Kenneth Dixon's suspension erodes his fantasy value
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Here's a look at the fantasy consequences of Baltimore RB Kenneth Dixon being suspended for the first four games of 2017 due to a PED violation:
The #Ravens announce RB Kenneth Dixon is suspended for the first 4 games on a PED suspension
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
The addition of RB Danny Woodhead to Baltimore's backfield already sent Dixon's fantasy appeal southward. The news of a four-game suspension certainly won't help. This absence will only make it easier for Woodhead to carve himself out a legitimate role and vie for touches throughout the season.
RB Terrance West, who logged 774 yards on 193 carries last season, received a free agent tender and could also return to Baltimore, further complicating the backfield situation. All in all, it's shaping up to be a perplexing situation for fantasy owners.
Specific to Dixon, expect to see his ADP decline swiftly. The suspension and threat posed by Woodhead will be enough to push him into the RB3/4 territory and likely remove him from some draft boards entirely. He should be approached with caution in all redraft leagues, and owners don't have much incentive to reach for him come draft day.
Dynasty Leagues
For those already invested in Dixon, there isn't much choice to hope this suspension is no more than a blip in the radar. A four-game suspension by no means changes his long-term projection. The addition of Woodhead, more than anything, already jeopardized that.
But at 23 and with a successful rookie campaign under his belt, Dixon still projects to be a significant part of Baltimore's offense for years to come.
Woodhead becomes an early-season must have
On the other side of the coin, expect Woodhead's ADP to jump with news of Dixon's suspension - so much so that someone in your draft will likely reach for him a round or two earlier than projected. With four potential starts and fantastic PPR appeal, Woodhead could tally upwards of 300 total yards and three touchdowns through the first four weeks.
Production like that would probably land him a larger role for the remainder of the season.