Week 1 of the college season certainly stole the football headlines Saturday, but with a few important fantasy developments, cut day wasn't a complete snoozefest .
- Minnesota struck a deal with the Eagles to acquire quarterback Sam Bradford, and while only a fantasy ripple in SuperFlex and two-QB settings, it should prove to hurt what little value Bradford carried. Not only will the Vikings look to rely on their defense and running attack, Norv Turner's intricate offense could take some time for Bradford to become competent in. With Philadelphia looking like a potential doormat, as an Eagle, Bradford could have relied on volume to pad his fantasy stats through the necessity of a pass-happy game script. In a similar situation last year, he did finish with an average of 30 completions and 327 yards per game over the final four weeks.
- Next, Philadelphia declared Carson Wentz their starter once healthy, which could potentially be in Week 1. Yikes. By all reports, he has been shaky during training camp and didn't take the field in any of the final three preseason games. There is no way to feel secure about Jordan Matthews and potentially even Ryan Mathews. This could quickly become a lost season for the entire offense and a fantasy wasteland. Obviously, there is value at a certain point in drafts for any No. 1 option in the passing game (Matthews), but how confident are you going to be locking him into your lineup? At his current ADP, he's being selected as a weekly contributor.
- Justin Forsett was released Saturday, which opens the door for Terrance West to see some early-season run as a low-end RB2 with upside. The consistent drum beat of positivity surrounding West dates back to OTAs, but he doesn't have the backfield to himself. Javorius Allen also proved capable of handling the load for a spurt last year, but West is likely the better rusher in short-yardage and goal-line situations, which is more favorable in standard and touchdown-heavy settings. Allen, on the other hand, remains a nice depth piece with upside in PPR leagues. However, Kenneth Dixon has the makings of the complete package and could be close to a bell-cow back by seasons' end. Assuming he's eased back into the mix and healthy, he'll be fresh and explosive when opposing defenses are fatigued by half a season of wear and tear.
- Contrary to previous reports, Carlos Hyde still hasn't been fully cleared from the concussion protocol, which puts his status for Week 1 in jeopardy. Head coach Chip Kelly expects Hyde to be ready for the opener, but concussions are finicky injuries. Plus, if Hyde is limited in practice this week, a date with the Los Angeles Rams isn't exactly a friendly setting. Hyde's situation doesn't present well for his fantasy upside, either. It's rare to have an impact running back from a basement-dwelling team, and after Hyde's explosive Week 1 showing last year, he averaged just 3.39 yards per tout over the next six games. A lot needs to break in Hyde's favor for a breakout showing, and no one should fret missing out on him in the early middle rounds of drafts.
- Mark Sanchez signed with the Cowboys after being released by the Broncos Saturday. There's no immediate fantasy impact, as Sanchez has proven to be nothing more than a fringe fantasy option in SuperFlex and two-QB leagues. Still, Dak Prescott is unproven, and who would be shocked if Tony Romo's back injury is career threatening? With the weapons in Dallas, if Sanchez ascended to the starting role, he'd enter the conversation as a potential streamer, DFS flier and an option in leagues where you can start two quarterbacks.
- Sticking in Big D, Darren McFadden was played on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, despite his insistence he was ready to return to practice. The organization is able to keep both Darius Jackson and Lance Dunbar for the time being with McFadden's designation, and the veteran back becomes waiver-wire fodder in the majority of leagues. Alfred Morris has looked solid in his new digs, and in the event of an Ezekiel Elliott injury, Morris could be in the running to produce RB1 returns behind the Dallas offensive line.
- Other notable players cut Saturday were Andre Williams, Aaron Dobson, Stevan Ridley, Jace Amaro, Cecil Shorts and Kenny Bell.