Dynasty News: Week 2

Photo: USA Today Sports

We are nearing the season opener and the news from training camp is beginning to pour in. In today’s  “Dynasty News,” we will examine some of the larger happenings of the week from a dynasty perspective.

Dynasty News: Jordan Love, Green Bay

The gruesome replays of Love's ankle twisted under a Philadelphia defender replayed through most of the weekend. The Packers played the Eagles in Brazil Friday night and it was a great game for fans. Love was injured at the end of the game as Green Bay was driving in an attempt to score - and win - in the final seconds of the contest. Dynaasty managers exhaled deeply Saturday afternoon when Ian Rapoport tweeted, "#Packers QB Jordan Love, who went down with a lower leg injury late in his team’s loss to the #Eagles in Brazil, had tests on his knee today that revealed an MCL sprain, source said. No ACL damage." This was the best-case scenario. Tom Pelissero tweeted more context, "#Packers QB Jordan Love's initial timetable for return is in the 3-6 week range, per sources. And there's some early optimism he could return sooner than later, pending a second opinion. Next three opponents: #Colts at home, at #Titans, #Vikings at home." Footballguys injury expert, Adam Hutchison, tweeted a return-to-play estimate, "Jordan Love’s knee is going to pop one of these bad boys on and (assuming not a full tear) could return in 1-2 weeks." With the Packers' 0-1 record, there may be more urgency than expected from a team that usually is conservative with injury timetables. Malik Willis is the backup and will get a full week to prepare for Indianapolis. The Green Bay receivers will all take a large step back with Love out of the lineup. 

Dynasty News: D'Andre Swift, Chicago 

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus talked to reporters about the signing of D'Andre Swift, "We wanted a home run threat in there, we wanted to have a weapon back back there that can do a lot of things." When asked if Swift would be the lead back or play in a committee, the coach said, "Yeah, I think you have to shift a little bit, philosophy-wise, because you gear it towards the talent, you gear it towards what’s there, in terms of what they can do and what they do well." So, yes, expect Chicago to utilize a committee, but it might be best for Swift as he is not a workhorse type of back. 

Dynasty News: Devin Singletary, New York Giants

Dynasty managers have limited faith in New York Giants tailback, Devin Singletary. The journeyman may have a limited ceiling due to the poor potency of the Giants offense, but coach Brian Daboll had this to say about his new ball carrier, “He’s just a good running back. You can use him on all three downs. Whether that’s running inside/outside, pass protection, routes. You don’t have to sub him a bunch… I’d say he’s an all-purpose back for us.” The Giants offense takes a large step backward moving from Saquon Barkley to Singletary. His pass-catching ability will make Singletary fantasy-viable most weeks, even if the offense flounders.

Dynasty News: Samaje Perine, Kansas City

Beat reporter, Nate Taylor, recently wrote about the Chiefs new addition, Samaje Perine, “Perine’s primary role will be the one that Jerick McKinnon had the past two seasons, an additional pass protector who can be effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Last season, Perine generated 693 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in 17 games for the Denver Broncos, who released him last week. ‘He’s been a phenomenal third-down back, but he’s also a good runner,’ Reid said of Perine. ‘He’s a good well-rounded player that’s extremely intelligent.’” It may take a few weeks for Perine to get up to speed but we expect him to assume the Jerrick McKinnon passing-down role. Perine is a proven veteran and has a chance to lead dynasty teams to titles if anything happens to Pacheco.

Dynasty News: Zack Moss, Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Bengals lost tailback Joe Mixon in free agency this past offseason. The team signed Zack Moss on the cheap and he will compete with Chase Brown to lead the backfield. Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher had this to say about Moss: “I view Zack Moss as an all-around player. He can run any scheme.... You’ll see Zack Moss’ value more that live games are here than you’ve ever seen to this point.” Moss led teh Benglas in snaps and touches against New England. He appears to be the lead back at this point in hte season. Moss played well in Indianapolis last year and could have a chance to lead this backfield in snaps. He is likely a dynasty player who will be difficult to trust on a weekly basis.

