First Down: McCoy, Marshall, Benjamin among players falling in early fantasy drafts

Stock volatility is ever-present this time of the year. Any player blurb – arrest, suspension, potential holdout, hamstring tweak – can greatly swing fantasy perception in the eyes of potential investors.

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Those already knee-deep in mock drafting are fully aware of the ADP alterations currently taking place. Though training camp is still a couple weeks away, a number of previously treasured commodities are now considered trash, victims of untimely, damaging news.

Sifting through the cesspool, here are six players tumbling down the mountainside according to Fantasy Football Calculator:

Antonio Gates, SD, TE
Current ADP: 147.8 (TE15)
ADP Change: -3.97 rounds
The savvy veteran, slapped with a surprising four-game suspension in early July due to PED use, has undergone a complete ADP makeover. Consistently picked in Round 9 pre-infraction, he's now going nearly four rounds later and in many exercises not at all. Missed time combined with his advanced age (35) will undoubtedly keep the future Hall of Famer on the discount rack. For his early-season replacement, Ladarius Green, it's now or never. Hyped annually, he's failed to deliver numerous times. Philip Rivers and OC Frank Reich have spoken highly of the target this offseason noting his faster play. But nagging injuries and general rawness have stunted Green's growth. Unless the elevated backup sprints off the blocks, Gates will slide back into his customary role, a gig he's posted TE top-12 numbers every year since the days Uncle Rico threw footballs over them mountains (2004). Though a liability as a run-blocker, Gates, once activated, should see his usual 45-55 snaps and 5-7 targets per game. Given his still precise routes, box-out skills and red-zone effectiveness, he's worth stashing in 12-team and deeper leagues. Another 12 TDs are a long shot, but a final tally around 50-575-6 is possible.

Kelvin Benjamin, Car, WR
Current ADP: 36.4 (WR15)
ADP Change: -0.91 rounds
The Florida St. product was one of many reasons why 2014 was dubbed "The Year of the Rookie Wide Receiver." Though not the fleetest of foot, his size, strength and leaping ability wreaked havoc on defenses, particularly inside the red zone. His 73-1008-9 line tucked inside the top-15 among WRs in PPR and standard leagues. Despite his banner efforts last fall, a dreaded sophomore slump looms. Carolina's offense under Mike Shula, which ran the ball roughly 45 percent of the time in 2014, should again be largely conservative, at least by modern NFL standards. More troubling, he will become a focal point in defensive game plans, drawing more double teams in downfield coverage. Another 145 targets could be a stretch. Additionally, he missed substantial time during OTAs due to hamstring problems. And we can't forget he dropped 11 passes last year, the second-most among WRs. Put it together and Benjamin could be 2015's version of Keenan Allen, the biggest bust of last year's ballyhooed WR class. Even with a healthy productive season, it's unlikely he will build on his initial numbers.

Joique Bell, Det, RB
Current ADP: 58.3 (RB27)
ADP Change: -0.52 rounds
Those who selected Bell in the middle rounds last year were certainly #JoiqueInIt. His second consecutive year lumbering for 3.9 yards per carry wasn't ideal, but a strong presence in the pass game (34-322-1) combined with a nose for the end zone (8 total TDs) vaulted the Wayne State product into the RB top-15. Most rushers off a standout season would carry momentum into the follow-up, however, that description doesn't apply to Bell. Rookie Ameer Abdullah is a significant threat. Incredibly productive at Nebraska, he boasts a strong work ethic and versatile skill set. No doubt, he will challenge the incumbent for PT immediately. Joique, who underwent knee and Achilles procedures this offseason which resulted in conditioning issues, must shape up quickly if he wants to stake his claim atop the depth chart. Sans Bell, Abdullah greatly impressed the Lions coaching staff working with the first team in minicamp. His low pad level, soft hands and open-field shiftiness earned him wide acclaim, though he must keep his suspect pass protection and ball handling – he struggled with fumbles in college – at bay in preseason action to maintain good standing. If Bell rounds into form in training camp, he's sure to net at least 11-14 touches Week 1, carrying the mail on early downs and at the goal line. Recall he gained 67.9 percent of his yards after contact in '14. But if he proves ineffective, the youngster could relegate him to mop up duty. Theo Riddick, who will likely function as a slot receiver and occasional backfield safety valve, also doesn't help Joique's cause. Bell's 1,200-yard prediction for 2015 is beyond cra-cra.

