Who is most likely to rank #1 through benefit of an injury? (1 Viewer)

[Anarchy99]

Basically, which player(s) at each skill position would have the best shot to rank #1 fantasy wise at their position if a key teammate were to go down with a major injury? There could be any number of scenarios where someone could get a big shot in the arm.

Some examples . . .

Gronk stays hurt . . . and Hernandez makes a run at TE1.

Locker gets hurt . . . and Johnson contends for RB1.

Nicks gets hurt . . . and Cruz gets way more targets and production.

Peyton goes down . . . and Osweiler steps in with an outer worldly receiving corps.

Marshall gets hurt . . . and Forte runs wild in Chicago.

Something else happens to ADP . . . and Gehrart becomes the main guy.

Steven Jackson gets hurt . . . and Matt Ryan flings 700 passes.

 

[Gawain]

Easiest one for me would be Foster goes down and Tate becomes RB#1.

 

[lbouchard]

I think the DEN offense is going to be awesome, so if either Decker/Welker go down, Thomas could make run at WR1.

 

[JoeMoney]

Roddy White goes down, Julio becomes #1, or vice versa.

 

[finito]

Fun threat and some nice answers so far. I'd maybe add if McCoy goes down, Brown could be a legit stud.

If Dez went down and Miles Austin stays healthy, I could see him having a huge year if his hammy holds up. People forget he's very good as well.

Longshot call: if Jamaal Charles gets hurt, Kniles Davis steps in and tears it up.

 

[Warhogs]

Easiest one for me would be Foster goes down and Tate becomes RB#1.

This was what popped into my head before looking at any responses. He has already shown he can be ultra productive if Foster is out.

 

[Bamac]

Hernandez healthy & Gronk injured --> Hernandez and Graham battle for TE1

 

[Donnybrook]

Basically, which player(s) at each skill position would have the best shot to rank #1 fantasy wise at their position if a key teammate were to go down with a major injury? There could be any number of scenarios where someone could get a big shot in the arm. Some examples . . . Gronk stays hurt . . . and Hernandez makes a run at TE1.Locker gets hurt . . . and Johnson contends for RB1.Nicks gets hurt . . . and Cruz gets way more targets and production.Peyton goes down . . . and Osweiler steps in with an outer worldly receiving corps.Marshall gets hurt . . . and Forte runs wild in Chicago.Something else happens to ADP . . . and Gehrart becomes the main guy.Steven Jackson gets hurt . . . and Matt Ryan flings 700 passes.

I can buy example #1 and #2 but the others just seem quite remote.Nicks goes down and Randle picks up the load.I seriously doubt Osweiler could hang with the elite QBs as a rookie despite his great receiving core.Marshall gets hurt and defenses focus in on ForteEtc.

 

[Concept Coop]

Hernandez healthy & Gronk injured --> Hernandez and Graham battle for TE1

I agree. I think that on a per game basis, the top TE in NE is going to be #1. They're the only established WR/TE weapons on their roster. NE is going to have so many offensive snaps this season, and I expect more passing TDs than last year.

 

[Concept Coop]

Also, slot recievers are helped by good X WR play. Cruz's numbers are much better when Nicks plays than when he doesn't. When Nicks went down, Cruz got more attention and guys like Randle, Barden, Hicks, Bennet got more looks.

 

[Anarchy99]

Also, slot recievers are helped by good X WR play. Cruz's numbers are much better when Nicks plays than when he doesn't. When Nicks went down, Cruz got more attention and guys like Randle, Barden, Hicks, Bennet got more looks.

They were just given as examples to show that there are different combinations out there that could change the team dynamic. No, I don't think someone will take over for Peyton and go nuts. But that happened with the Rams and Warner and then again with Bulger, so it's not totally way off base.

