3, and they should be very pleased about that.

Falcons RB Steven Jackson out with hamstring injury

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 04:32 PM PDT

Jackson injured his hamstring during training camp on Monday, according to Falcons digital media manager Jay Adams via Twitter. Adams says that it was not the same hamstring that kept Jackson out of several games in the 2013 season. The 31-year-old Jackson has amassed 2,395 carries over his nine-year career. In 2013, his first year in Atlanta, Jackson tallied 543 rushing yards on 157 carries, for a 3.5 YPC average. Adams says that Jackson will be in the Falcons lineup for Week 1. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This news puts a damper on the theory that Jackson was primed for a comeback season. While the tone of Adams tweet was generally positive, he is also a Falcons employee. Adams has no way of knowing whether Jackson will be on the field for the Falcons to start the season, or if he'll be at 100% physically. Hamstring injuries have a nasty way of lingering. And with a back Jackson's age, any injury needs to be treated seriously. He's racked up a lot of usage in almost a decade in the NFL, and it's possible that he's reached the end of the road. Playing with nagging injuries in 2013, Jackson was largely ineffective. Bump up rookie Falcons RB Devonta Freeman a bit on your draft boards, and nudge Jackson down.

Lions RB Mikel Leshoure up to 242 pounds

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 04:28 PM PDT

Lions running back Mikel Leshoure didn't get much of a chance last season. He got two carries in three games. Otherwise, he was a healthy scratch. Even with Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, and Theo Riddick in front of him, the former second-round pick is trying to stay positive now that a new coaching staff is in Detroit. quot;They give everyone a fresh start," Leshoure said. "I feel like that's what I needed. It's fair game now, and I can just go out there and compete. "I just got to prove I can be available for this team, and just be able to help. Bein' there, and when my number's called, bein' ready." But Leshoure must prove that he can be useful at a significantly higher weight than what he checked into the league at just two years ago. When he was drafted, Leshoure was 227 pounds. This year, he entered camp at he 242. FANTASY ANALYSIS: That's a big gain for a guy who already looked slow on the field. Leshoure says it is muscle, but the photo of him in the linked article below isn't a flattering one. He looks plump. Even without pass-fixated offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, the Lions profile to still be a throw-first team. Leshoure has seemingly never fit into this offense's ideology or how fast it wants to play. It would be best for his NFL future to get released and find somewhere else to play. He has been a tremendous bust.

Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw 'looks fantastic'

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 04:05 PM PDT

Injuries have ruled the Colts' backfield in camp. Vick Ballard is out for the season due to a torn Achilles, and Trent Richardson hasn't practiced since last week because of a soft-tissue issue. However, head coach Chuck Pagano doesn't sound worried about Richardson's status. Fortunately for this group, a man who is usually injured has stepped up: Ahmad Bradshaw. quot;He looks fantastic," Pagano said of Bradshaw. "He has found the groove to make it. We know how tough Ahmad is. We know how he's wired, so I'm not going to be pulling back on the reins. He's one of those guys we have to protect them from themselves." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Phillip Tanner can only help so much. Bradshaw is the top handcuff to Richardson right now, and he may work himself into a bigger role if Richardson's unidentified injury persists, or if he struggles like he did in 2013 once he's back on the field. However, Bradshaw is coming off of neck surgery, and he has a long, long medical sheet. No one should trust him to make it through a full season. He is a late-round grab.

Patriots WR Aaron Dobson's foot surgery in March more significant than initially thought

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 03:48 PM PDT

When Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson went under the knife on March 10 to repair the stress fracture in his left foot, he was initially expected to miss 2-3 months. Now, more than four months later, Dobson isn't on the field. He's still working his way back and is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list. There's a reason for this delay. According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, sources revealed Tuesday that Dobson had a screw planted in his foot during surgery. Dobson wasn't even cleared to run until earlier this month and is still building up strength so that he can plant and cut aggressively, according to Howe. FANTASY ANALYSIS: So, that initial timetable turned out to be too optimistic. Howe doesn't hint that Dobson is at risk of missing any regular-season games, but there also isn't a set date for him to participate in training camp. He has some sleeper value in his second season. However, injuries are a major worry right now, and he's only a WR5.

Giants RB David Wilson suffers setback

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 03:28 PM PDT

Wilson is undergoing tests after sustaining a quot;burner" in his surgically repaired neck during Tuesday's practice, according to NFL Network's Kimberly Jones. Wilson missed 11 games last year after suffering a serious neck injury that had many questioning his ability to ever return to the field. Wilson was cleared last week to participate in camp, but only made it through a few days of practices before this problem flared up. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Any news about WIlson's neck is bad news. As Jones notes in her tweet, the Giants "will be careful" with WIlson. That is, if there's any chance to seriously aggravate this frightening injury, WIlson won't see the field. This development provides a fairly strong bump in value for Giants RB Rashad Jennings, who now looks likely to serve as a three-down back for the team. Wilson should not be drafted except in the deepest of leagues until he proves that he is healthy enough to get through training camp, let alone an NFL regular season.

Could Browns WR Josh Gordon's year-long suspension be result of dumb luck, second-hand smoke?

