Footballguys #106 - 8/5 - Antonio Brown Update, Corey Coleman Trade, News and Notes and MORE
Volume 20, #106 -- Sunday Night, August 5th, 2018
| Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email | View in Web Browser |
Howdy Folks,
Good Monday to you.
We're ROLLING here with fresh new Content plus the News and Notes you need.
Let's go.
J
SITE NEWS
A.
FREE Feature - Footballguys Mock Draft 3: 10-man DRAFT Format
Six members of the Footballguys staff, along with four writers in the industry got together and completed a 10-team draft using DRAFT format. We dive deep with Pre-Draft questions and then Post-Draft followup.
B.
FREE Feature - How to Name Your Fantasy League
Our Daniel Simpkins looks into exploring ways to name your fantasy league.
C.
The FPC: Tight Ends
Our Jeff Pasquino with more Footballguys Players Championship Analysis - Looking at the Tight End Position.
D.
The FPC and the Tight End PPR Bonus Rule
Our Jeff Pasquino with more Footballguys Players Championship Analysis - Looking at the TE PPR Bonus Scoring Rule.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. PIT - WR Antonio Brown may return Tuesday
2. NE - New England releases first depth chart
3. DAL - No clear pecking order at TE in Dallas yet
4. DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott in better shape
5. CLE - Browns Trading WR Corey Coleman To Bills
6. HOU - Preseason uncertain for DE J.J. Watt
7. CLE - Return date for WR Josh Gordon still uncertain
8. JAX - DE Calais Campbell back on field
9. BUF - Austin Proehl not standing out
10. PHI - Extensions for Doug Pederson, Howie Roseman
11. NO - New Orleans cuts ties with WR Brandon Coleman
12. PIT - WR JuJu Smith-Schuster skips practice
13. HOU - DE Jadeveon Clowney still not in shape
14. MIA - RB Kenyan Drake, RB Frank Gore listed as starters
15. SF - RB Joe Williams competing for No. 3 RB duties
16. OAK - Oakland wants more from WR Martavis Bryant
17. CHI - WR Taylor Gabriel sits out practice Sunday
18. SF - CB Richard Sherman to miss at least a week
1. PIT - WR Antonio Brown may return Tuesday
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown (quadriceps) is one of several injured players that could return to practice Tuesday, Aug. 7.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is a good sign that his quad issue is only minor, but we'll also want to see him get back into a few practices without aggravating the injury.
2. NE - New England releases first depth chart
Source: Patriots.com
New England Patriots RB Rex Burkhead appeared ahead of Sony Michel on the team's first depth chart release Sunday, Aug. 5.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Michel isn't going to play much, if at all this preseason, which could make it hard for him to have an early season impact. Look for Burkhead's ADP to jump into the fourth or fifth round very soon.
3. DAL - No clear pecking order at TE in Dallas yet
Source: The Athletic - Calvin Watkins
Dallas Cowboys TEs Dalton Schultz, Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin have reportedly all received equivalent reps with the first team thus far in training camp, according to Calvin Watkins of The Athletic.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
In other words, there's no fantasy value to be had here, especially with Rico Gathers bulked up and not figuring into the picture in a prominent way.
4. DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott in better shape
Source: NFL.com - Kevin Patra
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is in better shape physically and mentally this year, according to running backs coach Gary Brown. 'We are going to get a good Zeke this year,' Brown said. 'He is on a mission. You can see it already.'
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Elliott should have a chance to be the centerpiece of the offense and set career highs in the passing game, but the quality of the offense around him is a question mark with an underwhelming group of passing game targets. He'll go in the top five of most every draft.
5. CLE - Browns Trading WR Corey Coleman To Bills
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, "Cleveland is trading former first-round pick WR Corey Coleman to the Buffalo Bills for a draft pick, per source."
"Coleman was the player the Browns selected after trading the No. 2 overall pick to Philadelphia so the Eagles could draft Carson Wentz."
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Bills needed WR help and Coleman had been rumored to be a name in trade talks. It may be too much reading between the lines but we'd like to think this means good things for Josh Gordon returning. We'll see.
6. HOU - Preseason uncertain for DE J.J. Watt
Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio
Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt (leg) has been performing well during the early part of training camp, but head coach Bill O'Brien said he is not sure if Watt will play in the preseason.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
So far there's no reason to think Watt won't be ready for Week 1, but he didn't look like his old self last year before going out and there's no guarantee he'll look remotely like that this year - at least at the beginning. Of course, Watt was playing at arguably the highest level of any defensive player in recent history, so a decline from that level doesn't mean that Watt won't be an everyweek starter in IDP leagues again.
7. CLE - Return date for WR Josh Gordon still uncertain
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon (personal) will not return to the team prior to Tuesday, Aug. 7 - the reporting deadline for a player to be eligible to record an accrued season for free agency purposes - but the team is reportedly working closely with the NFL to make sure that Gordon's health and well-being remain the top priorities. Gordon is in Gainesville, Fla., is reportedly doing well in his treatment program but needs more time, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Gordon is also reportedly working out with a personal trainer to ease his transition back to football when he is ready.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Gordon is potentially giving up a lot of money and an accelerated payday to tend to this situation. His life is more important than football and he needs to take the necessary steps to stay healthy and stable, even if that means hurting his financial status. We're still not sure when he'll be with the team, making him only worth a flier after you fill out your lineup and key backups.
