Yesterday evening Ezekiel Elliott was granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Now it's up to the courts to decide how this saga ends.
At each step in this process, I've issued the same warning: There's a chance Zeke's suspension will take effect during the fantasy playoffs. Sure enough, if his case is denied in November, he'll miss some or all of the fantasy postseason. For now, wherever you drafted him--presumably at a reduced price based on the uncertainty of suspension--things are looking pretty good. You nabbed an elite RB in the second, third, or even fourth round and have a decent shot of riding him throughout the season.
But realize there's still some risk; the saga isn't over. He needs to contribute throughout the fantasy playoffs to be worth the price most paid for him.
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Heading into the first Sunday of the season, I want to run down some players who are barely rostered in ESPN leagues. Each has longer-term fantasy startability potential if things break right, making each worth tracking on that old pad of paper on your nightstand.
I've pushed Kendall Wright (unrostered in 86% of ESPN leagues) as the safer of the two leading receiving candidates in Chicago, with Kevin White commanding more upside. At minimum, he's a terrific bye-week replacement or a plug-and-play in favorable matchups.
Cole Beasley (76% unrostered) will be Dak Prescott's #2 target and should benefit if/when Zeke Elliott is suspended. Beasley needs to be rostered in any league where teams' #2 receivers are largely owned.
Austin Hooper (70% unrostered) should be on every 14-league team. Period.
Alvin Kamara (84% unrostered) should be on nearly every fantasy team with a deep bench. Neither Mark Ingram nor Adrian Peterson have spotless track records when it comes to health. The odds are good that Kamara will carve out an RB4+ role by October, with much higher upside if he ever takes the reins.
This summer I've talked up Marqise Lee (80% unrostered). He's the clear #2 receiver in an admittedly shaking passing game. But still, he has top 35 WR potential and should be on a lot more rosters. If Bortles simply doesn't regress further this year, expect Lee to be snatched up sooner rather than later.
Finally, I've also hyped Shane Vereen (66% unrostered). If OBJ sits Sunday, PPR managers who start Vereen will earn RB3+ value. Even with Beckham on the field, Vereen should help plenty of teams overcome the scourge of bye weeks.
At each step in this process, I've issued the same warning: There's a chance Zeke's suspension will take effect during the fantasy playoffs. Sure enough, if his case is denied in November, he'll miss some or all of the fantasy postseason. For now, wherever you drafted him--presumably at a reduced price based on the uncertainty of suspension--things are looking pretty good. You nabbed an elite RB in the second, third, or even fourth round and have a decent shot of riding him throughout the season.
But realize there's still some risk; the saga isn't over. He needs to contribute throughout the fantasy playoffs to be worth the price most paid for him.
---
Heading into the first Sunday of the season, I want to run down some players who are barely rostered in ESPN leagues. Each has longer-term fantasy startability potential if things break right, making each worth tracking on that old pad of paper on your nightstand.
I've pushed Kendall Wright (unrostered in 86% of ESPN leagues) as the safer of the two leading receiving candidates in Chicago, with Kevin White commanding more upside. At minimum, he's a terrific bye-week replacement or a plug-and-play in favorable matchups.
Cole Beasley (76% unrostered) will be Dak Prescott's #2 target and should benefit if/when Zeke Elliott is suspended. Beasley needs to be rostered in any league where teams' #2 receivers are largely owned.
Austin Hooper (70% unrostered) should be on every 14-league team. Period.
Alvin Kamara (84% unrostered) should be on nearly every fantasy team with a deep bench. Neither Mark Ingram nor Adrian Peterson have spotless track records when it comes to health. The odds are good that Kamara will carve out an RB4+ role by October, with much higher upside if he ever takes the reins.
This summer I've talked up Marqise Lee (80% unrostered). He's the clear #2 receiver in an admittedly shaking passing game. But still, he has top 35 WR potential and should be on a lot more rosters. If Bortles simply doesn't regress further this year, expect Lee to be snatched up sooner rather than later.
Finally, I've also hyped Shane Vereen (66% unrostered). If OBJ sits Sunday, PPR managers who start Vereen will earn RB3+ value. Even with Beckham on the field, Vereen should help plenty of teams overcome the scourge of bye weeks.