Fantasy Football Toolbox Updates

2013 NFL Free Agency & Trades Tracker

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:30:23 EST

NFL Free Agency starts March 12th. This page will track all the player signings and trades. -Harvin to SEA, Boldin to SF, M Wallace to MIA, M Bennett to CHI,

Lions WR Nate Burleson participating in OTAs; RB Mikel Leshoure sitting out

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:52:38 EST

Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson wasn't expected to be on a football field until July as he continued his rehab following surgery to fix a broken leg. He admits that he is not at full strength, but he was taking part in organized team activities earlier this week. quot;It's as healed up as it's going to get," Burleson said of his repaired right leg, via The Detroit News. "The good thing about being out there is I am playing at a high level and I am not 100 percent. When it gets stronger and I get endurance back in it, I will be back to play with extreme confidence." One Lion who is being held out of action is running back Mikel Leshoure. Head coach Jim Schwartz didn't specify what Leshoure's injury actually is. "He's battling some stuff," Schwartz said. "He can do some individual stuff but he's not ready to do any team work." FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's May, and Leshoure is already banged up. Brilliant. He will be a complementary player behind Reggie Bush this year with most of his value coming from potential goal-line touches. I will be staying away from him. It's impressive that the 31-year-old Burleson is months ahead of schedule in his recovery. He could be very important to a Lions offense that lacks a clear No. 2 WR right now. The team may look to Burleson to fill that role for most of the season, at least until Ryan Broyles returns from his ACL tear. That's a sweet gig for any wide receiver in a pass-happy offense, but Burleson should be drafted as a WR5.

Steelers TE Heath Miller says 'there's a chance' he can play entire season

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:26:52 EST

Steelers tight end Heath Miller spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since tearing three ligaments in his right knee in Week 16 last season. During the press conference, Miller said he is running but not at full speed. Miller also said quot;there's a chance" that he can play by Week 1, but it's a little too early to draw conclusions. "It's a long time before training camp, so that's a long time to make gains positively or maybe even for something to happen negatively," Miller said. "So, I'm just taking one day at a time, and I hope to get better every day." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Miller is 30 years old and will turn 31 in October. Even without this injury, he should be heading into his NFL twilight years. But with this major knee injury, he faces long odds of reaching his previous numbers. He was unexpectedly solid last season, but even among a relatively weak tight end class, he is nothing more than an uninspiring TE2 this season. Matt Spaeth, David Paulson and David Johnson are the other tight ends on the Steelers' roster, so ... yeah, nothing much to like here.

Giants HC Tom Coughlin on absent WR Hakeem Nicks: 'He should be here'

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:00:34 EST

Here is the good news: For once, an injury isn't the reason why Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is missing football activities. He underwent a scope on his left knee more than two months ago, but Nicks said Tuesday that he feels good physically. Alas, Nicks wasn't present for organized team activities on Wednesday, and a source has told Yahoo's Jason Cole that the absence has to do with Nicks' contract. Nicks is entering the final season of his rookie deal and will make about $2.7 million. OTAs are voluntary, but head coach Tom Coughlin was not happy when asked by the media about Nicks' whereabouts. quot;I don't know," Coughlin said. "He should be here." Teammate Victor Cruz is also missing OTAs as he waits for the Giants to take care of him financially. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is nothing to worry about. Nicks is under contract, and I don't think that he would push this "holdout" deep into the summer. However, if worse comes to worst, Rueben Randle would see a big jump in value. For fantasy owners, the bigger deal with Nicks is his health, obviously. His body hasn't been able to hold up for a full season through his first four years, and that's why he is being drafted as a mid-range WR2 early on. But if he can finally play 16 games, Nicks will be a steal.

2013 Team Outlook: Buffalo Bills

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:15:05 EST

A fantasy football preview of the Buffalo Bills this season. Profiled players include E.J. Manuel, Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson, C.J. Spiller, and Fred Jackson.

Updated NFL Depth Charts

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:17:34 EST

Fantasy specific depth charts for offensive positions.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree tears Achilles

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:24:13 EST

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon while participating in organized team activities on Tuesday. He will undergo what may be season-ending surgery. There has been no official word from the organization at this time. This injury places added pressure on the development of second year wideout AJ Jenkins and rookie Quinton Patton. Mario Manningham and the recently acquired Anquan Boldin are the 49ers' most two veteran receivers at the top of the depth chart. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is a big blow to an offense that already lacks proven players at the wide receiver position. Crabtree really seemed to develop a repartee with quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second half of the season. At 25 years of age, the former Texas Tech receiver was just entering the prime of his career and this injury is very likely to sideline him for the most, if not all of the regular season. This loss obviously hurts Kaepernick's fantasy value as well. Jenkins and Patton are going to see big increases in playing time.

Video: May Madness Giveaway #4

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:20 EST

10 days remain to enter the Fantasy Football World Championship and qualify for our FREE May Madness Giveaway Drawings.

