Fantasy 5: Hyde rising, Martin falling, Abdullah holding steady at RB

(The Fantasy 5 is a quick-hit wrap-up of some of the biggest news topics of the day for fantasy football players, giving you advice you need to improve your team.)

Every NFL team is now in training camp and we’re just four days away from the first preseason game. Let’s get ready to rumble. Here are five things fantasy players need to know from around the NFL this past weekend.

1. Roughly 200 carries for Ameer Abdullah

The Lions team website noted that Detroit will use a committee backfield but that Abdullah “is still expected to receive somewhere in the neighborhood of 200-plus carries as Detroit’s lead back.” Abdullah is returning from as Lisfranc injury that sidelined him for 14 games last season.

Volume is key to fantasy production. Last season’s top three fantasy finishers also happened to be the top three in touches per game. In standard scoring, every back to receive 200-plus carries finished in the top 24. Jonathan Stewart was the lowest finisher of that group at 24th. In other words, if Abdullah does see that sort of volume, he has a good shot of finishing as a back-end RB2.

Before we get too carried away, it’s important to remember that Abdullah isn’t likely to see heavy work as a receiver. Theo Riddick projects to see the largest target share in the Lions’ backfield. Abdullah’s upside is also likely to be limited by a Lions offensive line that ranked 28th in the league in yards before contact per attempt last year. Abdullah is currently the No. 26 running back off the board with an ADP in the middle of the fifth round. That’s about maxed out on his value given his somewhat limited fantasy ceiling. Drafters would be wise to not overvalue Abdullah this year.

2. Doug Martin’s job isn’t necessarily safe

Take note fantasy drafters. Martin’s ADP has crept up into the fourth round, and he’s now going as the 20th running back off the board. But Martin has the chance to be unseated by Jacquizz Rodgers following his three-game suspension to start the season.

Rodgers filled in as the lead back at times last season, and flashed fantasy upside thanks to heavy volume. He topped 100 yards on the ground in Week 5 and Week 7. It’s still too early to tell what the Bucs will do when Martin returns, but the potential volatility with his situation makes him overvalued at his current ADP. Rodgers is currently going in the 10th round. He’s an intriguing option for the first three weeks of the season where he’ll handle early-down work for the Bucs. The possibility he keeps the job after that point is an added bonus.

3. Giants plan to move Evan Engram all over the field

The rookie isn’t your typical tight end with 4.4 speed and the ability to run a wide range of routes. He’ll be asked to play in a variety of roles in addition to tight end this season, including receiver and full back. Engram screams upside, but he has two things working against him: 1) There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Giants’ passing game, and 2) Rookie tight ends face a steep learning curve at the NFL level. As such, Engram makes for a volatile redraft option. Despite his high ceiling, the potential for week-to-week inconsistencies keeps Engram in the late rounds of this year’s fantasy drafts.

4. Kyle Shanahan warming up to Carlos Hyde

There’s been rumblings all offseason that Hyde could be on the outs with the new coaching regimes with accompanying surprise cut rumors and plenty of hype for rookie Joe Williams. But Hyde has recently drawn praise from his head coach and appears to be back in the 49ers good graces.

Hyde finished as the No. 15 running back in fantasy scoring last season despite missing three games. Of course, the missed time has been a bit of a theme for Hyde throughout his career. He’s played just 34 games in three professional seasons. That being said, Hyde has been very productive in his time on the field. He’s a sneaky value if you can get him in the fifth round.

5. Injury roundup

• There’s still little clarity on Andrew Luck’s return after the veteran quarterback was non-committal about his Week 1 status with reporters on Saturday. On his slow rehab, Luck noted he’s regaining strength and feeling better. While that’s certainly a plus, his reluctance to commit to playing in Week 1 is far from optimal. Fantasy owners shouldn’t move Luck down on draft boards just yet, but that will change if it comes out that Luck will miss regular season time.
• Tyler Lockett opens camp on the active/PUP. The third-year wideout is recovering from broken fibula and tibia. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Lockett won’t be on the PUP for long. He remains an upside dart to throw in the late rounds.
• New Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said “who knows” in Mike Williams will play this year. The rookie receiver is dealing with a back injury and won’t practice at all during training camp. His absence has all but solidified Tyrell Williams as the Chargers’ No. wide receiver. He should be considered a flex option with Keenan Allen slotted in as a WR2.
• Jets rookie WR ArDarius Stewart has been limited to individual work so far in camp. Stewart underwent thumb and groin surgery in June. He’s in the mix for No. 3 duties, but has a lot of ground to make up. Stewart is unlikely to be a redraft option this year.