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He gave you fantasy football sleepers last week, now Charles Curtis is giving you potential busts to avoid in your fantasy draft.
He gave you fantasy football sleepers last week, now Charles Curtis is giving you potential busts to avoid in your fantasy draft.
How to approach the position this season.
By now, fantasy football draft prep should be starting up, so it’s time to dig deep and figure out who you should focus on at each position … and who you should avoid whether it’s based on average draft position or other reasons.
That’s what this series of posts is meant to be. We started with running backs, covered wide receivers and quarterbacks, and now, finally, we’re on to tight ends, one of the more debated positions when it comes to fantasy draft strategy.
Here’s how to approach the position at draft time, along with some sleepers and busts to remember:
It used to be that you’d pick Rob Gronkowski high up because he was far and away the best at his position and good fantasy TEs were tougher to find.
Now? It’s a much more talent-filled position, with Travis Kelce and George Kittle in the top tier. But then you’ve got some upside names in the middle — if Evan Engram is healthy, does he break out? Is Darren Waller going to find the end zone more while gathering up yardage like he did in 2019? And there are young sleepers aplenty here.
So you could go in a few directions: either take Kelce or Kittle high up and not worry about the position the rest of the way, grab one of those middle guys after you’ve filled out other positions or wait a while and pick a couple of sleepers.
He found paydirt five times last year and was targeted 89 times. This year, both could increase especially given that two Dolphins receivers opted out.
It’s simple math: Austin Hooper signed with the Cleveland Browns. He caught 75 passes last year. Yes, some of those may go to Calvin Ridley, but you have to think Hurst is in for a BIG role.
Rookie tight ends don’t usually produce that much, with exceptions. Fant ended up with a pretty solid first season by those standards (40 catches, 562 yards, three touchdowns), which means Year 2 could be a big one.
A deep sleeper right here, but let’s review: Eric Ebron is gone, he was targeted 72 times last season and Trey Burton may not pose much of a threat. Plus, Philip Rivers likes throwing to tight ends. Hmmm.
Don’t pay too much based on the name and the situation, a reunion with Tom Brady. He’s coming back after a year off, and we know that in his past three seasons, he didn’t play a full 16-game slate. Add in some receiver talent that Brady didn’t always have in New England … and I’m avoiding him if the price is too high.
I just don’t know. I think he’s ranked too high coming into this season, but are the Chargers going to run a ton? And who will be throwing him the ball? And are we buying in too much on what he did in 2016?
He probably won you a league last year. But Gerald Everett is still there, and I worry it’s a time-share situation like the Colts had in 2019.
Fantasy owners should know that touchdowns fluctuate year to year. In Cook’s case, all he basically did was catch touchdowns — nine, to be exact, of his 43 catches were in the end zone. That’s not happening again.
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Notable fantasy football injury news and situational updates heading into the week of Aug. 24.
Below is a player-by-player look around the NFL’s most notable fantasy football injury news and situational updates heading into the week of Aug. 24.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (groin) returned to practice Monday, Aug. 24.
HUDDLE UP: Jackson remains an elite quarterback in fantasy, but the upside is minimal this year as he’ll cost a steep price.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (groin) returned to practice Monday, Aug. 24.
HUDDLE UP: Jackson remains an elite quarterback in fantasy, but the upside is minimal this year as he’ll cost a steep price.
Cam Newton, New England Patriots
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton received 30 repetitions during team drills Sunday, Aug. 23, while QB Brian Hoyer received 12 reps during 11-on-11 drills.
HUDDLE UP: Newton appears to be on track to win the starting job especially with Jarrett Stidham dealing with an injury. He has played well in the past but has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons. Newton probably should be considered a No. 2 fantasy quarterback at this point.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Allen may have been held out because the team had problems with their COVID-19 testing, so fantasy players should know more about his status in the next day or two. He will have a solid group of receivers to work with this season and also adds value with his running ability. He can be a low-end No. 1 or a high-end No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has been “as advertised” with his accuracy in the first three days of training camp, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald Wednesday, Aug. 19. Jackson said Tagovailoa has been on target but without any wow plays or bad plays.
HUDDLE UP: Tagovailoa is expected to begin the 2020 season behind QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and will have trouble getting on the field in his rookie season due to the shortened offseason. The fifth-overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft is a top dynasty target, but he shouldn’t be drafted in anything other than the deepest redraft leagues.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones added muscle this offseason, increasing his playing weight from 220 pounds to 229 pounds. “Obviously, he’s a guy that during the pandemic, he didn’t take time off,” head coach Joe Judge said.
HUDDLE UP: While it is encouraging to hear that Jones dedicated himself to improving his physique, cutting down on the turnovers that plagued him as a rookie is his biggest hurdle. He should improve in his second season, but he will probably top out as a midrange QB2.
Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots
New England Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham (leg) was spotted throwing passes to WR Julian Edelman during the portion of practice which was open to the media Friday, Aug. 21. He had undergone precautionary tests at a hospital for a leg injury Thursday, Aug. 20, but all of the tests came back negative.
HUDDLE UP: Despite returning to practice, Stidham is not expected to be fully recovered for several weeks. Cam Newton is expected to begin the season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback and should be viewed as a low-end QB1 in deeper fantasy leagues, while Stidham possesses little value in any format at this time.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (personal) is out of practice Friday, Aug. 21, and the team wouldn’t comment on why he was gone or when he would return.
HUDDLE UP: The team has until Friday afternoon to place him on the COVID-19 list if that is the cause. Tua Tagovailoa could wind up having as big of an opening to the starter’s job as humanly possible. He’s a speculative midrange QB2 as a rookie.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky drew compliments from teammate WR/RB Cordarrelle Patterson Tuesday, Aug. 18, for his demeanor at training camp. “The way he’s handling things. I feel he’s been more of a leader,” Patterson said. “Last year I didn’t feel like he was that guy, but this year he’s taking over. He wants everybody to know that he’s that guy and we can come to him when we need something. He’s doing a helluva job with it.”
HUDDLE UP: Trubisky is competing with trade-acquisition Nick Foles for the Bears’ Week 1 starting job. Neither candidate would be much more than a low-tier QB2 in deeper leagues or Superflex leagues.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs needs to be “more on the field on third down” this year, according to head coach Jon Gruden.
HUDDLE UP: The coaching staff has talked about using Jacobs more in the passing game throughout the offseason, and if that ends up being the case, he should finish as a RB1 in all formats in 2020.
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Saturday, Aug. 22.
HUDDLE UP: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Conner will miss more practice time. He was limited to 10 games last season and finished with only 464 yards and four touchdowns. Conner will receive most of the snaps at running back this season and can be a No. 2 running back in fantasy leagues.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson (personal) is away from the team because of a personal matter but should return soon, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
HUDDLE UP: Carson will continue to be the starting running back for the Seahawks this season even though they signed Carlos Hyde. He has rushed for at least 1,150 yards in each of the last two seasons and should be at least a No. 2 running back in fantasy leagues.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery said Saturday, Aug. 22, he’s focused on his diet and losing weight this offseason after he was disappointed in his quickness and speed in 2019.
HUDDLE UP: Montgomery totaled 1,074 yards from scrimmage and seven TDs last season, but the rookie still fell short of the preseason hype. Regard him a low-end RB2 with upside.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift (leg) is not practicing for a second straight day Saturday, Aug. 22, after suffering what appeared to be an upper-leg injury in practice two days earlier. Head coach Matt Patricia refused Saturday to elaborate further on Swift’s injury.
HUDDLE UP: Nothing so far has indicated this issue is anything serious, but it’s certainly a situation to monitor with big things expected out of the rookie back this season. Value him as a high-end RB3 for now with upside.
Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley (knee) will be limited in practice Saturday, Aug. 22, as part of workload management plan head coach Dan Quinn said. Gurley is expected to return to more work Sunday.
HUDDLE UP: Gurley is only 26 but likely is never going to be the RB1 workhorse he was only a few years ago. However, he’s still expected to be the Falcons’ main back this season and is a solid RB2 consideration in drafts.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (concussion) on Saturday, Aug. 22, cleared concussion protocol and is expected to return to the field later in the day for practice.
HUDDLE UP: Great news for Chubb who remains a solid RB1 pick in all fantasy formats.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams RB Darrell Henderson (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a low-grade hamstring strain and may be available for the start of the regular season, according to a source.
HUDDLE UP: Henderson probably will not do much during practice this week, but it appears like he will not miss much time. He is expected to be part of a committee at running back this season but may not be the main option in the committee. He should still see a handful of touches each game and could be a flex option or No. 3 running back in fantasy leagues.
James White, New England Patriots
New England Patriots RB James White (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: White may have sat out because of COVID-19 testing problems, so fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation. White should continue to be a receiver out of the backfield for the Patriots and can be a flex option in fantasy leagues.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon (rib) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Gordon is considered day-to-day because of the rib injury and probably will return to practice in a few days. He likely will be the starting running back but will not be a workhorse at the position with Phillip Lindsay in line for a solid role. Gordon can be considered a No. 2 running back in most fantasy leagues.
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions RB Kerryon Johnson said he has become comfortable playing with a brace on his right knee. “So that’s just the new me,” Johnson said. “I’m the knee-brace guy, everybody jokes about it. It feels great. I like having the knee brace on. It helps me out a lot.”
HUDDLE UP: Johnson appears to be healthy heading into the 2020 season, but last year’s injury issues likely cost him any shot at becoming a lead back in Detroit. The Lions added D’Andre Swift in the second round of the draft, likely pushing Johnson into RB4 territory as a backup to the rookie.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry left practice early Monday, Aug. 17, leaving the field with a trainer before working on a stationary bike while his teammates finished up the session. Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t provide any specifics after practice.
HUDDLE UP: It doesn’t sound like it was anything major, especially if he rode the bike in plain view rather than receiving medical attention in private. Fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief for now, as it sounds like much ado about nothing.
Darrynton Evans, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans RB Darrynton Evans (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Evans is on track to be the primary running back for the Titans this season if is healthy. He probably will see a handful of touches each game but may only be a handcuff to Derrick Henry in fantasy leagues.
Sony Michel, New England Patriots
New England Patriots RB Sony Michel (foot) remains a possibility to play in Week 1, Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said Friday, Aug. 21. “I think he’ll be ready when he has a shot to get out there,” Fears said. “Hopefully we have some time before the first game for him to be out there. If not, we’ll take him when we get him.”
HUDDLE UP: Michel’s PUP list stint and the signing of Lamar Miller has returned the Patriots’ backfield into a state of fantasy uncertainty. Pass-catching back James White might be safest bet at the moment, but value Michel as a high-end RB4 for now.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn will be used as a kick returner to start the season, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
HUDDLE UP: With LeSean McCoy in town, Vaughn will likely need an injury to be a factor in single-year leagues. Keep him on the waiver wire backburner.
Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons RB Qadree Ollison was “the most impressive back” during practice Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com, and McFadden believes Ollison could carve out a bigger role this season.
HUDDLE UP: Between his potential as a short-yardage back and Todd Gurley’s balky knee, Ollison could be a late-round lottery ticket in deeper leagues.
