Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football draft. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).
Thanks to developments at training camp and during preseason action, players are rising and falling in fantasy drafts faster than the Dow Jones. O.K., maybe not, but there is enough movement where you need to pay close attention. Here is the latest on whose stock is rising and whose is falling.
Rising
Running Back
Felix Jones, DAL
– Coach Jason Garrett recently said that Jones is having a much better camp this year, citing increased speed and improved pass protection. He certainly looked the part Thursday night against Denver in the first quarter, bursting up the gut for an 18-yard run before taking a screen pass 16 yards. He may still have to deal with DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice once they get healthy, but we’re starting to warm up to the idea of Jones as a mid-level RB2 in standard leagues.
Tim Hightower, WAS –
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan recently told SI.com that he believes Hightower can handle the workload of an every-down back. While that remains to be seen, his comments are sure to slow down the Roy Helu sleeper train.
Jerome Harrison, DET
– Mikel Leshoure’s season-ending injury has put Harrison back on the radar as the leading handcuff for Best owners.
Wide Receiver
Calvin Johnson, DET
– Johnson continues to impress in camp, earning high praise from his teammates.
Andre Roberts, ARZ
– Roberts is currently winning the battle for the number two spot next to Larry Fitzgerald, making him a nice sleeper pick as long as the Cardinals don’t bring in another body like Lee Evans.
Mario Manningham, NYG
– Steve Smith jumping ship to Philadelphia left a bitter taste in the mouths of Giants fans, but the move is nothing but positive for Manningham, as he is now the uncontested number two option for Eli Manning.
Tight End
Kevin Boss, OAK – Jason Campbell tends to favor the tight end position and the Raiders are short on reliable options in the passing game. Boss is now draftable as a low-end TE2 option in both formats.
Kellen Winslow, TB – He has managed to keep the surgical tools away from his knees this offseason and the results have been nothing but positive. He’s having one of the best camps in his seven year career and is looking like a solid tight end to target once the big names are off the board.
Falling
Quarterback
Joe Flacco, BAL –
The Ravens’ ground game was bolstered with the additions of Vonta Leach and Ricky Williams while Flacco lost the reliable Derek Mason to the Jets. The rookie receiver Torrey Smith is expected to replace Mason in the starting lineup.
Running Back
Ryan Mathews, SD – Coach Norv Turner announced that he will use a two-back system this season between Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert. In preseason action Thursday night, it was Tolbert who got the start as well as the red zone work, booting his value and making a breakout year from Mathews a stretch at this point.
Wide Receiver
Johnny Knox, CHI – Johnny Knox has officially lost his starting job to Roy Williams and is currently listed behind Devin Hester and Earl Bennett, in that order.
Marques Colston, NO – Colston has missed the entire week of practice with swelling in his repaired knee.
Jeremy Maclin, PHI –
There is still no word on Maclin’s mysterious illness that has kept him from practicing in camp. Early drafters should exercise caution.
Tight End
Jimmy Graham, NO – Graham is having a hard time catching the easy balls in camp right now, which is somewhat troubling considering the fantasy world’s exceedingly high expectations of him this year. This is not a major downgrade, but a reminder that the former basketball player is still raw and could experience some growing pains in his first full N.F.L. season.
Chris Cooley, WAS – His inability to shake a sore knee that was worked on back in January has his coach concerned, not to mention the Redskins’ uninspiring options at quarterback.
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