 

[Adam Harstad]

Bernard Pierce is obviously a big one. I think Chip Kelly is going to run a ton, so an injury to either Brown or McCoy would send the other back off the charts. Miles Austin is probably a Jason Witten injury away from a 90-100 reception season. I think if Matt Flynn gets hurt in Oakland, Terrelle Pryor could easily be a top-12 fantasy QB (even if he's nowhere near that as an NFL QB). Even more extreme, if Christian Ponder got hurt and Joe Webb got to start some games at QB while maintaining his WR eligibility, he could immediately become an elite fantasy WR (imagine a WR who got 150 passing yards and 50 rushing yards a game). I think Jermichael Finley might be a WR injury away from a top-3 TE finish.

Looking at different teams, I think both Brees and Rodgers are an injury to the other away from being near-locks for a #1 finish. Graham might be able to ride Gronk's injury to a #1 finish of his own. And looking at the opposite, I think Arian Foster is screwed if Andre Johnson or Matt Schaub get hurt- those two are fantastic at moving the ball into the red zone and letting Foster take over, so even an increase in carries probably wouldn't offset the decrease in TDs.

 

[Anarchy99]

Bernard Pierce is obviously a big one. I think Chip Kelly is going to run a ton, so an injury to either Brown or McCoy would send the other back off the charts. Miles Austin is probably a Jason Witten injury away from a 90-100 reception season. I think if Matt Flynn gets hurt in Oakland, Terrelle Pryor could easily be a top-12 fantasy QB (even if he's nowhere near that as an NFL QB). Even more extreme, if Christian Ponder got hurt and Joe Webb got to start some games at QB while maintaining his WR eligibility, he could immediately become an elite fantasy WR (imagine a WR who got 150 passing yards and 50 rushing yards a game). I think Jermichael Finley might be a WR injury away from a top-3 TE finish.

Looking at different teams, I think both Brees and Rodgers are an injury to the other away from being near-locks for a #1 finish. Graham might be able to ride Gronk's injury to a #1 finish of his own. And looking at the opposite, I think Arian Foster is screwed if Andre Johnson or Matt Schaub get hurt- those two are fantastic at moving the ball into the red zone and letting Foster take over, so even an increase in carries probably wouldn't offset the decrease in TDs.

Was only considering injuries on a player's own team.

As for Webb, if he put up 150/0/1 passing and 50 yards rushing, that would total 9 points in most of my leagues. He would only really start racking up points at WR by playing QB if he started throwing TD or for a lot of yards. In a PPR league, he might not even be worth starting

 

[Adam Harstad]

Bernard Pierce is obviously a big one. I think Chip Kelly is going to run a ton, so an injury to either Brown or McCoy would send the other back off the charts. Miles Austin is probably a Jason Witten injury away from a 90-100 reception season. I think if Matt Flynn gets hurt in Oakland, Terrelle Pryor could easily be a top-12 fantasy QB (even if he's nowhere near that as an NFL QB). Even more extreme, if Christian Ponder got hurt and Joe Webb got to start some games at QB while maintaining his WR eligibility, he could immediately become an elite fantasy WR (imagine a WR who got 150 passing yards and 50 rushing yards a game). I think Jermichael Finley might be a WR injury away from a top-3 TE finish. Looking at different teams, I think both Brees and Rodgers are an injury to the other away from being near-locks for a #1 finish. Graham might be able to ride Gronk's injury to a #1 finish of his own. And looking at the opposite, I think Arian Foster is screwed if Andre Johnson or Matt Schaub get hurt- those two are fantastic at moving the ball into the red zone and letting Foster take over, so even an increase in carries probably wouldn't offset the decrease in TDs.

Was only considering injuries on a player's own team. As for Webb, if he put up 150/0/1 passing and 50 yards rushing, that would total 9 points in most of my leagues. He would only really start racking up points at WR by playing QB if he started throwing TD or for a lot of yards. In a PPR league, he might not even be worth starting

In most scoring systems, 150/50 is worth more than 100 receiving, and even the worst QBs in the league rack up more TDs than most top WRs. 1 TD a game is a disappointment for QBs, but is the equivalent of a double digit TD season for a WR, even if none of the TDs are rushing. If Webb ever got a start at QB while maintaining WR eligibility, I would consider him a fantasy must-start.

