The Latest 2012 Fantasy Football Buzz at Conclusion of NFL Preseason

The 2012 NFL preseason has entered it's final week, and that means with a precious few exceptions we know just about all we're going to know from a fantasy football perspective, as the last exhibition games are usually much like the first...scrub-city.

With that said, here's a look at some news updates on the big storylines in fantasy football with opening night less than one week away.

The Latest on Maurice Jones-Drew

The contract impasse between Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars and star running back Maurice Jones-Drew continues to drag on with no end in sight.

However, if the 27-year-old does play this year, it will apparently be as a member of the Jaguars, as general manager Gene Smith was emphatic in stating that Jones-Drew will not be traded according to Vito Stellino of The Florida Times-Union.

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When Smith was asked by the Times-Union before the team's annual Kickoff Luncheon if there was any chance of a trade if he doesn't show up for the regular season, he said, "Maurice is a Jaguar.''

Smith was then asked, "So you are not considering trading him?" He replied, "No.''

And you won't consider trading him?

"He's a Jaguar,'' Smith said.

He was then asked what if Jones-Drew is not in camp after 10 weeks, and responded, "Maurice is a Jaguar.''

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This mess has crippled the 2011 NFL rushing king's fantasy value, leaving him an anchor around the necks of teams that have already drafted him and all but undraftable in leagues that have postponed their drafts for as long as possible.

Let someone else waste the pick. Stay away.

Ryan Mathews Expected to Miss Week 1

Fantasy owners who were hoping to have San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews in their lineups in Week 1 appear to be headed for a disappointment.

Michael Gehlken of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the third-year pro, who fractured his clavicle in the team's preseason opener, isn't expected to play when the Chargers open the season in Oakland.

That will leave the duties in the San Diego backfield to either Jasper Brinkley, Ronnie Brown or Le'Ron McClain, although head coach Norv Turner remains optimistic that one back will emerge to shoulder the bulk of the load.

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“I'd like to think that someone will emerge,” Turner said, "that we'll feel good enough about someone where they can get 20 carries. And then the other guys feed off of that. … They're all different guys, so get a plan to use their strengths.”

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With that said there's no guarantee that will be the case, so this situation is best avoided altogether until Mathews is back on the field, especially with the Chargers averaging an NFL-low 2.4 yards per carry on the ground in the preseason.

Shanahanigans in the Nation's Capital

Speaking of situations to avoid.

The Washington Redskins running back situation was already a murky mess, and all the team's last preseason game did was muddy the waters

With Alfred Morris and Tim Hightower sitting out both Evan Royster and Roy Helu got back on the field after missing time with injuries.

Both backs also performed fairly well, averaging over four yards a carry apiece and each finding the end zone (with Helu scoring twice).

Frankly, outside of the fact that Hightower will likely handle passing-down duties if healthy the fact is that trying to figure out which back is going to get what touches for the Redskins this year requires a Ouija board and a deck of tarot cards.

Good luck with that swami.

Cedric Benson Set for Two Down Role

Since Cedric Benson signed with the Green Bay Packers and ascended to the top of the depth chart, the 29-year-old has been steadily climbing fantasy draft boards, but recent news may have taken some wind out of his fantasy sails.

Bob McGinn of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Green Bay running backs coach Alex Van Pelt has confirmed that Benson will leave the field in obvious passing situations, citing the eighth-year veteran's rather lackluster pass-blocking skills as the primary reason why.

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"Obviously, we've got a couple different plans on who the third-down back could be," Van Pelt said. "There's some comfort with John ( Kuhn). He's obviously the most experienced in our protection schemes and is in tune with the line calls. Brandon (Saine) is a guy you like to see in there on third downs. Big-bodied guy that can protect."

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With that said this news isn't exactly a stunner, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't substantially affect Benson's fantasy value as a mid-range RB3.

Russell Wilson Hypedate

Finally, I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't at least make a mention of the signal-caller that has accomplished the seemingly impossible this preseason.

He got us to stop talking about Peyton Manning.

Exhibition sensation and new Seattle Seahawks starter Russell Wilson has taken the NFC West by storm in games that don't count, and as Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. told ESPN's Mike Sando he expects Wilson to do the same in the regular season as well, predicting that the Seahawks will win the division.

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I very much believe Russell Wilson will have the best year of any quarterback in the division," Williamson said. "Sam Bradford has a chance to be a very good one, but he looks terrible and his supporting cast is a mess. Arizona is a mess. I'm not a huge Smith believer."

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Frankly, as is often the case with rookies, the hype may have gotten a bit out of hand in fantasy circles where Wilson is concerned, but team owners certainly can't be faulted for adding the youngster as a speculative upside QB2.