Fantasy Football Updates: Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas, Melvin Gordon holdouts worth noting on draft cheat sheets

Billy Heyen

Fantasy Football Updates: Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas, Melvin Gordon holdouts worth noting on draft cheat sheets image

In a post-Le'Veon world, as soon as training camp starts, fantasy football owners have to worry about potential holdouts. This year, first-round talents Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, and Michael Thomas didn't report to camp on time because of contract disputes. Are they serious about sitting out an extended period like Bell, or is this all posturing and ultimately much ado about nothing? We have the latest updates on how these situations will affect your fantasy rankings and cheat sheets as you approach your 2019 draft day.

Be sure to check out our top 200 rankings throughout the preseason, as we'll be frequently updating them as injuries, signings, and starter announcements occur.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 Fantasy Cheat Sheet

Melvin Gordon holdout update

The most recent news in Gordon's holdout came out Friday, when ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Gordon's holdout "threatens to last into the season". Schefter added that Gordon told his representation that if the Chargers don't give him a new deal (a boost from the $5.6 million he's set to receive in the final year of his rookie contract), that he will sit out and demand a trade.

Obviously, this is huge news for a player who would be in the discussion as a first-round pick if he was just in training camp and healthy. Gordon is still going ninth among all players in drafts, per FantasyPros' composite ADP. After owners were burned by Le'Veon Bell last year, that ADP should drop in the coming weeks if no progress is made.

Gordon's absence creates increased roles for Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. While Ekeler would be No. 2 in touches to Gordon if everyone was around, Jackson might get the biggest benefit as a potential feature back. If Gordon misses games, Ekeler probably remains prominently in his third-down role while Jackson gets the majority of the carries. In Jackson's one start last year, he carried 16 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. 

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

When will Ezekiel Elliott's holdout end?

Elliott is also holding out for a new contract. Yesterday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, "You don't have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl", per the Dallas Morning News. Elliott is also heading to Cabo in Mexico to train while he holds out, per Mike Leslie. That's not far from where the Cowboys train in Oxnard, California, but it's still quite the headline. In addition, the Cowboys have also signed Alfred Morris to bolster their running back corps.

There's been less reporting on whether Elliott is likely to carry on a long holdout like Bell did last year. He's still going No. 2 overall in drafts according to FantasyPros, so owners don't seem concerned yet (nor do we, as Elliott has two years left on his current compared to Gordon's one). There was the potential for a backfield battle between youngsters Darius Jackson and Tony Pollard, but with the signing of Morris, he becomes most likely to dominate touches if Elliott misses games. Morris had a relatively successful backup stint with Dallas in 2016-'17.

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

Michael Thomas holdout over

UPDATE: Michael Thomas agreed to a 5-year, $100-million extension with the Saints on Wednesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

In more optimistic contract dispute news, Thomas and the Saints don't sound to far off on a deal. Yahoo's Charles Robinson reports that the Saints have offered between $18 and $19 million per year, but Thomas would like to be the first $20-million wide receiver. Robinson expects that if the Saints move the needle in that direction, a deal should get done. 

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

It seems likely he'll be back soon, and veteran defensive lineman Cameron Jordan told NOLA.com that he's not worried until Drew Brees is worried. That seems like a good mantra for fantasy owners to adopt in this situation. If Thomas were to miss time, it would boost value across the board for pass-catchers in New Orleans, from Tre'Quan Smith and Ted Ginn, Jr. to Jared Cook and Keith Kirkwood.

Billy Heyen