 

[meyerj31]

Peyton goes down . . . and Osweiler steps in with an outer worldly receiving corps.

I hope this was just an example because it is ludicrous if anyone believes that would actually happen. QBs make the WRs, not the other way around.

You only have to look at last season with Fitzgerald having a brutal season with crappy QBs. There are probably dozens of other examples. Meanwhile Brady won three super bowls before Welker or Moss arrived, with a WR core that no one remembers (because they were average).

 

[Anarchy99]

Peyton goes down . . . and Osweiler steps in with an outer worldly receiving corps.

I hope this was just an example because it is ludicrous if anyone believes that would actually happen. QBs make the WRs, not the other way around.

You only have to look at last season with Fitzgerald having a brutal season with crappy QBs. There are probably dozens of other examples. Meanwhile Brady won three super bowls before Welker or Moss arrived, with a WR core that no one remembers (because they were average).

I already said that was just an example. However, back in the day, Kurt Warner was less than a nobody and came in and tore up the league when Trent Green got hurt for the Rams and missed the season. Then Warner got hurt a couplke years later and a similar nobody named Marc Bulger played exceedingly well. If Peyton got hurt, it's unlikely the Broncos would put up the same passing numbers, but stranger things have happened.

 

[Adam Harstad]

Peyton goes down . . . and Osweiler steps in with an outer worldly receiving corps.

I hope this was just an example because it is ludicrous if anyone believes that would actually happen. QBs make the WRs, not the other way around. You only have to look at last season with Fitzgerald having a brutal season with crappy QBs. There are probably dozens of other examples. Meanwhile Brady won three super bowls before Welker or Moss arrived, with a WR core that no one remembers (because they were average).

Matt Cassel certainly did pretty well when handed Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Jake Plummer was terrible in Arizona and a top QB in Denver. Marc Bulger was an elite fantasy QB for a while, as was Matt Schaub. Aaron Brooks was a top 5-10 QB for as long as he had Joe Horn. Meanwhile, what did Kurt Warner ever do when he didn't have the best WR duo in the entire league (first Holt/Bruce and then Fitzgerald/Boldin), other than lose his job to a rookie and twice get cut?I'd say anecdotal evidence always cuts both ways, but I'm pretty sure I could find an anecdote demonstrating it doesn't.

 

[finito]

Peyton goes down . . . and Osweiler steps in with an outer worldly receiving corps.

I hope this was just an example because it is ludicrous if anyone believes that would actually happen. QBs make the WRs, not the other way around.

You only have to look at last season with Fitzgerald having a brutal season with crappy QBs. There are probably dozens of other examples. Meanwhile Brady won three super bowls before Welker or Moss arrived, with a WR core that no one remembers (because they were average).

I don't know if this is always the case. Daunte Culpepper didn't make Randy Moss, Jeff Garcia didn't make Terrell Owens, Chris Miller certainly didn't make Ike Bruce (in Bruce's best season in '95).

Not that I think Osweller would step in and be a stud, but I don't think it's so cut and dry that it's always the QB.

 

[MAC_32]

Bernard Pierce is obviously a big one. I think Chip Kelly is going to run a ton, so an injury to either Brown or McCoy would send the other back off the charts.

Those were the first two that came to mind after Foster/Tate. If their prices are reasonable I may give those guys a bump on my board because of the quality insurance policy.

