Fantasy Football: When to Draft Suspended and Free Agent Players

It always happens.

It's the tail-end of round X and player Y is there; staring you in the face.  You know that he has all the talent in the world, but you also know that he will be watching from the sideline for the first few weeks of the season.

So, what do you do?  Do you pull the trigger and hope that he shows no ill side effects from the missed time, or do you pass and let someone else assume the risk?

I'll try to clear up that answer for a variety of different players; either suspended, or currently in free agency.

Marshawn Lynch-RB, Buffalo Bills

Perhaps the most prominent player on this list is Marshawn Lynch.  Lynch, is suspended for the first three NFL games for the upcoming 2009-2010 season because of a misdemeanor weapons charge this offseason.

Last season, Lynch rushed for over 1,000 yards and totaled eight touchdowns, both respectable totals in their own rights.  His backup, Fred Jackson, showed he was no scoff however, totaling 536 yards and three touchdowns in his own right.

What will be interesting to see is whether or not Jackson takes advantage of the three games that he will be starting to open up the season; if he performs well enough, he may warrant a time share between himself and Lynch when he's back.

In drafts, Lynch has been going around the early to middle stages of the third round.  Considering that he was a late first rounder last year, this seems like a good value; but remember than three games will be cut out of his schedule; thus dampening his overall totals.

Target Lynch in round three if you're feeling lucky, four if you want to be safe.

projection:  1,000 yards, eight touchdowns

Plaxico Burress-WR, Free Agent

The poster boy for this article.  Plax had perhaps the roughest offseason out of anyone in the NFL.  That self-inflicted gun wound cost him not only the season, but his career with the Giants and perhaps a chance with another team.  Although I do believe that he will be signed by someone this offseason, the fact that he has not raises doubts in my mind.

Like Lynch, Plax also has talent, enough of it that he should be signed by a team come September.  In his tenure with the G-men, Plax averaged over 1,000 yards a season, (not including last year's numbers), and proved to be a top wideout in the NFL.  Last season, in ten games, Burress totaled only 454 yards and four touchdowns before being let go.

Plax is going at the very end of drafts, or, not being drafted at all.

Target him at the end of drafts, as a flyer.

projection:  unknown

Marvin Harrison-WR, Free Agency

Marvin Harrison has fell from grace.  Quite violently in fact.  After calling Indianapolis home for an entire career, (13 seasons), Harrison was let go from the Colts, after an incident with a gun raised legal concerns off the field.

Harrison has had a productive career averaging over 1,100 yards a season over all 13 seasons.  Last year he saw a massive dip in those numbers, totaling a mere 636 yards and collecting only five touchdowns.

Certainly, his career numbers indicate that Harrison has been there and done that, and done that well.  But the fact that he is turning 37 this August raises concerns about how productive he still can be.  After all, the season before last Harrison only managed 247 yards, (albeit through only five games).

Harrison is being drafted on average in the 12th round.  He is being drafted near WRs: Joey Galloway, Isaac Bruce, and Darrius Heyward-Bey.  It's important to note that all of those said WRs currently have an NFL job.

If you're feeling lucky, draft him where he's being selected, (round 12).  If you want to be safe, wait to see if he slips before snatching him up.

projection:  unknown

Brett Favre-QB, Retired, (Free Agency)

Is this guy still retired or what? 

Currently, Favre is under going shoulder surgery, perhaps to get ready for the upcoming season.  And although he is retired, and in free agency, the Vikings, Favre said, would clearly be the team that he joins.

With this in my mind, it certainly warrants him attention in upcoming fantasy drafts.  Favre has shown throughout his illustrious career that he can play well in this league, young or old, and the fact that he will be playing against his former team means that he will be extra motivated to perform well.

The Vikings have deep-threat Bernard Berrian, emerging wideout Sidney Rice, and newly acquired playmaker Percy Harvin.  This certainly bodes well for Favre's air it out approach since Berrian and Harvin have the speed to complement his style.  And with Adrian Peterson forcing eight defenders in the box, the passing lanes should be open for him to fill them up.

Favre is being drafted in the 17th round in 12 man leagues, around the time when defenses and kickers start getting the call up.  Certainly Favre is one to take a chance on as he could pay huge dividends for the cheap price it will take to get him.

projection:  (if with Vikings), 3,500 yards, 20 touchdowns, 18 interceptions

So when you're next on the clock, and one of these question mark players are there, don't be afraid to snatch them up. 

Just make sure it's not too early.