Wes Welker Should Be Benched by Fantasy Owners Even If Reinstated by Week 2

In the event Wes Welker sees the field for the Denver Broncos this weekend, fantasy football owners should remain skeptical as to his value in Week 2.

Before the regular season began, the NFL handed Welker a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Despite that, the 33-year-old could be reinstated by as early as Sunday, when the Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported that the league and players union are still working on a potential deal and that player reps could vote on a new policy on Wednesday:

The chances that the two sides finalize a deal on Wednesday is very slim; the chances that Welker's suspension is wiped off the books is even slimmer, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora:

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And sources on both sides of the negotiation also agreed that the idea of 'amnesty' for players who are about to begin suspensions, like Wes Welker and Josh Gordon, has always been 'very unlikely,' and not something either side is vigorously pursuing. 'Right now I don't see us reaching an agreement in the near term with or without player suspensions being lifted,' a league source said.

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Hypothetically speaking, if Welker's available for Sunday, his fantasy value might be a bit limited.

The good news is that the veteran is cleared for game action. Klis reported earlier that an independent doctor evaluated Welker and gave him the green light for Sunday.

Bleacher Report's Will Carroll pointed out at the time that his suspension was a blessing in disguise in a way, as Welker was allowed more time to recover from his concussion:

With that said, you wonder how effective he can be coming off what was his third concussion during his short time with the Broncos. In the weeks before he was knocked out against the Tennessee Titans, his production was somewhat underwhelming:

Week	Rec.	Yards	TDs
1	9	67	2
2	3	39	1
3	7	84	1
4	7	76	2
5	5	49	1
6	6	63	1
7	7	96	0
8	6	81	1
9	BYE	---	---
10	3	21	0
11	8	72	0
12	4	31	0
13	3	38	0
14	5	61	1

Welker's 59.8 yards-per-game average in 2013 was his lowest since 2010.

At his age, Welker simply can't keep on being the workhorse that many fans have come to expect. When you throw in the concussions, his previous work rate becomes even more unsustainable. If the Broncos wide receiver isn't averaging seven or eight receptions a game, then his value diminishes quite a bit.

Not only that, but Denver also has no shortage of options in the passing game, especially after the addition of Emmanuel Sanders in the offseason. Sanders recorded six receptions for 77 yards in the Broncos' Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but even he can't spread the wealth equally across Sanders, Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas. Somebody's going to get a raw deal, and you'd have to believe that it will be Welker when he eventually does return—whenever that may be.

Welker even hinted at the fact that he may end up with a diminished role in the offense this year when asked in the offseason about the Sanders signing, per CBS 4 in Denver:

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I don’t really don’t think about it like that anymore. I want us to be the best team we can be. So whatever that means, you know, that’s what it is. Trust me, I understand that I’m 33 and going in my 11th year, and I want us to be the best team possible, and whoever that takes being out here, that’s what I’m about.

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On Sunday, the Broncos play the Chiefs in what should be a tough game. Kansas City will be smarting from its 26-10 defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. Atoning for last week's hiccup will be a strong motivator for the Chiefs defense.

Kansas City had a top-10 pass defense last year, according to Football Outsiders. Although the Chiefs made some changes in the offseason, that unit hasn't become helpless in the space of a few months.

When you combine what should be a tough matchup for the Broncos with Welker's health problems and possible reduction in targets, you get a player who isn't worth putting in your starting lineup this weekend if he becomes available.