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills RB Zack Moss “is expected to be a big part” of the team’s rushing attack this season, according to Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. Skurski adds Moss showed at practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, he could also see work in the passing game.
HUDDLE UP: A third-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, expectations have been growing for Moss. He was originally expected to be the No. 2 behind Devin Singletary, but it now seems as though he could be the feature back. He should be targeted as a low-end RB2 or top-end RB3.
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin is projected to be the team’s No. 3 running back behind Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds, according to Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com. “He has a knack for finding the hole, there’s no doubt,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “He definitely has a feel for the run game, and that’s exciting to see where he can take this thing. He has to find a role in and contribute on special teams, and he knows that, but we like what we’ve seen so far.”
HUDDLE UP: Benjamin could be worth a late-round flier in deep dynasty leagues but he won’t begin the 2020 season with any fantasy value in redraft leagues.
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers RB Justin Jackson has the “inside track” to be the backup to RB Austin Ekeler, according to Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register.
HUDDLE UP: Jackson has made the most out of his touches, but injuries have been an issue. Still, Ekeler owners should consider adding him in the later rounds as a handcuff.
Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake will be more involved in the passing game this season, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury. “He’s hard to tackle one-on-one in space,” Kingsbury said. “So that’s an area we’d like to get him more involved in.”
HUDDLE UP: With David Johnson completely out of the picture and the prospect of more targets in the passing game, Drake seems primed to build on the success he had once he joined the Cardinals last season. He is a low-end RB1 candidate.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders (lower body) “will be ready to play” Week 1, according to a source Wednesday, Aug. 19. Sanders is officially considered week-to-week by the team.
HUDDLE UP: Sanders is a first- or second-round pick and this report does little to inspire confidence. Still, he must be drafted without a discount due to his potential and large share of Philadelphia’s backfield.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds could be a starting running back in the NFL, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury Wednesday, Aug. 19.
HUDDLE UP: Edmonds rushed for 303 yards and four touchdowns while adding 12 receptions for another 105 yards and a touchdown over two starts and 13 total games played in 2019. RB Kenyan Drake was brought back this offseason to be the starter, but Edmonds is the next best option on the depth chart. He’s a good depth or handcuff target late in drafts.
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Bryce Love, Washington Football Team
Washington Football Team RB Bryce Love worked with the first-team offense Wednesday, Aug. 19, with RB Adrian Peterson out. Love’s role as the No. 2 running back in Washington “seems quite real,” according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.
HUDDLE UP: Rookie Antonio Gibson is also in the mix, but he could have most of his work come in the passing game. Love will be worth a late-round draft choice as a potential handcuff to Peterson as the primary rusher.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has stopped contract extension talks with the Vikings and plans to focus on the regular season, according to sources. The two sides could resume talks in the future.
HUDDLE UP: Cook ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season and should have a similar season if he can stay healthy in 2020. He should be selected in the first or second round of fantasy drafts and will be a must-start option each week.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles RB Boston Scott (leg) is day to day with a lower-body injury.
HUDDLE UP: Miles Sanders (leg) is week to week, and Scott needs to heal up quickly to receive some important snaps in practice. Scott is a handcuff to Sanders and has some RB4 merit on his own.
Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons RB Ito Smith is impressing Matthew Tabeek of AtlantaFalcons.com with his ability to change directions. “If you blink at the wrong moment you can lose sight of Smith in a hurry,” said Tabeek.
HUDDLE UP: Todd Gurley will need to be handcuffed this season and Smith is seemingly the top candidate. He has rushed for just 421 yards and five touchdowns through his first two seasons, with another 239 yards coming as a pass-catcher. The Falcons are desperate for a rushing attack after last year’s poor team performance and will need as many helping bodies as they can get. Smith could be a late-round target in deeper leagues.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs RB Darrel Williams was the feature back for the first-team offense at practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, with RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire taking the day off.
HUDDLE UP: Williams figured to be competing with Darwin Thompson for any work behind the first-round rookie this season. He carried the ball 41 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns while adding 15 receptions for 167 yards and one touchdown last season. He’ll be worth a late-round flier if he’s indeed named the No. 2 behind CEH.
Duke Johnson, Houston Texans
Houston Texans RB Duke Johnson said Monday, Aug. 17, that he is comfortable in the system after his first full offseason with the team. “I’m much more comfortable. It’s kind of night and day for me,” Johnson said. “My expectations for myself is just make my plays whenever the opportunity presents itself.”
HUDDLE UP: Johnson is the primary backup to David Johnson, who has had issues staying on the field due to health. If Johnson can stay healthy he could have a big role in the offense. He is especially useful in deeper PPR leagues for his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams (shoulder) is considered week to week with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. He’s expected to be ready for the season opener.
HUDDLE UP: Williams is still worthy of a WR4 grab, and the ailment could even make him fall into a bargain WR5 area.
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jalen Reagor drew some praise last week when Carson Wentz observed that the rookie and Julio Jones share “some similarities with how they run routes.”
“By no means am I saying this rookie is Julio Jones right now. Just the way that Jalen – his combination of speed and power – and just watching tape of Julio, I see some similarities with how they run routes,” Wentz told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
HUDDLE UP: Jones will almost certainly be headed to the Hall of Fame five years after he retires, so it’s safe to say Wentz was doing nothing more than showing his approval for the team’s first-round pick this spring. Reagor is ticketed for a substantial Week 1 role regardless of whether or not Alshon Jeffery is cleared to play, and there’s a decent chance the TCU product will lead his position group in receiving this season if Jeffery and DeSean Jackson continue to struggle with injuries. Consider him a WR4 with upside.
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears WR Allen Robinson (ankle) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23, but head coach Matt Nagy said he is not concerned about the injury.
HUDDLE UP: Robinson probably will be eased back into practice and should be fine for the regular season. He will be the top option in the passing game for the Bears and will be a weekly starting option in all fantasy leagues.
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill (hamstring) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Hill does not need much practice time to be ready for the start of the regular season but should be back on the field soon. He is one of the top receivers in the NFL and should be a No. 1 fantasy receiver in all leagues.
Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook (shoulder) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Westbrook should be considered day-to-day because of the injury. He is in line to be a top-three receiver for the Jaguars this season and could a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (hamstring) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Green has dealt with injuries over the last several years, so the team probably is being cautious with him. Green is a productive receiver when he is healthy and could be a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues with a chance to be more valuable.
Denzel Mims, New York Jets
New York Jets WR Denzel Mims (hamstring) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Mims has missed a majority of training camp because of the injury but the team is hoping that he returns soon. His role in the passing game is uncertain since he has not had a lot of practice time during the offseason and camp. He could still be a late round pick but probably will not be a starting option in any league.
Breshad Perriman, New York Jets
New York Jets WR Breshad Perriman (knee) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23, because of a sore knee but is expected to take part in practice Monday, Aug. 24, according to head coach Adam Gase.
HUDDLE UP: Perriman had a strong finish to the 2019 season and is on track to be one of the main options in the passing game this season. He should be ready for the start of the regular season and can be at least a No. 4 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring) left practice early Sunday, Aug. 23, after suffering an apparent hamstring injury.
HUDDLE UP: Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation to see how long Aiyuk may be sidelined. He is expected to have a solid role in the passing game despite being a rookie, but the injury could affect his role on offense. He can be a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues if the injury is minor.
KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) was present during practice Sunday, Aug. 23, but did not participate in any drills.
HUDDLE UP: Hamler could miss as much as a month, so he will be at least questionable for Week 1. He should be a playmaker in the passing game when he is able to play and can be a late round option in fantasy leagues despite the injury.
N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots
New England Patriots WR N’Keal Harry (undisclosed) participated in practice Sunday, Aug. 28.
HUDDLE UP: Harry appears to have recovered from his injury and will be ready for the start of the regular season. He is expected to be one of the starting receivers for the Patriots this season and will see a solid amount of targets. Harry can be considered in the later rounds of fantasy drafts as a No. 5 receiver.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins WR DeVante Parker is “showing off great chemistry” with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick during training camp, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com.
HUDDLE UP: After finally putting it all together with a 1,202-yard, nine-touchdown campaign in 2019, it sounds like Parker is picking up where he left off. He’s a WR2 as the go-to weapon in the Miami passing attack.
Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith is “an important part” of the team’s offensive plans, according to head coach Sean Payton.
HUDDLE UP: Smith has flashed some potential as a deep threat in his first two seasons, but after the Saints added Emmanuel Sanders this offseason, Payton’s comments feel a bit like lip service. Smith doesn’t need to be rostered going into the season.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Saturday, Aug. 22.
HUDDLE UP: Johnson is considered day-to-day because of his injury, so he should not be in danger of missing the start of the regular season. He is in line for a bigger role this season and can be at least a No. 4 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams (undisclosed) participated in practice Saturday, Aug. 22.
HUDDLE UP: Adams has posted at least 10 touchdowns in three of the last four seasons but was limited to five last season because of injuries. He will continue to receive a lot of targets in the passing game and likely will be selected in the first or second round of fantasy drafts.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring) is dealing with a tight hamstring, according to head coach Matt Rhule.
HUDDLE UP: Samuel probably will be sidelined for a few days but does not appear to be in danger of missing the start of the season. He is coming off a solid 2019 season and should see a decent amount of touches because of his playmaking ability. He has a chance to be a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington (undisclosed) fully participated in practice Friday, Aug. 21.
HUDDLE UP: Washington has been dealing with a minor injury this week but appears to have recovered and is ready for the start of the regular season. He posted solid numbers in 2019 even though he was playing with backup quarterbacks for most of the season. He can be considered a No. 4 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals WR Christian Kirk (undisclosed) returned to practice Friday, Aug. 21, after sitting out the previous day.
HUDDLE UP: Kirk enjoyed a sophomore bump in 2020 with 68 receptions for 709 yards and three TDs, and while another step would normally be expected, the Cards this offseason added DeAndre Hopkins to the mix, which also includes veteran target monster Larry Fitzgerald. That relegates Kirk to WR4 range for now.
Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (groin) returned to practice Friday, Aug. 21, after missing time with a groin injury.
HUDDLE UP: While this issue didn’t appear to be anything major, Watkins has a history of health concerns and it’s one of the reasons why he’s a WR5 despite playing in one of the league’s most potent offenses.
D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore needs to be more imposing this season, according to new head coach Matt Rhule. “DJ has to take another step this year and be that physical, dominant, go-to receiver that on third-and-5 you’re going to,” Rhule said.
HUDDLE UP: Well, Moore won’t have much competition to be the Panthers’ go-to option this season. He topped 1,000 yards in his sophomore campaign but still scored just four touchdowns. Though quarterback play deserves a large share of the blame, he’ll need to find ways to produce to live up to his billing as a top-tier WR2. Any risk associated with him is largely on his team as an expected bottom-feeder.
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley said Tuesday, Aug. 18, he worked on getting his legs “a lot” stronger and trying to get his knees up higher in order to be faster this offseason. “I’m not going to lie, I’m real hungry to show people that I’m easily a 1,000-yard receiver, easily – and even better,” Ridley said.
