We wouldn't be the first to point out that the football season is, among other things, a war of attrition, specifically when it comes to injuries.
It's proven true once again during this year's preseason, when, unfortunately, at least a few players have already been lost to season-ending injury -- the latest as of Sunday being Ravens running back JK Dobbins.
We wish Dobbins a full and speedy recovery, but fantasy being what it is, we're also compelled to consider the ramifications for the fake game.
Of course, injury isn't the only factor at play here. There's been at least a few positional battles settled of late, as well as a couple notable transactions.
Here's the latest on a handful of names you were likely keeping tabs on for your fantasy draft.
Quarterbacks
- It's the Famous Jameis Winston show in New Orleans, at least in the very near term. Winston was named Week 1 starter, which means he's been handed the keys to one of the game's best offenses over the past decade-plus. Of course, the newly retired Drew Brees was responsible for much of that production, and All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas is out to start the season. But there's still some intriguing weapons on this offense, while Sean Payton, long touted as one of the game's top offensive mind, is still calling the shots. Winston led the league in passing yards (as well as picks) as recently as two years ago. Now he's in an overall favorable situation -- a winning team, surrounded by good coaching and playmakers, and playing in a dome with a fast track. His leash could be short given he was made to compete against Taysom Hill, a Payton favorite, for the job, so draft accordingly -- but the ceiling is pretty high if it clicks.
- Trevor Lawrence seems like a fringe option in fantasy, but the Jaguars have completely cleared the decks for him, even trading a pretty good backup in Gardner Minshew to the Eagles. Perhaps they wanted to get out in front of any calls for Minshewmania in the event Lawrence struggles. The former Clemson star played decently in three preseason appearances, his best coming in his most recent game, against the Cowboys. The Jaguars have some solid pass-catching options in DJ Chark, Marvin Jones, and Leviska Shenault, and they figure to be playing behind fairly often, so there's at least a path to success here in that regard. The Jags open against the Texans, then face Denver, Arizona and Cincinnati -- not exactly a gauntlet. There's upside here in two-quarterback leagues, or even as your backup if you like to keep one on the roster, but don't get too carried away.
Running backs
- The crowded-ish Ravens backfield just lost Dobbins, in what can only be described as a tough blow. Gus Edwards has been productive throughout his career as a part-time back, and now presumably will shoulder a heavier load in Dobbins' absence. Of course, Lamar Jackson is always a threat to cannibalize the touches (and touchdowns) of any Ravens ballcarrier, but that was true before Dobbins went down as well. The guess here is that the Ravens will be as strategic as possible about designed runs with Jackson, in a bid to limit his exposure to big hits. He'll take enough of those on scrambles and broken plays. Edwards deserve a big bump up your draft board.
- While their quarterback situation is crystal-clear, the Jaguars' running back picture had been decidedly murkier. The drafting of former Clemson star Travis Etienne seemed to raise questions about James Robinson's standing after an impressive rookie standing, but Etienne, too, was unfortunately lost for the year due to a foot injury. Etienne was expected to be used more like a third-down back, but Robinson actually had 49 catches on 60 targets for 344 yards out of the backfield last season, so Etienne's presence was a real threat to an area where Robinson was productive. Instead, Robinson will share touches with Carlos Hyde, who is now reunited with Urban Meyer after their time together at Ohio State, but it's unclear what the split will look like. Robinson showed last year he has the talent to produce at an above-average level, and with the journeyman Hyde turning 31 in September, I'd bet on the young talent and move Robinson up my board by a couple rounds.
- The Patriots unloaded Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams, with fantasy implications for both teams. In New England, it certainly appears to be the anointing of Damien Harris as the primary ballcarrier. His 5.0 yards per carry last season was good for ninth-best in the NFL, although it came on a fairly light 137 attempts in 10 games. That's the key here regarding Harris -- his health. Otherwise, he looks like a potential breakout running back. The only concern is his pass-catching out of the backfield, having been targeted on a measly 7 attempts last season, only 5 of which were completed (with an impressive average of 10.4 yards per reception). Don't expect him to be an every-down back, though, and with Cam "Slam" Newton lingering as a goal-line vulture, Harris' ceiling has its limits. Keep Harris in mind on draft day, but don't let the Michel trade change your thinking too much, especially in PPR leagues.
- In Los Angeles, Michel might get a new lease on life after playing well in limited action with the Pats last season. He hasn't come especially close to realizing the potential that made him a first-round pick back in 2018, but New England has always relied heavily on the passing attack and a steadily rotating cast of characters in the backfield in the Bill Belichick era, so perhaps he could never get in the groove. In any event, Darrell Henderson is still thought to be first in line for touches with the Rams, but he has been limited in camp with some injuries, which coach Sean McVay somewhat ominously referred to as "volatility." The guess here is the touches will pretty close; after all, the Rams likely didn't acquire Michel without the idea of using him. Draft Michel as a third or fourth running back, but there's a chance he could see more action than that if Henderson continues to be bitten by the injury bug or is playing at something less than full strength.
Wide receivers
- Colts veteran TY Hilton is out at least several weeks with neck and back ailments, this coming off a season in which his role and production were limited in a run-heavy offensive attack. Indy is presumably looking to air it out a bit more with Carson Wentz replacing Philip Rivers, who is now coaching high school ball. Wentz was sidelined by a foot injury for much of camp, so there's concern about the overall cohesiveness of the offensive unit right now, but Hilton's absence should create additional opportunities for Michael Pittman Jr. and, to a lesser extent, slot man Parris Campbell. Last season, Pittman had the usual ups and downs of a rookie receiver, and missed time in October due to injury. Don't pay for a major breakout from Pittman, but if you were eyeing him with one of your late-round picks, there's a better chance he outproduces his draft slot than there was when Hilton was in the fold.
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- The Jets ponied up for Corey Davis in free agency, and everything that transpired in camp points to him being the team's clear-cut No. 1 receiver. Rookie Elijah Moore dealt with a quad injury and will likely see the usual rookie learning curve, while second-year man Denzel Mims was out with food poisoning and reportedly didn't acquit himself very well. Slot man Jamison Crowder shouldn't infringe on Davis' targets very much, if at all, and is even thought to be a trade candidate if the right offer comes along. Of course, Davis' success hinges very much on a rookie QB, in Zach Wilson, which is always a dicey proposition for a receiver. Wilson played well in preseason games after some rocky scrimmages, though, and like the Jags, the Jets could find themselves passing a lot if they get behind early. The targets should be there for Davis in Mike LaFleur's offense.
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