There have been a number of NFL preseason injuries that should be monitored as we approach your fantasy football drafts. DFS Army’s Shane Seeley will go through the notable injuries and assess how they could impact draft day.
Drake London, WR Atlanta Falcons- Underdog Average Draft Position 68 (WR 32)
Drake London was still recovering from the ankle fracture he sustained in college when the Falcons selected him at 8 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He entered training camp fully cleared and by all accounts has been showing out at camp. Unfortunately, he suffered an undisclosed knee injury in the first quarter of the Falcon’s first preseason game. The team has yet to disclose the severity but the positive news is he was able to walk off the field on his own. NFL preseason injuries can be scary, but it appears we can all breathe a sigh of relief in this case.
Drake London was being drafted as a high upside wide receiver 3 in fantasy football drafts. We generally don’t advocate drafting injured players but if this one turns out to be minor, we should continue to take advantage of the upside London presents in drafts.
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Zach Wilson, QB New York Jets, ADP 195 (QB 26)
Zach Wilson is a player that is generally only relevant in two quarterback and Superflex leagues. He is a player we were targeting as a high-end QB3 in those league formats. Wilson suffered what looked to be a torn ACL in his first preseason game. Fortunately for Jets fans, the injury was “only” a bone bruise and meniscus tear and he is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. This will likely mean the Jets won’t make a push to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo and will rely on backups Joe Flacco or Mike White. Of the numerous NFL preseason injuries, this one could have a ripple effect to other fantasy relevant players.
The fantasy community has a lot riding on the Jets’ skill position players. This includes Breece Hall (ADP 42), Elijah Moore (ADP 66), and rookie Garrett Wilson (ADP 114). Moore showed he could produce with sub-par quarterback play last season, but competent QB play is important for all these players to hit at their ADP’s. Talent will win out with Hall and Moore but we suggest caution when drafting any of the other Jets skill position players.
Jun 7, 2022; Renton, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) rushes a drill during minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Rashaad Penny, RB Seattle Seahawks, ADP 94, (RB 31)
Rashaad Penny is nursing a minor groin strain and was held out of practice this week. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was not worried about the injury indicating they were only “taking care of him”. Fantasy managers are of course on high alert for any injury news related to Penny due to the laundry list he has sustained in his career thus far.
Penny finished the 2021 season on a tear and enters the 2022 season as the lead back. Rookie Ken Walker who was drafted at 2.09 will be chomping at the bit to take the lead reins in the event of a Penny injury. Walker possesses elite talent and lead the country in 2021 with 89 missed tackles forced according to PFF. He won the Walter Camp Award in 2021 which goes to college football’s “Player of the Year”. Walker was also in the Heismen discussion for much of the season. Walker is currently being drafted at ADP 103 (RB 35) in Underdog best ball drafts.
Both of the Seahawks players are great targets for any team build at their current ADP. We have been advocating Ken Walker as the preferred target due to his elite upside. He has shown durability in his college career and could be a league winner for patient fantasy managers who go out of their way to get Walker on their squads.
Follow Shane on Twitter @theflexnetwork1
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