HUDDLE UP: Ridley has 17 touchdowns through his first two seasons but is widely expected to break out even further in 2020 as the No. 2 option across from Julio Jones. He’s currently being drafted as a high-end WR2 or low-end WR1 and should have little trouble living up to those expectations in the pass-happy Falcons offense.
John Hightower, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles WR John Hightower looks like a receiver who can play on Day 1, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane cites the difficulties the Eagles defensive backs have had containing Hightower in one-on-one drills.
HUDDLE UP: The fifth-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft was mentioned alongside Eagles first-round pick Jalen Reagor as someone who could have a role in Week 1. He likely won’t be an early-season option in standard 12-team leagues, but he could be a target in dynasty leagues or deeper redraft leagues.
Bryan Edwards, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders WR Bryan Edwards has been working with the first-team offense during training camp.
HUDDLE UP: The hype around Edwards is starting to build, and fantasy owners may want to stash the third-round pick in the later rounds in case his needle continues to point up as the season approaches.
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins WR Preston Williams (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Aug. 19, after receiving a day off.
HUDDLE UP: Williams flashed upside as a rookie prior to his injury, and while the Dolphins are being cautious with him, he should start opposite DeVante Parker when he does take the field. Williams is worth grabbing as a WR5 in redraft leagues.
Scott Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Scott Miller is best-suited to playing outside and not in the slot, according to head coach Bruce Arians Wednesday, Aug. 19.
HUDDLE UP: This could limit Miller’s playing time slightly if he’s sharing reps with WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He can be a late-round flier but there are a lot of mouths to feed in Tampa Bay with TEs Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard also in the picture, and he may not be fantasy relevant when everyone else is healthy and active.
Will Fuller, Houston Texans
Houston Texans WR Will Fuller is “going to be one of the best receivers in the league,” according to QB Deshaun Watson Wednesday, Aug. 19. Fuller arrived at camp in great shape, according to head coach Bill O’Brien.
HUDDLE UP: Fuller will be expected to take on a much larger role as one of the primary beneficiaries of DeAndre Hopkins’ departure. The first-round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft has yet to play a full 16-game season due to injuries and is a risky target as a mid-tier WR3.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) is participating in practice Wednesday, Aug. 19.
HUDDLE UP: Hopkins probably will be eased back into practice but does not appear to be in danger of missing Week 1. He has been one of the top receivers in the NFL over the last several seasons and should be part of one of the more productive offenses in the league. He should be a No. 1 receiver in all fantasy leagues.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup is “a No. 1 receiver,” according to head coach Mike McCarthy. “Let’s make it clear, Michael Gallup’s a No. 1 receiver in my view,” McCarthy said.
HUDDLE UP: The addition of CeeDee Lamb to the receiving corps has Gallup flying under the radar a bit, but he posted more than 1,100 yards last year in just his second season. He should still be considered a WR3 in what should be a high-powered Dallas passing attack.
Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals WR Auden Tate has impressed head coach Zac Taylor for having a “great grasp for what we’re trying to do on offense.”
HUDDLE UP: Tate figures to be behind A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins on the depth chart. The Bengals are likely to need to throw often in 2020, but rookie QB Joe Burrow will struggle to make multiple fantasy-relevant receivers in his first year. Tate won’t be an option unless someone ahead of him on the depth chart were to miss time.
Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers WR Dante Pettis is impressing at practice by making catches in traffic over the middle as he competes for a roster spot in 2020, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
HUDDLE UP: There are plenty of openings in the 49ers’ receiving corps with Deebo Samuel (foot), Jalen Hurd (knee) and Richie James (wrist) all expected to miss at least the start of the season. Still, Pettis isn’t worth drafting in anything but the deepest of leagues as a late-round flier.
Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams WR Josh Reynolds has been the “steady” third wide receiver at training camp, according to team play-by-play announcer J.B. Long.
HUDDLE UP: Reynolds has caught 61 of 120 targets for 832 yards and seven touchdowns in his career. He started just two games in 2019 but made eight starts in 2018 when he set career highs across the board. He could be a mid-season streaming option when multiple teams are on bye.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool has made “a couple plays” against CB Joe Haden in training camp that has left the veteran cornerback believing the rookie will “be a problem” for opponents down the road.
“He’s had a couple plays against me this camp. I’ve lined up against him often. He’s a big, fast receiver who’s able to adjust to the ball in the air. He hasn’t shown me anything too bad. . . . As long as he keeps healthy, I think he’s going to be a problem,” Haden told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
HUDDLE UP: Claypool is an interesting fantasy asset in that he has all the size and speed anyone could ask for in a receiver, but he lacks much in the way of shiftiness and wasn’t overly consistent in college. However, the Steelers have shown an ability to find and develop talent at receiver multiple times throughout the years. It is entirely possible Claypool ends up overtaking James Washington at some point this season and evolves into what the team hoped it had with Martavis Bryant a few years ago.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is doing individual drills Tuesday, Aug. 18, due to hamstring issues.
HUDDLE UP: Higgins is one to watch because of A.J. Green’s (hamstring) ongoing injury concerns, but he’s not quite a WR5 flyer yet.
JoJo Natson, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns WR JoJo Natson saw snaps with the first-team offense in practice Monday, Aug. 17, with WR Jarvis Landry sidelined.
HUDDLE UP: Natson was primarily a return man with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets in his first three seasons in the league. He has just two receptions and one catch in three NFL seasons, so even if he somehow finds his way into a role on offense he isn’t someone to rely upon for fantasy purposes at this point.
Kenny Stills, Houston Texans
Houston Texans WR Kenny Stills (undisclosed) participated in his first practice of training camp Monday, Aug. 17.
HUDDLE UP: Stills was activated from the non-football illness list Monday. He is likely slotted for the No. 4 receiver spot with newcomers Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks joining Will Fuller in the receivers room. Unless injuries occur to those three, Stills should see his fantasy appeal limited to deeper formats.
Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis (toe) was on the practice field Monday, Aug. 17, for the first time in training camp after being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list earlier in the day. Davis reportedly looked good running, according to beat writer Jim Wyatt, but he did not get many targets.
HUDDLE UP: Davis is making his way back from toe surgery. If he can stay healthy he is expected to slot behind A.J. Brown as the team’s No. 2 wideout. As such he is worth a look as a late-round pick in deeper fantasy leagues, useful as a WR5 or WR6 for depth.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
New York Jets WR Jamison Crowder said Monday, Aug. 17 that he doesn’t feel like he’s the “top dog” entering training camp, but he is easily the most productive receiver on the roster from last season. “I just know my role,” Crowder said. “That’s a valuable option for (QB Sam Darnold) in the slot.”
HUDDLE UP: Crowder posted a career-best 78 receptions last season for the Jets, and he ended up with 833 yards and six touchdowns, which were each just shy of career highs. Despite his role as the de facto No. 1 receiver for Gang Green, he is still more of a WR4 in most standard leagues and a low-end WR3 in PPR formats.
Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions WR Kenny Golladay said he believes he could reach an agreement on a contract extension before the start of the regular season.
HUDDLE UP: Golladay will be the main option in the passing game this season and could improve his stats with a full season on Matthew Stafford. He should be at least a No. 2 receiver in all fantasy leagues.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz (undisclosed) and TE Dallas Goedert (thumb) participated in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Ertz and Goedert should both be heavily involved in the passing game this season. Ertz is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues, while Goedert can be a low-end No. 1 or a No. 2 fantasy tight end in leagues.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (wrist) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Njoku should be considered day-to-day at this point since there is no timetable for his return. He will still have a role in the passing game even though Austin Hooper will be the starting tight end. Fantasy players can consider Njoku as a No. 2 fantasy tight end.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki believes he will see a lot of single coverage this year because of the attention WR DeVante Parker and WR Preston Williams will demand. “When you get your man-to-man or single coverage you have to win your matchup,” Gesicki said.
HUDDLE UP: Gesicki showed some signs of life at the end of last season, catching five touchdowns over the final six games. He should at least be a streaming option in 2020, and there is a chance he takes another step forward and joins the TE1 ranks.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have resumed contract negotiations with TE Zach Ertz.
HUDDLE UP: The 29-year-old Ertz is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl season, with 88 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. He should be viewed as a starting tight end option in all fantasy formats this year.
Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks TE Greg Olsen’s work with QB Russell Wilson this offseason is evident in practice, according to head coach Pete Carroll. “I’m really, really fired up about Greg,” Carroll said.
HUDDLE UP: Olsen’s recent injury history is a concern, but don’t forget that Wilson was able to help Jimmy Graham turn back the clock, and he made Will Dissly into a legitimate weapon. Olsen has TE1 potential if he can stay on the field.
Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst will be an “every-down tight end” this season, according to Kelsey Conway of AtlantaFalcons.com.
HUDDLE UP: With Austin Hooper out of the picture, Hurst is set to be the unquestioned starter in his first year with the Falcons. If you don’t spend a high pick on one of elite tight ends, Hurst offers TE1 potential and should be available in the later rounds.
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans
Houston Texans TE Jordan Akins has made a couple of big catches for first downs and in the end zone and is having a strong camp, according to John Harris of HoustonTexans.com.
HUDDLE UP: Akins set career highs with 36 catches on 55 targets for 418 yards and two touchdowns in 2020. The Texans’ new-look receiving corps and the thin nature of the tight end position will make Akins a low-end TE1 option in all formats.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant (illness) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 19, because of an illness that is not related to COVID-19.
HUDDLE UP: Fant probably will return to the field in the next few days. He showed good chemistry with Drew Lock last season and should receive a solid amount of targets this season. Fant can be considered a No. 1 tight end in some fantasy leagues.
Chris Herndon, New York Jets
New York Jets TE Chris Herndon was praised by head coach Adam Gase after practice on Sunday, Aug. 17. “He’s our starting tight end,” the coach said. “He plays both in-line and he plays off the ball.”
HUDDLE UP: Herndon was limited to just 18 offensive snaps last season, but the coach is high on the tight end. He has lined up at slot receiver, outside receiver and traditional tight end spots in practice. He could be quite a sleeper heading into the season, and he is worth scooping up as a late-round gem who could easily outperform his ADP if he stays healthy.
Cam Newton, New England Patriots
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton received 30 repetitions during team drills Sunday, Aug. 23, while QB Brian Hoyer received 12 reps during 11-on-11 drills.
HUDDLE UP: Newton appears to be on track to win the starting job especially with Jarrett Stidham dealing with an injury. He has played well in the past but has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons. Newton probably should be considered a No. 2 fantasy quarterback at this point.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Allen may have been held out because the team had problems with their COVID-19 testing, so fantasy players should know more about his status in the next day or two. He will have a solid group of receivers to work with this season and also adds value with his running ability. He can be a low-end No. 1 or a high-end No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has been “as advertised” with his accuracy in the first three days of training camp, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald Wednesday, Aug. 19. Jackson said Tagovailoa has been on target but without any wow plays or bad plays.
