Exit, Pursued by Hamstring Injury

....or "What the Preseason Top 10 Look Like Now, and What To Do With Them"

1. Adrian Peterson

Well, we know how this one’s going. Adrian Peterson is on the Viking’s exempt list – basically suspended with pay. His next court date is October 8^th, and it’s looking like he will not be taking a plea deal to expedite the judicial process. To return this season, Peterson must not only resolve his legal issues, but be reinstated by the Vikings and not face further suspension from the NFL. It’s a long shot, to say the least.

Stats: 1 game played. 21 carries for 75 yards, 2 catches for 18 yards
Fantasy Points (Standard): 8
Advice: You most likely can’t sell Peterson unless you convince someone he’s returning. He’s a wait-and-see through October 8^th.

2. LeSean McCoy

Shady McCoy isn’t living up to his ranking as one of the best fantasy running backs in 2014. He’s not even the best fantasy running back on his team, currently sitting behind Darren Sproles. While Sproles (the number 7 RB in fantasy) is outperforming McCoy (the number 16 RB in fantasy), don’t expect it to last. Shady is due to bounce back.

Stats: 3 games played. 60 carries for 175 yards, 10 catches for 64 yards
Fantasy Points (Standard): 28
Advice: Buy low, if you can. Better times ahead in this high-powered Eagles offense.

3. Jamaal Charles

Last year’s fantasy MVP has proven to be one of this year’s duds so far. Kansas City was destroyed in Week 1 by Tennessee, and Charles’ role was diminished as they had to try to come from behind. Then he went down early in the Week 2 fantasy bloodbath, with what was reported as a dreaded “high ankle sprain.” However, he returned to practice leading up to Week 3, and it is thought that instead of a sprain he may basically just have a very bad bruise. He’s got a chance to return in Week 4.

Stats: 1.25 games played. 9 carries for 23 yards, 5 catches for 23 yards
Fantasy Points (Standard): 2
Advice: Hold on to him. Buy low, if possible. When he comes back, the Chiefs will lean on him heavily. (For some idea of what to expect, combine the production of Knile Davis and Joe McKnight in Week 3. Yah, that’s Charles.)

4. Matt Forte

Produced in Week 1, and hasn’t done much since (unless you own in PPR leagues). Of course, that comes against a stingy 49ers defense and a Jets defense that’s tough against the run. But you drafted him here with the idea that he’ll be matchup-proof, right? The sledding doesn’t get much easier for Forte, but he’ll show up in the run game this season. After all… he’s getting ALL the carries for his team, and who else can you say has that luxury?

Stats: 3 games played. 42 carries for 136 yards, 19 catches for 145 yards.
Fantasy Points (Standard): 26
Advice: Buy low. His owners are probably panicking and you may be able to get him cheap.

5. Marshawn Lynch

Lynch is the first on this list who is performing the way he’s supposed to, and rumors of his demise are greatly overstated. Seattle finds ways to get the ball into his hands, and he pinballs off defenders with incredible North-South running. Beast Mode is in effect.

Stats: 3 games played. 52 carries for 234 yards (3 TDs), 8 catches for 81 yards (2 TDs)
Fantasy Points (Standard): 59
Advice: Hold on to him. He’s not a buy-high, because you’d have to give up top-5 value for him.

6. Calvin Johnson

Finally, we get to the first receiver on our list. He showed up Week 1 against the Giants and had his way with them, then produced in Weeks 2 and 3 against good defensive teams. Golden Tate has not really eaten into his production, but Tate may have increased how often Johnson can get open. Johnson, already the best fantasy receiver in the league, is set for another huge year.

Stats: 3 games played. 19 catches for 329 yards (2 TDs)
Fantasy Points (Standard): 44
Advice: Johnson is a true buy-high candidate. He’s been held out of the endzone the last two weeks, and you may be able to get him for Top-15 value, instead of the Top-5 value he’s worth.

7. Eddie Lacy

Eddie Lacy is frustrating. Concussion in Week 1 made him leave early, but then he shot through the concussion protocol to return for Week 2. However, he’s failed to show up in Weeks 2 and 3… and even James Starks is getting some carries. However, I don’t buy that Green Bay is turning into a RBBC or that Lacy has suddenly forgot how to be a star running back. The entire Packer’s offense has struggled this season, and I think that the coaching staff is being careful with Lacy while he eases back into a full workload from his concussion Week 1. He should return to top form soon.

Stats: 2.5 games played. 36 carries for 113 yards, 6 catches for 38 yards.
Fantasy Points (Standard): 10
Advice: Lacy is a great buy-low candidate this week, but the window is closing. The Bear’s run defense isn’t good, so he will blow up this week. However, if he doesn’t show up this week… sell.

8. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is a great NFL quarterback. That said, he should never have been drafted in the first round. He produces every game, but he’s not even the number one fantasy quarterback right now (that honor belongs to Andrew Luck). That said, he could carry your team to the playoffs (assuming you drafted well… which is in doubt. If you have Manning, you took him in the first round. Chump.).

Stats: 3 games played. 74 completions/111 attempts for 814 yards (8 TDs, 1 INT)

Fantasy Points (Standard): 63
Advice: Hold on to him – unless you can get a good replacement QB and some top RB/WR value.

9. Arian Foster

2014 was going so well for Arian Foster. He was killin’ it on the field. This was the year he was finally back to being healthy for the season. Suddenly he changes from “full steam ahead!” to “Exit, pursued by Hamstring Injury.” Now we don’t when he’s coming back… but when he does he’ll have value. In the meantime, grab his handcuff (Alfred Blue, for those of you who have been under a rock for the past week).

Stats: 2 games played. 55 carries for 241 yards (1 TD), 4 catches for 29 yards.
Fantasy Points (Standard): 29
Advice: Sell high. Even when he comes back, he’s going to be at risk for injury for the rest of the season. If you can trade away Foster/Blue as a package, then you can probably get very good value for him.

10. Jimmy Graham

I like Jimmy Graham. He’s a huge, physical tight end who grabs TDs from Drew Brees. He’s going to produce every week, and he’ll produce like a receiver (If you missed the Jimmy Graham WR/TE debate this summer, you need to get out more). Jimmy is set for another monster season as the number 1 TE in fantasy.

Stats: 3 games played. 24 catches for 254 yards (2 TDs).
Fantasy Points (Standard): 36
Advice: Hold on, or sell high if you need depth on your roster. TE’s are a dime a dozen right now, but good starting RB’s and elite WR’s are hard to come by.