Daily Fantasy Football News July 9th

by Michael Pichan (@FantasyNomad)

   

Calvin Johnson--WRLions

Lions wide out Calvin Johnson had a record setting year in 2012, but it could have been even better had he not been tackled at the one-yard line six times last season. Johnson finished with just five touchdowns  last season, which is hard to believe coming from a player who broke Jerry Rice's record for most receiving yards with 1,964 yards on 122 catches last season. Besides being stifled at the one-yard line six times, Megatron proved that he may indeed be robotic as he accomplished the single-season receiving record playing with broken fingers for most of the season. Johnson did not need off-season surgery on the fingers, and if there is one sure bet going into this season, it is that Calvin Johnson will reach the end zone more than five times in 2013.

Victor Cruz--WR Giants

Giants and Victor Cruz have agreed to terms on new 5-year $43 million contract extension on top of his 1-year tender.

Regardless of your opinion on whether you feel it is wise to lock-up Victor Cruz for this length of time, when it comes to Fantasy we mainly care about what will you do for me now. Cruz's production, as well as Eli Manning's, feel off as the season progressed. Cruz had only three games of five or more receptions after Week 7 and only reached the end zone three times in those last nine weeks. In addition, Cruz only surpassed 70 yards receiving in a game five times, with three of them coming in the first seven weeks of the season. Cruz's current ADP is pick 33 (11th wide receiver off the board), which is an adequate spot to target him, but you are not confident in the Giants duo than consider Bucs Vincent Jackson (WR 13) or Broncos Wes Welker (WR 16) who should still be available in the third/fourth round of your drafts.

Kyle Rudolph--TE Vikings

Vikings Kyle Rudolph led all tight ends last season in red zone receptions (14), red zone receiving yards (95), and red zone touchdowns (9).

Kyle "Red Zone" Rudolph has shown a nose for getting in the end zone the past two seasons. having caught 20 of 23 targets in that span for an incredible 87% catch rate. This type of red zone production makes Rudolph even more valuable in standard league formats. Rudolph had only 53 total receptions in 2012, which was only good for 15th most among tight ends. Rudolph should see more than the 86 targets he got last year with the departure of Percy Harvin so his PPR value should get a bump this season. For those of you looking to target Rudolph this season, he has been the 6-8th tight end off the board in most mock drafts.

 

Daryl Richardson--RB Rams

Daryl Richardson is the early favorite to start at running back for the St. Louis Rams.

Richardson's attempts per game were very few for most of the season last year, but in the two games he did see double-digit carries he averaged 5.5 or more yards/carry and he showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The Rams backfield is kind of muddled, but now that Steven Jackson is gone and Isaiah Pead, who struggled to grasp the Rams playbook in his rookie season, and is suspended for the opener this will at least give Richardson the first crack at impressing the coaching staff. Rookie Zac Stacy out of Vanderbilt may eventually make an impact, and may have the higher ceiling than Richardson, but it looks like it may be Richardson's job to lose. And unlike many in the industry, I believe, at least for this season, Richardson is the Rams running back to own in Fantasy. I would not reach for him by any means, but if he were available in round 10 or later he is worth a flier.

 

Giovani Bernard-RB Bengals

Bengals team’s coaches say rookie running back Giovani Bernard might be used as more than just a change-of-pace back. As exciting as this sounds, and as exciting of a back that Giovani Bernard was in college, you are talking about a running back who has had his share of knee injuries already and will be behind veteran running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis on the Bengals depth chart to start the season. Let others reach for Bernard in re-draft leagues, who's average draft position is pick 73, and instead target Patriots Shane Vereen or Jets Chris Ivory about a round or two later.

 

Brandon Weeden--QB Browns

The Cleveland Browns have implemented more shotgun formations in the Norv Turner offense in attempt to make quarterback Brandon Weeden more comfortable.

Brandon Weeden had the fourth lowest completion percentage (57.4%) and was tied for fifth in interceptions (17) among quarterbacks that saw 50% or more of their teams snaps last season. Weeden has a solid offensive line, but other than Josh Gordon, the Browns receivers did not always help Weeden out much in 2012, and with Josh Gordon suspended for the first two games of the season, you are best to avoid Weeden even in two quarterback leagues this year.

IDP

Quintin Mikell-S NFL Free Agent

Quintin Mikell is reportedly talking with the Panthers and could sign a deal with the team soon.

The 11-year veteran will turn 33-years old in September, but showed last year he should still have quite a bit left in the tank as he was the third overall ranked safety last season. Mikell exceeded 75 tackles for the fourth season in a row and the 79 tackles last season was his second most of his career behind the 83 he posted the year before. Mikell appears to being ignored in most IDP leagues in part because he has not signed with a team yet, and possibly due to his age, but do not let that stop you from drafting him in the last few rounds in your IDP leagues.

  • Michael Pichan is the host of multiple RotoInfo.com Radio Network Shows, frequent guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports channel, contributor of written Fantasy advice and insight for Rotoinfo.com, and FSWA member. If you have any questions or comments feel free to post in comment section and/or e-mail him at thefantasynomad@gmail.com. Also follow him on Twitter @FantasyNomad for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information. And check out his New Live Daily League Show: Daily Fantasy Happy Hour every M, T, and F 4-5pm.