HUDDLE UP: Tagovailoa is expected to begin the 2020 season behind QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and will have trouble getting on the field in his rookie season due to the shortened offseason. The fifth-overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft is a top dynasty target, but he shouldn’t be drafted in anything other than the deepest redraft leagues.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones added muscle this offseason, increasing his playing weight from 220 pounds to 229 pounds. “Obviously, he’s a guy that during the pandemic, he didn’t take time off,” head coach Joe Judge said.
HUDDLE UP: While it is encouraging to hear that Jones dedicated himself to improving his physique, cutting down on the turnovers that plagued him as a rookie is his biggest hurdle. He should improve in his second season, but he will probably top out as a midrange QB2.
Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots
New England Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham (leg) was spotted throwing passes to WR Julian Edelman during the portion of practice which was open to the media Friday, Aug. 21. He had undergone precautionary tests at a hospital for a leg injury Thursday, Aug. 20, but all of the tests came back negative.
HUDDLE UP: Despite returning to practice, Stidham is not expected to be fully recovered for several weeks. Cam Newton is expected to begin the season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback and should be viewed as a low-end QB1 in deeper fantasy leagues, while Stidham possesses little value in any format at this time.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (personal) is out of practice Friday, Aug. 21, and the team wouldn’t comment on why he was gone or when he would return.
HUDDLE UP: The team has until Friday afternoon to place him on the COVID-19 list if that is the cause. Tua Tagovailoa could wind up having as big of an opening to the starter’s job as humanly possible. He’s a speculative midrange QB2 as a rookie.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky drew compliments from teammate WR/RB Cordarrelle Patterson Tuesday, Aug. 18, for his demeanor at training camp. “The way he’s handling things. I feel he’s been more of a leader,” Patterson said. “Last year I didn’t feel like he was that guy, but this year he’s taking over. He wants everybody to know that he’s that guy and we can come to him when we need something. He’s doing a helluva job with it.”
HUDDLE UP: Trubisky is competing with trade-acquisition Nick Foles for the Bears’ Week 1 starting job. Neither candidate would be much more than a low-tier QB2 in deeper leagues or Superflex leagues.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs needs to be “more on the field on third down” this year, according to head coach Jon Gruden.
HUDDLE UP: The coaching staff has talked about using Jacobs more in the passing game throughout the offseason, and if that ends up being the case, he should finish as a RB1 in all formats in 2020.
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Saturday, Aug. 22.
HUDDLE UP: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Conner will miss more practice time. He was limited to 10 games last season and finished with only 464 yards and four touchdowns. Conner will receive most of the snaps at running back this season and can be a No. 2 running back in fantasy leagues.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson (personal) is away from the team because of a personal matter but should return soon, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
HUDDLE UP: Carson will continue to be the starting running back for the Seahawks this season even though they signed Carlos Hyde. He has rushed for at least 1,150 yards in each of the last two seasons and should be at least a No. 2 running back in fantasy leagues.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery said Saturday, Aug. 22, he’s focused on his diet and losing weight this offseason after he was disappointed in his quickness and speed in 2019.
HUDDLE UP: Montgomery totaled 1,074 yards from scrimmage and seven TDs last season, but the rookie still fell short of the preseason hype. Regard him a low-end RB2 with upside.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift (leg) is not practicing for a second straight day Saturday, Aug. 22, after suffering what appeared to be an upper-leg injury in practice two days earlier. Head coach Matt Patricia refused Saturday to elaborate further on Swift’s injury.
HUDDLE UP: Nothing so far has indicated this issue is anything serious, but it’s certainly a situation to monitor with big things expected out of the rookie back this season. Value him as a high-end RB3 for now with upside.
Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley (knee) will be limited in practice Saturday, Aug. 22, as part of workload management plan head coach Dan Quinn said. Gurley is expected to return to more work Sunday.
HUDDLE UP: Gurley is only 26 but likely is never going to be the RB1 workhorse he was only a few years ago. However, he’s still expected to be the Falcons’ main back this season and is a solid RB2 consideration in drafts.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (concussion) on Saturday, Aug. 22, cleared concussion protocol and is expected to return to the field later in the day for practice.
HUDDLE UP: Great news for Chubb who remains a solid RB1 pick in all fantasy formats.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams RB Darrell Henderson (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a low-grade hamstring strain and may be available for the start of the regular season, according to a source.
HUDDLE UP: Henderson probably will not do much during practice this week, but it appears like he will not miss much time. He is expected to be part of a committee at running back this season but may not be the main option in the committee. He should still see a handful of touches each game and could be a flex option or No. 3 running back in fantasy leagues.
James White, New England Patriots
New England Patriots RB James White (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: White may have sat out because of COVID-19 testing problems, so fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation. White should continue to be a receiver out of the backfield for the Patriots and can be a flex option in fantasy leagues.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon (rib) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Gordon is considered day-to-day because of the rib injury and probably will return to practice in a few days. He likely will be the starting running back but will not be a workhorse at the position with Phillip Lindsay in line for a solid role. Gordon can be considered a No. 2 running back in most fantasy leagues.
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions RB Kerryon Johnson said he has become comfortable playing with a brace on his right knee. “So that’s just the new me,” Johnson said. “I’m the knee-brace guy, everybody jokes about it. It feels great. I like having the knee brace on. It helps me out a lot.”
HUDDLE UP: Johnson appears to be healthy heading into the 2020 season, but last year’s injury issues likely cost him any shot at becoming a lead back in Detroit. The Lions added D’Andre Swift in the second round of the draft, likely pushing Johnson into RB4 territory as a backup to the rookie.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry left practice early Monday, Aug. 17, leaving the field with a trainer before working on a stationary bike while his teammates finished up the session. Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t provide any specifics after practice.
HUDDLE UP: It doesn’t sound like it was anything major, especially if he rode the bike in plain view rather than receiving medical attention in private. Fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief for now, as it sounds like much ado about nothing.
Darrynton Evans, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans RB Darrynton Evans (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Evans is on track to be the primary running back for the Titans this season if is healthy. He probably will see a handful of touches each game but may only be a handcuff to Derrick Henry in fantasy leagues.
Sony Michel, New England Patriots
New England Patriots RB Sony Michel (foot) remains a possibility to play in Week 1, Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said Friday, Aug. 21. “I think he’ll be ready when he has a shot to get out there,” Fears said. “Hopefully we have some time before the first game for him to be out there. If not, we’ll take him when we get him.”
HUDDLE UP: Michel’s PUP list stint and the signing of Lamar Miller has returned the Patriots’ backfield into a state of fantasy uncertainty. Pass-catching back James White might be safest bet at the moment, but value Michel as a high-end RB4 for now.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn will be used as a kick returner to start the season, according to head coach Bruce Arians.
HUDDLE UP: With LeSean McCoy in town, Vaughn will likely need an injury to be a factor in single-year leagues. Keep him on the waiver wire backburner.
Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons RB Qadree Ollison was “the most impressive back” during practice Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com, and McFadden believes Ollison could carve out a bigger role this season.
HUDDLE UP: Between his potential as a short-yardage back and Todd Gurley’s balky knee, Ollison could be a late-round lottery ticket in deeper leagues.
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills RB Zack Moss “is expected to be a big part” of the team’s rushing attack this season, according to Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. Skurski adds Moss showed at practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, he could also see work in the passing game.
HUDDLE UP: A third-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, expectations have been growing for Moss. He was originally expected to be the No. 2 behind Devin Singletary, but it now seems as though he could be the feature back. He should be targeted as a low-end RB2 or top-end RB3.
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin is projected to be the team’s No. 3 running back behind Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds, according to Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com. “He has a knack for finding the hole, there’s no doubt,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “He definitely has a feel for the run game, and that’s exciting to see where he can take this thing. He has to find a role in and contribute on special teams, and he knows that, but we like what we’ve seen so far.”
HUDDLE UP: Benjamin could be worth a late-round flier in deep dynasty leagues but he won’t begin the 2020 season with any fantasy value in redraft leagues.
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers RB Justin Jackson has the “inside track” to be the backup to RB Austin Ekeler, according to Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register.
HUDDLE UP: Jackson has made the most out of his touches, but injuries have been an issue. Still, Ekeler owners should consider adding him in the later rounds as a handcuff.
Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake will be more involved in the passing game this season, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury. “He’s hard to tackle one-on-one in space,” Kingsbury said. “So that’s an area we’d like to get him more involved in.”
HUDDLE UP: With David Johnson completely out of the picture and the prospect of more targets in the passing game, Drake seems primed to build on the success he had once he joined the Cardinals last season. He is a low-end RB1 candidate.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders (lower body) “will be ready to play” Week 1, according to a source Wednesday, Aug. 19. Sanders is officially considered week-to-week by the team.
HUDDLE UP: Sanders is a first- or second-round pick and this report does little to inspire confidence. Still, he must be drafted without a discount due to his potential and large share of Philadelphia’s backfield.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds could be a starting running back in the NFL, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury Wednesday, Aug. 19.
HUDDLE UP: Edmonds rushed for 303 yards and four touchdowns while adding 12 receptions for another 105 yards and a touchdown over two starts and 13 total games played in 2019. RB Kenyan Drake was brought back this offseason to be the starter, but Edmonds is the next best option on the depth chart. He’s a good depth or handcuff target late in drafts.
Bryce Love, Washington Football Team
Washington Football Team RB Bryce Love worked with the first-team offense Wednesday, Aug. 19, with RB Adrian Peterson out. Love’s role as the No. 2 running back in Washington “seems quite real,” according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.
HUDDLE UP: Rookie Antonio Gibson is also in the mix, but he could have most of his work come in the passing game. Love will be worth a late-round draft choice as a potential handcuff to Peterson as the primary rusher.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has stopped contract extension talks with the Vikings and plans to focus on the regular season, according to sources. The two sides could resume talks in the future.
HUDDLE UP: Cook ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season and should have a similar season if he can stay healthy in 2020. He should be selected in the first or second round of fantasy drafts and will be a must-start option each week.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles RB Boston Scott (leg) is day to day with a lower-body injury.
HUDDLE UP: Miles Sanders (leg) is week to week, and Scott needs to heal up quickly to receive some important snaps in practice. Scott is a handcuff to Sanders and has some RB4 merit on his own.
Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons RB Ito Smith is impressing Matthew Tabeek of AtlantaFalcons.com with his ability to change directions. “If you blink at the wrong moment you can lose sight of Smith in a hurry,” said Tabeek.
HUDDLE UP: Todd Gurley will need to be handcuffed this season and Smith is seemingly the top candidate. He has rushed for just 421 yards and five touchdowns through his first two seasons, with another 239 yards coming as a pass-catcher. The Falcons are desperate for a rushing attack after last year’s poor team performance and will need as many helping bodies as they can get. Smith could be a late-round target in deeper leagues.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs RB Darrel Williams was the feature back for the first-team offense at practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, with RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire taking the day off.
HUDDLE UP: Williams figured to be competing with Darwin Thompson for any work behind the first-round rookie this season. He carried the ball 41 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns while adding 15 receptions for 167 yards and one touchdown last season. He’ll be worth a late-round flier if he’s indeed named the No. 2 behind CEH.