Dynasty News: Rasheen Ali, Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens placed rookie running back Rasheen Ali on injured reserve. This is a big blow to the Ravens depth chart as Keaton Mitchell is also recovering from injury, leaving Derrick Henry and Justice Hill as the only viable backs. Ali is an intriguing long-term dynasty asset as Henry may only have a year or two left of high-quality play.

Dynasty News: DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee

Ace beat reporter Paul Kuharsky wrote about the injury slowing DeAndre Hopkins this summer. Kuharsky has been around the Titans a long time and is a trusted source of quality information. He wrote that Hopkins’ August knee injury was a MCL tear that was not surgically repaired. These details should be filed away when Hopkins starts the season slowly for dynasty managers.

Dynasty News: Rashee Rice, Kansas City

Last week, Kansas City Chiefs coach told reporters about Rashee Rice’s growth in his second year as a professional, “I think there was a couple of things. The conditioning part of it and how fast you have to play every play. . . I though his feel for space was another. . . and his experience . . . he had a great feel for what the coaches and Patrick (Mahomes) are looking for.” Rice had an outstanding rookie season and his off-the-field issues have clouded his dynasty value, but we expect a strong sophomore campaign ... especially after seeing how he was used Thursday night against a strong Baltimore defense. Rice should catch 100 passes if he can stay healthy and out of Roger Goodell's doghouse.

Dynasty News: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Dynasty News: Cincinnati WRs

Last week, beat writer, Paul Dehner, Jr., wrote, “CIN won’t put Burton out there — or even make him active on gameday — until they feel comfortable he’s preparing in meetings, will be in the right spots and can be trusted by the QB...it sounds far more likely a redshirt year lies ahead than anything else.” Dehner also wrote about the emergence of Andrei Iosivas, “On Andrei Iosivas: ‘From the moment the Bengals tried him out in the slot on the first day of training camp, he delivered in a way that solidified him as WR3 behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins … his 4.43 speed creates a unique profile as an inside-outside weapon the Bengals have had running with the starting group, primarily in the slot, throughout the offseason and training camp.’” With Tee Higgins suffering a hamstring injury this past week, Iosivas has an opportunity to contribute early in the season.

Dynasty News, Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers offense appears to be an enigma for dynasty managers. Can this offense move the ball? Can it score points? With the exodus of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer has emerged as the team’s top receiver. Beat reporter, Daniel Popper, recently wrote, “On Joshua Palmer: ‘This is Palmer’s first extended opportunity as a primary target. He is just a well-rounded player. He has a good rapport with Herbert. He is a good route runner. He has strong hands, including in contested catch situations. He can attack multiple levels of the defense.’” Palmer is still overvalued in dynasty leagues even as rookie Ladd McConkey is the Charger receiver valued highest in most dynasty leagues. Palmer is the type of player that everyone wants to be more productive than their talent can produce. The future top receiver is likely not on the roster as this could be a rebuilding year (or two) for coach Harbaugh.

Dynasty News: Indianapolis WRs

Indianapolis Colts coach, Shane Steichen, talked to reporters about his two young receivers, rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce. When discussing Mitchell, Steichen said, “That one-on-one explosiveness that he brings is big for our football team” Mitchell’s speed will bring a new element to the Colts offense, complementing Michael Pittman and Josh Downs. When talking about Pierce, Steichen said, “I think his potential’s high. He made a lot of plays in training camp, we gotta carry that over into the season. He’s got speed, he can run, he made contested catches all through training camp, and we need those to show up on Sunday, for sure.” This is a deep receiver corps for quarterback Anthony Richardson. Pierce was able to get open deep down the field for a touchdown in the first half of Sunday's game against Houston.

