Draft:
Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Out of Oregon State
Jackson isn’t the top-10 back he once was while in St. Louis. He is still fantasy relevant, nonetheless. His average draft position (ADP) in ESPN standard leagues is 72.3, 27th among running backs. He finished last season ranked 32nd among running backs, but that was mostly due to early injuries that kept him off of the field. Once he looked healthy (the last 6 weeks), he averaged 12.5 points per game. Maybe he is still a top-10 back when healthy. Those numbers for a full year would place him ahead of Eddie Lacy as the 7th ranked RB in 2013.
He is well worth his draft position. I believe Julio Jones can improve this offense as a whole by returning from injury, and Jackson will be benefit from it. He is a solid third RB option at his ADP, with the possibility of becoming a solid RB2, health permitted.
Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints – Out of Oregon State
Cooks has the potential to become the top offensive rookie this year. The Saints, who traded up to draft Cooks in the first round, plan to use him immediately in their pass happy offense. Darren Sproles (71 receptions) and Lance Moore (37 receptions) are both gone. There is a great opportunity here if he can beat out Kenny Stills for the majority of playing time.
Cooks’ ADP is 120.6 while Stills is going at 141.4. Cooks has looked good this preseason, while some other rookies have had struggles. It pays to have a top QB throwing you the ball. In two games, he has 6 receptions for 71 yards, including a 25 yard touchdown. At 120.6 (Round 9-12 depending on # of draftees), he is a solid backup option in any league.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers – Out of Oregon
Stewart looked solid in his first preseason game. His ADP of 140.9 is up 29.1 over the past 7 days. In his first preseason game he rushed for 26 yards and 2 TDs on 4 carries.
Stewart could be a fairly decent fantasy play early on as Cam Newton works on chemistry with his new receiving corps. Keep an eye on him in these next two preseason games before considering drafting him. 2013 was an injury plagued season for Stewart and you want to make sure he looks healthy. 4 carries isn’t enough to tell me he is, although, the 2 TD’s is encouraging.
LaGarrette Blount, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Out of Oregon
Never mind the fact that he’s an idiot, he should get some goal-line looks this season. His ADP of 133.8 will probably drop a little in the next few days because of the recent incident. But it’s not expected that either Le’Veon Bell, not Blount’s role will change due to the incident. Take advantage if his ADP does in fact drop.
Blount is worth a look at the right price. Currently going 48th among running backs, he finished as the 28th best RB last year while behind Shane Vareen and Stevan Ridley to begin the season in New England. Both Vareen and Ridley finished behind Blount in total points. I expect him to be a touchdown vulture in Pittsburgh so beware of drafting Bell.
Late round/waiver lookout:
Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – Out of Oregon State
Wheaton has an opportunity to have fantasy value this season with the exit of Emmanuel Sanders. I have him down as a sleeper option. You’ll want to draft him in deeper leagues, and maybe even use a late round pick to draft him in standard leagues. His current ADP is 140.4, up 4 positions in the past 7 days. I predict that he will be a popular waiver add once the seasons begins.
It seems like he is building some chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger. He already has 3 more receiving yards this preseason than he did all of last season, 67 yards this preseason to just 64 in 2013. He also has a touchdown this preseason. Even with the additions of Lance Moore and Darius Heyward-Bey, Wheaton is still listed as a starter on the Steelers depth chart. That says something about the confidence this team has in him to produce.
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Out of Oregon State
Rodgers is current going undrafted in standard leagues. He could have some fantasy value if Steven Jackson gets hurt, but their rookie back Devonta Freeman looks like the clear backup behind Jackson.
I’m staying away from Rodgers this year, not Aaron, but Jacquizz. Worth a look if Jackson misses extended time, but proceed with caution.
Ed Dickson, TE, Carolina Panthers
Dickson is 2nd on the depth chart behind Greg Olsen. The Panther wide receivers aren’t much to brag about. Olsen will get plenty of action in this offense, and Dickson would immediate become a top-10 tight end if anything happens to Olsen. He’s worth placing on your watch list, especially for Olsen owners.
De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Thomas is currently going undrafted in standard leagues. His immediate fantasy value will solely rely on his return ability, and judging by his first return this preseason, might be fairly valuable. He’s explosive when he sees an opening, and once he gets to the open field, no one will catch him. He could be a Devin Harris type.
I am considering Thomas in deeper leagues, and at the very least you might want the Kansas City defense/special teams. Last year’s number 2 defense and you add Thomas’ return ability. I think they remain a top-5 D/ST play. There are only 2 backs on the depth chart and I would assume Thomas is third behind them. If Charles goes down with an injury, keep your eyes out for this guy.
Could see the field, but not fantasy relevant:
Backup QB’s
Matt Moore and Derek Anderson out of Oregon State are both in backup roles; Anderson behind Newton in Carolina and Moore behind Tannehill in Miami. If their respective starters go down, I think Moore has the greater value of the two, but neither quarterback should really be considered in your fantasy league.
Kellen Clemens out of Oregon is still around. He’s in San Diego playing behind Philip Rivers. The veteran backup quarterback has a decent offense to step into if Rivers goes down, but I’m sure there will still be better options out there.
LaMichael James, RB, San Francisco 49ers – Out of Oregon
Even with the injury to Kendall Hunter, James’ fantasy value remains as a return man. He doesn’t provide the explosiveness that De’Anthony Thomas does, however. The Niners added even more depth at the RB position by drafting Carlos Hyde in this year’s draft. Hyde has looked great so far and will assume the backup role in Hunter’s absence. Don’t draft James.
Oregon Wide Receivers That Play For the Philadelphia Eagles
Josh Huff and Jeff Maehl are 4th and 5th on the Eagles WR depth chart. They could possibly see the field this year if they hold onto those positions, but neither looks to be fantasy relevant this season.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
