In the middle of the summer, fantasy football players begin to scout, research, and develop a strategy for their drafts. Once training camp starts, the depth chart works itself out and then the fantasy football world then translates what the players values will be when the season starts. One problem with early drafts are that these battles for a starting spot have not culminated yet. For those still preparing, here are some positional battles that will impact fantasy football this year.
Bishop Sankey vs. Shonn Greene
The battle for the Titans starting running back will be the most talked about for the rest of camp. There is little doubt that Sankey is the better of the two backs, but if Greene is more reliable and the Titans coaching staff wants to go with the veteran over a rookie, then Greene's ADP will rise and Sankey's will fall. This is not a bad thing for Sankey owners though, as he will still have a lot of value.
Teddy Bridgewater vs. Matt Cassel
In what could be the most important battle in the NFC North, the Vikings quarterback job will be decided before the season starts. Some Vikings fans want Cassel, but the fantasy football world wants Bridgewater because he has the ability to make more throws. Either way, the quarterback for the Vikings will be a sought-after target with Norv Turner at the helm.
Chris Johnson vs. Chris Ivory
Another year, another battle for the Jets starting running back. The battle of the Chris' seems to favor Johnson, but Ivory is a very talented runner when healthy. This should be a running back by committee, but whoever wins the job will see an increase in their ADP, giving the other one more value.
Johnny Manziel vs. Brian Hoyer
Have we heard enough about Johnny Football yet this summer? If he ends up starting over Hoyer, it will be a never-ending fiasco of coverage. As far as fantasy football goes, he would be an instant target for late round quarterback advocates, considering his high floor as a quarterback who can run the ball.
Khiry Robinson vs. Mark Ingram vs. Pierre Thomas
History has shown that the Saints offense has produced a few fantasy relevant players, especially in PPR scoring. But the race for the starting job with Darren Sproles out of the picture has begun. Some tend to think that Robinson and Ingram will carry the load, but Thomas is still a viable back, who had a career year in the passing game in 2013.
Terrence West vs. Ben Tate
The Browns signed Tate as a free agent, they also drafted West to be in the mix. Cleveland also has a very talented third back in Isaiah Crowell, but the race is between Tate and West. West looked very good in the first preseason game, but the Browns may be leaning towards giving the job to a veteran that has the skills to do anything that is asked of him. Either way, the Browns running back job will have a lot of bearing on fantasy drafts.
Trent Richardson vs. Ahmad Bradshaw
Ever since the Colts traded for Richardson, we have waiting for him to break out and fix his issues. It has not happened yet, and it could be one of the worst trades we have seen in awhile in the NFL. Richardson struggles in every phase of the game except for the open field, where nearly every running back in the NFL succeeds. Bradshaw is a savvy veteran who is one of the premier pass blockers in the NFL at his position. This could easily go towards Bradshaw, so keep an eye out for this battle.