I'm hoping beyond hope that Adrian Peterson is sent to the Jets, or Frank Gore goes to Detroit. Not wishing ill of Kerryon Johnson or D'Andre Swift, or of Le'Veon Bell or La’Mical Perine. But man, seeing two 35+ year-olds split carries would restore my faith in humanity.
As it stands, AP's move to Detroit is a near-crushing blow to his fantasy hopes. Whereas Derrius Guice's release almost assured Peterson a 1B role at worst in Washington, and a 1A role at best, he'll find it tough to break through in a Lions uniform. It largely comes down to Swift's health. If the rookie returns in September, and if Johnson's running well, I can see a scenario where Detroit cuts AP, rather than keep him benched as a just-in-case emergency starter.
In Jacksonville, James Robinson has won the RB starter sweepstakes, which means sell high. A large college workload and serious ball-control issues make Robinson anywhere from an RB3 to an RB9. Robinson is skyrocketing up draft boards for all the wrong reasons. Managers are (correctly) eager for starting RBs, but that doesn't mean you should be desperate. We all know running backs are the riskiest position players in fantasy. Roughly 25%-35% of opening-week starters probably won't be starting in September, whether because of injuries or poor play. While it might seem sensible to draft Robinson in a middle or even late-middle round as one of the final "starters" on the board, I don't see him helping you win a title or even helping you reach the playoffs. I'd draft a Tony Pollard or Alexander Mattison or another "safe" RB handcuff over him every time.
Tough luck for Damien Harris and to those who drafted him. Sony Michel now will need to be dethroned. That said, Michel probably needs to deliver in September; his leash is not as long as it was his first two seasons.
If you wondered whether Trey Burton might cut into Jack Doyle's production, well, you'll have to keep wondering. Burton's career has been an unfortunate disaster since leaving Philly. Doyle (TE-18) will move up as the news begins to impact drafting. But I still don't trust Doyle as a safe TE1. There's too much talent above him.
Finally, Roger Goodell raised the prospect yesterday that COVID could impact any team at any time--and that some teams might not play 16 games. This reality is obvious, and it's also a reminder that this pandemic could crush your fantasy team at a moment's notice. Stacking a QB and WR or QB and TE carries more risk than in any other year--and of course, more reward of your stacked team remains in the clear. Still, every fantasy league should have clear rules governing what happens if a team can't play one week--or if multiple teams can't play, leaving some fantasy managers with incomplete lineups at the last minute.
As it stands, AP's move to Detroit is a near-crushing blow to his fantasy hopes. Whereas Derrius Guice's release almost assured Peterson a 1B role at worst in Washington, and a 1A role at best, he'll find it tough to break through in a Lions uniform. It largely comes down to Swift's health. If the rookie returns in September, and if Johnson's running well, I can see a scenario where Detroit cuts AP, rather than keep him benched as a just-in-case emergency starter.
In Jacksonville, James Robinson has won the RB starter sweepstakes, which means sell high. A large college workload and serious ball-control issues make Robinson anywhere from an RB3 to an RB9. Robinson is skyrocketing up draft boards for all the wrong reasons. Managers are (correctly) eager for starting RBs, but that doesn't mean you should be desperate. We all know running backs are the riskiest position players in fantasy. Roughly 25%-35% of opening-week starters probably won't be starting in September, whether because of injuries or poor play. While it might seem sensible to draft Robinson in a middle or even late-middle round as one of the final "starters" on the board, I don't see him helping you win a title or even helping you reach the playoffs. I'd draft a Tony Pollard or Alexander Mattison or another "safe" RB handcuff over him every time.
Tough luck for Damien Harris and to those who drafted him. Sony Michel now will need to be dethroned. That said, Michel probably needs to deliver in September; his leash is not as long as it was his first two seasons.
If you wondered whether Trey Burton might cut into Jack Doyle's production, well, you'll have to keep wondering. Burton's career has been an unfortunate disaster since leaving Philly. Doyle (TE-18) will move up as the news begins to impact drafting. But I still don't trust Doyle as a safe TE1. There's too much talent above him.
Finally, Roger Goodell raised the prospect yesterday that COVID could impact any team at any time--and that some teams might not play 16 games. This reality is obvious, and it's also a reminder that this pandemic could crush your fantasy team at a moment's notice. Stacking a QB and WR or QB and TE carries more risk than in any other year--and of course, more reward of your stacked team remains in the clear. Still, every fantasy league should have clear rules governing what happens if a team can't play one week--or if multiple teams can't play, leaving some fantasy managers with incomplete lineups at the last minute.