This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
As we're still about a week away from a full slate of preseason contests, this week we'll take a look at players who could or will miss time this year. Of the players listed, situations due to injury, suspension or holdout will be addressed.
Defensive line
Khalil Mack – Raiders
Since the Raiders haven't given Mack a contract extension, he's yet to report to training camp. For now, this isn't a huge deal, but if this stalemate drags on a few more weeks, it may become problematic to draft a player who could choose to extend his holdout into the regular season.
Aaron Donald – Rams
As expected, Donald didn't report to training camp for the second-straight year, as he angles for a new deal. Those drafting early in the preseason will need to consider the possibility that the superstar chooses to extend his holdout into the regular season. Of course, his upside, especially now that he's playing alongside Ndamukong Suh, is at an all-time high, and he could be a player to draft and stash in the hopes that he'll record the best fantasy season of his career.
Dante Fowler Jr. – Jaguars
Not only is Fowler dealing with a one-game suspension to start the year, but the shoulder injury he's recovering from leaves him without a clear timetable for his return. Due to the one-week suspension, it will be tough to draft him in IDP leagues but keeping an eye on the status of his shoulder is
As we're still about a week away from a full slate of preseason contests, this week we'll take a look at players who could or will miss time this year. Of the players listed, situations due to injury, suspension or holdout will be addressed.
Defensive line
Khalil Mack – Raiders
Since the Raiders haven't given Mack a contract extension, he's yet to report to training camp. For now, this isn't a huge deal, but if this stalemate drags on a few more weeks, it may become problematic to draft a player who could choose to extend his holdout into the regular season.
Aaron Donald – Rams
As expected, Donald didn't report to training camp for the second-straight year, as he angles for a new deal. Those drafting early in the preseason will need to consider the possibility that the superstar chooses to extend his holdout into the regular season. Of course, his upside, especially now that he's playing alongside Ndamukong Suh, is at an all-time high, and he could be a player to draft and stash in the hopes that he'll record the best fantasy season of his career.
Dante Fowler Jr. – Jaguars
Not only is Fowler dealing with a one-game suspension to start the year, but the shoulder injury he's recovering from leaves him without a clear timetable for his return. Due to the one-week suspension, it will be tough to draft him in IDP leagues but keeping an eye on the status of his shoulder is the much bigger issue for now. Before these developments, the third-year player was looking to build on the impressive eight sacks he registered last year.
Brandon Graham – Eagles
Even though he toughed-out a high-ankle sprain to play in the Super Bowl, Graham underwent surgery during the offseason, leading to him being placed on the PUP list. Although he's confident he'll be ready to roll in Week 1 of his contract year, there's a chance he starts the season slowly or possibly misses time. After posting a career-high 9.5 sacks last year, his injury makes him a risky player to draft, but if he goes undrafted, he'll be a player to monitor as a waiver wire pickup.
David Irving – Cowboys
During his time with Dallas, Irving has shown flashes of being an excellent pass rusher, especially after notching seven sacks in eight games last year. However, he'll start the season with a four-game suspension, so he should be monitored on the waiver wire as he nears a return to action.
Dion Jordan – Seahawks
After a strong finish to the 2017 season, Jordan looked like a solid sleeper candidate at defensive end. Unfortunately, he's dealing with a stress issue in his leg, and although it's not the same leg on which he had his knee surgically repaired during the offseason, it's unclear if he'll miss regular season time. Until this situation is resolved, it might be best to let Jordan hit the waiver wire.
Linebacker
Jake Ryan – Packers
Ryan tore his ACL and will miss the season. The inside linebacker was slated to start next to Blake Martinez after notching 81 tackles and a sack on 507 snaps in 15 games last year.
Vontaze Burfict – Bengals
In news that's surprising to no one, Burfict will miss the first four games of the season due to another suspension. Of course, once he returns, he'll likely be a valuable IDP asset, but it's recommended to try and grab him on waivers and let him go undrafted.
Defensive back
Jason Verrett – Chargers
At the very start of camp, Verrett tore his Achilles, ending his season. Since intercepting three passes in 14 games in 2015, he'll now have played just five games during the three seasons to follow.
Earl Thomas – Seahawks
The veteran's unhappy with his contract and didn't report to camp, and he's also issued an ultimatum that he won't play unless given a long-term contract or he's traded. It would seem that the most-likely scenario has him eventually being traded, but until there's clarity in this situation, he's not worth a selection in upcoming drafts.
Ross Cockrell – Panthers
Due to a broken left tibia and fibula he suffered during practice, Cockrell will undergo surgery and is expected to be placed on IR. Although he hasn't been a strong IDP option, he was considered to be in the mix for a starting job with the Panthers, a team in need of an upgraded secondary, but it now seems likely he'll miss the season.
