Grant Signs, Smith Fights, Games Begin…

August 4, 2008 at 7:51 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

In a freaking wacky week in the NFL, there was a fight that ended with a star receiver getting suspended, an undrafted RB signed a four year, $30 million contract, and a retired legend returned to a team that had said only days earlier that they did not want him. Sifting through the mess, take a look at who’s fantasy football stock is rising and falling during the first official week of the NFL preseason.

Rising - Ryan Grant, Packers RB - After signing a four year, $30 million contract with Green Bay, the 25 year old RB is locked in as the franchise’s featured back heading into 2008. His fantasy owners should be extremely excited to see what he can do over a full 16 game season, after he rushed for 956 yards and 8 TDs in only 10 full games last season. Grant is a top 10 seasonal and dynasty RB with this news.

Rising - Sam Hurd, Cowboys WR - No more Terry Glenn in Dallas, which means the third year WR from Northern Illinois could have a shot at some significant playing time in 2008. The 6′2″, 202 pound Hurd has been praised by Terrell Owens, and only really has to compete with Patrick Crayton and former college QB Isaiah Stanback - who drew praise from owner Jerry Jones recently - for playing time. Look for Hurd to potentially be this year’s version of Jerricho Cotchery, as he certainly plays in an explosive enough offense to be a threat in deep leagues. Stanback should be monitored as well.

Falling - Reggie Williams, Jaguars WR - 6′4″ 24 year old former first round pick, Reggie WIlliams, who hauled in 10 TDs in 38 total catches in 2007, received bad news regarding his recently injured knee last week. Williams will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery, which will likely cause him to miss Week 1, and possibly even Week 2 of the NFL season. This doesn’t mean Williams’ season is over, however it’ll be much harder to count on him for consistent fantasy production in 2008.

Rising - Kenny Phillips, Giants S - IDPers take note - Giants first round safety Kenny Phillips is the real deal. He apparently has hit very hard in training camp, impressing teammates and coaches. In addition to literally knocking off teammates’ helmets with bone crushing tackles, he also has shown a solid understanding of Steve Spagnulo’s defense. We like Phillips as a long term dynasty IDP prospect.

Rising - Mike Walker, Jaguars WR - With Jerry Porter nursing a hamstring injury, and the aforementioned Reggie Williams on the shelf with a knee injury, second year man Mike Walker has had a chance to see plenty of reps in practices, and may actually have a chance to start during the regular season. Walker apparently catches everything thrown his way, which is a great way to earn a solid role in the NFL.

Rising - J.T. O’Sullivan, Niners QB - Kurt Warner did it, so why can’t O’Sullivan? The six year NFL veteran has only taken 13 career passing snaps - all of which came with the Detroit Lions last season. Well, OC Mike Martz took O’Sullivan with him to San Francisco - and apparently Martz did so for a reason. We’re hearing that with Alex Smith and Shaun Hill not impressing in camp, O’Sullivan actually has a chance to become the starter in 2008. We’ll monitor this closely, as we still stand by the prediction that whoever wins the starting gig in San Francisco will be extremely fantasy worthy in 2008.

Falling - Steve Smith, Panthers WR - Panthers 28 year old WR Steve Smith unloaded on teammate Ken Lucas in a sideline fight last Friday during practice, resulting in a broken nose for Lucas, and a two game suspension for Smith. While he’ll still be a fantasy WR1 during most of the 2008 season, there is now cause for concern that incidents like this could happen again, as the veteran has a reputation for being somewhat of a loose cannon.

Rising - Robert Meachem, Saints WR - The Saints first round pick in 2007 is reportedly playing very well in practice, along with 2008 seventh round draft pick Adrian Arrington. Both youngsters are apparently solid candidates to earn the WR2 and WR3 gigs in New Orleans this year, with David Patten and Devery Henderson playing slow and nursing injuries.

Rising - Jason Campbell, Redskins QB - Campbell, who hadn’t played since dislocating his knee cap late last season, looked great during the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio this week. While it’s tough to really gage how he’ll do during top notch defensive competition, we can say that he looked extremely comfortable and confident in new head coach Jim Zorn’s West Coast offense. Overall, this is a great sign for his 2008 fantasy outlook. Barring injury, consider Campbell a solid sleeper QB2 in all leagues. Rookie QB Colt Brennan looked phenomenal in Zorn’s offense as well, leading two TD drives and making all types of throws - theoretically a great sign for Campbell as well.