Friday’s NFL Baba Ghanoush: David Wilson, Terrelle Pryor, Andre Brown and More
With kickoff less than a week away, every day leading up to it only builds the anticipation and excitement. Last night was the last preseason game and although you didn’t see a lot of your fantasy picks, there were some interesting takeaways.
Tomorrow is the deadline to shave NFL rosters down to its 53-man requirement. It is also the day teams must activate or place players on the PUP (out until Week 7 at best). With that said, there is a lot of news that has happened in the last 48 hours. Let’s take a look at this Friday’s Baba Ganoush.
Note: The Friday Baba Ghanoush is a weekly column analyzing hot news with fantasy insight. Join Derek Miller every week during the season to get the inside scope on the latest injuries and roster shake-ups.
Latest News
–Terrelle Pryor looks to still have the starting job in Oakland even after his woeful performance last night going 3-8 for 31 yards. He did add 48 yards on the ground.
Fantasy Implications: With Pryor at the helm in Oakland he does not provide a huge upside in the passing game. However, look for him to put up respectable numbers with his feet- I also expect McFadden to actually do better with Pryor at QB.
–RGIII has officially been cleared by Dr. James Andrews and is on track to start the season opener on September 9th against the Eagles. Coach Shanahan has declined to say whether he is going to start RGIII, but this seems nothing more than gamesmanship, forcing the Eagles to prepare for both RGIII and Kirk Cousins.
Fantasy Implications: RGIII is a high-risk, high-reward player. He is currently ranked the 8th overall QB in most leagues ahead of safer picks like Stafford or Romo. If he can stay healthy he will be a top 3 QB, but I want to emphasize the “if”.
–Andre Brown broke his leg for the second year in a row last night against the Patriots. Although Brown said it is just “a little crack”, he is likely to miss most if not all of 2013.
Fantasy Implications: David Wilson has been flying up draft boards and an injury like this to his only threat for carries means he is looking like a top 20 pick with an unlimited ceiling.
–Seneca Wallace has officially retired after choosing to sit out the preseason finale for the 49ers last night. After 10 years in the league and a relatively successful career Wallace has decided that it is in his best interest to step away from football.
Fantasy Implications: Almost none.
–Rob Gronkowski may be activated before the deadline tomorrow. This means that Gronk would avoid the PUP and be eligible to play as soon as he and the Patriots are ready.
Fantasy Implications: This is great news for Fantasy Managers and Patriots fans. Although he is not likely to play Week 1, there is a strong possibility that he could be ready for some action Week 2-3.
–Ronnie Hillman saw action Thursday night in the preseason finale for Denver. Even though he only had 2 carriers the fact that he saw playing time while his fellow running backs, Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno, sat means that he is likely third on the totem pole.
Fantasy Implications: Horrible would almost be an understatement for how Hillman’s preseason has gone. He has lost 2 fumbles, both of which were returned for touchdowns. His stock has steadily dropped and with the reemergence of Moreno, I see very little fantasy impact by Hillman this year.
–Mark Sanchez is not likely to be ready for Week 1 with a shoulder injury. Reports say that Sanchez has yet to resume throwing, which leads most football minded individuals to assume that he will not be ready for next week’s matchup against Tampa Bay.
Fantasy Implications: Although I doubt many of you were drafting Mark Sanchez, you may want to consider Geno Smith. Much Like Pryor, he offers a break out potential with his mobility and athleticism. Although he has not looked strong in the preseason, Smith could very well come into his own during season.
Those are most of the headlines breaking right now but I want to look ahead to next week and give you my Stud of the week and my Dud of the week.
You better start me:
David Wilson: This guy has looked like the real deal all preseason averaging almost 7.5 YPC. In the season opener for the Giants, Wilson will be going up against the tasty Dallas front line. Arguably one of the smallest front lines in the game and following a horrendous 27th rushing defense in 2012, the Cowboys have no answer for Wilson. Look for Wilson to lead running backs in yards and fantasy points for Week 1.
I wouldn’t play me:
Cam Newton: He has not looked to have carried over the momentum from the end of last season into the start of 2013. The entire Panther offense has looked stagnant during preseason and it certainly doesn’t look to get any better facing the stingy Seahawks defense. Newton struggled last year to start the season and it appears that he could just be a habitual slow starter. I would look to another option for Week 1.
