|
|
|
|
Latest News |
| 5/25/2012 | Kellen Winslow, TE, SEA |
Winslow a 'rotational player?'News: Kellen Winslow became a Seahawk recently, and he's spoken highly of his new team. But it remains how they'll use him and how often they'll use him. According to SiriusXM NFL Radio, a league personnel executive believes that Winslow's best days are behind him. "We talked to the Bucs before the draft and talked about (Winslow) further internally," said the source. "We just didn't think he could be more than a rotational player at this point (in his career) after examining his tape and performance." Analysis: Winslow had 75 receptions for 763 yards and two TDs in 2011 and has caught at least 66 passes in each of his last three years while not missing a game. There is definitely a perception that he's old and over the hill, which his receiving average (10.2 yards per catch last year) supports. And he joins a crowded tight end corps in Seattle, but should be a fairly regular player in the offense. Problem is, he hasn't been productive enough to be considered reliable for Fantasy use week after week. He's fine as a No. 2 Fantasy TE worth a late pick, but don't expect him to put up huge numbers. |
| 5/25/2012 | Jamaal Charles, RB, KC |
Charles to rest until campNews: The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs will rest running back Jamaal Charles until training camp in late July. He is not expected to participate in their minicamp as he continues to rehab and work his way back from a torn ACL suffered last September. Head coach Romeo Crennel hopes Charles will be cleared in time for camp. Analysis: Charles has been vocal about being ready for the season, calling himself hungry and passionate to return to form. But the fact remains that he's coming off of a major injury and isn't promised to have any of the explosiveness he had before he got hurt. Tack on the Chiefs' addition of Peyton Hillis (Charles thinks Hillis will get the tough yards and goal-line work like Thomas Jones was supposed to previously), and there's a limit to Charles' 2012 expectations. So long as Charles proves that he's ready to roll, Fantasy owners should be optimistic. Assuming he's fine, Charles will be worth taking in the early rounds on Draft Day, but more as a No. 2 Fantasy RB. Plan on drafting Charles between 25th and 35th overall in all leagues. |
| 5/25/2012 | Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG |
Source: Nicks could return before campNews: ESPN reports that a source familiar with the broken bone in Hakeem Nicks' foot says the receiver might miss four-to-six weeks recovering from the injury and not the 12-week timeframe the Giants said on Thursday. Nicks fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during an OTA practice. The team is hoping to have him back at some point during training camp and the preseason. Analysis: Unless the diagnosis on Nicks' foot changes, we're not believers that he'll be ready in six weeks and thus long before the start of training camp. Nicks' teammate, Prince Amukamara, took 15 weeks before he was comfortable practicing last year according to the Newark Star-Ledger and he had the same injury. Nicks has had all sorts of issues with hamstrings, knees and his feet over the years. So long as he is healthy for the start of the season and gets some work in camp and a preseason game or two, the injury is more of a reminder that he's injury prone and less of a factor on his 2012 season. We'll see if this lasts into late August and the regular season; for now expect his stock to slip in drafts. He'll be a Round 3-4 choice as a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver. |
| 5/25/2012 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT |
Roethlisberger admits to issues with new playbookNews: Ben Roethlisberger's transition to new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's playbook is not going as smoothly as Steelers fans had hoped. Roethlisberger said Thursday that so far it's been "frustrating at times" but that he's going to put in "extra work" to understand what Haley wants him to do. "I think coach (Haley) really wants to challenge us," Big Ben said on a radio interview, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Me, maybe, in particular, I think he felt like I was real comfortable with the old offense, which ... I don't know why that's a bad thing. But I'm not the head coach." Analysis: There's all sorts of talk that Haley wants Roethlisberger to stay in the pocket to avoid excess hits and that Haley wants to run the ball more. We're not sure how this is going to play out, but we do think there's a chance Roethlisberger could attempt a ton of passes given that Rashard Mendenhall is out and Isaac Redman, while talented, might not be a 20-touch back from week to week. Much of the offense might fall on Roethlisberger's shoulders. We consider Big Ben a low-end No. 1 Fantasy QB in all leagues well worth a mid-round pick. |
| 5/25/2012 | Sam Bradford, QB, STL |