Brandon Marshall, NYJ, WR
Current ADP: 54.8 (WR23)
ADP Change: -0.50 rounds
You would think trading in one bad quarterback for another would sustain a receiver's previous value, but off a somewhat disappointing campaign and disconnected from Marc Trestman's air-aggressive offense, Marshall isn't high on investor lists. Largely a $25-$30 receiver in auction drafts a season ago, he garnered a $13 winning bid in a recent "experts" exercise. Yes, the stigmas attached to the Jets are influential, but the environment is more nourishing than most believe. Previously shown in Kansas City and Buffalo, Chan Gailey, the Jets' offensive coordinator, is a competent play-caller. He spreads the love peppering defenses with a barrage of short-to-intermediate passes. Marshall is a big, physical target with a wide catch radius and sizable route tree who isn't intimidated by traffic. Provided he can stay healthy – he fought through rib and ankle setbacks last fall – a bounce back year is in order. At 31, he could easily log his seventh 80-1000-6 effort of his career. I know what you're thinking. Geno Smith couldn't throw a baseball through monster-truck tire from five yards out. His career 57.5 accuracy percentage and 34 INTs are proof. But Gailey's efficient system will give him every chance to succeed. If he falters, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is very familiar with the scheme from his Buffalo days, will pick up the pieces. Add in Eric Decker to reduce heat and Marshall has a reasonable chance to turn a tidy profit.

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Carlos Hyde, SF, RB
Current ADP: 40.0 (RB20)
ADP Change: -0.39 rounds
The rancid odor emanating along the Bay isn't the smell of dead and bloated fish, it's the Niners. Changeover stemming from free agency and early retirements has red-and-gold clad fans very concerned. Dark clouds are gathering. Working as Frank Gore's tag-team partner last year, Hyde showed flashes in his rookie campaign. On 83 attempts he gained a drool-worthy 70.3 percent of his yards after contact. He also ranked behind only Marshawn Lynch and Ahmad Bradshaw in elusive rating and drew a positive grade in pass protection according to PFF. The kid owns the tools, it's the situation that should make owners apprehensive. If the Niners defense is as generous as anticipated, it's entirely possible Reggie Bush will wrest away touches in catch-up scenarios. Toss in doubts about Colin Kaepernick and the offensive line and he may only log some 13-15 touches per game. From that viewpoint it's hard to justify the top-40 overall pick gamers are required to spend for his services. His ceiling is what Gore achieved last year – 9.5 fantasy points per game in a standard setting, the 24th-best output at RB. Blah.

LeSean McCoy, Buf, RB
Current ADP: 10.0 (RB8)
ADP Change: -0.34 rounds
The once prized rusher has transformed into a human avalanche. Though expected to tote a massive workload, possibly reaching DeMarco Murray heights from a season ago, many are purposely circumventing the three-time Pro Bowl selection. Their justifications are clear. Most glaring, the quarterback situation is a complete disaster. Matt Cassel, E.J. Manuel and Tyrod Taylor, with NERF swords in hand, are set for battle for the starting job. Joy. No matter who takes the cake, it's a forgone conclusion "Shady" will see innumerable stacked boxes behind an offensive line that was dead last in run-blocking last year per Pro Football Focus, slightly worse than Philly's No. 1 ranked unit. Richie Incognito and rookie John Miller will help, but the unit has a LONG road to respectability. Equally troubling, McCoy ranked at or near the bottom in several advanced metrics last fall including overall performance (-9.3, RB55), elusive rating (28.9, RB31), yards after contact percentage (48.9, RB41) and yards per route run (0.43, RB42). His timidity and absent vision on stretch runs were noticeable. Throw in a high odometer reading (1,808 career touches), declining role as a receiver and goal-line marginality (Career 36.5 TD success percentage inside the five) and it's plain to see why many are skittish. Sticking to my guns, give me alternatives Arian Foster (16.7 Yahoo ADP), Jeremy Hill (17.1) or C.J. Anderson (21.7), despite their own downsides, over him.

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