Fantasy Football Fix August 1st 2010
Wes Welker of the New England Patriots came off the PUP list Sunday and has started practicing with the team according to Michalel Reiss of ESPN Boston. The Boston Globe forewarned us and it seems their reporters were true. Welker admittedly is not at 100%, but barring a major setback he will be the opening day starter aside from Randy Moss. Draft with confidence as your WR3 knowing full well he will perform like a WR2 when back to 100%.
Training camp injury update: KnowShown Moreno has been carted off the field, Mike Bell injured, Dez Bryant aiming for final preseason game return
Dwayne Bowe seems poised for a breakout under the Kansas City Chiefs Todd Haley. Bowe has WR1 potential but has been more of a WR2/WR3 for the better part of his career. Now out of the doghouse Bowe has a chance to realize his immense promise. Draft as a WR2 or WR3 if possible.
Bobby Engram mentoring Brian Robiskie. This is good news for the son of a WR coach in Robiskie. Robiskie has the pedigree to be a success in the NFL and the fine tuning advice he receives from a NFL veteran like Engram is invaluable and will be a major factor in the success he will have this year. Consider Robiskie no better than a injury or bye week filler for now. But Jake Delhomme has been full of praise for Robiskie all off-season so keep him on your radar.
The Chicago Bears running back position is up for grabs. This battle for the job was prognosticated by many analysts as the Bears signed Chester Taylor and he is now making more money than Matt Forte who is still on his rookie deal. Forte will have the first shot at the job and is the heavy favorite to win the job, however most pundits expect this to be a pretty even timeshare with the carry split likely being 60/40 in favor of Matt Forte.
Brandon LaFell is impressing the Carolina Panthers coaches and it is time to add him to your cheat sheet. It was feared he may be brought along slowly due to John Fox’s propensity to not thrust rookies into action, but LaFell is just so much more talented than Dwayne Jarrett that Fox will make an exception. Dynasty leaguers move him up your cheat sheets, he has a chance to be something special next to Steve Smith. Redraft owners target him as a flex/bye week filler with WR3 upside. We will probably not see him start to scratch the surface of his potential until week 7 but LaFell is a fine bench stash in 12 team and higher formats.