8. JAX - DE Calais Campbell back on field
Source: FirstCoastNews.com - Mike Kaye
Jacksonville Jaguars DE Calais Campbell (calf) participated in practice Sunday, Aug. 5.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Campbell's calf issue was about as minor as camp injuries come. The Jaguars fearsome defense is intact.
9. BUF - Austin Proehl not standing out
Source: WKBW.com - Joe Buscaglia
Buffalo Bills WR Austin Proehl struggled at times during practice Sunday, Aug. 5, and has not stood out since the start of training camp. He is not receiving a lot of snaps during practice when all of the receivers are healthy.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Bills failed to address their wide receiver paucity until the sixth and seventh (Proehl) and predictably, they are getting little help from their youngsters.
10. PHI - Extensions for Doug Pederson, Howie Roseman
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman signed contract extensions Sunday, Aug. 5, that will run through the 2022 season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Success breeds stability, which breeds more success. The Eagles organization went through some ups and downs after parting ways with Andy Reid, but it looks like the best plan was just getting one of Reid's lieutenants.
11. NO - New Orleans cuts ties with WR Brandon Coleman
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
New Orleans Saints WR Brandon Coleman was released after failing his physical Sunday, Aug. 5, according to a league source.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Saints may carry only four wide receivers into the regular season with the additions of Cameron Meredith and Tre'Quan Smith. Former Patriot Austin Carr is an interesting name in contention to be #5 now. Recent additions of Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate might have been in anticipation of Coleman's release.
12. PIT - WR JuJu Smith-Schuster skips practice
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) was seen icing his left knee after practice Saturday, Aug. 4, and did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 5.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Smith-Schuster had an injury issue in the offseason, so it doesn't appear that he's 100% entering the preseason. It's not absurd to up the risk in Smith-Schuster's profile and up the chances of James Washington being relevant this year as he is putting in a stellar camp to date.
13. HOU - DE Jadeveon Clowney still not in shape
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Houston Texans LB Jadeveon Clowney is still working to get back in football shape, according to head coach Bill O'Brien. Clowney has spent most of his time working on the side in practice thus far, although he has participated in some team drills.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Clowney, JJ Watt, and Whitney Mercilus are all working back from surgeries and they basically comprise the heart of the Texans pass rush. We'll be watching their returns as they prepare to face Tom Brady Week 1.
14. MIA - RB Kenyan Drake, RB Frank Gore listed as starters
Source: Sun-Sentinel - Omar Kelly
Miami Dolphins RBs Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore both appeared atop the team's first depth chart Sunday, Aug. 5.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
This is frustrating if you've been drafting Drake with the assumption that he'll clearly lead this backfield in touches. He has the most talent, but Gore is reliable and hard-nosed and will get some deference returning to South Florida. Adam Gase's handling of his backfield has caused consternation in fantasy leagues over the last two years, and this development could be a precursor to another rocky campaign for those searching for value in the Dolphins backfield.
15. SF - RB Joe Williams competing for No. 3 RB duties
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers RB Joe Williams has run with more urgency during training camp this summer and appears more willing to take the hits required from the position, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Williams is competing with special-teams ace Raheem Mostert for the third running back job behind Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Williams won't have fantasy value to begin the season, but he could establish himself if either of the top two backs miss time, and have a chance to provide an explosive element as an excellent fit in Kyle Shanahan's running game. Keep him on your waiver wire watch list.
16. OAK - Oakland wants more from WR Martavis Bryant
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal - Michael Gehlken
Oakland Raiders WR Martavis Bryant has flashed his size and speed in training camp, but head coach Jon Gruden wants to see more scheme versatility and consistency from him this summer.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Bryant is more of a role player than core piece of the Raiders offense, and he has to impress a new staff and riff with a new quarterback. He's only an end of the bench pick despite immense ability and potential.
17. CHI - WR Taylor Gabriel sits out practice Sunday
Source: Chicago Tribune - Rich Campbell
Chicago Bears WR Taylor Gabriel (foot) was unable to practice Sunday, Aug. 5, due to a foot injury.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
There are no signs that this is anything but a minor bump or bruise, but if it becomes something more, it could help clarify the crowded Bears offense and upgrade Tarik Cohen or Anthony Miller.
18. SF - CB Richard Sherman to miss at least a week
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
San Francisco 49ers CB Richard Sherman (hamstring) will sit out of practice this week to rest his injured hamstring before getting reevaluated next week.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Sherman, once a shutdown corner, might have a target on his uniform come Week 1 against the Vikings. That drop in status could actually help his IDP value, with more opportunity for tackles and interceptions.
19. WAS - WR Josh Doctson to do individual work
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Redskins WR Josh Doctson (shoulder, heel) is expected to do individual work Sunday, Aug. 5.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Getting back on the practice field is good for Doctson. Staying on it will be better.
20. BUF - WR Zay Jones on the mend
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Mitchell Courtney
Buffalo Bills WR Zay Jones (knee) is 'progressing nicely' but doesn't have an exact timetable for his return, according to head coach Sean McDermott.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jones was coming on before his injury last year, and then followed with an offseason that including a puzzling incident and his offense taking a big step back at quarterback and on the offensive line. He's not a preferred late round sleeper.
That'll do it for today. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update.
Peace,
J
