News: The Steelers signed the following players to Futures contracts Tuesday: LB Baraka Atkins, LB Mortty Ivy, RB James Johnson, RB Jamie McCoy and DB Donovan Warren.
Analysis: None of these players were or are expected to produce many stats in the first place. Keep them off of Fantasy rosters.
News: The Broncos cut LB Baraka Atkins and RB Bruce Hall on Sunday to make room for RB Andre Brown (NY Giants) and OL Chris Clark (Minnesota), who were claimed off waivers.
Analysis: Atkins had a chance to get some reps at outside linebacker with Elvis Dumervil done for the season, but clearly he didn't make that big of an impression. Neither Hall or Atkins should be owned in Fantasy.
News:Baraka Atkins, running with the Broncos' first team at OLB in Elvis Dumervil's absence, is making the conversion from a down lineman to playing in space. Denver likes his size (6-foot-4, 268 pounds) and views him as a run-stuffing option. "A lot of our outside linebackers' best traits will show up in August," head coach Josh McDaniels said.
Analysis: Atkins' change to linebacker has been surprising to us as we viewed him as a classic run-stopping defensive lineman. We'll have to keep tabs on how he does in case he can develop into a useful one-week replacement option for IDP league owners.
News: The 49ers have listed the following players as inactive for Week 15 at Philadelphia: DB Keith Smith, DB Nate Clements, LB Diyral Briggs, DL Baraka Atkins, QB Nate Davis and WR Isaac Bruce.
Analysis: Bruce has some minimal Fantasy value when healthy, but the rest of these players should not be owned in Fantasy at this time.
News: San Francisco has listed the following players as inactive for Week 14 on Monday night hosting the Arizona Cardinals: QB Nate Davis (3rd), CB Nate Clements, CB Marcus Hudson, LB Diyral Briggs, WR Isaac Bruce and DT Baraka Atkins.
Analysis: Bruce has topped 50 yards receiving only once since Week 1, so Fantasy owners shouldn't be looking to start him anyway. He has low-end Fantasy value. The rest of these players should not be owned in Fantasy at this time.
News: Seahawks DL Baraka Atkins recorded his first two NFL sacks in a Week 14 loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: Atkins is a promising second-year DE out of Miami, but he hasn't earned a starting job in Seattle yet. Until he does, he has no Fantasy value. Seattle visits St. Louis in Week 15.
News: The Seahawks listed K Brandon Coutu, DB Kevin Hobbs, TE Will Heller, DL Baraka Atkins and DL Howard Green as inactive for Week 8 at San Francisco.
Analysis: None of these players does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy even when healthy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: Seattle listed the following players as being inactive for Week 7 at Tampa Bay: K Brandon Coutu, DB Kevin Hobbs, TE Will Heller, DL Baraka Atkins and DL Howard Green.
Analysis: Heller is not a big enough stat producer to warrant use in Fantasy play. None of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy options.
News: The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 6 vs. Green Bay: K Brandon Coutu, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DL Red Bryant, WR Jordan Kent, WR Deion Branch, TE Jeb Putzier and DL Baraka Atkins.
Analysis: Aside from Hasselbeck and Branch, none of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy option. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News: The Seahawks listed the following players as inactive for Week 5 at the N.Y. Giants: Charlie Frye (third QB), K Brandon Coutu, WR Koren Robinson, RB Maurice Morris, OL Mansfield Wrotto, DL Red Bryant, WR Courtney Taylor and DL Baraka Atkins.
Analysis: Aside from Koren Robinson possibly down the road and Maurice Morris, none of the players on this list are going to be in line for considerable playing time anytime soon. Leave them on the waiver wire in all Fantasy leagues until further notice. They've got some depth chart climbing to do.
News: The following Seahawks are inactive for Week 2 against San Francisco: QB Charlie Frye, K Brandon Coutu, DL Red Bryant, WR Bobby Engram and DL Baraka Atkins.
Analysis: Engram is normally quite the viable Fantasy WR but he's been ruled out for a while for this one. None of the other aforementioned players have any Fantasy relevance at this time.
News: The Seahawks have announced their Week 1 inactives for their game at Buffalo. The following players will not be taking part in the contest: WR Deion Branch, WR Bobby Engram, K Brandon Coutu, RB Justin Forsett, LB Leroy Hill and QB Charlie Frye.
Analysis: Branch and Engram are viable Fantasy WRs when healthy, but they had already been declared out earlier in the week. Everyone else should be ignored in all Fantasy formats.
News: Seahawks DB Josh Wilson, DL Jason Babin, WR Courtney Taylor, DL Baraka Atkins and QB Charlie Frye (3rd QB) have all been ruled inactive for Week 14 vs. Arizona.
Analysis: Most of these players serve as reserves or on special teams and don't play a huge role in the Seahawks' schemes. They have little to no Fantasy value when active. Keep them reserved Week 14.
News: Seahawks QB Charlie Frye (3rd QB), DB C.J. Wallace, LB Will Herring, WR Courtney Taylor and DL Baraka Atkins have all been listed as inactive for Week 11 vs. Chicago.
Analysis: Most of these players serve as reserves for the Seahawks and have little to no Fantasy value when active. Keep them reserved in Fantasy formats for Week 11.
News: The Seahawks' list of inactives for Week 10 against the 49ers includes LB Will Herring, QB Charlie Frye, LB Leroy Hill, DL Howard Green and DL Baraka Atkins.
Analysis: None of these players makes the kind of statistical impact you'd want in Fantasy. Keep all reserved. The Seahawks host the Bears in Week 11.
News: DEs Baraka Atkins, Jason Babin and Ellis Wyms were each inactive for Week 1 against the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Wyms might be a decent addition in the deepest of IDP Fantasy leagues, but Atkins and Babin are not even useful in most formats.
News: The Tacoma News Tribune reports that Seattle draftees CB Josh Wilson and DE Baraka Atkins have signed their rookie deals. The club waived RB Kenny James to make room for them.
Analysis: Wilson is a hard hitting CB who lacks height (5-foot-9) but can jump and is a better zone defender. Atkins is a 'tweener D-lineman who will help right away with the Seahawks' D-line rotation. Neither player should be used in Fantasy play, not should James.
News: The Seahawks' 2007 draft class includes: Maryland CB Josh Wilson, Cal DT Brandon Mebane, Miami (Fla.) DE Baraka Atkins, Georgia Tech OG Mansfield Wrotto, Auburn LB Will Herring, Auburn WR Courtney Taylor, Oregon WR Jordan Kent and Wake Forest OG Steve Vallos.
Analysis: Wilson is a hard hitting CB who lacks height (5-foot-9) but can jump and is a better zone defender. Mebane is a big man who will clog opposing rush lanes and help right away with the Seahawks' D-line rotation, as will Atkins, who is a 'tweener D-lineman. Herring should be a solid special teams player. Taylor has nice size and can be a move-the-chains type of receiver without blazing speed. So who's got potential? It's Kent, who has great size (6-foot-3) and speed (4.43 time in the 40-yard dash). He's a little skinny and needs coaching, but if he gets both, he's got a shot to be a regular receiver for the 'Hawks. Only Kent and Wilson are worth picks in dynasty rookie drafts as late-round picks.