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 02:32 PM PDT

For months now, it has felt like a year-long suspension for Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is an inevitability following his latest violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, which was announced in May. Not so fast, perhaps. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Gordon's appeal, which is set to be heard on Friday, will be focused around inconsistent test results, a positive test result that was barely positive, and dumb luck. Since Gordon is in Stage 3 of the league's substance-abuse program due to previous violations, he is subject to as many as 10 drug tests per month. For each of those tests, Gordon must provide two urine samples, which are placed in bottles randomly marked quot;A" and "B." The "A" sample is always tested first, and the "B" sample is only tested to confirm the results if "A" revealed a positive test and to ensure its consistency. But the basis of Gordon's latest violation isn't quite consistent, and by league standards, only one of the samples tested positive. Unfortunately for Gordon, it was his "A" sample. That sample showed 16 nanograms per milliliter, a mere one nanogram above the NFL's 15 nanograms-per-milliliter threshold for marijuana metabolites. The "B" sample showed 13.63 nanograms per milliliter, which doesn't register as a positive test. However, because Gordon's "B" sample wasn't his "A" sample, thanks to random chance, he is tagged with another violation of the policy and is supposed to miss at least one year as punishment. If the bottles were flipped, Gordon wouldn't be facing another suspension at all. Gordon's appeal will call into question the results of the positive test seeing as the second test wasn't technically positive. It will also dispute suspending a player for an entire year when basing that suspension off of a test that was only one nanogram per milliliter above the league limit. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon's attorneys will argue that the positive test was the result of second-hand smoke and will introduce witnesses who will vouch for Gordon and testify that his sources indicate that he was breathing in second-hand smoke shortly on the day of his test. The NFL does not suspend players for second-hand smoke inhalation. Scientific studies have shown that second-hand smoke exposure can lead to test results similar to Gordon's. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Not mentioned but probably should be: How much impact will Gordon's recent DUI arrest have on his appeal and the odds that the suspension is upheld? If Gordon's appeal is successful, it would be the biggest story in fantasy football this year and perhaps the most important story about urine in fantasy football history. Gordon would go from being completely ignored in drafts to a likely second-round pick. No matter who is starting at quarterback for the Browns, we already know Gordon can succeed immensely. He did it in 14 games last year with Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Jason Campbell. We should have a decision here in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Colts sign former Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 01:48 PM PDT

With Colts running back Vick Ballard out for the season and the recent release of Chris Rainey, their backfield was looking sparse. They immediately went out looking for talent to fill their recently created voids. Adam Schefter has reported that the Colts signed former Cowboys running back, Phillip Tanner. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Tanner most likely won't see much action, but at least he's there. He's someone to fall back on if anything else happens through camp or during the season. He was released by the Cowboys because they could not afford to pay him and he has shown below-average running ability. Since this is strictly a depth signing, Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw should have nothing to worry about.

Browns QB Brian Hoyer is 'a lot like Tom Brady'

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 01:33 PM PDT

Three seasons as a backup quarterback in New England have really rubbed off on Brian Hoyer. At least, that's the simple conclusion from Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas' words from Monday. quot;He's a lot like Tom Brady,'' Thomas said of Hoyer. "When you look at the way he competes and the way he demands the most out of everybody around him, it's no coincidence that those guys played together. (Hoyer) has a lot of those same mental attributes and that's a great thing for a quarterback to have. "He's the ultimate competitor, and no matter if we drafted a quarterback No. 1 overall, I knew that in his mind he expects to win the job because that's the type of competitor he is and the type of quarterback." Thomas also said Hoyer has the swagger and attitude that demands respect in the huddle, and he gets it. FANTASY ANALYSIS: One person would say this is just teammate-on-teammate hyperbole, a common speech at this time of year. Another person could say Thomas doesn't sound like a Johnny Manziel fan. For what it's worth, Hoyer is clearly in front in the QB competition with Mr. J. Football, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora. Barring injury, Hoyer is going to open the season as the Browns' starter. Plenty will still be counting the minutes until Manziel gets into the game, but he may be just a gimmick player early on.

Mock Draft World Championship: Grades & Analysis

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 12:49 PM PDT

Our fantasy football expert completes his own team entry into the Mock Draft World Championship!

Ravens RB Ray Rice 'looking good' in training camp

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 11:00 AM PDT

Mike Preston, a Ravens insider for The Baltimore Sun reports Ray Rice is 'looking good' during training camp. Preston says, quot;He had two long runs Saturday where he looked like the Rice of old. He never had great speed, but his cuts were excellent." Rice had a very bad season in 2013, averaging 3.1 yards a game. Before that, however, he racked in four straight seasons of 1,100+ rushing yards. Rice is currently facing a suspension that will leave him unable to play in the Ravens Week 1 and Week 2 matchups. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Personal issues aside, Rice is the lone running back on the Ravens with superstar potential. He has already shown what he can do in 2009 to 2012. During that span no one questioned him as first round draft talent. I still believe Rice is in a position to succeed. He has a lot to prove and is being undervalued and underestimated. I would not be surprised to see Rice come back to his old self this season. With an ADP nearing 60, I have no trouble drafting Rice when the time comes. He is easily an RB2 with major upside.

Colts RB Chris Rainey released

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 09:49 AM PDT

It has been announced running back Chris Rainey has been released from the Colts. Coach Chuck Pagano stated that, quot;It's an in-house deal," giving us no indication of why the running back was released. Rainey did not record a single run in the 2013 season and was not a contributing player on special teams. In 2013 he was released by the Steelers after allegedly slapping a woman in the face. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The already thin running back group of the Colts just became thinner. We would have to imagine that Coach Pagano knows what he is doing and this bodes well for starting running back Trent Richardson. There is very little competition in the backfield behind Richardson with only Ahmad Bradshaw and Dan Herron. This release boosts Richardson's value as he will most likely be the feature back and take on a consistent amount of carries. I, for one, believe Richardson has much to prove. I understand the Colts had major offensive line problems in 2013 and not all the blame is on Richardson for his poor statistical season. With time to mesh in the new system I believe Richardson will shock people this year.
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