Bradford's ankle 'getting there'News: Rams quarterback Sam Bradford said his left ankle, injured in October at Green Bay, is nearly 100 percent. "It's getting there," he said. "It feels better every week -- less soreness, more things I can do. It's definitely on the right track." Analysis: There's no questioning his arm as several Rams receivers, including their rookies, have been in awe over his passing skills. Bradford is continuing to learn the Rams' new offense and says it's close to the West Coast offense he ran two season ago. But with a so-so offensive line and an unproven receiving corps, now's not the time to call Bradford a breakout candidate. He should have some good games, but no one should consider him either a Fantasy starter or a blue chip prospect. For now we're resigned to calling him a late-round pick as a good, not great, No. 2 quarterback. |
| 5/25/2012 | Matt Hasselbeck, QB, TEN |
Titans' Palmer breaks down QB battleNews: It's no secret that the Titans will have a competition for the starting quarterback job between veteran Matt Hasselbeck and second-year gunslinger Jake Locker. What remains to be seen is when they'll name a starter. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that the job is up for grabs, that no preseason starts have been promised and that the coaching staff will pick a winner based on who can lead the team to wins, starting in Week 1 against the Patriots. Palmer said that while Locker's mobility is very appealing, Hasselbeck's experience and body of work from last season also gives him a chance to remain the starter. "Jake may not give all the other guys the opportunity to make plays like Matt does, but Jake can make plays with his legs," Palmer concluded. "When you add up how many plays Matt can make with the team and how many plays Jake can make with the team then you kind of have an idea who's going to give us the best chance to win." Analysis: Hasselbeck started every game for the Titans in 2011 and threw for 3,571 yards with 18 scores and 14 interceptions. But when Locker did play, he did well, passing for four touchdowns with no interceptions and rushing for 56 yards on eight carries with a touchdowns run. Locker's completion percentage continued to be an eyesore (34 of 66 passing for 51.5 pct.), but the stats speak for themselves. Unless Locker can really prove that he's progressed as a passer, Hasselbeck is likely to take this job -- though there's no promise he'll start every game. Neither Titans QB should be drafted with anything more than a late-round pick. We'll keep you posted on the battle. |
| 5/25/2012 | Brandon Lloyd, WR, NE |
Lloyd already up to speed with PatsNews: New Patriots receiver Brandon Lloyd has been impressive during the team's OTAs, but many people expected that. After all, Lloyd is on his third stop with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and knows the playbook and play calls like the back of his hand. Lloyd has been so impressive that the Boston Globe reports that Patriots quarterbacks have been looking for him all week because he's been exactly where he needs to be on every play. Lloyd was coy when it came to his role and his goals for this season but gave a pretty simple explanation on why he wanted to follow McDaniels to New England. "You find something good, you stick with it," he said. "I think that's the case for everybody, with everything in life." Analysis: Lloyd had 51 catches for 683 yards and five scores last year in 11 games in St. Louis when McDaniels was the offensive coordinator, and that came on the heels of a 77-catch, 1,448-yard, 11-touchdown season with McDaniels in Denver. He'll probably see a dip in opportunities because he'll share the field with so many other great weapons there. But he should still be about as productive as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver and should be drafted as such with a mid-round pick. |
| 5/25/2012 | Ronnie Hillman, RB, DEN |
Tamme: Hillman looks goodNews: In an interview with Moving The Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio, new Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme gave an encouraging scouting report on rookie rusher Ronnie Hillman. "He seems to have a lot of quickness," Tamme said. "I've got to see him carry a few and catch some passes, he seems like a guy who can really move and sort of be a threat from the scatback-type position." Analysis: Yep, that sounds like Hillman, who averaged over 130 total yards per game in 2011 with 20 total touchdowns while breaking some of Marshall Faulk's records at San Diego State. Hillman isn't a big back (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) but definitely plays bigger than he is. He's done good work between the tackles but is better known for his lateral agility and breakaway speed. Landing in Denver is nice since he won't be stuck behind a young back for long -- Willis McGahee will turn 31 in October and Knowshon Moreno is coming off of a torn ACL. We could see Hillman contribute this season, especially if he can perfect his pass blocking and receiving skills. Expect him to be taken late in all seasonal drafts as well as with a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second-round pick in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/25/2012 | Jacob Tamme, TE, DEN |
