Ahmad Bradshaw: FA
1 Game marijuana possession charge
Bradshaw is a free agent so this should hinder his search for a new team, but as teams get desperate for running backs later on in the year so he could have a shot.
Trey Watts (St. Louis Rams):
4 games violated league's substance abuse policy
Special teams player, Watt has little to no fantasy value and should be easily replaced if the Rams choose to let him go.
Victor Butler (New York Giants)
4 games for PEDs
Not a major player on the defensive side of the ball, Giants could release him with this looming suspension.
Eben Britton: FA
4 games for undisclosed reasons
Has never started for the Bears, suspension cause unknown.
LaRon Landry: FA
10 games
2nd time being found guilty of taking PEDs
His second suspension somewhat insures his return to the league is doubtful.
Marcell Dareus (Buffalo Bills)
1 game
Violated league's substance abuse policy (alcohol)
Bills will probably extend his contract and with a week 1 suspension they have time. Dareus will instantly bring back the punch to Buffalo's defensive line in week 2.
Dion Jordan (Miami Dolphins)
All of the 2015 season
Substance abuse violations 2nd offense
Jordan is talented but to be suspended for the whole season and to not be released, you better be.
LeGarrette Blount (New England Patriots)
1 game
LeVeon Bell traffic stop incident
Blount is safe and should be the power back in the Patriot's offense, the suspension stems from his days on the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was pulled over with Le'Veon Bell when Bell was charged with a DUI.
Justin Blackmon (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Suspended since November 2013
Substance abuse policy
Blackmon has applied to be reinstated but that request has been denied. The NFL counts a missed drug test as a failed one so this could be the reason however Blackmon will likely have little fantasy relevance any time soon.
Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
4 games (being appealed)
Deflategate
Brady's appeal and suspension are still be discussed internally by the NFL, whether the punishments will stick is up for debate. The NFL has seemed as if they are going to make an example out of Brady after letting the Patriots as a whole off the hook. Let's remember the organization could have been fined $1 million dollars along with multiple draft picks. Regardless Brady has definite fantasy relevance and could be drafted as a starting quarterback however a good back up would be necessary.
Greg Hardy (Dallas Cowboys)
4 games (could be appealed further)
Domestic abuse case
Hardy already served 15 games during his time with Carolina, now he faced a 10 game suspension to start his career with the Cowboys. After appealing the suspension Hardy got it reduced to 4, he can still appeal to shorten the 4 game suspension but it is not known if the NFLPA will advise him to do so. Hardy will make an immediate impact on defense for Dallas.
Josh Gordon (Cleveland Browns)
Out for 2015 season
3rd strike (alcohol)
This was Gordon's third strike but it does seem silly suspending such a talented wide receiver and hindering an entire organization from success because Gordon had some alcohol on a plane with his teammates. Regardless it happened Gordon should be back for the 2016 season.
Le'Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
3 games
DUI charges
Bell has apparently attempted to appeal his suspension but I doubt it will work. Bell is a top tier fantasy running back but if you draft him you will likely need some players who can make up for his absence for the first 3 games.
Datone Jones (Green Bay Packers)
1 game
Marijuana use
Jones was charged with possession right after the Packers came back from their loss in the NFC Championship game. Jones is a modest role player on the Packers; their defense should be fine for the one game he's gone.
Sheldon Richardson (New York Jets)
4 games
Marijuana use
This one should be a bad one for the Jets. The defense needs all of the help they can get and this suspension could halt the Jet's defense if Leonard Williams doesn't start the season strong.
Rolando McClain (Dallas Cowboys)
4 games
Violation of the league's substance abuse policy
The Cowboys have prepared for this suspension in free agency and the draft signing depth bolstering linebackers. I expect the loss of Hardy will have more of an impact than McClain.
Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers)
4 game suspension
PEDs
Gates cannot be a top tight end this season in fantasy football, those 4 games are a killer and he is 35. Gates says he never knowingly ingested any banned substance but at 35 its hard to believe him.
Jarrett Bush (Green Bay Packers)
4 games
Violated leagues policy on performance enhancing drugs
His absence will not hinder the Packers very much, as far as defensive backs he is towards the bottom of the depth chart.
