We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most to you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
The much-anticipated release of Lions tailback Theo Riddick finally happened on Saturday. He was let go when Detroit signed Mike Daniels. Beat reporter Dave Birkett tweeted on the topic, “Riddick was scheduled to make $3.2 million this fall. Now, he'll count just $962k against the cap.” Birkett also alluded to the move helping Kerryon Johnson’s fantasy value, “For all you fantasy GMs out there, and I know I've covered this on various fantasy shows in recent weeks, No reason Kerryon Johnson shouldn't be the Lions' two-minute back now. He catches the ball well. Adds value knowing Lions won't sub him out in those situations.” Riddick will likely land in a good spot very soon. He is solid in pass protection and as a receiver, two things many backfields desperately need. With Riddick out of the way, rookie Ty Johnson could see more opportunity. He is electric. Both Riddick and Johnson are solid speculative adds in dynasty leagues.
Coach Jay Gruden told reporters that running back Derrius Guice is ready to go. In a Washington Post article, Gruden was quoted, “He tweaked his hammy a little bit in a workout after practice in one of the OTA sessions,” Gruden said. “It was not that big a deal, though. It was just something, a couple of weeks and he was going to be fine. He’s been running and training the last couple before training camp here. . . . So he’s in good shape.” With uncertainty at the quarterback and receiver positions, we fully expect Washington to lean on Adrian Peterson and Guice as much as possible. Rookie Dwayne Haskins likely starts at least half of the team’s games in 2019 so a solid running attack will be needed.
The holdout by Melvin Gordon will continue to be a hot topic in fantasy circles. Gordon is a cornerstone to many fantasy lineups. Charles Robinson wrote last week how the Chargers are "dug in" with their stance the holdout. Robinson wrote that – even though the teams have exchanged proposals – an extension is not near. The salary cap site, Spotrac tweeted how Gordon is financially disincentivized to hold out through most of the season, “A long holdout for Melvin Gordon makes little sense, as he’s subject to lose $30,000 per camp day missed, $329,705 per pre/regular season game missed, & were he to miss the whole season his salary would likely toll to 2020, meaning the #Chargers would still hold his rights.” Gordon is “only” slated to make $5.6 million so sitting out eight games would put him with a negative salary for the season. The team holds all the cards in this situation, so we expect the star back to return to the team before long, new deal or not. If he gets a new deal, it will be in the David Johnson structure.
After the Buffalo Bills signed Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon and drafted Devin Singletary, many expected LeSean McCoy to be sent packing. But veteran beat reporter Mike Rodak left Yeldon off his prediction on the team’s final roster. Yeldon is on few fantasy rosters at this time but could find himself a role if he lands in a good situation (e.g., Miami, Tampa Bay, Houston, Atlanta, etc.).
The Minnesota Vikings released the to-be-suspended Roc Thomas last week. Thomas looked solid last season but will apply his wares elsewhere. A couple of days later, the Vikings claimed De'Angelo Henderson off waivers from the Jets. Henderson will battle rookie Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah for snaps. In early camp action, it was Abdullah who saw the most work. We expect Mattison to eventually win the RB2 job, but it will not be gifted to him.
The injury recovery by Cooper Kupp has garnered little press. But Steve Wyche tweeted last week, “Good news for the @RamsNFL WR @CooperKupp will not be placed on PUP when training camp opens later this week, according to the team. It has been a long recovery from knee surgery but he has been cleared. His workload will be measured.” Kupp’s return comes at a great time for the Rams’ offense.
The Cincinnati Bengals extended the contract for receiver Tyler Boyd. The team got a great deal, locking up the talented Boyd for $43 million for the 2020 through 2023 seasons. In an era of a rising salary cap, this $10 million annual salary is cheap with A.J. Green already injured and a potential free agent next offseason. Green's injury to begin the season will give Boyd an opportunity to shine.
For those targeting the Packers slot receiver – a strong fantasy move - Geronimo Allison told reporters last week that his "main focus" this season will be the slot. Allison said, "I like it … Coming in, I've always been that utility guy, that versatile guy to kind of move around. I'm loving it. I'm getting comfortable inside and outside, and I'm going to make the most of every opportunity." Allison has strong fantasy WR3 viability and should be considered an every-week flex option.
