(The Fantasy 5 is a quick-hit wrap-up of some of the biggest news topics of the day for fantasy football players, giving you advice you need to improve your team.)
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1. Kenneth Dixon out for the season
Welp. We won’t get to see Dixon on the football field until 2018 after he underwent meniscus surgery on Tuesday. The procedure was expected to be minor, but Dixon ended up requiring a full repair of his meniscus. Dixon was already slated to serve a four-game suspension to open the season for violating the league’s PED policy. This news certainly changes the plans for this Baltimore backfield, as Dixon was expected to be a significant contributor when he returned.
With Dixon out of the mix, the Ravens are left with Terrance West, Danny Woodhead, Buck Allen, and newly signed Bobby Rainey in their backfield stable. West and Woodhead figure to be the busiest of the bunch with West handling a bulk of the early-down work and Woodhead serving as the primary passing down back.
In terms of fantasy value, here’s where your scoring system comes into play. In PPR leagues, Woodhead now figures to be one of the most heavily targeted running backs in the league. He’s now in the RB2 conversation. However, he’s still unlikely to get a ton of work as a runner. Woodhead has only topped 100 carries once in his career. So his value takes a hit in standard leagues, where he’s more of an RB3/flex option.
West’s value is essentially the exact opposite, where he’s more valuable in standard scoring leagues. West could flirt with 200 carries, which puts him on the RB3 radar. He did catch 34 balls last season, but West isn’t likely to see enough volume as a receiver to be considered anything more than a flex option in PPR.
2. Cam Newton slimmed down
The veteran signal-caller reported to camp at 246 pounds which is down from the roughly 260 pounds he’s played at throughout his pro career. Newton is still recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff back in March, but began throwing last month. He’s on track to suit up in Week 1.
While the Panthers want Newton to run less, his efficiency has been on the decline over the last two seasons. In 2015, Newton’s yards per carry dipped under the 5.0 mark for the first time in his career. And last year, that number fell all the way to just 4.0 yards per carry. A lighter Newton could help revive his rushing efficiency, which bodes well for a bounce-back fantasy season. Newton is currently a solid value as the eighth quarterback off the board in ADP.
3. More red-zone work for Theo Riddick?
The Lions’ team website is suggested Riddick will have more involvement in the red zone this season. Last season, Riddick scored four of his five touchdowns when targeted inside the 20-yard line and the other score came on a target at the 21, which was four yards behind the line of scrimmage at the 17-yard line. In total Riddick saw 12 targets in the red zone and three in the end zone. He scored on all three end-zone targets. Riddick was not heavily used as a runner in the red zone with just seven carries inside the 20-yard line and only two inside the 5-yard line.
We likely won’t see a significant uptick in Riddicks work as a runner in the red zone, as Ameer Abdullah figures to get a bulk of those carries. However, his role as a receiver in the red zone bodes well for continued PPR value. He’s averaged 13 red zone targets per year over the past three seasons. Riddick is currently a solid value as the No. 35 running back being selected in PPR leagues.
4. Ty Montgomery worked on footwork and added weight
The Packers running back was thrust into action due to attrition at the position last season. While he flashed impressive ability at times, he was still a bit raw as a runner. But Montgomery has taken steps to improve, working on his footwork with Rischad Whitfield this offseason. He’s also up to 222 pounds and is looking absolutely jacked.
Montgomery’s fantasy value ultimately hinges on his role in the offense. He enters camp as the de facto No. 1, but the Packers drafted three challengers in Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, and Devante Mays. At the very least, Montgomery will be the passing-down back. In a best-case scenario, he’s also the lead early-down back. If that ends up happening, Montgomery’s value shoots up to borderline RB1 territory. For now, he should be considered a back-end RB2.
5. Possible serious injury of Jordan Matthews?
There’s rumblings out of Philly that the receiver could be more seriously injury than he’s letting on. At the same time, others have suggested that he could have practiced throughout the spring. Officially, Matthews has been dealing with tendinitis throughout the offseason.
We have little clarity with this situation, but we’ll certainly need to re-evaluate this Eagles wide receiver group if these rumors are true. Alshon Jeffery is locked in as the top pass catcher, but Torrey Smith’s value would increase if Matthews were to miss any time. Stay tuned.
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