Dynasty News: Devontez Walker, Baltimore

Beat reporter, Jeff Zrebiec, wrote about the slow training camp of rookie receiver Devontez Walker, “Devontez Walker had a difficult summer. He battled a few nagging injuries, one involving his ribs. He wasn’t especially involved on offense in practice and did nothing in the preseason to stand out … Baltimore still believes in his long-term potential. Walker is 6-foot-1, 198 pounds and can run. The Ravens knew when they took him that he would have plenty of work to do.” Walker was inactive Thursday night and may need most of the 2024 season to get up to NFL speed. He profiles as a Torrey Smith-like weapon down the field. Walker is a player to fade in dynasty leagues.

 
Dynasty News: Jacob Cowing, San Francisco

Matt Barrows is an outstanding beat reporter for the San Francisco 49ers and has been writing about the team for a long time. He recently wrote about rookie Jacob Cowing, “Jacob Cowing is doing a lot of the same things Ray-Ray McCloud III did for the 49ers the last two seasons, including returning punts. The jet sweep, however, underscored the difference between the two — Cowing is a burner and McCloud was not.” This is great information as it pigeonholes Cowing into the third-receiver role and returner. He is not a threat to Samuel, Aiyuk, or Pearsall.  Cowing has been overvalued in dynasty due to some big plays in preseason as Samuel and Aiyuk were sidelined.

Dynasty News: New York Jets WRs

The Jets receivers have been hampered with injuries for much of the offseason. Veteran receiver, Mike Williams, has been limited for much of training camp. This leaves very little opposite Garrett Wilson for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to target. Coach Robert Saleh recently told reporters, “Mike Williams is going to play a limited role to start the season, so Lazard will get a fair share of reps in the early going. I’m not sure if Corley will be active in Week 1 unless he gets some reps as a returner." It will take time for the oft-injured Williams to get back up to speed. Footballguys injury expert, Adam Hutchison, tweeted, “ Mike Williams WR prototypes typically struggle the year after ACL surgery.” Dynasty managers should take note as Williams is unlikely to be a consistent fantasy contributor.

Dynasty News: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas

Bowers played through injuries in college at Georgia and was limited for much of training camp. Long-time beat reporter, Vic Tafur, recently wrote about Bowers, “Bowers is as advertised, a tough, athletic kid who can line up all over the field and run away from tacklers after the catch. Mayer was arguably the best tight end coming out of college last year, and after a so-so rookie season, he took up yoga and looks faster this year. He’s always been able to make catches in traffic, and now there might be less traffic. Both players are also willing blockers. The Raiders plan to use both tight ends on the field at the same time, and while we think Bowers is a good sleeper for Offensive Rookie of the Year, his chances will be hurt by Mayer’s use in the passing game.” The inert Raiders offense might limit Bowers’ dynasty upside in the short term, but we believe in his talent long term. He still led Las Vegas with eight targets and will see an increasing role as the season progresses.

Dynasty News: David Njoku, Cleveland

Even with the poor quarterback play Sunday, Njoku was producing fantasy stats for dynasty managers until he left the contest in the second half. His right foot was pinned under a Dallas defender after a long catch and run, hurting his right ankle. Njoku left the stadium with his foot in a walking boot. It is believed that he has a high ankle sprain and we expect him to miss a couple of weeks. 

Dynasty News: Jake Ferguson, Dallas

Ferguson injured his knee in the second half of the game against Cleveland as he jumped in the air and his left ankle was rolled under the defender as he landed. Monday morning, Ian Rapoport tweeted, "It's a bone bruise and an MCL sprain for Jake Ferguson. Week to week." Cowboys beat reporter, Todd Archer, followed up with, "Jake Ferguson could still play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after being diagnosed with a bone bruise and a minor sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee suffered yesterday vs. the Browns, according to a source." It would be foolish to rush the star tight end back, but still is great news that he "could" play this week. Descretion is advised as the NFL regular season has four more months left.