Tamme talks offense, roleNews: In an interview with Moving The Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio, new Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme sounded very excited to follow quarterback Peyton Manning to Denver from Indy, adding that he "looks great." Tamme's also excited about the direction of the new offense, calling it a mix of what he did with Manning with the Colts and what offensive coordinator Mike McCoy wants to do. On the topic of his specific role with the Broncos, Tamme didn't want to give away much but did offer what he thinks is great about being a tight end. "I'm comfortable in slot and love that, but I would say I lined up on the line of scrimmage more than everywhere else [with the Colts]," Tamme said. " ... We should be able to move around and what we're going to do offensively, hopefully, we'll be able to move around some. I think that's what's great about playing tight end these days, you get to do everything. It's what makes the position a lot of fun." Analysis: If we're reading between the lines, the Broncos could use Tamme as a tight end, slot receiver and H-back this season, all roles he's capable of playing as evidenced by his time in Indianapolis. Being comfortable with Manning is also built-in thanks to their relationship back in Indiana. Tamme had just 177 yards on 19 catches in 2011 with one score, but he worked behind starter Dallas Clark in a Manning-less Colts offense. In 10 games without Dallas Clark in 2010, Tamme caught 67 passes for 631 yards and four touchdowns. Expect him to have some Clark-like potential and thus get swiped with a middle- to late-round pick in drafts this summer as a borderline No. 1/No. 2 TE. |
| 5/25/2012 | Stephen Hill, WR, NYJ |
Hill lines up as starter in OTAsNews: Jets rookie receiver Stephen Hill lined up opposite Santonio Holmes with the first-team offense during their recent OTAs. He caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez, burning cornerback Kyle Wilson in the process, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Analysis: The Jets aren't going to have a dominant pass attack, so that could limit Hill's production. But he does have the chance for plenty of playing time, which is a plus. He's worth a late-round pick in seasonal formats, a middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a Top 20 pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/25/2012 | Tony Moeaki, TE, KC |
Moeaki to rest until campNews: The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs will rest tight end Tony Moeaki until training camp in late July. He is not expected to participate in their minicamp as he continues to rehab and work his way back from a torn ACL suffered last September. Analysis: Moeaki figures to be a decent part of the Chiefs offense but shouldn't be considered a great Fantasy option. Leave him to the late rounds, if that. |
| 5/25/2012 | Dexter McCluster, WR, KC |
Crennel gives update on McClusterNews: Days after working with the receivers in Chiefs OTAs, coach Romeo Crennel acknowledged Thursday that Dexter McCluster is now working as a receiver rather than just at running back as he did last year. "We've given Dexter a few reps at wide receiver in this new offense," Crennel said. "We feel like he can play running back at any point of time. We want to see how he reacts to that (wide receiver) and if we need him at running back, we can put him at running back." Analysis: However the Chiefs designate McCluster after training camp will determine how owners should be prepared to use him in Fantasy. Of course, that's if they want to use him at all. McCluster ended last season with 328 receiving yards on 46 catches and 521 yards on the ground on 102 carries. McCluster clearly has some talent but he was never able to emerge as a consistent playmaker for the Chiefs in his second season. He shouldn't be a part of Fantasy draft plans as of now. |
| 5/25/2012 | Brandon Carr, DB, DAL |
Carr moves to left sideNews: Cowboys newly signed cornerback Brandon Carr has played on the right side most of his career but is adjusting to the left side was Dallas. "It is different -- I'm not going to say it's not," Carr said. "From the standpoint of your muscle memory on the right side, your mechanics and this and that. But every day is better, getting accustomed to playing that side of the field." Analysis: Why would the Cowboys spend a ton of money on Carr only to move him to the left side? Simple -- the Cowboys spent a big draft pick on Morris Claiborne, and he's obviously more comfortable on the right side. Carr should get adjusted well before the season. Fantasy owners should view Carr as a low-end defensive back option on Draft Day. |
| 5/25/2012 | Quentin Groves, DL, OAK |
Groves flies to ArizonaNews: The Cards signed outside linebacker Quentin Groves on Thursday. Groves was a second-round pick of the Jaguars in 2008 and spent two seasons in Jacksonville, playing in all 32 games. He was traded to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick in 2009 and spent two years in Oakland. He was a starter in his first season but mostly a backup in 2011. Analysis: Groves will provide much needed depth behind expected starters Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield, though he could challenge for a starting spot. For now, Fantasy owners shouldn't invest in him. |
