What would we do without the National Football League? While the rest of the sports world is at a stand still, the NFL continued their league year as free agency entered week two. In our previous episode, we took a look at fantasy football’s winners and losers in week one. As it is never too early to set a draft strategy, let’s take a look at fantasy football’s biggest winners/losers II.

Winners

Kenyan Drake, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Drake could have been in last week’s discussion, but we will include him here. As Drake looked to a new season, he didn’t know what his role would be in Arizona’s backfield. No such worries now, with David Johnson traded to Houston. Drake had some big games down the stretch, scoring seven of his eight touchdowns in the last three games. Included in that was a 137 yard, four TD performance against Cleveland. With star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the fold, the Cardinals will throw more, opening some holes in the running game. Drake won’t cost as much draft capital as some running backs, but he could provide major production for someone willing to take a chance on him come draft day.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Carolina Panthers

Bridgewater went from being the backup to one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Drew Brees to the starting job with Carolina. He should be ready for a full time gig after winning all five of his starts in relief of an injured Brees last season. He threw nine touchdowns to just two interceptions and projected through a full season comes right in around 30 TDs. Someone in fantasy football can surely use that kind of production in their lineups and won’t have to use quite a high pick to get him. It is clear that he is one of fantasy football’s biggest winners/losers II.

Greg Zuerlein, K, Dallas Cowboys

You might be wondering how a kicker can wind up as one of fantasy football’s biggest winners. Here’s how: by landing in the perfect situation. The Cowboys offense looks to be as potent as ever, giving Zuerlein plenty of opportunities. Dallas already had a kicker in place and some see this signing as unnecessary, but that is not the point of this discussion. If you want Zuerlein on your fantasy team, waiting until the last round isn’t going to cut it.

Losers

Jameis Winston, QB, Free Agent

At first glance, it is difficult to understand how a quarterback that threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns could still be sitting on the sidelines. But then all one has to do is look at the interceptions (30) and the picture becomes clear. No one seems to be interested in a turn over machine-like Winston. It is funny how the perfect team for him would seem to be the one that just dumped him: Tampa. Of course, someone will sign him but it will have to be the perfect situation for real life and fantasy relevance.

Cam Newton, QB, Free Agent

At least Winston is healthy. The same cannot be said for certain regarding Newton. Bridgewater is in, Cam is out in Carolina. His last Panther season was a complete loss. He will have to prove that he is healthy before anyone will take a chance on him. That is difficult to do when you can’t work out for teams until the virus is cleared up. Don’t even think of drafting him unless it is proven he is healthy. It seems there is no country for old men. It definitely makes Newton one of fantasy football’s biggest winners/losers II.

Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay, RBs, Denver Broncos

The real loser here is Lindsay. All he has done is rush for over 2,000 yards and score 16 touchdowns for the Broncos the last two seasons. His reward? Gordon comes in and takes over as the lead back. We all know what kind of disastrous season Gordon had last year for the Chargers. I don’t know how that leads to a deal in Denver, but here he is. If both are on the roster, it definitely hurts their fantasy values. Gordon slides out of the top rounds of the draft and Lindsay all the way to the waiver wire. As it stands now, I wouldn’t take either of them for my team.

The NFL is steamrolling the other sports and they aren’t even playing. The free agency signings and trading activities have kept the league dead in the center of the sports world. And thank goodness. We wouldn’t have much to discuss without football. I am sure that we will have many more fantasy football’s winners and losers to talk about in the future.

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