 

[Gandalf the Grey]

Bernard Pierce is obviously a big one. I think Chip Kelly is going to run a ton, so an injury to either Brown or McCoy would send the other back off the charts. Miles Austin is probably a Jason Witten injury away from a 90-100 reception season. I think if Matt Flynn gets hurt in Oakland, Terrelle Pryor could easily be a top-12 fantasy QB (even if he's nowhere near that as an NFL QB). Even more extreme, if Christian Ponder got hurt and Joe Webb got to start some games at QB while maintaining his WR eligibility, he could immediately become an elite fantasy WR (imagine a WR who got 150 passing yards and 50 rushing yards a game). I think Jermichael Finley might be a WR injury away from a top-3 TE finish. Looking at different teams, I think both Brees and Rodgers are an injury to the other away from being near-locks for a #1 finish. Graham might be able to ride Gronk's injury to a #1 finish of his own. And looking at the opposite, I think Arian Foster is screwed if Andre Johnson or Matt Schaub get hurt- those two are fantastic at moving the ball into the red zone and letting Foster take over, so even an increase in carries probably wouldn't offset the decrease in TDs.

Terrelle Pryor? I'd be shocked if he started with a Flynn injury, much less became a top 12 fantasy QB. I'd assume Tyler Wilson would start. Everything I've read on Pryor indicates he very much remains a work in progress. Maybe you've read something different but I haven't seen it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Roddy White goes down, Julio becomes #1, or vice versa.

I'll never understand this thinking. You do realize that both of them being on the field at the same time is why both are so great, right? Take either off the field and the other would then see a lot of double coverage. Sure, the healthy guy is still more than great enough to still produce at a pretty high level, but enough to be the number 1 WR overall? No way.

And pointing out a game or two here and there where one of them produced without the other doesn't mean either could do it on a weekly basis over 16 games to the point of being the number 1 overall WR.

 

[Adam Harstad]

Bernard Pierce is obviously a big one. I think Chip Kelly is going to run a ton, so an injury to either Brown or McCoy would send the other back off the charts. Miles Austin is probably a Jason Witten injury away from a 90-100 reception season. I think if Matt Flynn gets hurt in Oakland, Terrelle Pryor could easily be a top-12 fantasy QB (even if he's nowhere near that as an NFL QB). Even more extreme, if Christian Ponder got hurt and Joe Webb got to start some games at QB while maintaining his WR eligibility, he could immediately become an elite fantasy WR (imagine a WR who got 150 passing yards and 50 rushing yards a game). I think Jermichael Finley might be a WR injury away from a top-3 TE finish. Looking at different teams, I think both Brees and Rodgers are an injury to the other away from being near-locks for a #1 finish. Graham might be able to ride Gronk's injury to a #1 finish of his own. And looking at the opposite, I think Arian Foster is screwed if Andre Johnson or Matt Schaub get hurt- those two are fantastic at moving the ball into the red zone and letting Foster take over, so even an increase in carries probably wouldn't offset the decrease in TDs.

Terrelle Pryor? I'd be shocked if he started with a Flynn injury, much less became a top 12 fantasy QB. I'd assume Tyler Wilson would start. Everything I've read on Pryor indicates he very much remains a work in progress. Maybe you've read something different but I haven't seen it.

Could, not would. Odds are Wilson would start, I'm just expressing a belief that if Pryor does get some starts at some point, he'll likely be a valuable fantasy asset. I love me some bad passers with wheels.

 

[Anarchy99]

Roddy White goes down, Julio becomes #1, or vice versa.

I'll never understand this thinking. You do realize that both of them being on the field at the same time is why both are so great, right? Take either off the field and the other would then see a lot of double coverage. Sure, the healthy guy is still more than great enough to still produce at a pretty high level, but enough to be the number 1 WR overall? No way.

And pointing out a game or two here and there where one of them produced without the other doesn't mean either could do it on a weekly basis over 16 games to the point of being the number 1 overall WR.

Mushin Muhammad begs to differ.

 

[ratbast]

James Jones with no Nelson.

Vareen could make some noise if by himself.

 

[FUBAR]

The easy answers are talented backup RBs.

Reaches -

Kirk cousins with RG3 down

Greg Olsen with Steve Smith down

Denario Alexander with gates down

 

[LuckyOne]

Roddy White goes down, Julio becomes #1, or vice versa.

First one I thought