Fantasy: Are suspended Jones, Edelman, Ingram worth waiting for?
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The discount on players facing early-season bans can be the key to a fantasy championship, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side of a suspension - just ask anyone who owned Doug Martin or Willie Snead in 2017.
Let's take a look at a few of the most prominent fantasy players who will be serving suspensions to see if they're worth the wait. We're leaving Jameis Winston out of the conversation due to the depth at the quarterback position.
Aaron Jones, Packers
Suspended 2 games (Substance abuse)
We begin with the most recent suspension, which conveniently leaked the afternoon before the July 4 holiday. Jones isn't an established fantasy star like the other names on this list, but he flashed elite skills during an injury-shortened rookie campaign and was heading into training camp, at worst, on even ground with teammates Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery.
The ban is particularly disappointing after Jones reshaped his body in the offseason, strengthening his legs in an attempt to avoid future injuries and improve his pass protection - two things that could have helped him win the lead back job. Hopefully, the marijuana-related traffic charge was a rookie mistake and not a sign that off-field issues are seriously threatening to derail his promising career.
Fantasy outlook: Two games isn't a fantasy death sentence for Jones, especially since he'll avoid tough outings against the Bears' underrated defense and a shutdown Vikings squad. That positions him perfectly to kick-start the team's running game upon his return in Week 3, assuming the Packers' coaching staff is ready to welcome him back with open arms. Even if it takes a few weeks, Jones remains Green Bay's best running back, and over time, he'll ascend to the top of their backfield. Take advantage of the discount and scoop him up a few rounds later, between the ninth and 11th.
Early-season replacement: Williams will have a chance to secure starting duties if he can make a strong impression over the first two weeks. He doesn't have Jones' elite ceiling though, and with a rising ADP, Williams' standalone value over a full season is much less exciting. If you can pair him with Jones, you're guaranteed a starting back in one of the league's most successful offenses, all for the cost of a seventh- and a ninth-rounder, respectively. (Montgomery, meanwhile, is worth a dart throw in PPR leagues, but has struggled to produce when given a full workload.)
Julian Edelman, Patriots
Suspended 4 games (PEDs)
We haven't seen Edelman in game action since the 2016 season, making it easy to forget how prolific he's been for fantasy owners. From 2013-16, Edelman averaged 6.5 receptions, 69.6 yards, and .36 touchdowns per game over 55 contests. Over full 16-game seasons, that translates to 104 receptions, 1,114 yards, and 6 TDs per year.
Even with those lofty totals, investing in a 32-year-old slot receiver coming off a torn ACL was a tough sell prior to the suspension. With the news he'll miss almost a third of the fantasy regular season, his ADP has fallen outside the top 30 receivers, and will likely continue to slide as the busy draft season arrives in August.
Fantasy outlook: Once he's back in the lineup, Edelman will be a productive player catching passes from Tom Brady. However, his days of delivering at a high-end PPR clip are in jeopardy unless injuries befall the New England receiving corps. Edelman has played alongside Rob Gronkowski his entire career, but Chris Hogan showed No. 1 receiver chops before injuries knocked him out for most of the second half of 2017. Edelman will have games where Brady leans on him heavily, but the offense no longer requires him to see the kind of target volume that made him a PPR star.
Early-season replacements: Several Patriots will step in as the next man up during Edelman's absence, but Jordan Matthews has the best odds of actually turning in startable performances. Matthews served as a viable slot receiver as a member of the Eagles, posting 1,869 yards and 16 touchdowns over his first two NFL campaigns. Catching passes from Brady will give Matthews an opportunity to duplicate that productive pace for a short time, making him an intriguing option at the end of drafts.
Mark Ingram, Saints
Suspended 4 games (PEDs)
Ingram kept pace with rookie superstar Alvin Kamara in 2017, as the duo finished with the fifth- and sixth-most fantasy points among running backs. It was Ingram's third straight season as a fantasy RB1, and he appeared poised to continue the impressive run. Missing the first four games could cost Ingram more than just his streak.
With Kamara emerging as one of the most dynamic ball carriers in the league and Ingram facing unrestricted free agency in 2019, the veteran's role is no longer guaranteed. We mentioned Snead in the intro - a player who came back from suspension only to be relegated to a bit part in the Saints' offense. Head coach Sean Payton, who has been tough on Ingram in the past, may decide to start the transition away from him sooner than expected.
Fantasy outlook: Ingram will be a polarizing selection in this year's fantasy drafts. Due to his body of work, he warrants consideration in the late second or early third round, but his suspension has pushed his ADP to the four-five turn. It's possible he instantly reclaims his half of the Kamara-Ingram tandem that proved bountiful for fantasy owners a year ago. It's equally possible that Kamara seizes control of the backfield in September and Ingram's touches are limited when he returns. Kamara's immense talent and the uncertainty that comes with drafting a suspended player make Ingram too much of a risk at his current price.
Early-season replacements: Jonathan Williams, Trey Edmunds, and Boston Scott are the main contenders to spell Kamara early in the year. Williams teased game-breaking potential during his rookie season with the Bills, but has bounced around since, briefly landing in Denver before being signed by the Saints last November. He has the size (6-foot, 223-pounds) and explosiveness to complement Kamara and should be viewed as a late-round flier who could turn into an early-season flex option.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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