Duke Johnson, Houston Texans
Houston Texans RB Duke Johnson said Monday, Aug. 17, that he is comfortable in the system after his first full offseason with the team. “I’m much more comfortable. It’s kind of night and day for me,” Johnson said. “My expectations for myself is just make my plays whenever the opportunity presents itself.”
HUDDLE UP: Johnson is the primary backup to David Johnson, who has had issues staying on the field due to health. If Johnson can stay healthy he could have a big role in the offense. He is especially useful in deeper PPR leagues for his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams (shoulder) is considered week to week with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. He’s expected to be ready for the season opener.
HUDDLE UP: Williams is still worthy of a WR4 grab, and the ailment could even make him fall into a bargain WR5 area.
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jalen Reagor drew some praise last week when Carson Wentz observed that the rookie and Julio Jones share “some similarities with how they run routes.”
“By no means am I saying this rookie is Julio Jones right now. Just the way that Jalen – his combination of speed and power – and just watching tape of Julio, I see some similarities with how they run routes,” Wentz told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
HUDDLE UP: Jones will almost certainly be headed to the Hall of Fame five years after he retires, so it’s safe to say Wentz was doing nothing more than showing his approval for the team’s first-round pick this spring. Reagor is ticketed for a substantial Week 1 role regardless of whether or not Alshon Jeffery is cleared to play, and there’s a decent chance the TCU product will lead his position group in receiving this season if Jeffery and DeSean Jackson continue to struggle with injuries. Consider him a WR4 with upside.
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears WR Allen Robinson (ankle) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23, but head coach Matt Nagy said he is not concerned about the injury.
HUDDLE UP: Robinson probably will be eased back into practice and should be fine for the regular season. He will be the top option in the passing game for the Bears and will be a weekly starting option in all fantasy leagues.
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill (hamstring) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Hill does not need much practice time to be ready for the start of the regular season but should be back on the field soon. He is one of the top receivers in the NFL and should be a No. 1 fantasy receiver in all leagues.
Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook (shoulder) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Westbrook should be considered day-to-day because of the injury. He is in line to be a top-three receiver for the Jaguars this season and could a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (hamstring) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Green has dealt with injuries over the last several years, so the team probably is being cautious with him. Green is a productive receiver when he is healthy and could be a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues with a chance to be more valuable.
Denzel Mims, New York Jets
New York Jets WR Denzel Mims (hamstring) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Mims has missed a majority of training camp because of the injury but the team is hoping that he returns soon. His role in the passing game is uncertain since he has not had a lot of practice time during the offseason and camp. He could still be a late round pick but probably will not be a starting option in any league.
Breshad Perriman, New York Jets
New York Jets WR Breshad Perriman (knee) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23, because of a sore knee but is expected to take part in practice Monday, Aug. 24, according to head coach Adam Gase.
HUDDLE UP: Perriman had a strong finish to the 2019 season and is on track to be one of the main options in the passing game this season. He should be ready for the start of the regular season and can be at least a No. 4 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring) left practice early Sunday, Aug. 23, after suffering an apparent hamstring injury.
HUDDLE UP: Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation to see how long Aiyuk may be sidelined. He is expected to have a solid role in the passing game despite being a rookie, but the injury could affect his role on offense. He can be a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues if the injury is minor.
KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) was present during practice Sunday, Aug. 23, but did not participate in any drills.
HUDDLE UP: Hamler could miss as much as a month, so he will be at least questionable for Week 1. He should be a playmaker in the passing game when he is able to play and can be a late round option in fantasy leagues despite the injury.
N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots
New England Patriots WR N’Keal Harry (undisclosed) participated in practice Sunday, Aug. 28.
HUDDLE UP: Harry appears to have recovered from his injury and will be ready for the start of the regular season. He is expected to be one of the starting receivers for the Patriots this season and will see a solid amount of targets. Harry can be considered in the later rounds of fantasy drafts as a No. 5 receiver.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins WR DeVante Parker is “showing off great chemistry” with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick during training camp, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com.
HUDDLE UP: After finally putting it all together with a 1,202-yard, nine-touchdown campaign in 2019, it sounds like Parker is picking up where he left off. He’s a WR2 as the go-to weapon in the Miami passing attack.
Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith is “an important part” of the team’s offensive plans, according to head coach Sean Payton.
HUDDLE UP: Smith has flashed some potential as a deep threat in his first two seasons, but after the Saints added Emmanuel Sanders this offseason, Payton’s comments feel a bit like lip service. Smith doesn’t need to be rostered going into the season.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Saturday, Aug. 22.
HUDDLE UP: Johnson is considered day-to-day because of his injury, so he should not be in danger of missing the start of the regular season. He is in line for a bigger role this season and can be at least a No. 4 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams (undisclosed) participated in practice Saturday, Aug. 22.
HUDDLE UP: Adams has posted at least 10 touchdowns in three of the last four seasons but was limited to five last season because of injuries. He will continue to receive a lot of targets in the passing game and likely will be selected in the first or second round of fantasy drafts.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring) is dealing with a tight hamstring, according to head coach Matt Rhule.
HUDDLE UP: Samuel probably will be sidelined for a few days but does not appear to be in danger of missing the start of the season. He is coming off a solid 2019 season and should see a decent amount of touches because of his playmaking ability. He has a chance to be a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington (undisclosed) fully participated in practice Friday, Aug. 21.
HUDDLE UP: Washington has been dealing with a minor injury this week but appears to have recovered and is ready for the start of the regular season. He posted solid numbers in 2019 even though he was playing with backup quarterbacks for most of the season. He can be considered a No. 4 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals WR Christian Kirk (undisclosed) returned to practice Friday, Aug. 21, after sitting out the previous day.
HUDDLE UP: Kirk enjoyed a sophomore bump in 2020 with 68 receptions for 709 yards and three TDs, and while another step would normally be expected, the Cards this offseason added DeAndre Hopkins to the mix, which also includes veteran target monster Larry Fitzgerald. That relegates Kirk to WR4 range for now.
Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (groin) returned to practice Friday, Aug. 21, after missing time with a groin injury.
HUDDLE UP: While this issue didn’t appear to be anything major, Watkins has a history of health concerns and it’s one of the reasons why he’s a WR5 despite playing in one of the league’s most potent offenses.
D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore needs to be more imposing this season, according to new head coach Matt Rhule. “DJ has to take another step this year and be that physical, dominant, go-to receiver that on third-and-5 you’re going to,” Rhule said.
HUDDLE UP: Well, Moore won’t have much competition to be the Panthers’ go-to option this season. He topped 1,000 yards in his sophomore campaign but still scored just four touchdowns. Though quarterback play deserves a large share of the blame, he’ll need to find ways to produce to live up to his billing as a top-tier WR2. Any risk associated with him is largely on his team as an expected bottom-feeder.
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley said Tuesday, Aug. 18, he worked on getting his legs “a lot” stronger and trying to get his knees up higher in order to be faster this offseason. “I’m not going to lie, I’m real hungry to show people that I’m easily a 1,000-yard receiver, easily – and even better,” Ridley said.
HUDDLE UP: Ridley has 17 touchdowns through his first two seasons but is widely expected to break out even further in 2020 as the No. 2 option across from Julio Jones. He’s currently being drafted as a high-end WR2 or low-end WR1 and should have little trouble living up to those expectations in the pass-happy Falcons offense.
John Hightower, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles WR John Hightower looks like a receiver who can play on Day 1, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane cites the difficulties the Eagles defensive backs have had containing Hightower in one-on-one drills.
HUDDLE UP: The fifth-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft was mentioned alongside Eagles first-round pick Jalen Reagor as someone who could have a role in Week 1. He likely won’t be an early-season option in standard 12-team leagues, but he could be a target in dynasty leagues or deeper redraft leagues.
Bryan Edwards, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders WR Bryan Edwards has been working with the first-team offense during training camp.
HUDDLE UP: The hype around Edwards is starting to build, and fantasy owners may want to stash the third-round pick in the later rounds in case his needle continues to point up as the season approaches.
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins WR Preston Williams (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Aug. 19, after receiving a day off.
HUDDLE UP: Williams flashed upside as a rookie prior to his injury, and while the Dolphins are being cautious with him, he should start opposite DeVante Parker when he does take the field. Williams is worth grabbing as a WR5 in redraft leagues.
Scott Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Scott Miller is best-suited to playing outside and not in the slot, according to head coach Bruce Arians Wednesday, Aug. 19.
HUDDLE UP: This could limit Miller’s playing time slightly if he’s sharing reps with WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He can be a late-round flier but there are a lot of mouths to feed in Tampa Bay with TEs Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard also in the picture, and he may not be fantasy relevant when everyone else is healthy and active.
Will Fuller, Houston Texans
Houston Texans WR Will Fuller is “going to be one of the best receivers in the league,” according to QB Deshaun Watson Wednesday, Aug. 19. Fuller arrived at camp in great shape, according to head coach Bill O’Brien.
HUDDLE UP: Fuller will be expected to take on a much larger role as one of the primary beneficiaries of DeAndre Hopkins’ departure. The first-round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft has yet to play a full 16-game season due to injuries and is a risky target as a mid-tier WR3.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) is participating in practice Wednesday, Aug. 19.
HUDDLE UP: Hopkins probably will be eased back into practice but does not appear to be in danger of missing Week 1. He has been one of the top receivers in the NFL over the last several seasons and should be part of one of the more productive offenses in the league. He should be a No. 1 receiver in all fantasy leagues.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup is “a No. 1 receiver,” according to head coach Mike McCarthy. “Let’s make it clear, Michael Gallup’s a No. 1 receiver in my view,” McCarthy said.
HUDDLE UP: The addition of CeeDee Lamb to the receiving corps has Gallup flying under the radar a bit, but he posted more than 1,100 yards last year in just his second season. He should still be considered a WR3 in what should be a high-powered Dallas passing attack.
Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals WR Auden Tate has impressed head coach Zac Taylor for having a “great grasp for what we’re trying to do on offense.”
HUDDLE UP: Tate figures to be behind A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins on the depth chart. The Bengals are likely to need to throw often in 2020, but rookie QB Joe Burrow will struggle to make multiple fantasy-relevant receivers in his first year. Tate won’t be an option unless someone ahead of him on the depth chart were to miss time.
Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers WR Dante Pettis is impressing at practice by making catches in traffic over the middle as he competes for a roster spot in 2020, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
HUDDLE UP: There are plenty of openings in the 49ers’ receiving corps with Deebo Samuel (foot), Jalen Hurd (knee) and Richie James (wrist) all expected to miss at least the start of the season. Still, Pettis isn’t worth drafting in anything but the deepest of leagues as a late-round flier.
Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams WR Josh Reynolds has been the “steady” third wide receiver at training camp, according to team play-by-play announcer J.B. Long.
HUDDLE UP: Reynolds has caught 61 of 120 targets for 832 yards and seven touchdowns in his career. He started just two games in 2019 but made eight starts in 2018 when he set career highs across the board. He could be a mid-season streaming option when multiple teams are on bye.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool has made “a couple plays” against CB Joe Haden in training camp that has left the veteran cornerback believing the rookie will “be a problem” for opponents down the road.
