2015 Fantasy Football: Huge Impacts of Preseason Injuries

Fantasy Football rules the NFL Preseason, and some major injuries sent waves through the game. Know all the impacts, and avoid a major downer this 2015 fantasy football season. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

In terms of fantasy impact from the major preseason injuries, Jordy Nelson, Kelvin Benjamin, and Arian Foster are obviously direct losses to all fantasy football owners. Nelson was a top-tier receiver. His production will attempt to be replaced by Davante Adams, but the team will need others to step up. Adams is the one to benefit from a fantasy perspective though.

In Carolina, the Benjamin loss hurts quarterback Cam Newton as well. His stock should drop a tad. There is no clear replacement on the team, outside of rookie Devin Funchess, but it remains to be seen what impact he will have as a first-year player.

Foster will be replaced in the Texan lineup by Alfred Blue, until he’s healthy. Blue was awful last year, but should produce just strictly based on the quantity of touches he will receive.

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Elsewhere, the bigger news items will have some ripple effects, but it will be limited. Pouncey’s injury may hurt Ben Roethlisberger‘s and Le’Veon Bell‘s stock a touch, but not overwhelmingly. Martavis Bryant’s suspension does open the door for Markus Wheaton to garner playing time.

Anyone you particularly like out of this replacement group, or thoughts you had about additional fantasy impacts from preseason injuries?

DAN:

I think you’re underselling the fantasy impact of these injuries, not only to the owner’s of these players, but also to their quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers is no less desirable, yet the loss of Nelson definitely hurts his fantasy value. That was his most reliable target, and now he’s gone. Rodgers is going to be a solid fantasy performer, but for the first few games of the season its unclear who’s getting the ball from him. The Packers may look to run more, until Nelson’s replacement is solidified. This takes touchdowns away from Rodgers in the process.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) gets past Dallas Cowboys free safety

J.J. Wilcox

(27) to score a touchdown in the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The same is true for Cam Newton, who is hurt even more so by the loss of his top wide receiver. I like Cam Newton the fantasy football player, but his team has never been strong around him. He’s going to throw the ball, but how much can the Panther’s offense rely on his arm, without a dominant target? Newton better not rely on his legs, or he won’t be long for this season. His stock fell hard in my book.

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I like the prospects of Davante Adams breaking out, since he’s getting the ball from Aaron Rodgers. But I can’t say the same for Funchess in Carolina, or Alfred Blue replacing Foster in Houston. I don’t think the Panthers’ offense is strong enough to make Funchess a solid fantasy player. As for Blue, who you noted was awful last season, I refuse to put my faith in a player known for being awful. Houston will find ways to minimize his ineffectiveness, namely by not using him if they don’t have to. He’ll get yards, but probably not touchdowns.

The Bryant suspension is interesting, because his fantasy owner’s are in a tricky position. I love the prospects of his replacement, Wheaton, dominating in the Steelers’ offense. Their passing game is wicked potent, and Big Ben is going to throw and throw a lot until Bell returns from his suspension. Wheaton is a great sleeper pick up, and if he performs well enough, could seriously cut into Bryant’s playing time later in the season.

The final fantasy football note from the preseason comes from the Washington Redskins. The concussion suffered by Robert Griffin III triggered a sequence of events that led to his benching, and the naming of Kirk Cousins as the Redskins’ starting quarterback. Down goes the fantasy prospects of every Washington wide receiver, and up goes the prospects of the Redskins’ running backs.

Cousins is a fine player, but I truly thought RG III was in for a bounce back season. He’s dynamic and adds a whole new dimension to an offense. Cousins does not. Unless you’re desperate, avoid anything related to the Washington passing game in fantasy football.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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