Footballguys #123 - 8/23 - Updated Everything, Training Camp Reports, Everything You Need To Win & MORE

To unsubscribe {EMAIL} from these mailings, click [here](. --- [Footballguys.com]( Volume 19, #123 -- Wednesday Night, August 23rd, 2017 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email --------------------------------------------------------------- [FREE $3 ENTRY ON DRAFT](=) = So you love your annual fantasy football drafts, but you also like the flexibility of playing daily fantasy. But you don't really like daily fantasy's salary cap, or season-long's waiver wire, or the guy that floods your inbox with 10 bad trade offers every week. That's where [DRAFT](=) comes in with live daily fantasy snake drafts and their season-long "Best Ball" format. The draft is the best part of playing fantasy football, so DRAFT lets you do it whenever you want and as often as you want. Each draft takes just minutes to complete with a 30 second pick clock. It's the live draft format you know and love, but with the rapid-fire pace that you only get in daily fantasy. Our readers get a free $3 entry with deposit if they sign up before the season. [Join now!](=) --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, Good Thursday. If you're an Insider PRO or PRO Plus customer, I hope you didn't have anything planned today. We've got enough new content for our Premium subscribers to carry you through the weekend. And if you're not an Insider PRO or PRO Plus, today is your day. For 70,000 pages of content and tools and insights and an entry into the $35,000 Subscriber contest, it's the best bargain in sports. If Fantasy Football is important to you, for the price of a couple of pizzas you can have the edge you need. Let's get to it. J SITE NEWS A. [Training Camp Update #3](=) Training Camp Update #3 is LIVE. Like the two before it and the one next week, it's 38 pages of ridiculously thorough looks at every player that matters from every team. Read this and be the most informed owner in your league. B. [Hidden Value or Damaged Goods: Assessing Injury Risk in Fantasy Drafts](=) When is it safe to draft Odell Beckham, Andrew Luck, Jordan Reed? How should you assess injury risk before your draft? Our Dr. Jene Bramel tells you. C. [So You Drafted Ezekiel Elliott](=) Our Sigmund Bloom looks at the best running backs to target later in your draft if you take Ezekiel Elliott and his six-game suspension early. D. [FREE FEATURE - Overvalued Players: Running Backs]( Footballguys staff members discuss running backs who are overvalued. E. [Training Camp Cliff Notes - Week 3](=) With the help of our awesome Training Camp Writers, I take our comprehensive Footballguys Training Camp Updates and distill them down to the "Need To Know" level. F. [Footballguys Players Championship]() The 2017 season brings a mid-stakes $250,000 Grand Prize, $2,000 in league prizes, and championship round payouts all the way down to 700th place. The overall prize pool exceeds $2.0 million. Thursday's draft times (all times Eastern): 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, 9pm, 10:30pm, 11:55pm G. [Value Plays: Running Backs](=) The Footballguys staff finds value at the running back position. H. [Deep Sleepers: Running Backs]() The Footballguys staff digs deep for sleepers at running back. I. [Defensive Team by Committee 2017]() Our Chase Stuart looks at finding the perfect pair of fantasy defenses to select late in your draft. J. [RB By Committee, Update]() Our Jeff Pasquino with an updated look at finding a great Running Back by Committee for 2017. K. [PPR RB By Committee, Update]( Our Jeff Pasquino with an updated look at finding a great Running Back by Committee for 2017. This one is for PPR scoring formats. L. [Arbitrage This, Part 1: 3 Cost-Effective Ways to Avoid Sunk Draft Costs at Running Back]( Our Justin Howe looks into digging for less-than-obvious discounts throughout the running back tiers. M. [Critical Tier Drops: Running Backs]( Our Chad Parsons dives into identifying the key value drop off points in 2017 at the running back position. N. [True Fantasy Points: 2017 Running Back Projections](=) Our Danny Tuccitto with a stats-based guide for separating skill from luck in running back projections. O. [How to Dominate Your League: 2-2-1 Running Back Strategy]() Our Ari Ingel with a new running back strategy to help you win your league for those that like to handcuff. P. [Footballguys Staff Mock Draft #10, 12 teams Standard Format]( On August 17th, the Footballguys staff got together for their 10th draft of 2017. A 12 team, 20-round standard mock draft with no flex, where touchdown passes are worth 6 points. Our John Mamula provides an unbiased summary of each team's draft. Q. [Devy Top 10, Preseason Volume 3](=) Our Jeff Tefertiller with a weekly Top 10 list of Devy Dynasty players, broken down by draft eligibility and position. This week, we have a Watch List with 20 running backs and 10 tight ends. R. [DFS Roundtable: Weekly Bankroll Split]() Several DFS staffers describe how they split their weekly bankroll between cash games and GPPs. S. [DFS Page is LIVE](=) The majority of DFS content starts rolling out right before the Week 1 kickoff but we're up and rolling here. You can see the preseason features for the Footballguys Insider PRO Plus subscribers and you can see the features we will have for Week 1. [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [CLE - QB DeShone Kizer in line to start Week 1](#1) 2. [JAX - QB Chad Henne to start Thursday](#2) 3. [CLE - QB Brock Osweiler to be traded again?](#3) 4. [PIT - WR Martavis