Fantasy mini-camp: Michael Floyd ready for WR2 duties with the Cardinals?

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:40:39 EST

Touring the sleepers, stars and storylines for all 32 NFL teams

Fantasy mini-camp: Patriots injuries hurting Brady's fantasy value?

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:21:43 EST

Touring the sleepers, stars and storylines for all 32 NFL teams

2013 Fantasy Football Auction Values

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:02 EST

Average auction values (AAVs) both overall and broken down by position.

Golf Rankings for Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:16:57 EST

Our expert picks the top 30 PGA tour golfers for this week's tournament: 1. Charl Schwartzel, 2. Zach Johnson, 3. Kevin Streelman, 4. Matt Kuchar, 5. Jim Furyk, 6. Jason Dufner, 7. Rickie Fowler, ...

Cardinals WR Michael Floyd has made a 'big leap' this offseason

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:01:13 EST

I mean, Michael Floyd has probably done plenty of big leaps, physically, during the offseason. But this is more in the figurative sense from AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban. quot;...[A]s I have noted before, it looks like Michael Floyd has made a big leap -- at least at this point in the offseason -- from Year One to Year Two," Urban wrote. Floyd didn't do much as a rookie last year before busting out for eight catches, 166 yards and a score in Week 17. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Floyd was a standout in OTAs last year, too, but the Cardinals buried him on their depth chart as he learned how to be an NFL wideout. It appears that he is ready to take the stage now in his sophomore season. He is definitely more talented than Andre Roberts, and the Cardinals' quarterback situation is not in such dire straits with Carson Palmer under center. Acting as the Cardinals No. 2 WR -- the receiver who stands to benefit the most from the extra defensive attention drawn by Larry Fitzgerald -- Floyd should be worth a mid-round fantasy draft pick. I can see him being a nice WR3.

Expectations remain high for Browns WR Josh Gordon

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:35:34 EST

Many people inside and outside of the Browns' organization think a big year is coming from wide receiver Josh Gordon. Count in the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto. quot;The game comes outrageously easy for Josh Gordon as he glides down the field," Pluto wrote Saturday. "If Gordon keeps his concentration and work ethic at NFL caliber, he could have a breakout season in the new 'throw it downfield' offense." Gordon caught 50 passes in his 2012 rookie season. He led the Browns with 805 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He also had the league's fourth-highest yards-per-catch average (16.1) among wideouts with at least 50 receptions. FANTASY ANALYSIS: I will not be shy in expressing my love for Gordon leading up to the season. The Browns have a QB with a big arm and a couple of offensive coaches that love the deep ball, which is the majority of Gordon's game at this point. As I've said before, I'm expecting a 1,000-yard season from Gordon.

Broncos RB Willis McGahee skips opening day of OTAs

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:27:39 EST

Despite speculation that Willis McGahee's hold on the starting job - or a job at all - with the Broncos is tenuous, the veteran running back skipped Monday's OTA in Denver. It's not unusual for the 31-year-old veteran to miss a portion of the voluntary workouts, though he was the only non-injured veteran not in camp. The Broncos have an overflow of options in the backfield after drafting Wisconsin's Montee Ball in the second of the NFL Draft. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The reality is either McGahee or fellow veteran Knowshon Moreno is unlikely to stick around now that the Broncos have youthful thunder (Ball) and lightning (Ronnie Hillman) combination. Following the 2011 lockout, he signed a four-year contract and then rushed for 1,199 yards. McGahee's 2012 campaign was cut short after suffering a torn MCL and a compression fracture in his right tibia. Even if he makes the roster and assuming Ball doesn't flop in camp, McGahee's days of being a fantasy RB2 are just about done, at least in Denver.

Patriots QB Tom Brady: 'I've never felt better throwing the football'

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:22:02 EST

Tom Brady will turn 36 in August, and his receiving corps has been overhauled. He will have something to prove with that new cast of characters come September. But at least he feels good throwing the ball in May. Actually, better than good. quot;Going into my 14th year, I have never had more confidence in how I am throwing the football," Brady said to Sports Illustrated's Peter King over the weekend. "I've never felt better throwing the football." Brady credits those feelings to his work with former Major League Baseball pitcher Tom House, who is now tutoring quarterbacks. House has made some changes to Brady's mechanics that Brady said have made him more confident as a passer. So, what changes have been made exactly? "Well ... I hate to ... well done is better than well said," Brady said. "I'd rather not say. I want people to watch and see if they notice." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Brady is doing whatever he can to fight off that "normal downhill trend" that comes with age. It was foolish of me to ever doubt him, especially considering the Patriots have since restocked their offense with a bunch of young receivers who do different things well and should succeed in New England's offense. Brady isn't going to turn into a running quarterback, and that's the only real downside to his fantasy value right now. He is right in the middle of an extremely impressive QB1 crop.

