Fantasy Football 2014: 10 Players Trending Down Before Training Camp
NFL training camps will start in a few weeks, and at that point fantasy football drafts will be just around the corner. Offseason work has offered fantasy owners a tentative read on some players, but camp and preseason games will bring more concrete developments that can be relied on on draft day.
Here are 10 players who are trending down in fantasy heading into training camp.
10. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton had a big season in 2013 (4,293 yards, 33 touchdowns), but new Bengals' offensive coordinator Hue Jackson keeps hinting at a more-run oriented offense this year. Dalton still has value as a QB2, but last year may stand as his career year.
9. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
9. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
Johnson has been open about his dissatisfaction with the current situation in Houston, and he skipped all team-related offseason activity as a result. Johnson is aging (33 on July 11), and if he misses much time in training camp he and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may struggle to get on the same page.
8. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
8. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
Newton's offseason ankle surgery does not look likely to be a lingering issue, but a talent downgrade at wide receiver has his fantasy stock in decline.
7. Chris Johnson, RB, New York Jets
7. Chris Johnson, RB, New York Jets
Johnson signed with Jets after being released by the Tennessee Titans, and he has been optimistic about his outlook for this year to this point. But running backs coach Anthony Lynn has hinted strongly at a potential committee backfield with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell in the mix, which further confirms that "CJ2K" is a thing of the past.
6. Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
6. Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
Ebron landed in a good spot with the Lions, but he worked with the second-team offense during OTAs and recently hinted he may be struggling to learn multiple positions as a rookie. He is still a great dynasty league option and a potential TE2 in re-draft leagues, but betting on consistent production from Ebron this year looks like a risky proposition.
5. Johnny Manziel, QB, Cleveland Browns
5. Johnny Manziel, QB, Cleveland Browns
If Manziel beats out Brian Hoyer for the starting job the talk about his social life will largely be quelled. As of now though, there are enough question marks surrounding him to knock him down a peg or two in fantasy circles.
4. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
4. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
Watkins has the tools to be a legit No. 1 wide receiver and an immediate fantasy contributor as a rookie. But a run-heavy offense in Buffalo and some reported chemistry issues with quarterback E.J. Manuel puts him in line to be significantly overvalued in drafts and auctions.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Oakland Raiders
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Oakland Raiders
If sharing carries with Darren McFadden wasn't enough to cloud Jones-Drew's fantasy value in Oakland, a recent admission that he considered retiring after last season qualifies as the biggest red flag yet. Jones-Drew still has a place on fantasy rosters for at least one more year, but any notable contribution he makes should be considered a bonus.
2. Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
2. Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Jackson had the worst season of his career in 2013, and now rookie Devonta Freeman is considered a serious threat to his starting job. A big part of Jackson's fantasy value through the years has been based on a substantial workload, but those days look to be over now.
1. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Miami Dolphins
1. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Miami Dolphins
The move to Miami from Denver already tempered optimism surrounding Moreno, but recent knee surgery has his status for training camp in doubt. Lamar Miller now looks like the Dolphins' running back fantasy owners should target on draft day.