Bryant has hamstring issue](#4) 5. [DEN - RB Devontae Booker aims for Week 3 return](#5) 6. [NYG - Odell Beckham in jeopardy for season opener?](#6) 7. [CHI - QB Mitchell Trubisky sees time with starters](#7) 8. [GB - QB Aaron Rodgers rested arm](#8) 9. [JAX - WR Allen Hurns on the block?](#9) 10. [BAL - RB Danny Woodhead has hamstring injury](#10) 11. [ATL - RB Devonta Freeman to miss preseason game](#11) 12. [DEN - OLB Von Miller to play vs. GB](#12) 13. [BAL - WR Breshad Perriman continues to miss practice](#13) 14. [NYJ - RB Matt Forte looking to play Saturday](#14) 15. [CHI - Ka'Deem Carey undergoes surgery](#15) 16. [SEA - RB C.J. Prosise should play](#16) 17. [BUF - WR Jordan Matthews gets in some individual work](#17) 18. [IND - WR Chester Rogers still sidelined](#18) 19. [IND - WR Donte Moncrief not ready for full contact](#19) 20. [NE - RB Mike Gillislee fully healthy](#20) 21. [DET - Ziggy Ansah hopeful for Week 1](#21) 22. [HOU - RB Lamar Miller struggled with efficiency in '16](#22) 23. [LAR - RB Todd Gurley marred by inefficiency last year](#23) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [CLE - QB DeShone Kizer in line to start Week 1]() Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns QB DeShone Kizer has not been named as the starting quarterback for Week 1, but head coach Hue Jackson said things are trending in that direction. Jackson said Kizer would have to really struggle in the third preseason game for him to change his mind. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Apparently, the Browns have as much confidence in Brock Osweiler as everyone else does... [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [JAX - QB Chad Henne to start Thursday]() Source: Jaguars.com - John Oehser Jacksonville Jaguars QB [Chad Henne](=) will be the starting quarterback for the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers Thursday, Aug. 24. QB [Blake Bortles](=) is also expected to receive some playing time with the first-team offense during the game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Henne is competing with Bortles for the starting job. No matter who wins, there's not a lot of fantasy value to be mined from either player. The Jaguars want to run the ball more this year, but they need rookie (and potential superstar) RB Leonard Fournette to be healthy. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [CLE - QB Brock Osweiler to be traded again?](=) Source: ESPN.com - Pat McManamon Cleveland Browns QB [Brock Osweiler](=) is once again the subject of trade rumors, according to a source. QB DeShone Kizer will start in Cleveland's third preseason game, while Osweiler is not expected to play. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This was the thought process when the Browns picked up Osweiler in a trade that looked more at home in the NBA. Osweiler has had a bad preseason, while Kizer is their quarterback of the future - potentially. The team can always go with Cody Kessler until Kizer is ready. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [PIT - WR Martavis Bryant has hamstring issue](=) Source: NFL Network - Aditi Kinkhabwala Pittsburgh Steelers WR [Martavis Bryant](=) (hamstring) was seen with his hamstring wrapped, but head coach Mike Tomlin said Bryant is only considered day-to-day and expects him to practice Thursday, Aug. 24. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Day-to-day indicates the injury is not that serious. Bryant is coming back from a year off football due to suspension, so this type of nagging injury isn't really a surprise. The team will monitor him closely and get him ready for Week 1. Bryant is WR23 (4.11) in 12-team PPR leagues right now. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [DEN - RB Devontae Booker aims for Week 3 return](=) Source: The Denver Post - Troy E. Renck Denver Broncos RB [Devontae Booker](=) (wrist) returned to practice Wednesday, Aug. 23. He is hoping to be back in action by Week 3 of the regular season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Booker is coming back to a somewhat crowded backfield. C.J. Anderson is the starter and behind him we could see Jamaal Charles or rookie DeAngelo Henderson mixed in as the change-of-pace back. Unless Anderson gets banged up (again), we don't see much of a role for Booker. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [NYG - Odell Beckham in jeopardy for season opener?](=) Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Raanan New York Giants WR [Odell Beckham Jr](=). (ankle) could potentially miss the team's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys with the ankle injury he suffered in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Monday, Aug. 22, according to multiple sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This injury was initially considered minor, and now reports have him potentially missing the season opener. Obviously, every fantasy owner is going to be monitoring this closely but we're still not moving him down the draft board. Even worst case scenario he only misses a couple of games, so Beckham stays at WR2 (1.05) in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [CHI - QB Mitchell Trubisky sees time with starters]( Source: ESPNChicago.com - Jeff Dickerson Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky received some snaps with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday, Aug. 23. QB [Mike Glennon](=) will start the third preseason game, but Trubisky is expected to play at least one series with the starters at the start of the second half. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Glennon is the starter for now, but Trubisky is the future of the Bears. We may see Glennon only get half the year (or less) as the starter before they move to their 2017 first-round pick. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [GB - QB Aaron Rodgers rested arm]() Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky Green Bay Packers QB [Aaron Rodgers](=) said he took the most time off of his career this offseason to rest his arm. 'I worked hard in the offseason on my body and my core strength,' Rodgers said. 'I took a break from throwing for about a month. I kind of let my arm come all the way back. It's felt good this year, as usual. But my legs, I think, have felt better the last couple years than maybe the previous couple years, probably due to the training and maybe eating better. I think when your legs are underneath you and you're throwing from the ground up, you're probably going to be a little more accurate.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rodgers is gearing up for a big season, and fantasy owners are over the moon once again about his prospects. He's been a top-10 fantasy quarterback each of the last three years, and this season is no different. In fact, Rodgers is QB1 (3.01) right now in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [JAX - WR Allen Hurns on the block?]() Source: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran Jacksonville Jaguars WR [Allen Hurns](=) could be on the trade block, in the opinion of beat writer Ryan O'Halloran. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hurns just signed a five-year, $40 million deal last year. It might be tough to find a trade partner, and get anything of value for Hurns, based on his contract and poor performance last year. The Jaguars have Marqise Lee and rookie Dede Westbrook behind Hurns, and they could easily be moved up the depth chart if need be. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [BAL - RB Danny Woodhead has hamstring injury]( Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jeff Zrebiec Updating previous reports, Baltimore Ravens RB [Danny Woodhead](=) (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury that could end his preseason. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Woodhead is a seasoned veteran who doesn't need a ton of reps in the preseason. The team needs weapons on offense, and Woodhead could catch 65 passes (or more) for the Ravens in 2017. In PPR leagues, Woodhead has flex appeal and could perform as a RB2 on some weeks. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [ATL - RB Devonta Freeman to miss preseason game](=) Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Kelsey Conway Atlanta Falcons RB [Devonta Freeman](=) (concussion) has been ruled out for the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday, Aug. 26, according to head coach Dan Quinn. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No worries here as Freeman is on track to play in Week 1 of the regular season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [DEN - OLB Von Miller to play vs. GB]() Source: DenverBroncos.com - Andrew Mason Denver Broncos LB Von Miller will play in the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Aug. 26, after he sat out the first two preseason games. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Miller will likely get a series or two against the Packers. He's in great shape and looking to be even more of a terror for opposing quarterbacks in 2017. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [BAL - WR Breshad Perriman continues to miss practice]() Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley Baltimore Ravens WR [Breshad Perriman](=) (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 23, and is not expected to play in the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills Saturday, Aug. 26. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's always something with Perriman. He's always had an intriguing size/speed combination but Perriman's pro career has been set back by injury. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [NYJ - RB Matt Forte looking to play Saturday]( Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini New York Jets RB [Matt Forte](=) (hamstring) said he hopes to play in the preseason game against the New York Giants Saturday, Aug. 26, but is not sure if he will be allowed to play. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bilal Powell is in the lead for the primary role in the Jets backfield. Forte has been slowed by this hamstring injury but he insists that he'll be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [CHI - Ka'Deem Carey undergoes surgery]() Source: ESPNChicago.com - Jeff Dickerson Chicago Bears RB Ka'Deem Carey (wrist) recently underwent wrist surgery and is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] That makes him a candidate for the PUP list to begin the regular season. The Bears will have guys like Jeremy Langford, Benny Cunningham and rookie Tarik Cohen behind starter Jordan Howard on the depth chart. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [SEA - RB C.J. Prosise should play](=) Source: The Seattle Times - Bob Condotta Seattle Seahawks RB [C.J. Prosise](=) (groin) is expected to play in Week 3 of the preseason, according to running backs coach Chad Morton. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Prosise will likely get limited work with this groin injury. A fine pass-catching back, Prosise is quite interesting for fantasy owners in PPR leagues. Eddie Lacy and Thomas Rawls will compete for carries, but Prosise should get most of the receiving work out of the backfield. He's RB43 (9.10) in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [BUF - WR Jordan Matthews gets in some individual work](=) Source: WGR Sports Radio 550 - Sal Capaccio Buffalo Bills WR [Jordan Matthews](=) was dressed in full gear and participated in positions specific drills during the individual portion of practice open to the media Wednesday, Aug. 23. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Matthews has been working his way back from a chest injury. He has expressed confidence that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. Matthews is going off the board at WR44 (9.12) in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 18. [IND - WR Chester Rogers still sidelined]() Source: The Indianapolis Star - Zak Keefer Indianapolis Colts WR [Chester Rogers](=) (hamstring) remains out of practice after injuring his hamstring while running a route during individual drills Aug. 16. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's a disappointing injury for the young receiver. Rogers has received offseason buzz as a player who could potentially emerge in the Colts passing game. If healthy, Rogers could win the no3 WR job behind T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 19. [IND - WR Donte Moncrief not ready for full contact]() Source: The Indianapolis Star - Zak Keefer Indianapolis Colts WR [Donte Moncrief](=) (shoulder) has reportedly been wearing a non-contact jersey since returning to practice on Aug. 9. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Moncrief is dealing with a minor AC sprain in his shoulder. We're excited about Moncrief's upside in that offense provided that QB Andrew Luck is healthy. Moncrief has a good chance to outperform his current ADP of WR42 (9.02) in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 20. [NE - RB Mike Gillislee fully healthy]( Source: NESN.com - Zack Cox New England Patriots RB [Mike Gillislee](=) (hamstring) said he's 100 percent and flying around the practice field. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Good news for fantasy owners who already drafted Gillislee as the assumed lead back for the Patriots. They will use a RBBC with guys like James White mixed in, but Gillislee could have at least RB3/flex value if he gets part of what LeGarrette Blount got last year. This hamstring injury for Gillislee has opened the door for Rex Burkhead in this competition. Watch to see this unfold as the rest of the preseason continues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 21. [DET - Ziggy Ansah hopeful for Week 1](=) Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett Detroit Lions DE Ziggy Ansah (ankle) hasn't practiced at all in camp, but the team is hopeful he'll be ready for Week 1. Ansah suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 last season, which hindered him all year. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lions fans are hopeful this ankle problem doesn't linger like the one he had last year. He's still on the PUP list for preseason, but the team has no need to rush him back. After a disappointing 2.0 sack season last year, Ansah needs to bounce back and provide the Lions with some ferocity when getting after the quarterback. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 22. [HOU - RB Lamar Miller struggled with efficiency in '16]( Source: USA TODAY Fantasy Sports Houston Texans RB [Lamar Miller](=) finished in the bottom eight of 42 qualifying running backs in 2016 for fantasy efficiency in five of six measured categories. Among running backs with at least 120 offensive touches, he ranked 35th or worse in fantasy points per game (36th), touchdown efficiency (36th), yards per touch (35th), standard fantasy points per touch (38th), and PPR fantasy points per touch (39th). Miller finished 18th in PPR points per game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Reports this offseason have indicated we could see a smaller workload for Miller in 2017. He set a career-high mark with 268 carries in 2016, but we don't see him hitting that (or surpassing) number this year. Rookie D'Onta Foreman will take some carries away, and those may be near the goal line...something to hurt his fantasy value even if Miller is more efficient as a runner in his second year with the Texans. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 23. [LAR - RB Todd Gurley marred by inefficiency last year]( Source: USA TODAY Fantasy Sports Los Angeles Rams RB [Todd Gurley](=) ranked 41st in fantasy efficiency among 42 qualifying running backs in 2016. He finished last in PPR fantasy scoring per touch, and second to last in standard fantasy points per touch as well as offensive yards per touch. Gurley ranked 39th in standard fantasy points per contest and 22nd in PPR points per game, which was his highest ranking of any efficiency category. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Rams will have to prove they can threaten a defense with the passing game or Gurley could struggle again this year. Defenses can stack the line and dare the Rams to throw because of second-year QB Jared Goff. He'll have to be better, and new weapons around him like Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins could help open things up for the passing game. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of what we're doing. It's going to be a fun year. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J = --- Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =