Fantasy stock watch: Jamaal Charles, Kelvin Benjamin concerns linger
The preseason is notorious for raising fantasy owners’ expectations without revealing any corroborating evidence. And because most projected starters are unlikely to play in their teams’ final preseason games, it’s going to be especially tough to get a read on these guys.
RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs. Returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that ended his 2015 season after five games, Charles is not progressing as quickly as fantasy owners had hoped. He is not getting many snaps with the first-team offense in practice, and he has yet to appear in a preseason game.
Still, the 29-year-old is coming off draft boards as if he’s all the way back, ranking as the No. 13 player overall in standard scoring leagues and No. 19 in point-per-reception formats, according to FantasyFootballCalculator.com. The Chiefs looked just as effective last season with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West in the backfield. This could turn into a full-fledged running back committee, but for now Ware is the back to own.
WR DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins. Parker battled injuries in 2015 but came on strong with 22 catches and three touchdowns over the final six weeks of his rookie season. With offensive whiz Adam Gase taking over as head coach, fantasy owners pegged Parker as a top breakout candidate. However, a hamstring injury has slowed his progress, and his draft stock has plummeted nearly two full rounds over the past month.
RB Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers. New coach Chip Kelly should bring volume to the offensive attack, but the Niners need the personnel to make it work. Hyde is coming off surgery in January for a foot injury that ended his 2015 season after seven games. And he suffered a concussion in last week’s preseason game.
Although he appears to be on track to play in Week 1, can he stay healthy for an entire season? Can he be an effective receiver out of the backfield? The 49ers have too many unanswered questions on offense, especially considering the way things ended so badly for Kelly last year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
WR Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers. Benjamin’s return from a torn knee ligament that sidelined him last season figured to give the Panthers passing game a huge (6-5, 245) upgrade. However, Benjamin, who racked up 1,008 receiving yards and nine TD catches in 2014, hasn’t seen much game action this preseason and has been outplayed by second-year wideout Devin Funchess. Don’t forget about Greg Olsen, who ranked third in the NFL among tight ends last year with 124 targets.