Fifth forearm surgery unlikely for Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:19:15 EST

On Monday, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent his fourth surgery on his broken forearm. According to beat writer Ben Volin, a league source confirmed the quot;surgery went well, infection appears to be gone and a fifth surgery is unlikely at this point." The fear was that if infection lingered, doctors would be unable to put a new plate in the arm this time, requiring another surgery. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Now, Gronkowski is not done with the going-under-the-knife thing as touchdown-scoring tight end is expected to undergo back surgery in 3-4 weeks. From that point, Gronkowski would require 10 weeks of recovery time, meaning he would be sidelined until the final week of August. Only Jimmy Graham rivals a healthy Gronk among fantasy TE options, but the cost of a second-round pick is no joke especially with his run of injuries.

Redskins reportedly changing offense to help QB Robert Griffin III

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:38:26 EST

Last year the Redskins option-read offense frequently dominated under rookie QB Robert Griffin III, but changes are expected for 2014 because quot;Griffin wasn't happy about being exposed often on designed running plays," reports Jason Reid with the Washington Post. The former Heisman Trophy winner underwent knee surgery in January and is hoping to return for Washington's season opener against the Eagles. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Griffin led all of fantasy football in scoring until getting knocked out against the Ravens in Week 14 and then missed the following game against the Browns. RGIII threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, but it's what he did with his legs that made him such a dynamic fantasy weapon. The No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft ran 120 times for 815 yards last year. As Rich Tandler with CSNwashington noted, since the merger only four quarterbacks have carried the ball more often. Of course not every run was a designed play call, but there were plenty of attempts to get the speedste rthe ball in open space. The biggest issue with RG3 for now involves health, but fewer carries could influence his fantasy value. Regardless, Griffin remains a top-10 fantasy option, but likely behind Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson.

NASCAR Picks for Charlotte

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:03:38 EST

Top 30 NASCAR Sprint Cup driver rankings for Coca-Cola 600: 1. Matt Kenseth, 2. Kasey Kahne, 3. Jimmie Johnson, 4. Kyle Busch, 5. Denny Hamlin, 6. Carl Edwards, 7. Brad Keselowski, ...

Buccaneers 'not against' starting rookie QB Mike Glennon in Week 1

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:03:14 EST

Forget Mike Glennon possibly replacing Josh Freeman during the season. Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano told Dan Pompei of the National Football Post that Glennon could be his starting quarterback coming out of training camp. quot;But our situation will be only if [Glennon] is needed. Or if he wins the job," Schiano said. "Look, I'm not against that. We have a strong quarterback. It's not like we're looking to find a starter. But competition is competition. Mike Glennon is a fierce competitor." FANTASY ANALYSIS: The article runs through Schiano's history with Glennon, back to when he recruited Glennon to go to Rutgers while he was still playing high school football in Virginia. Glennon chose North Carolina State. Schiano also compares Glennon to Joe Flacco. It's clear what Schiano really expects out of Glennon this season, no matter what he says here. He originally said Glennon will play "if needed." Then, as if something hit him in the back of the head, he remembered that he has been stressing quarterback competition the entire offseason and needed to say something along those lines. Yes, Glennon will be in a competition in training camp. No, he is not expected to win the job right away, even by his coaches in Tampa. But an in-season switch seems possible if Josh Freeman plays like he did at the end of last season.

2013 Team Outlook: New England Patriots

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:22:16 EST

A fantasy football preview of the New England Patriots this season. Profiled players include Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, and LeGarrette Blount.

MLB - Fantasy Baseball - Starting Pitcher Sunday Notes

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:16:00 EST

After Scott Feldman dominated the Mets on Saturday, can Barry Zito cap off a perfect weekend in the streamer department?

MLB - Fantasy Baseball - Starting Pitcher Saturday Notes

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:48:24 EST

Scott Feldman of the Chicago Cubs has been dominant at home this season, earning him FFToolbox

MLB - Fantasy Baseball - Starting Pitcher Thursday Notes

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:51:23 EST

FFToolbox takes an inside look at Today's Lineup Card, Streamer of the Day Last Night's Recap.

Fantasy mini-camp: Don't sleep on Dolphins RB Lamar Miller

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:18:49 EST

Touring the sleepers, stars and storylines for all 32 NFL teams

Fantasy mini-camp: Why Matt Barkley helps Michael Vick

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:17:56 EST

Touring the sleepers, stars and storylines for all 32 NFL teams

Golf Rankings for HP Byron Nelson Championship

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:45:19 EST

Our expert picks the top 30 PGA tour golfers for this week's tournament: 1. Jason Day, 2. Matt Kuchar, 3. Jason Dufner, 4. Marc Leishman, 5. Ryan Palmer, 6. Charl Schwartzel, 7. Keegan Bradley, ...

MLB - Fantasy Baseball - Starting Pitcher Monday Notes

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:25:39 EST

Joe Blanton is still in search of his first win of the year, but should get it today against Kansas City.