Atlanta Falcons

Steven Jackson has had a great career, but he’s a 31-year-old RB that has endured 2,998 touches over the past decade. He has already injured a hamstring in camp and is coming off his least productive season to date. Last year, Jackson rushed for only 543 yards on a career low 3.5 YPC. This season is looking like it could be another injury plagued campaign for the aging veteran. Rookie Devonta Freeman has been the class of the Atlanta RB corps this summer. He has been a camp standout and is picking up in the NFL where left off at Florida State. Freeman scored 15 TDs last season and became the first FSU RB since Warrick Dunn to rush for over 1,000 yards. Jacquizz Rodgers is what he is, he’s just not “the guy.” Expect Freeman to take the reins as a three-down back sooner than later. He could be a breakout star this season.

Note: Freeman left practice 8/11/14 with an undisclosed injury and was not able to return.

Both Julio Jones and Roddy White look to be back to full health. This is great news for Matt Ryan and the entire Falcons offense. With the WR duo healthy, the Atlanta passing attack should get back on track in 2014. When healthy in 2013, the two WRs combined for 171 receptions, 2,549 yards and 17 TDs. Last season they only combined for 104 receptions, 1,291 yards and five TDs. Even if they just meet in the middle, the Falcons passing attack should have a much greater impact this season. They are both high risk/high reward picks. The talent is tremendous, but beware of injuries.

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees continues to be sidelined with a strained oblique. He will miss the Saints second preseason game. Brees is expected to be fine for the start of the season, but the Saints have really been struggling without him. On Monday the Saints’ backup QBs botched more than six center-quarterback exchanges. While they badly need their franchise QB to return, they are not going to rush him back. This should not affect how you approach drafting Brees in your fantasy leagues.

In a move that has raised some eyebrows, Pierre Thomas has been listed as the RB3 on the Saints’ depth chart. Mark Ingram is listed as the RB1, Khiry Robinson has been named the RB2. While fantasy owners everywhere have been sent into a tizzy, the Saints’ depth chart is not overly relevant. The bottom line is Ingram and Robinson are competing for touches, they can’t do what Thomas does. Last season, Thomas caught 77 passes for 513 yards. Ingram and Robinson combined for seven (all by Ingram). Robinson has never caught an NFL pass. Thomas is the Saints’ pass-catching back, period. He averaged only 3.7 YPC and that most likely will not drastically improve. Ingram and Robinson will receive the bulk of the carries and Thomas will be catching passes out of the backfield. What is notable is the fact that Ingram looked great in the Saints’ first preseason game and his ADP is inching closer to Robinson’s.

Rookie WR Brandin Cooks has looked great in camp. He has met and surpassed all expectations to this point. He caught five passes for 55 yards and TD in his first preseason game. It has been said that Cooks is expected to fill the void left by Darren Sproles in the passing game. Last year at Oregon State, Cooks tallied an amazing 128 receptions, 1,947 yards from scrimmage and 18 TDs. If he can even put up 1/3 of those numbers this year, his rookie campaign will be considered a success. Expect a high volume of short-yardage targets for Cooks in the Saints’ offense. Most of his yardage will have to be acquired after the catch.

Carolina Panthers

Troubling news for Cam Newton owners. Newton is still dealing with sharp pains in his surgically repaired ankle. He was not cleared for the Panthers’ first preseason game but should play in the second game this week. This news isn’t devastating, however it is a bit alarming. If he is unable to run, he losses a good amount of his fantasy value. Over his three year career, Newton has rushed for 2,032 yards and 28 TDs. Monitor this situation closely heading in to your draft.

For the first time in a long time, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert are all healthy. This gives Carolina arguably the best 1-2-3 punch in the league. Williams will most likely handle the bulk of the carries between the 20s, Stewart will lead the RBs in receptions and Tolbert will handle short-yardage and goal line duties. They really hurt each other’s fantasy value. If one RB is to go down, the other RBs value increases immensely.

Jerricho Cotchery has been listed as the WR1 on the Panthers’ depth chart. He’s coming off a resurgent fantasy year in which he caught double-digit TDs for the first time in his career (he caught none in 2012). Despite Cotchery’s WR1 ranking, Kelvin Benjamin is still the guy to own on the Panthers’ WR corps. The rookie out of Florida State showed why he was a first-round pick when he caught a TD in Carolina’s first preseason game. Expect a lot more of that this season. There is also a lot of buzz surrounding second-year wide out Tavarres King lately. He has looked very good recently and has deep sleeper potential.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Doug Martin is expected to get the bulk of the carries, Bobby Rainey has been named his backup and should receive most of the carries when Martin gets a rest. Rookie Charles Sims will most likely handle the majority of the receiving duty. He was an excellent pass-catching back in college. As a freshman he caught 70 passes and never caught less than 37 in his NCAA career. Martin is back to full health after tearing a shoulder labrum last season. Mike James who was impressive before breaking his ankle, is now fighting for a roster spot. Right now it’s hard to determine who will be the most valuable backup, Sims is probably your best bet in PPR leagues.

Rookie TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins has really struggled in camp. He should still be productive, but it may take some time for him to develop. Meanwhile, Brandon Myers and Tim Wright may have some fantasy value. Seferian-Jenkins is still the guy to draft, just don’t reach for him expecting a monster season.

Former Miami Hurricanes WR Tommy Streeter has had an excellent camp and performed very well in their first preseason game. He may still be on the roster bubble. Where ever he ends up playing, he has deep sleeper potential. Streeter and James may both be cut? Anti-Hurricane bias perhaps?