The New YorkGiants may be cursed at the receiver position. First, Sterling Shepard broke his thumb in Thursday's practice and questionable to return by the season opener. On the same day, Corey Coleman, the expected beneficiary of Shepard’s absence, suffered a knee injury. On Saturday, Adam Schefter broke the news that Golden Tate is suspended for the first four games. Schefter followed up that report with, “Giants’ WR Golden Tate’s appeal of his four-game suspension is scheduled for the first week of August, per sources. Resolution expected before the start of the regular season.” Then, Schefter tweeted the summary of the carnage to the Giants receiving corps, “Since camp opened, here’s the Giants’ WR scorecard:
- *Golden Tate is appealing a four-game suspension for violating NFL policy on PES.
- *Corey Coleman suffered season-ending torn ACL.
- *Sterling Shepard fractured thumb, though the team does not consider injury to be serious.”
Tate’s appeal of his suspension revolves around a fertility treatment. In a tweet, Tate said he noticed that the prescription "contained an ingredient" on the banned substance list so he stopped using it and informed an independent administrator, his coaches, and GM Dave Gettleman. While the veteran receiver is optimistic of winning his appeal, one never knows in today’s NFL.
According to an article in Arrowhead Pride, Mecole Hardman is excelling. The website wrote, “Among the #Chiefs "standouts on offense Wednesday [was] Mecole Hardman, who seems to be coming along when it comes to timing with Mahomes." With Tyreek Hill back, many have forgotten how Hardman makes plays. He is definitely a player to try to buy on the cheap.
Surprisingly the Dallas Cowboys released receiver Allen Hurns this past week. It was a surprise because Dallas picked up Hurns’ option in March. The veteran receiver missed most of the offseason workouts with a broken fibula and an ankle injury. The Cowboys wanted him to take a pay-cut and Hurns refused. Even after his release, Dallas wanted to re-sign the receiver for less money. Adam Schefter was one of the first to report that Hurns signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins for a meager $3 million. From Hurns’ point-of-view, if the money is the same, why not go to a team with a wide-open depth chart at the position. Albert Wilson, DeVante Parker, and Kenny Stills is a far cry from Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Randall Cobb.
Deon Cain is garnering positive press almost every week. This week, it was from General Manager, Chris Ballard. Ballard told reporters, "The last two days here have been pretty fun to watch … Man, first I’m very proud of the kid … To watch him work, over the last year, has been ... I think Deon will tell you this, he’s probably grown and matured more over the past year. Sometimes setbacks can be a positive, and he turned it into one. He worked his a** off. We will limit him here early, but the last two days here have been pretty fun to watch." It would not be a surprise to see Cain slowly push Devin Funchess out of the picture. The ex-Panther only signed a one-year deal and Indianapolis is investing draft picks at the position every year.
A deep dynasty sleeper to consider adding is Minnesota’s Chad Beebe. Tom Pelissero opined that the Vikings' WR3 role is Beeb’s to lose. He was an undrafted free agent last year and had a strong offseason. Pelissero noted Beebe’s ability to get open against man coverage. There is little behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
With so much positive buzz in training camps, we need to focus more on the players struggling. On such player is JMon Moore in Green Bay. Beat reporter Rob Demovsky reporter wrote last week how Moore "struggled with his hands" in offseason practices. The fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is buried on the depth chart and needs to have a strong camp to make the team.
The San Francisco 49ers have a receiver group in flux. There are many moving parts and few positions settled. Last week, beat reporter Can Inman projected veteran Jordan Matthews to make the final roster. This projection meant that Kendrick Bourne and Richie James would not make the team. Fellow beat Matt Barrows also projected James on the outside looking in. Per Barrows, James has been outplayed by Trent Taylor. He has Bourne and Matthews dueling for the last roster spot, making each unworthy of a fantasy roster spot. Rookie Deebo Samuel and speedster Marquise Goodwin are the favorites for fantasy viability but far from certain at this point.
Last week, the Buffalo Bills placed free-agent acquisition Tyler Kroft on the active/PUP list to begin training camp. Kroft broke his foot on the first day of offseason workouts, leaving him unlikely to be ready by the season opener. His absence leaves more opportunity for Jason Croom and rookie Dawson Knox. Knox is a player to monitor through camp. He could seize the role and never look back.
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