“He’s had a couple plays against me this camp. I’ve lined up against him often. He’s a big, fast receiver who’s able to adjust to the ball in the air. He hasn’t shown me anything too bad. . . . As long as he keeps healthy, I think he’s going to be a problem,” Haden told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
HUDDLE UP: Claypool is an interesting fantasy asset in that he has all the size and speed anyone could ask for in a receiver, but he lacks much in the way of shiftiness and wasn’t overly consistent in college. However, the Steelers have shown an ability to find and develop talent at receiver multiple times throughout the years. It is entirely possible Claypool ends up overtaking James Washington at some point this season and evolves into what the team hoped it had with Martavis Bryant a few years ago.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is doing individual drills Tuesday, Aug. 18, due to hamstring issues.
HUDDLE UP: Higgins is one to watch because of A.J. Green’s (hamstring) ongoing injury concerns, but he’s not quite a WR5 flyer yet.
JoJo Natson, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns WR JoJo Natson saw snaps with the first-team offense in practice Monday, Aug. 17, with WR Jarvis Landry sidelined.
HUDDLE UP: Natson was primarily a return man with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets in his first three seasons in the league. He has just two receptions and one catch in three NFL seasons, so even if he somehow finds his way into a role on offense he isn’t someone to rely upon for fantasy purposes at this point.
Kenny Stills, Houston Texans
Houston Texans WR Kenny Stills (undisclosed) participated in his first practice of training camp Monday, Aug. 17.
HUDDLE UP: Stills was activated from the non-football illness list Monday. He is likely slotted for the No. 4 receiver spot with newcomers Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks joining Will Fuller in the receivers room. Unless injuries occur to those three, Stills should see his fantasy appeal limited to deeper formats.
Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis (toe) was on the practice field Monday, Aug. 17, for the first time in training camp after being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list earlier in the day. Davis reportedly looked good running, according to beat writer Jim Wyatt, but he did not get many targets.
HUDDLE UP: Davis is making his way back from toe surgery. If he can stay healthy he is expected to slot behind A.J. Brown as the team’s No. 2 wideout. As such he is worth a look as a late-round pick in deeper fantasy leagues, useful as a WR5 or WR6 for depth.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
New York Jets WR Jamison Crowder said Monday, Aug. 17 that he doesn’t feel like he’s the “top dog” entering training camp, but he is easily the most productive receiver on the roster from last season. “I just know my role,” Crowder said. “That’s a valuable option for (QB Sam Darnold) in the slot.”
HUDDLE UP: Crowder posted a career-best 78 receptions last season for the Jets, and he ended up with 833 yards and six touchdowns, which were each just shy of career highs. Despite his role as the de facto No. 1 receiver for Gang Green, he is still more of a WR4 in most standard leagues and a low-end WR3 in PPR formats.
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Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions WR Kenny Golladay said he believes he could reach an agreement on a contract extension before the start of the regular season.
HUDDLE UP: Golladay will be the main option in the passing game this season and could improve his stats with a full season on Matthew Stafford. He should be at least a No. 2 receiver in all fantasy leagues.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz (undisclosed) and TE Dallas Goedert (thumb) participated in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Ertz and Goedert should both be heavily involved in the passing game this season. Ertz is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues, while Goedert can be a low-end No. 1 or a No. 2 fantasy tight end in leagues.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (wrist) did not participate in practice Sunday, Aug. 23.
HUDDLE UP: Njoku should be considered day-to-day at this point since there is no timetable for his return. He will still have a role in the passing game even though Austin Hooper will be the starting tight end. Fantasy players can consider Njoku as a No. 2 fantasy tight end.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki believes he will see a lot of single coverage this year because of the attention WR DeVante Parker and WR Preston Williams will demand. “When you get your man-to-man or single coverage you have to win your matchup,” Gesicki said.
HUDDLE UP: Gesicki showed some signs of life at the end of last season, catching five touchdowns over the final six games. He should at least be a streaming option in 2020, and there is a chance he takes another step forward and joins the TE1 ranks.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have resumed contract negotiations with TE Zach Ertz.
HUDDLE UP: The 29-year-old Ertz is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl season, with 88 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. He should be viewed as a starting tight end option in all fantasy formats this year.
Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks TE Greg Olsen’s work with QB Russell Wilson this offseason is evident in practice, according to head coach Pete Carroll. “I’m really, really fired up about Greg,” Carroll said.
HUDDLE UP: Olsen’s recent injury history is a concern, but don’t forget that Wilson was able to help Jimmy Graham turn back the clock, and he made Will Dissly into a legitimate weapon. Olsen has TE1 potential if he can stay on the field.
Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst will be an “every-down tight end” this season, according to Kelsey Conway of AtlantaFalcons.com.
HUDDLE UP: With Austin Hooper out of the picture, Hurst is set to be the unquestioned starter in his first year with the Falcons. If you don’t spend a high pick on one of elite tight ends, Hurst offers TE1 potential and should be available in the later rounds.
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans
Houston Texans TE Jordan Akins has made a couple of big catches for first downs and in the end zone and is having a strong camp, according to John Harris of HoustonTexans.com.
HUDDLE UP: Akins set career highs with 36 catches on 55 targets for 418 yards and two touchdowns in 2020. The Texans’ new-look receiving corps and the thin nature of the tight end position will make Akins a low-end TE1 option in all formats.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant (illness) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 19, because of an illness that is not related to COVID-19.
HUDDLE UP: Fant probably will return to the field in the next few days. He showed good chemistry with Drew Lock last season and should receive a solid amount of targets this season. Fant can be considered a No. 1 tight end in some fantasy leagues.
Chris Herndon, New York Jets
New York Jets TE Chris Herndon was praised by head coach Adam Gase after practice on Sunday, Aug. 17. “He’s our starting tight end,” the coach said. “He plays both in-line and he plays off the ball.”
HUDDLE UP: Herndon was limited to just 18 offensive snaps last season, but the coach is high on the tight end. He has lined up at slot receiver, outside receiver and traditional tight end spots in practice. He could be quite a sleeper heading into the season, and he is worth scooping up as a late-round gem who could easily outperform his ADP if he stays healthy.
The third-year wideout could possibly miss the season opener.
Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams is considered week-to-week after suffering a shoulder sprain at practice on Sunday, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Williams was attempting to bring in a diving pass down the field, but he was unable to reel it in. He ended up falling on his right arm hard, which resulted in him having to leave practice early to get it checked out.
Rapoport added that his collarbone is currently intact. Per Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano, Williams was on the field watching practice on Monday.
With Los Angeles’ season opener against the Bengals in less than three weeks, Williams’ availability for the game is currently up in the air.
If the third-year player is unable to go in Week 1, it could lead to more opportunities for Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson and rookies Joe Reed and K.J. Hill.
These are the top best-ball fantasy football dice rolls for the week of Aug. 24.
Fantasy football best-ball drafts are a blast. My preferred league platforms for these drafts are RTSports.com and SportsHub’s “Best-Ball 10s” services. Neither company sponsored this article … I just like what they do in the space. Check ’em out, or look around the web to find competitors.
Let’s dive right into my four favorite gambles for this upcoming week’s drafting action:
QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: While some gamers may not be inclined to potentially waste any pick, especially if Drew Brees isn’t on their team, this is one of the smartest wagers late in fantasy drafts. Brees is 41 years old, and he missed several games last year with a thumb injury, albeit kind of a fluky one. Winston has as dangerous a weapons cache as one will find in the NFL for a backup with considerable starting experience. The mistakes are part of owning Winston in fantasy, but he’s a lock for QB1 production should Brees miss action in 2020. Speculative mining is absolutely in play here, too, for gamers who don’t draft Brees.
RB Reggie Bonnafon, Carolina Panthers: Similar to the Winston recommendation, here’s an opportunity to spend a 19th- or 20th-round pick on a guy one injury away from replacing the best back in fantasy football. There will be zero utility here if Christian McCaffrey doesn’t miss time, but after registering the most touches in football over the past two seasons, what’s the harm in investing next to nothing in covering your bases, particularly if Run CMC is on your roster. This one should be an no-brainer for McCaffrey owners, although there’s only pure upside for those looking to steal a handcuff.
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WR Kenny Stills, Houston Texans: Is there a late-round receiver better suited for best-ball flier picks? Stills has the ability to uncork a defense, and he’s returning to an even friendlier situation than last year. No DeAndre Hopkins opens a significant amount of targets to be distributed, and the two primary receivers ahead of Stills in the pecking order come with serious injury concerns. Will Fuller is about as fragile as a receiver can be made, and Brandin Cooks is a concussion away from possibly before forced to sit out the year. Stills posted double-digit fantasy points in four of his final six games last season, showing chemistry with Deshaun Watson in their first year together. Enjoy the late-round return on investment!
TE Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings: In the past three years, Rudolph has 17 individual games (35 percent of appearances) with at least one touchdown, and three of those contests were two-score outings. … Not too shabby for a guy going in the 18th round of many best-ball drafts. Low investment, big pay-off potential for the cagey veteran. Sure, he’ll lose some touches to Irv Smith Jr., but Rudolph isn’t going anywhere, and the offense is more than capable of feeding both tight ends. The loss of Stefon Diggs and the familiarity with Kirk Cousins makes Rudolph a total steal in this format.
For more fantasy football tips, insight and expertise to win your league, visit TheHuddle.com today! Use the code SBW20 to take $10 off of your 2020 subscription. Valid for new customers only, offer expires 9/30/2020.
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These are the top best-ball fantasy football dice rolls for the week of Aug. 24.
Fantasy football best-ball drafts are a blast. My preferred league platforms for these drafts are RTSports.com and SportsHub’s “Best-Ball 10s” services. Neither company sponsored this article … I just like what they do in the space. Check ’em out, or look around the web to find competitors.
Let’s dive right into my four favorite gambles for this upcoming week’s drafting action:
QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: While some gamers may not be inclined to potentially waste any pick, especially if Drew Brees isn’t on their team, this is one of the smartest wagers late in fantasy drafts. Brees is 41 years old, and he missed several games last year with a thumb injury, albeit kind of a fluky one. Winston has as dangerous a weapons cache as one will find in the NFL for a backup with considerable starting experience. The mistakes are part of owning Winston in fantasy, but he’s a lock for QB1 production should Brees miss action in 2020. Speculative mining is absolutely in play here, too, for gamers who don’t draft Brees.
RB Reggie Bonnafon, Carolina Panthers: Similar to the Winston recommendation, here’s an opportunity to spend a 19th- or 20th-round pick on a guy one injury away from replacing the best back in fantasy football. There will be zero utility here if Christian McCaffrey doesn’t miss time, but after registering the most touches in football over the past two seasons, what’s the harm in investing next to nothing in covering your bases, particularly if Run CMC is on your roster. This one should be an no-brainer for McCaffrey owners, although there’s only pure upside for those looking to steal a handcuff.
Building your championship roster begins today with signing up for The Huddle’s premium service!
