Week 2 Preseason News and Notes

Hello Fantasy Swashbucklers,

In a busy week of preseason games, injuries, and moves on the depth chart, I am going to analyze the things that may affect your draft. Last week we ran over injuries and important moves in the offseason. Along with all of that will be some of my own insights. So let’s get started with some injury news.

In the preseason game against the Packers, Cardinals rookie running back Ryan Williams went down with an ankle injury and was carted off the field. It was later found that he ruptured his patellar tendon and will need surgery. This really increases the value of Beanie Wells. He now possibly could become an every down back, and he will certainly be the lead man in Arizona. I already liked the guy if he got the time on the field, but now he will get the carries to become a top 20 back. But we have not seen that potential shine yet. I think this could, and will, be the year for Beanie.

Earlier in the week, we found some much anticipated news about Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin. After weeks of testing for just about every sickness possible, including Lukemia, it was found that his lymph nodes were “enlarged and hot”—a major sign of Lymphoma and he should be returning to the practice field in the next couple days. Now this doesn’t mean he is back where he should be in fantasy rankings. Everyone needs to wait and see him in practice and preseason to evaluate him and see if he is healthy and back to football form. If he is, feel free to rank him back to where he usually would be.

In other big news not concerning an injury, Titans Chris Johnson is holding out for a new contract from the Titans, as many of you may already know. "We're willing to make him the highest paid running back in the history of the NFL,” said the Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt two weeks ago,”That's kind of where we are.” Chris Johnson later went on to say that negotiations had gone nowhere, and they were still on square one. Now, the GM has yet to give CJ an offer, and the team is not even going to bother giving Johnson a concrete offer right now. If I were a fantasy owner, I would be extremely scared using a first round pick on this guy, none-the-less using a top five pick on him.

Now on to who has caught my eye in preseason. First off let’s start with a Cowboy, me being a Cowboys fan and all. I am beginning to become very interested in the all around talent of Felix Jones. He looks like a stud right now. His vision on the field is great and he is finding the holes. Rather it be his offensive line creating gaping holes or Jones finding them, it doesn’t matter to me. Either way this guy is climbing up on my rankings.

Another guy that may not of caught my eye this preseason, but one that did at the end of last season is Brian Robiskie. Granted, Cribbs is having the better preseason, but Robiskie is still the #1 wide-out on that team and if he can get the targets he is one of those deep sleepers I really like with his Qb Colt McCoy firing him passes.

Last but certainly not least is the quarterback position where this week I’m going to throw out the name Matthew Stafford. I know a lot of people, like this guy, but I have been one of them, for years now. His shoulder should not be a problem, and he is not considered injury prone. However, he has been injured in both of his first two seasons in the NFL, so it is a risk. But it is a risk I am willing to take in drafts if you could get him as a back-up QB. He has the receiving corps and the talent to become a top ten quarterback this year, mark my words.

Thanks for reading. I will be back next week with more sleepers, including a tight end that a lot of people are forgetting about. Have a good week!