Impact Report: Potential Holdouts

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans – The elite receiver made it known that he would like a lucrative new deal with the Texans, but also stated that he is not going to push it. He missed some time in OTAs, but it does not sound like he intends to hold out in training camp. Johnson is under contract through 2014, and is slated to rake in a base salary of $5.8MM in 2010.

Fantasy Outlook: $5.8MM is a lot of money, but you cannot really argue with Johnson and say he is not worth more after averaging 108 receptions, 1,572 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two seasons. Houston GM Rick Smith would like to make Johnson happy with a salary adjustment before Week 1, but noted that the team policy is to focus on games once the season starts. Johnson remains firmly planted as our No. 1 ranked fantasy receiver for 2010, and we don't expect him to miss any time at the start of the regular season even if the club can't give him a raise before then.

WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts – Wayne covets a new deal, despite having two years left on his current contract with the Colts. He has been skipping minicamps up to this point of the offseason. Team President Bill Polian made it clear that Indy will not be renegotiating his contract, and he is slated to pocket a base salary of $5.47MM in 2010. He has hinted at a lengthy holdout, but is yet to officially state that to the team or media.

Fantasy Outlook: Wayne is among the top receivers in the NFL, but the Colts are likely holding off on extending him with quarterback Peyton Manning entering a contract year, and a higher priority to lock up –- especially since Wayne will turn 32 in November. Even if Wayne does miss some time in training camp, we don't think he will consider sitting out games in the regular season, and is not viewed as a draft risk among No. 1 fantasy receivers for now.  

WR Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers – If you haven't read our full feature on Jackson, then do so now by following this link.

Fantasy Outlook: Regardless if Jackson gives in or San Diego hands him the deal that he covets, the star receiver will still have to sit out the first three games of the year while serving a suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Even if Jackson does get traded - which is believed to be unlikely - Jackson would have to take time to learn a new offense and there is no telling how he would fit in. As of now, Jackson is best “red-flagged” in fantasy drafts to avoid any aggravation. 

WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles – There has been little to no progress in contract negotiations for the third-year receiver, but Jackson is not believed to be considering a holdout for the start of training camp as of now.

Fantasy Outlook: Jackson is certainly worthy of a lucrative long-term extension after impressively leading all receivers last year with 10 catches of 40 yards or longer, which was one more than stud Andre Johnson. Jackson looks to be a hot fantasy target, as he is at the point of his career where receivers traditionally break out, and he will have the added motivation to perform well while angling for his new deal.   

WR Patrick Crayton, Dallas Cowboys – Crayton would like to be released by Dallas. He even accused the club of tampering with his career and life, because he strongly believes that they will ultimately cut him loose at some point before the start of the season and are merely holding onto him for now as an insurance policy for injuries.

Fantasy Outlook: Crayton isn't much of a team player, and his fantasy outlook for 2010 does not look good with Miles Austin, rookie Dez Bryant and Roy Williams all projected to rank ahead of him on the Cowboys' depth chart. Even worse, there is belief that second-year pro Kevin Ogletree could pass him as well. He is still talented enough to do some damage in a slot role, but will have to find it elsewhere. In other words, Crayton should not be on anyone's fantasy radar as of now.   

RB Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills – There have been rumors circulating that Lynch does not want to play for the Bills and would like to be traded, but he stated earlier in July that he is ready to serve with the club whether he is happy or not. The Bills will take nothing short of a second-round draft pick in exchange for Lynch, so he likely realizes he doesn't have many options regarding playing elsewhere.

Fantasy Outlook: The former first-round pick (2007) is just 24 and averages 4.0 yards per carry over his career, but will be hard-pressed to be a factor in fantasy leagues this year unless Fred Jackson or rookie C.J. Spiller go down with an injury, or if he manages to find his way out of Buffalo and into a better situation. 

TE Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans – The Titans made it clear that Scaife will not be getting a new contract during the offseason, and he annoyed head coach Jeff Fisher for skipping voluntary team workouts back in May.

Fantasy Outlook: Scaife is a sound tight end, but is far from being a star, and the Titans believe he is being paid well for 2010 at $4.9MM. He stated earlier in July that he is no longer displeased with his contract situation, but he is just a No. 2 option for fantasy leagues when in action.  

LT Marcus McNeill, San Diego Chargers – McNeill intends to hold out with teammate Jackson, but is more likely than the stud receiver to give in and play. Jackson's holdout could last through Week 10 of the regular season.

Fantasy Outlook: McNeill is the anchor of San Diego's offensive line at left tackle, and it is clearly very important that they get him on the field before the start of the regular season. The Chargers averaged an NFL-worst 3.3 rushing yards per carry last year, and cannot afford to be without McNeill. We will feel better about targeting rookie running back Ryan Mathews with a premium draft pick if McNeill is settled in as well.   

C Nick Mangold, New York Jets – Mangold desires a new long-term extension with the Jets, and noted back in May that “it is a security thing.” Team owner Woody Johnson would like to fulfill Mangold's wish, but admitted that the club has tight rules regarding exactly who they can pay and how much money they can shell out.

Fantasy Outlook: Mangold is yet to hint at a holdout, but the Jets' offensive line would not be quite as stellar if the elite center ultimately decides to do so –- which would in turn affect the timing and rhythm of the passing game for quarterback Mark Sanchez, as well as lower the chances of running back Shonn Greene being an impact fantasy player in his first year as a starter. The Jets should realize that Mangold is a key piece of their franchise, as he is just 26 and is yet to miss a start so far in his career. 

DE Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts – Like teammate Wayne, the Colts said Mathis won't be getting a new deal anytime soon. Mathis is playing on a five-year deal worth $30MM signed back in 2006.