WR Kenny Stills, Houston Texans: Is there a late-round receiver better suited for best-ball flier picks? Stills has the ability to uncork a defense, and he’s returning to an even friendlier situation than last year. No DeAndre Hopkins opens a significant amount of targets to be distributed, and the two primary receivers ahead of Stills in the pecking order come with serious injury concerns. Will Fuller is about as fragile as a receiver can be made, and Brandin Cooks is a concussion away from possibly before forced to sit out the year. Stills posted double-digit fantasy points in four of his final six games last season, showing chemistry with Deshaun Watson in their first year together. Enjoy the late-round return on investment!
TE Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings: In the past three years, Rudolph has 17 individual games (35 percent of appearances) with at least one touchdown, and three of those contests were two-score outings. … Not too shabby for a guy going in the 18th round of many best-ball drafts. Low investment, big pay-off potential for the cagey veteran. Sure, he’ll lose some touches to Irv Smith Jr., but Rudolph isn’t going anywhere, and the offense is more than capable of feeding both tight ends. The loss of Stefon Diggs and the familiarity with Kirk Cousins makes Rudolph a total steal in this format.
How should fantasy football gamers approach the new-look Houston Texans receiving corps?
The jaw-dropping trade of all-world receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals earlier this year was one of myriad bizarre events of 2020. The Houston Texans landed a former fantasy football stud in running back David Johnson, suggesting the offense will attempt to commit more to the run than in recent years.
In lieu of Hopkins, head coach Bill O’Brien’s offense will have to make do with less individual talent and transform the Deshaun Watson-led passing attack into a game of strategic distribution.
The likeliest place to find a strong fantasy football season among the wideouts is Will Fuller, and it will require him to stay on the field for 16 games — something he has yet to do as a pro. He’s returning to form from surgery to fix a core injury, which is the latest in a long list of ailments ranging from multiple hamstring strains to a broken collarbone to a torn ACL. Trusting him to play every week is asking for trouble, yet he is bound to come through sooner or later, right?
Fuller has worked hard on improving his body mechanics and conditioning to ensure he can stay on the field. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, he has the makings of an NFL WR1. He’s a fringe fantasy No. 1, but the durability factor drives his value down considerably. His ADP is the early seventh round in PPR, and that’s a fine time to take a stab at him.
Opposite Fuller entering the season is journeyman Brandin Cooks, who is coming off of his worst season as an NFL receiver. Cooks has proven he can pick up an NFL playbook on the fly and excel. Concussions are a concern, and it’s unclear how much chemistry he has with Watson at this point, given the offseason’s difficulties. There is considerable value to be found in the veteran with an average placement of Round 7. He has gone as late as the fifth pick of Round 9 in recent leagues polled.
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Another veteran on his second team in as many seasons is Randall Cobb. He’s expected to man the slot position and provide a safety valve for Watson. Gone are the days of having any fantasy football optimism surrounding a big year from Cobb, although he can contribute meaningfully with the right matchup. He’s not a draft-worthy option, however, so treat him as a DFS value or a waiver play to survive bye weeks.
Kenny Stills came over from the Miami Dolphins last year in a trade and was erratic. He missed two games with a bum hammy and another with a mild knee sprain. The downfield weapon turned it on late in the year, going for double figures in PPR in four of his last six appearances, including the playoffs. There’s a severe limitation on targets without a player ahead of Stills going down for significant time. He finds the field for matchup exploitation and in vertical sets. It’s often tough to project receivers with limited playing time. His best value is in a best-ball league as a WR6 or so. Stills will be a hot waiver target should Cooks or Fuller miss action.
Watson is good enough to get the most out of this receiving corps, and it’s not like these guys haven’t found success at various points in their respective careers. We’re not talking about an awful cast, just one that isn’t as flashy on paper as it would have been with Nuk Hopkins’ name atop the depth chart. Assume some risk and don’t hesitate to invest a midround pick in Fuller or Cooks.
These are the most important fantasy football tight end battles to follow in training camp.
In this wild NFL offseason, without a preseason, fantasy football owners are tasked with paying closer attention to training camp than usual. Rookies tend to have the most to gain from positional duels, but this offseason makes it even more difficult for first-time players to leave their mark.
Some of these “battles” aren’t what we’re used to considering but more of a fantasy football role definition that will be explored in a similar fashion.
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Kyle Rudolph vs. Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
This is a role situation … Smith has impressive receiving skills, and Rudolph is the veteran presence in the red zone. Do we begin to see a changing of the guard as the season wears along? Does the loss of Stefon Diggs lead to more from both tight ends as Minnesota finds its way at wideout after Adam Thielen? There’s a good deal of reasons to like both players, but consistency figures to be an issue from a week-to-week perspective. A substantial jump in targets for Smith doesn’t need to come at the expense of Rudolph when one considers no team ran a three-wide base less often than the Vikings in 2019. Sure, it was under a different coordinator, but the man running the show now was heavily instrumental in such a design.
Projected outcome: The likelihood of Smith outright taking the starting job from Rudolph is just about zero. However, as mentioned, both will be heavily involved and can co-exist. Both players have matchup utility in all formats.
Devin Asiasi vs. Dalton Keene, New England Patriots
It’s arguable Ryan Izzo could be tossed into the mix, too, because two rookies are tasked with holding down the fort after this whirlwind offseason. Keene is more polished and could be the first to step up if given the opportunity, but Asiasi has turned heads in camp and is on the right track. He was no slouch at catching the rock during his 2019 season at UCLA. Keene is heady and could make a nice complement.
Projected outlook: There’s reason to believe which ever is the starting tight end is also interchangeable with the top reserve. Either way, there’s little immediate fantasy football value to be found.
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Vance McDonald vs. Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers
Role or true battle? That’s a great question, considering we’ve long waited for McDonald to develop into a fantasy asset. This one leans role, since Ebron is a proven veteran who wasn’t signed to sit around, but he also isn’t durable enough to handle all aspects of being an inline tight end. But neither is McDonald — notoriously a poor blocker. Ebron’s skills in the red zone set him apart.
Projected outcome: There are too many fantasy weapons in this offense to consistently rely on either of these options. It really doesn’t matter whether it is Ebron or McDonald as the starter in name. This one is all about compartmentalized roles, such as being a target near the stripe, which is where Ebron will be the more productive of the two for fantasy.
Drew Sample vs. C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals
Sample was a second-round pick in 2019 and finished the year on IR after hurting his ankle. He barely saw the field as the third tight end. He wasn’t a true tight end in college and is more of an H-back. Uzomah has experience and size, but he’s athletically limited. The position combined for barely 17 percent of the total team targets in 2019, and that was without A.J. Green, prior to drafting Tee Higgins.
Projected outcome: Blatantly put, there isn’t enough volume in this offense’s design to sustain a fantasy football tight end as a viable option. There are too many mouths to feed to expect consistent involvement from the tight ends. Uzomah’s relative experience gives him a shot at being the primary option, which is meaningless in fantasy.
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These are the most important fantasy football wide receiver battles to follow in training camp.
In this wild NFL offseason, without a preseason, fantasy football owners are tasked with paying closer attention to training camp than usual. Rookies tend to have the most to gain from positional duels, but this offseason makes it even more difficult for first-time players to leave their mark.
Some of these “battles” aren’t what we’re used to considering but more of a fantasy football role definition that will be explored in a similar fashion.
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Philadelphia Eagles
Alshon Jeffery (foot) doesn’t have a timetable for returning, and the Eagles lost Marquise Goodwin to the COVID-19 opt-out before his tenure with Philly official began. DeSean Jackson returns from a season lost to injury, and the second year for JJ Arcega-Whiteside basically has one direction to go if he wants to have a lengthy career in the league. The 2020 first-round selection of Jalen Reagor has gamers buzzing, yet there are ample question marks surrounding his readiness, regardless of the pandemic. At any rate, the opportunity exists. Greg Ward stepped up in an admirable way last year and offers peace of mind to the coaching staff, if called upon. Rookie fifth-rounder John Hightower has been nothing short of impressive through early padded practices. Few rookies show his command of route-running skills, and he’s on a trajectory for a large role while Jeffery is on the mend.
Projected outcome: It’s tough to expect Jackson to stay on the field, and who knows what will happen with Jeffery. Focus on late-round speculative buys of Reagor, and watch Hightower’s standing develop in the next week or so before investing more than a flier in best-ball. Consider this a wide-open competition from top to bottom.
Jacksonville Jaguars No. 2 and 3
Expect a similar utilization of three-receiver base sets by the 2020 Jaguars under Jay Gruden’s play-calling designs as last year’s 78 percent of “11” personnel groupings (base three-wide). DJ Chark is the only stable option of the primary four receivers. Veteran Chris Conley is a possession receiver who demonstrated a hint of downfield skills in 2019. Dede Westbrook enters a make-or-break season as the presumed slot receiver, and the second-round investment in Laviska Shenault Jr. will have the mostly bland Gruden scheming ways to get the ball into the rookies hands.
Projected outcome: Unless there’s an injury or Shenault simply plays his way into the starting lineup, expect the results most weeks to bounce between Conley and Westbrook canceling each other out.
DaeSean Hamilton vs. KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos
This one was shaping up to be an intriguing battle. Hamilton flashed as a 2018 rookie in a different system but was a dud in ’19. A new offense this year left the slot role up for grabs until Hamler suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to cost him several valuable weeks of learning experience.
Projected outcome: Hamilton is likely to open the season as the starting slot man in this base three-wide offense. Hamler is poised to eventually work his way into the mix.Avoid both in traditional drafts.
Mecole Hardman vs. Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs
This one isn’t necessarily so much a battle for a lineup spot as it is a competition for carving out a role. Watkins (groin) has missed a few days in a row of practice now and returned Friday. The second-year Hardman was explosive in his debut season, making most of his hay while Tyreek Hill was out of action.
Projected outcome: With such a similar skill set, albeit in different packages, Hardman and Watkins will be maddening to project on a weekly basis, all things equal. Expect Hardman to emerge as the season plays out. Both are merely fliers at this point.
Justin Jefferson vs. Bisi Johnson/Tajae Sharpe, Minnesota Vikings
Being a first-round rookie, it should come as no surprise that Jefferson is the only one of these three going in conventional fantasy drafts. It also shouldn’t shock anyone to hear the Vikings will give him every chance to secure the No. 2 job in an offense that rarely employs three-wide sets. Johnson, however, is a reliable target entering his second year, and that shouldn’t be understated in this specific offseason. Sharpe comes over from Tennessee and figures to be more in line to become the WR4 than having a real shot at starting.
Projected outcome: Early in the year, Johnson likely is the No. 2 starter. Once Jefferson is up to speed, expect there to be a push to get the rookie into the starting lineup. None of these receivers should be trusted components in 2020 fantasy lineups.
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Van Jefferson vs. Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams
A second-round rookie, Jefferson is the son of New York Jets wide receivers coach and former pro receiver Shawn Jefferson — in other words, he’s ahead of the curve. Reynolds has shown capable of being a contributor at times in his young career, and he has an opportunity to step up. However, in the last two years, which injuries hit Rams receivers, Sean McVay actually went deeper into the playbook and utilized even more three-wide groupings. But it didn’t automatically benefit Reynolds.
Projected outcome: This one could be much closer than expected, and Reynolds’ status as a possible sleeper target is in jeopardy with the way Jefferson has performed early in camp. Neither player, though, is worthy of more than a late flier.
