Fantasy Updates: Antonio Brown helmet issues, Tony Pollard's sleeper status, DK Metcalf's injury shaking up rankings

Billy Heyen

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Fantasy Updates: Antonio Brown helmet issues, Tony Pollard's sleeper status, DK Metcalf's injury shaking up rankings image

In the dog days of summer, the NFL and fantasy football are making sure to keep our lives interesting. Antonio Brown is mad about his helmet again; Ezekiel Elliott still isn't in Cowboys camp, but Tony Pollard is standing out as a sleeper handcuff; DK Metcalf and Andrew Luck have injury issues; and there's an unexpected QB competition in Tennessee between Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill. What does this all mean for your draft cheat sheets? Let's dig in.

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DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 Fantasy Cheat Sheet

Antonio Brown update

Just when it seemed like Brown was in the clear in Oakland, his helmet issues popped up again. He sat out practice because the most recent helmet he hoped to have approved wasn't. The Raiders' team Twitter yesterday released footage of Mike Mayock telling reporters that Brown needs to be "all in or all out."

It says a lot that the team social media released Mayock's comments. Oakland is obviously unhappy with Brown. We've gone over what Brown's absence could mean for fantasy owners here. This new development certainly makes the feeling of drafting Brown a bit adventuresome, if nothing else. As it stands, Brown remains a third- or fourth-round pick, but depending on your risk-aversion, but we all know he has the talent to produce like the No. 1 wide receiver if he's on the field and giving effort for 16 games.

2019 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

Cowboys Depth Chart: Tony Pollard stands out as Ezekiel Elliott's handcuff

Elliott is no longer training in Mexico, which probably means nothing. While he's away from the team, though, someone gets the chance to step up and win a job behind the No. 1 offensive line in football. Tony Pollard earned the start in Dallas' second preseason game and rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown on five carries. He also caught his lone target for nine yards.

Pollard is a rookie out of Memphis who backed up standout Darrell Henderson last year, so there's not necessarily evidence that he can carry a full workload. The Cowboys have been talking Pollard up all preseason (even comments from owner Jerry Jones), although those could just be negotiating tactics. Regardless, if Pollard wins the Dallas RB job and 'Zeke doesn't show up, Pollard's a borderline RB2 for as long as the job is his.

2019 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Top 200

DK Metcalf injury news

After Sunday's preseason game that Metcalf sat out, Pete Carroll told reporters that Metcalf would have minor knee surgery. Speculation is that it's a knee scope, although there hasn't been official word on that. Carroll doesn't expect Metcalf to be out long, per NFL Network. 

Until the full extent of Metcalf's injury is revealed, it's hard to make a huge judgment here. For whatever it's worth, Metcalf battled injury issues in college. He'd be in contention for the No. 2 WR job in Seattle with David Moore. We've been higher on Moore in the preseason as a big-play threat, so Metcalf's absence could create room for Moore to take the job.

DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS: 
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST

Andrew Luck injury update

A video posted on Instagram showed Luck warming up ahead of the Colts' second preseason game. The high-stepping he's doing through some obstacles suggests his calf/ankle injury isn't too bad, but obviously only Luck and the Colts know for sure. Late last week, Chris Mortenson reported that Indianapolis has "guarded optimism" about Luck being ready for Week 1.

We've been hesitating about moving Luck out of our No. 2 QB spot because we truly believe that's where he belongs if he's healthy. Pretty soon, it will get dicey to even consider drafting him as a top-five QB. The Colts hoped to make a decision around the third preseason game, so this next week will be the most crucial to really knowing Luck's fantasy value. 

FANTASY SLEEPERS: 
8 QBs | 14 RBs | 11 WRs | 11 TEs | 6 D/STs | One from each team

Titans Depth Chart: Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill in QB competition?

No one expected to have to worry about a quarterback competition in Tennessee, but per reports from the Boston Globe, that's what we have. Former Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is closer to getting starts than expected, meaning Marcus Mariota's job is at risk. 

In a low-volume passing offense, this might not matter. It could have more effect on the players around them. Mariota has shown good chemistry with Corey Davis and Delanie Walker in the past. It's not as certain what Tannehill's relationship with those players would be.

Billy Heyen