Fantasy Outlook: Injuries came at a bad time for Mathis in 2009, as he was limited to 37 tackles (24 solo) and 9.5 sacks over 14 games (nine starts). He has not played a full 16-game season since 2006, and the Colts drafted defensive end Jerry Hughes in the first-round as insurance in case Mathis either continues to get hurt or opts for a lengthy holdout. Bottom line –- Mathis will be worth targeting as a No. 1 defensive lineman for IDP leagues if he decides against holding out.

DE Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings – Edwards missed some activities with the Vikings earlier in the offseason while trying to get a long-term deal, but he settled for a one-year tender worth $2.521MM in June.

Fantasy Outlook: The young defensive end hinted in May that he could consider a holdout, but that no longer seems to be the case. Edwards finished the 2009 campaign strong by notching four sacks over two playoff games, with three coming versus Dallas. He also had a sack in each of the final two battles of the regular season, and we anticipate him having a big year in 2010, especially with the added motivation of playing for a lucrative new contract. 

DT Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins – Haynesworth irked his teammates when he was docked $10,000 for skipping a mandatory minicamp back in June, but he stated that he intends to show up at training camp on time and in shape. He reportedly shed 32 pounds since beginning his workout routine back in April.

Fantasy Outlook: Haynesworth is displeased that the Redskins will be moving to a 3-4 defense this year and will be asked to serve various roles like nose tackle, but he gladly accepted his $21MM roster bonus back in March. Head coach Mike Shanahan spoke with Haynesworth before that point and said he would let him go if he did not want to be a member of the team. While we expect Haynesworth to be with Washington, there is no telling if he will perform at the top of his ability –- making him an unstable prospect for IDP leagues. It may be best for his fantasy stock if he is traded, but that would depend on where he lands of course.

CB Darrelle Revis, New York Jets – Revis and the Jets have not made much progress in negotiations for a new contract, but the elite cornerback does not intend to hold out in training camp in order to get it done or move talks along faster. He wants to be the highest paid at his position, and namely desires a bigger contract than Nnamdi Asomugha of Oakland. The star holds the option to void his current contract at the end of the 2010 campaign, but New York has the right to buy back the remaining two years at $20MM, fully guaranteed. So Revis could potentially jeopardize losing that guaranteed part of his deal if he decides to miss any mandatory time during a holdout.

Fantasy Outlook: The Jets reportedly promised Revis that he will be the highest paid player at his position, so you cannot blame him if he ultimately decides to hold out. New York's pass defense would obviously take a hit if Revis misses some time into the season, and they would lose some power fantasy-wise as he led the club with six interceptions in 2009, one of which he returned for a touchdown. His absence would also give first-round draft pick Kyle Wilson a chance to start, who displayed toughness and good radar for the pigskin during his collegiate career at Boise State.

CB Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville Jaguars – Mathis has been taking a hard stance in his bid to get a new deal from Jacksonville, as he held out of OTAs so far in the offseason. He namely wants a raise on his current 2010 salary of $3.95MM.

Fantasy Outlook: This could end up getting ugly, as the Jaguars are not likely going to give in to Mathis' demands. He will turn 30 in August, and has not played a full 16-game slate since 2006, and was shelved for six games last year due to groin and finger injuries. He is no longer among the league's top cornerbacks either. The Jaguars' pass defense is expected to be weak if he is in action for the start of the season or not, and they are not going to be a viable fantasy defense either way additionally.   

OLB Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers – Like teammates Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill, Merriman is reportedly prepared to sit out training camp if San Diego does not honor him with a new contract –- but he does plan on going as far as missing any games in the regular season.

Fantasy Outlook: GM A.J. Smith is yet to budge on negotiating a new deal for elite receiver Jackson, so it seems unlikely that Merriman will be getting one, as he has not been an effective pass rusher since 2007 due to injuries. He is still worth a look as a flier for IDP leagues though, just in case he regains his edge and returns to fantasy prominence. He will certainly have a chip on his shoulder to do so.

OLB LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers are not expected to lock up Woodley with a new deal before the start of the 2010 season, and he noted that the team is taking a gamble on the hope that placing a franchise tag on him will be an option for next year. He said, "If there is no franchise tag, I guess I can play for 31 other teams now. That's what it boils down to. If they'd wanted to keep other teams from getting a crack, they could've tried to do so."

Fantasy Outlook: While Woodley firmly believes the Steelers should ink him to a new contract, he is not expected to be a holdout for training camp, namely going by Pittsburgh's good track record of taking care of their top players. Woodley is a rising fantasy star, and has us excited about 2010 after notching at least one sack in seven of his last eight games last year. Expect him to pick up where he left off, especially while working for a new deal.  

Here is a rundown of the notable first-round draft picks who are currently unsigned…

QB Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams (pick No. 1) – Bradford would like to be signed before the start of training camp –- but that does not mean he will lower his lofty demands of a contract in the $45-50MM range. Either way, A.J. Feeley is the top candidate to start for the Rams in Week 1.

DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions (pick No. 2) – The intimidating defensive tackle expects to be signed by Detroit before the start of training camp later this month. Right end Kyle Vanden Bosch would not be quite as effective as a pass rusher if he doesn't have the rookie ready to serve and occupy blockers in the heart of the Lions' defensive line.   

RB C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills (pick No. 9) – Spiller stated that he may not be signed by the start of training camp, and added that he must be patient regarding the negotiating process. He turned heads during minicamps back in May, but a potential holdout would give Fred Jackson a golden opportunity to retain his starting role at running back for the start of the regular season.

RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers (pick No. 12) – Mathews backed off of his promise made in early July that he would not be a holdout, and there are only seven days left for him to ink a deal before San Diego opens training camp on July 30. If he does miss some time in camp, it would not be hard for him to beat out the undersized Darren Sproles for the starting gig at running back when he does eventually sign though.