Deebo Samuel replacement, San Francisco 49ers
It’s tough sledding thus far in San Fran after losing Deebo Samuel, for what looks like several weeks to start the year, and also seeing Jalen Hurd suffer a season-ending injury. Kendrick Bourne has balled out a time or two, including recently in camp, while Dante Pettis regressed in a major way last season. Trent Taylor, Tavon Austin, JJ Nelson, and the injured Richie James are all cut from the same slot receiver cloth. First-rounder Brandon Aiyuk has speed for days and will be fast-tracked throughout the rest of the offseason program.
Projected outcome: Are of these guys worth drafting after Aiyuk? Bourne is the only one with a sliver of potential. Look for more passing to the running backs and George Kittle as a means of compensating.
Steven Sims Jr. vs. Antonio Gandy-Golden, Washington Football Team
Washington has nothing to lose by incorporating both of these young wideouts early and often. Terry McLaurin is the WR1 of this offense, and the rest of the corps is wide open. Kelvin Harmon was penciled in as a starter on the outside before tearing his ACL, and Sims has replaced him in training camp. The 5-foot-10, 176-pounder is physically modeled more like a slot receiver, a spot that is expected to be occupied most often by Trey Quinn. Sims has 4.35 speed to burn and will see competition from fourth-round rookie Gandy-Golden. Veteran Dontrelle Inman was added but hasn’t been able to stick in any of his NFL stops to date.
Projected outcome: Sims popped off a few times late last year and has a legit chance to be a fantasy asset in 2020, especially if Alex Smith can wrestle away the starting job.
Green Bay Packers No. 2 and 3
Is there much doubt the Packers need someone to step up to take some heat off of Davante Adams and supply Aaron Rodgers another trusted target? Allen Lazard is pegged as that dude by many pundits, and rightfully so. He’s not overly athletic but brings intelligence and size, as well as a strong work ethic. Rodgers loves him, so that’s a bonus. All of that is great, so long as he actually produces. Look for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and Jake Kumerow to put up a fight. In the end, this really boils down to a battle for scraps as the third target.
Projected outlook: Lazard should lock down the No. 2 role and have flex worth in fantasy, whereas the No. 3 gig appears to be MVS’ to lose. He’s no better than a DFS flier.
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These are the most important fantasy football running back battles to follow in training camp.
In this wild NFL offseason, without a preseason, fantasy football owners are tasked with paying closer attention to training camp than usual. Rookies tend to have the most to gain from positional duels, but this offseason makes it even more difficult for first-time players to leave their mark.
Some of these “battles” aren’t what we’re used to considering but more of a fantasy football role definition that will be explored in a similar fashion.
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Melvin Gordon vs. Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos
This is more of a time share than a true competition. The Broncos will defer to Gordon as the superior talent of the two, although it could come down to the weekly hot hand if the former Charger struggles to distinguish himself early on. He took a shot in practice Aug. 20 and was held out with a rib injury. Barring a lengthy absence, money talks, and there’s more invested in seeing Gordon shine.
Projected outcome: Gordon earns the larger share of a roughly 65/35 split. He’s an RB2, and Lindsay is a flex or fourth back.
Raheem Mostert vs. Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers
Mostert received his contract adjustment and has every chance to take over the primary carries. He’ll likely still lose a significant share of work to Coleman, a Kyle Shanahan favorite. The offensive system is known for splitting carries, and it probably would be a mistake for Mostert to be given a massive workload after he really has only about two months of shouldering the load. Expect a roughly 60/40 split.
Projected outcome: 1A/1B in favor of Mostert. Both will be weekly lineup decisions.
D’Andre Swift vs. Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions
Neither back is built to handle the — wait for it — lion’s share of the touches. Both are capable receivers out of the backfield, and Detroit has been slowly molding its offense into a ground-control system. Swift’s game-breaking rushing ability is the X-factor in this situation. Both backs can find success, so long as the rookie is the primary two-down option and KJ is a change-up/third-down weapon. That said, the defense isn’t there yet to permit such a design on a regular basis. This suggests the more consistent option will be whichever back sees more targets. Swift is the upside, Johnson is the value. Both come with serious risk.
Projected outcome: 1A/1B in favor of Swift. Treat the rookie as a flex and Johnson as depth.
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Marlon Mack vs. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Mack enters as the starting back, and Taylor will be heavily involved. Don’t expect Mack’s workload to fall behind Taylor’s, at least in the early season. He still is no worse than a 50/50 cut of the ground touches, losing third-down chores to Nyheim Hines for the third straight year. Taylor has the chops, as we’ve seen by his insanely productive collegiate career, but he’s still a rookie in a wacky offseason. Tread carefully.
Projected outcome: Mack will be involved as the 1A, so long as he stays healthy. Currently, drafters are overvaluing Taylor (Round 4) and depreciating Mack. The former is a flex, and the vet has a favorable chance of exceeding his ADP (Round 7).
Los Angeles Rams
Woof … rookie Cam Akers is the presumed leader for touches, and it could be a messy situation even if he is the top back come Week 1. Veteran Malcolm Brown will have a say in the matter, and Darrell Henderson, coming off of ankle surgery, enters his second year after a wholly forgettable first season. The latter is more of a pass-catching option and could be the third-down/change-of-pace guy, whereas Akers will have the most direct competition from Brown.
Projected outcome: Wide open … Akers, a second-round pick, is the safest bet in all formats as an RB3.
Washington Football Team
Following the release of Derrius Guice, Washington is left with Adrian Peterson, Antonio Gibson, Bryce Love, Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic. The long and short, it all comes down to the maturation of Gibson, a rookie, and the health of Love, a 2017 Heisman Trophy runner-up coming off of a 2018 knee reconstruction that red-shirted him as a rookie last year. He has turned heads thus far in camp. Barber is an unexciting plodder, and McKissic is a third-down or gadget option. As long as Peterson stays healthy, he deserves the benefit of the doubt as the two-down starter. The rookie will almost certainly handle the third-down job, at a minimum. Love is an X-factor to watch, and the try-hard Barber shouldn’t be completely written off just yet.
Projected outcome: Peterson and Love control obvious running situations and goal-line work, whereas Gibson is the more valuable pick based on potential to be more than a third-down weapon. All three have limited upside thanks to offensive personnel concerns.
LeSean McCoy vs. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The chore of spelling Ronald Jones will fall to either Shady McCoy or the rookie. This one is going to be worth keeping an eye on, but for different reasons depending on the winner. Should McCoy win the top backup role, he’s also likely to see significant work on third downs as a pass-catcher. Vaughn isn’t nearly the same caliber receiver as the vet, although he’s a more likely direct replacement for Jones. Even if McCoy still shows he has something to offer, Vaughn is the smarter true handcuff.
Projected outcome: McCoy has the edge due to being a veteran during this strained offseason.
Zack Moss vs. T.J. Yeldon/Taiwan Jones, Buffalo Bills
There’s little doubt in the minds of the fantasy collective as to which back will win this “battle” … and it’s fair to believe the consensus is on the right track. Moss has looked pretty dang good thus far in training camp, and all three backs are effectively locks to make the final roster. Jones has flashed a time or two but is more of a special teamer. Yeldon provides veteran experience as a third back and can be worked in on any down. Moss isn’t much of a receiver, and he’ll pair in some percentage of touch share with second-year back Devin Singletary.
Projected outcome: Look for Moss to encounter an inconsistently productive start to his rookie season as a change-up behind Singletary.
Lamar Miller vs. Damien Harris, New England Patriots
Sony Michel (foot) is on the PUP list and may not be ready for Week 1, which means we’ll see at least six weeks of one of these backs being the primary rusher. Consider him week to week. Harris barely saw the field as a 2019 rookie, while Miller missed the entire year after blowing out his knee. He’s 29 years old, returning from a serious injury to win a gig at a younger man’s position (Frank Gore says hi). Miller has been put on the active/PUP, as well, but he can come off at any time. The Patriots have a history of adding veteran players who are past their prime and fail to contribute. It would be an eye-opener if Miller proved to be different.
Projected outcome: Harris will be given every chance to win this job and should be drafted accordingly. Keep tabs on Michel’s status every few days in the news.
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Justin Jackson vs. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers
The fourth-round selection of Kelley in this spring’s draft may have some gamers questioning how firm of a grip Jackson has on the No. 2 job. Since Jackson missed 12 games in two years, it’s fair to expect the rookie is merely insurance at this point. All signs point to Kelley being on the outside looking in in 2020, as long as Jackson remains healthy.
Projected outcome: Jackson has the inside track on the No. 2 job, according to The Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano. Draft Jackson as depth or a handcuff to Austin Ekeler.
J.K. Dobbins vs. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
This one probably isn’t a true competition, and Edwards may struggle to make the final roster due to a logjam at the position. Dobbins and Mark Ingram are the favorites in fantasy circles, and Edwards is the focus of trade rumors. A rookie from 2019, Justice Hill could be worked in as a third-down back or a change-up, thanks to his lightning speed.
Projected outcome: After Ingram, Dobbins is the only Baltimore back worthy of a selection, although he is being slightly overdrafted (6th/7th turn).
Las Vegas Raiders No. 2
Veteran Jalen Richard returns on a two-year deal to compete with rookie Lynn Bowden Jr., Rod Smith and Devontae Booker. The latter two haven’t shown enough to give them much consideration. Richard is a quality pass-catching option, as is Bowden, marking the real competition of this foursome. Las Vegas starter Josh Jacobs will be more involved in the passing game, per Jon Gruden, so will there be enough passes to suggest anyone but Jacobs has fantasy value? Probably not consistently enough to matter.
Projected outcome: Given the short offseason to learn, and a positional transition from wide receiver, Richard is likely to see more action than Bowden. Neither should be drafted in conventional leagues.
Pittsburgh Steelers backups
This is especially worthy of attention given the durability questions swirling over James Conner’s head. In 2020, it’s fair to believe at least one of the following guys will have a significant enough role to warrant fantasy consideration some weeks: Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland Jr. and Wendell Smallwood. Three of the four are arguably more talented receivers than rushers, whereas Snell is more of the two-down type. In the event Conner suffers another injury, it will be a committee approach based on situations and matchups, eliminating a true handcuff.
Projected outcome: Samuels will have every chance to secure the No. 2/change-of-pace roles and is enhanced by the pandemic-stricken offseason.
AJ Dillon vs. Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers
This one isn’t a true competition for the No. 2 job behind Aaron Jones but more of a question of how much action can we expect from Dillon during his rookie season. His 247-pound frame suggests he’s a pounder with little to offer in the passing game, and the stats from his collegiate days concur. Head coach Matt LaFleur disagrees, though, having praised Dillon as a natural hands-catcher. That said, we’re likeliest to see the rook sprinkled in during specific personnel packages and situations in such a sparing way that fantasy owners may not notice. Williams is a free agent after this year and seemingly has an airtight lock on the job — for now.
Projected outcome: Williams is the No. 2 as long as his health permits. Dillon is purely a flier, and Williams has some appeal as a handcuff to Aaron Jones.
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