Tag: nfl fantasy football

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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Fantasy football wide receivers

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.

Wide receiver injury news

• Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (hamstring) missed Thursday’s practice, and he’s considered day to day.
• Cincinnati WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) appeared to be limited to individual drills Tuesday, Aug. 18, per Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson.
• Hamler could miss a month with his hamstring injury, according to 9News Denver’s Mike Klis.
• Adams is dealing with a foot/ankle issue that LaFleur doesn’t consider to be serious, per Rob Demovsky, of ESPN.com.
• Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill has a minor hamstring strain, Mike Garafolo, of NFL Network, reports.
• Watkins missed another practice Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Teicher.
• Miami Dolphins WR Preston Williams (knee) was given Tuesday off of practice but returned Wednesday, reports Safid Deen, of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
• New England Patriots WR N’Keal Harry (undisclosed) didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, per ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss.
• New York Jets WR Denzel Mims (hamstring) didn’t practice again Monday, Aug. 17, according to Connor Hughes, of The Athletic. Head coach Adam Gase said he won’t rush Mims back.
• Jeffery (foot) remains without a timetable to return, per Bo Wulf, of The Athletic.
• Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Aug. 19, after being activated recently from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Samuel (foot) remains out of action indefinitely on the non-football injury list.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1375]

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.

[lawrence-related id=453244,453238,453243]

Fantasy football running backs

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.

Running back injury news

• Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (concussion) is hopeful he will be cleared soon, per Mary Kay Cabot, of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Los Angeles Chargers RB Melvin Gordon (ribs) is off Friday after suffering a rib injury, and he’s considered day to day.
• Michel has a chance to play in Week 1, and Miller was put on the active/PUP list as he returns from a torn ACL.
• Philadelphia Eagles RB Boston Scott is day to day with a lower-body injury, according to Jeff McLane, of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Seattle Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (knee) will report to training camp Friday, Aug. 21, and take a COVID-19 test, before possibly working out with the team, per Pete Carroll.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1375]

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.

[lawrence-related id=453244,453238,453241]

Fantasy football quarterbacks

Cam Newton vs. Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots

If Newton is healthy, there really is no competition here. That said, this the Patriots and injuries we’re talking about. New England took a gamble on Superman being ready to return to his game-saving ways, but what we’ve seen of late should have even the most ardent Cam supporters feeling uneasy. Newton at least passed a physical, which really doesn’t mean as much as it seems when coupled with the “prove it” contract he signed. Stidham has shown the public almost nothing to evaluate as a pro, but be sure Bill Belichick focused like a laser on what the second-year passer is capable of doing in practices last year. The young quarterback is dealing with a strain hip and is week to week.

Projected outcome: Newton starts as long as he remains healthy and is a fantasy matchup play.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

This one also isn’t much of a battle but more so a situation of circumstances that will appear to be a competition. In an offseason without OTAs and preseason action, the early-season outlook isn’t great for Tua — all coming off of an injury as a rookie quarterback. Fitzpatrick is likely the pick to open the year, especially if Brian Flores believes his roster is capable of being competitive in a division that looks possibly winnable for the first time in nearly two decades.

Projected outcome: Fitzpatrick starts until the wheels fall off. He has limited DFS appeal.

Alex Smith vs. Dwayne Haskins, Washington Football Team

While there may not be much fantasy value in and of itself for either of these guys, the winner makes a significant impact on the rest of the offense. Smith, coming back from a horrific leg fracture that cost him all of 2019, is extremely cerebral and has the experience necessary to navigate this tumultuous season. Haskins has promise but remains raw and is destined to struggle with an inferior cast and a limited runway to learn yet another new offense.

Projected outcome: Provided Smith can take a hit and is still the same guy as he was prior to the injury, there should be little challenge for him to earn the starting job. He’s a matchup play in DFS and perhaps an intriguing best-ball flier.

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Tyrod Taylor vs. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

No offseason activities prior to training camp, in addition to zero preseason games, means a rookie quarterback isn’t going to see the field anytime soon. The Chargers are a talented team in an open division and are almost guaranteed to turn to the veteran Taylor. Head coach Anthony Lynn hasn’t been shy about it, either. Herbert has a bright future and an elevated chance of developing into a strong fantasy option, but it’s going to be put on hold for at least several games, if not a full year.

Projected outcome: Taylor starts as long as he remains healthy and has miniscule value.

Mitchell Trubisky vs. Nick Foles, Chicago Bears

While most fantasy footballers will concede this one doesn’t really matter, there are ramifications to the receiving corps and backfield directly tied to the winner of this competition. In earnest, there’s little reason to expect Trubisky will make enough strides to keep Foles firmly on the bench. Regardless of the Week 1 starter, look at for that guy to be watching over his shoulder. Foles has been markedly better coming off of the bench in his career, and durability has been a significant issue when given the chance to start. The draft investment into Trubisky likely results in the team giving him every chance to start entering Week 1.

Projected outcome: Trubisky eventually ceding way to Foles. Neither has tangible worth.

Quarterback injury news

• Stidham is dealing with a sore hip and may be limited for several weeks, according to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra.

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