Preseason Stock Market Report - 2nd Edition
August 25, 2008 at 7:53 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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| Well, all of the preseason games that actually mean something are pretty much over folks, and now it’s just two more weeks until the actual start of the regular season. Check out who is rising and who is falling as we get ready for the games to really matter.
Rising - Dustin Keller, Jets TE - The Jets rookie TE led the team in receiving, hauling in three passes for 43 yards from Brett Favre in preseason Week 3. In preseason Week 2, he also looked very solid, catching two passes for 26 yards and a score. We honestly believe Keller is explosive enough to be the next great fantasy tight end. Favre has a knack for involving all of his receivers, especially tight ends, and Keller is a true “seam buster” meaning he can get up the field quickly, get open and make things happen after the catch. Consider yourself warned, this kid is a legit prospect, especially in dynasty leagues.
Rising - Kurt Warner, Cardinals QB - The veteran has been named the Cardinals’ Week 1 starter, according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Warner won the job by default, due a horrible preseason Week 3 performance by third year man Matt Leinart. For the moment, Warner has solid seasonal value, and if he can stay healthy, consider him a solid QB1 in all formats with weapons Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald running routes for him. We wouldn’t recommend banking our season on him, but go snatch him off waivers now if he’s available.
Falling - Matt Leinart, Cardinals QB - Let’s be honest, the talented signal caller from USC didn’t have a horrible preseason - he really just had a horrible preseason Week 3, going four for 12, and throwing three interceptions. Don’t give up on him yet, but he’s obviously lost some luster heading into 2008. He’s roster-worthy in deep seasonal leagues, and in all dynasty formats, as Kurt Warner isn’t guaranteed to be the team’s starter for very long.
Rising - Jonathan Stewart, Panthers RB - Well, we were waiting to see something from him, and he sure came ready to play in preseason Week 3. After making his debut rushing for three yards on four carries last week, Stewart apparently stopped feeling the pain in his surgically repaired toe, rushing 10 times for 100 yards and a 50 yard TD run against the Redskins. I’m here to tell you, the kid looked powerful and fast as hell. We’re starting to rethink our opinion of Stewart, as his jersey number (28) doesn’t appear to be the only thing he has in common with last year’s rookie sensation Adrian Peterson.
Falling - Osi Umenyiora, Giants DE - Osi’s owners got horrible news when he sprained his MCL against the Jets in preseason Week 3, an injury which requires season-ending knee surgery. Dynasty owners may not want to waste a roster spot on the inconsistent pass rusher, and seasonal owners need to drop him now. Veteran Renaldo Wynn has some relevance, as he’ll likely help replace Umenyiora, however SLB Mathias Kiwanuka could be moved back to DE. If Kiwanuka is officially a DE in 2008, his fantasy value will go through the roof. We’ll help you monitor this.
Falling - Shawne Merriman, Chargers LB - Chargers fourth year LB Shawne Merriman has two torn ligaments in his knee, yet he says he has a decision to make regarding whether or not he’ll have season-ending surgery, or try to give it a go. Look, there’s no possible way he’ll be an effective fantasy option in 2008. Look for Shaun Phillips to step up and play a much larger role with Merriman out.
Falling - Kevin Curtis, Eagles WR - Is it a coincidence that Kevin Curtis went down with the same injury that plagued his QB just a couple seasons ago - a sports hernia? Well, the only thing that matters here is that Curtis could miss up to two months. Listen, we had him as a bust anyway, and now he’s someone you’ll have to just flat out pass on.
Rising - DeSean Jackson, Eagles WR - With Curtis out, and the rookie second rounder from Cal playing extremely well in the preseason, it looks like he could be an early star for fantasy owners in 2008. Whether or not he’ll last a full season is another story, but the fact of the matter is that he’s fast and can flat out catch the rock and make things happen. He’s a rising star.
Falling - Vernon Gholston, Jets LB - Not only is Gholston having trouble coming around to the pro game, sitting on the Jets’ second team, but he’s now being scored universally as a linebacker, rather than a defensive end, which is where MyFantasyLeague.com originally had him. We all know that LBs scored as either defensive linemen or defensive backs provide a huge advantage. If you’re on the look out for this kind of advantage, be sure to check ESPN leagues, where LBs LaMarr Woodley (DE) and Thomas Davis (S) are incorrectly scored.
Falling - David Clowney, Jets WR - After having a spectacular first two weeks of the NFL preseason, Jets back-up WR David Clowney will miss significant time due to shoulder surgery. Look for this to open up an opportunity for rookie Marcus Henry to win a significant role at some point during this season.
Falling - Rudi Johnson, Bengals RB - Apparently, the Bengals veteran cant’ stay healthy, and has been passed by Chris Perry on Cincy’s RB depth chart. Perry, who has been injury prone his whole career, is finally fully healthy and has looked ridiculously explosive throughout the preseason. Perry could end up being a solid RB sleeper in 2008 and is officially roster worthy in all formats.
Rising - Chris Perry, Bengals RB - He’s young, healthy, and an explosive former first rounder. See above.
Falling - Malcolm Kelly & Devin Thomas, Redskins WRs - According to head coach Jim Zorn, we shouldn’t expect much at all from either of his two second round rookie WRs. Both are big targets with plenty of ability, but haven’t been able to stay healthy. Beyond that, they still haven’t learned the playbook and all the routes, which is not a good sign. Even though we were very high on Thomas earlier this off-season, we’re now changing our tune a bit due to this news.
Falling - Ronnie Brown, Dolphins RB - Even though he’s recovered from a torn ACL, now a ligament in his thumb is giving him enough trouble to make it seem as if Ricky Williams will start Week 1. Brown owners shouldn’t panic yet, but shouldn’t feel great about starting him early in the year.
Rising - Matt Schaub, Texans QB - The second year starter is someone we believe could be a breakout fantasy QB in 2008. He has looked very good in the preseason thus far, and has a great supporting cast including great defense, an improved offensive line, an improved offensive coaching staff, a solid 1-2 punch developing at RB (Steve Slaton and Chris Taylor), a healthy Andre Johnson, and up-and-coming TE (Owen Daniels) and a great rapport with much improved WR Kevin Walter. If all goes well, he should easily be a consistent QB1 in all leagues.
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