NFL Barometer: Rawls Ready to Roll?

With many NFL starters rested for the preseason finales, most of this week's entries relate to players whose roles have been uncertain throughout the preseason as we head into Week 1.

RISING
Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA

A long recovery from an ankle injury finally appears to be over for the second-year running back, as Rawls made his debut in the team's final preseason game. Although he only received two carries, it's clear that he's ready for the season opener. Despite the emergence of Christine Michael this summer, Rawls is expected to be the Seahawks' lead back, and his ADP of 40 seems to have built in potential risk of diminished carries for a player who averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 147 rushing attempts last year.

Spencer Ware, RB, KC

While Jamaal Charles (knee) appears as if he'll need a bit more time to re-claim his role as the Chiefs' primary ball-carrier, Ware figures to see a significant work until Charles is ready to roll. After averaging 5.6 yards per carry in 2015 with a strong goal-line presence, Ware should have at least a RB2 value if Charles misses time, and he could have value as a flex option if he eventually shares touches upon the veteran's return. Charles' owners should strongly consider adding Ware as a handcuff at least a couple rounds before his 135 ADP. However, teams that loaded up early in drafts at wide receiver, could draft Ware to play mix-and-match at running back.

Carson Wentz, QB, PHI

The future has become the present in Philly after the Eagles traded Sam Bradford and then quickly elevated Wentz (ribs) to the role of Week 1 starter. After receiving limited preseason work due to a rib injury, he could struggle early, but he has the potential to show improvement as the season progresses. He's best viewed as a bench option now, but he could become viable in two-QB leagues. However, don't feel the need to be too aggressive in going after him, as he should be one of the last quarterbacks drafted, and that's if he's even drafted at all.

Case Keenum, QB, LA

Well, there are only 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL, and Keenum is one of them to open the season. In addition, he may have the Rams' job for a while, as top draft pick Jared Goff is third on the team's depth chart. He shouldn't be considered more than an emergency option in leagues that start two quarterbacks, as he only threw for four touchdowns in five starts last year. Don't expect his production to grow much from 2015, since the Rams will continue to be a run-heavy team with a limited passing attack, so there's no reason to aggressively target him in drafts. However, those in clear need of depth will need to consider him as an option.

CHECK STATUS

Jamaal Charles, RB, KC

Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn't exactly the most forthcoming with injury information, but it appears possible that Charles (knee) could miss Week 1, with the intention of easing him back into action. Since he wasn't placed on the PUP list, it would appear that the team expects to have him back in the lineup early in the season, though there's no guarantee as to what to expect in terms of his health. Those drafting this week likely will get him lower than his ADP of 23. If you feel good about him returning to pre-injury form, he's well worth the gamble on draft day, but consider hedging your bet by grabbing Spencer Ware.

Sam Bradford, QB, MIN

Nobody really has any idea what Bradford is capable of, as he's set to become the Vikings' starting quarterback as early as Week 2. When healthy, he's always thrown for more touchdowns than interceptions while typically completing 60 percent of his passes. During his first six seasons, he avoided the injured reserve in four of them, and played on an offensively challenged Rams' squad while never throwing for more than 21 touchdowns in a season. In 2015, he played for the Eagles under coach Chip Kelly, where play volume helped him throw 19 touchdown passes in 14 games, but that unique system doesn't really translate into typical NFL success. What makes Bradford interesting is that this is the first time that he'll play in an offense with a strong running game and offensive line along with weapons in the passing game. He'll also have a good offensive coordinator in Norv Turner, making him an interesting option in leagues that start two quarterbacks. In addition, he typically can be selected at the end of fantasy drafts.

Dennis Pitta, TE, BAL

Despite not playing in an NFL game in almost two years, Pitta (finger) is coming back from a pair of hip dislocations that placed his career in jeopardy. However, with Ben Watson (Achilles) lost for the season, Pitta's listed as the No. 1 tight end on the Ravens' depth chart. The 31-year-old had a great on-field rapport with Joe Flacco, but the only season he was fantasy relevant was 2012, when he caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. Flacco has typically targeted his tight ends liberally, so Pitta could be worth a dart throw in deep leagues on the hopes that he can pick up where he left off before the injuries.

John Brown, WR, ARI

If appears that all systems are go with Brown after he played two series in the Cardinals' preseason finale after missing most of the preseason with a concussion. Obviously, it's not easy to invest in a player who missed significant time with a brain injury, since the chance for recurrence is always just a hit away. However, his ADP is at 87, which is the point in the draft where owners can take a bit of a risk. He'll start the season healthy, and in his third NFL season, is a candidate to build upon his 1,003-yard season that included seven touchdowns.

FALLING

Corey Coleman, WR, CLE

Sure, Coleman was the first receiver taken in the 2016 NFL draft because of his blazing speed and playmaking ability. However, after missing preseason time with a hamstring injury, he only went on to catch a single pass in the two games he played. There are plenty of top rookie receivers who have struggled in their first season in the league, and he could be facing a bit of a learning curve. In addition, he'll be sharing targets with Gary Barnidge, Duke Johnson and Terrelle Pryor to start the year before Josh Gordon returns in Week 5.

Jared Goff, QB, LA

It's understandable when an NFL team chooses to let its No. 1 draft pick learn from the sidelines before being thrown into the fire. Unfortunately, those quarterbacks usually start the season as the clear backup before seeing the field at some point during the season. However, it's troubling that Goff was moved to third on the depth chart behind Sean Mannion after the rookie completed just 6-of-16 passes for 67 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in the Rams' final preseason game.

Tony Romo, QB, DAL

After breaking two bones in his back, Romo was expected to miss six to 10 weeks, but now that estimate has changed to eight to 10 weeks. That would indicate that the veteran will almost certainly miss half the season. He shouldn't be considered on draft day, unless you're in league has a large number of bench spots.

Darren McFadden, RB, DAL

An offseason elbow injury has landed McFadden on the reserve/non-football injury list, which will force him to miss at least the Cowboys' first six games. While he was missing preseason time, Alfred Morris appears to have firmly entrenched himself as the backup to rookie Ezekiel Elliott. After posting the second 1,000-yard season of his eight-year career in 2015, it now appears that he'll struggle to have significant fantasy value this season. At best, he could merit a look on the waiver wire around Week 4 if Morris seems struggles in his reserve role.