| 5/25/2012 | Martez Wilson, LB, NO |
Wilson getting a look at DE?News: Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he took the advice of linebackers coach/acting head coach Joe Vitt and defensive line coaches Bill Johnson and Travis Jones to look at Martez Wilson at defensive end. "They must have seen some things in him a year ago, most of the take-off abilities and pass-rush ability," Spagnuolo said. "Now we have a ways to go. He was excited about it and it fit into things." Analysis: Wilson has never been a big stat contributor, but if he can morph into a pass rusher, which the Saints could use, then his Fantasy prowess would be on the up and up. For now he's not worth owning, but let's see where this goes. |
| 5/25/2012 | Mychal Kendricks, LB, PHI |
Kendricks looks like a starterNews: Rookie linebacker Mychal Kendricks looked good at strong-side LB and should end up as the starter there for the Philadelphia. Granted, there wasn’t any live hitting, which makes it difficult to evaluate a defensive player, especially a rookie defensive player. But he looked comfortable and confident in pass coverage and that’s why the Eagles drafted him in the second round. Analysis: Kendricks could be a long-standing contributor to the Eagles defense for years. Expect him to play on the strong side this season but eventually work into a middle linebacker role. We're fans of his with a late-round pick in seasonal drafts, a middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/25/2012 | LaRon Landry, DB, NYJ |
Landry not cleared for campNews: Training camp is about two months away, but the Jets already seem to be preparing for the possibility that their offseason gamble on LaRon Landry will not work out. The Jets signed Landry to a one-year deal in March with the hope he would help solidify the safety position. But according to The Sports Xchange, Landry's rehab has gone slowly and he has yet to participate in any of the Jets' offseason team activities. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum has acknowledged it will be a "challenge" for Landry to be ready for the season opener against the Bills; the Jets further prepared for Landry's extended absence by signing ex-Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell to a one-year deal last week. In addition, the Jets may also still bring back popular secondary leader Jim Leonhard, who has suffered season-ending leg injuries in each of the last two years. Analysis: Landry is expected to be the guy to corral big tight ends like Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis, Jared Cook and Scott Chandler -- guys the Jets will face off against in 2012. When healthy Landry can contribute big stats to a Fantasy owner's bottom line, but with 15 games missed over the last two seasons, he cannot be considered reliable. Draft him as a No. 2 Fantasy DB but one who must be backed up with another decent option behind him. |
| 5/25/2012 | Ed Reed, DB, BAL |
Ravens 'counting on' Reed's returnNews: Ravens coach John Harbaugh says he expects safety Ed Reed to return the team and play in 2012. "Ed is a guy that I really trust and really care about," Harbaugh said. "I believe in him. There's been no indication that he's not going to play this year as far as I'm concerned. I don't worry about Ed. Ed's a mature guy. He's a superstar. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He's a leader. Ed will be here. We're counting on Ed being here." Analysis: Reed snapped a two-year skid of being hurt and played in 16 games in 2011, totaling 52 tackles with a sack, eight passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. We've seen him do better in the past and we could be looking at a player declining because of age. He's fine as a No. 2 Fantasy DB but don't reach for him knowing that he might not be as good as he's been in the past. |
| 5/25/2012 | Seahawks, TQB SEA, |
Seahawks QBs split first-team reps three waysNews: Pete Carroll wasn't kidding: At the Seahawks' late May OTAs, newcomer Matt Flynn, incumbent Tarvaris Jackson and rookie Russell Wilson all split the first-team quarterback reps. Each one started a different day of practice under center with the first-string, and according to WJR-AM, they pretty much took the exact same number of snaps. Early reviews from the workout is that Flynn is in the lead for the starting job, with Wilson struggling at times. Analysis: We expect Flynn, the prized offseason acquisition in Seattle, to win the job, with Jackson the No. 2 quarterback and Wilson holding a clipboard. But the reality is that whoever starts for the Seahawks isn't worth anything more than a borderline No. 2/No. 3 Fantasy QB worth a pick late in the deepest of seasonal drafts. In the case of Flynn and Wilson, selections late in dynasty/keeper leagues are advised. |
| 5/24/2012 | Kenny Britt, WR, TEN |
Titans want to move Britt aroundNews: Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that he's having rookie receiver Kendall Wright focus on learning the 'X' position, or split end. The reason for it? So that the Titans can move veteran Kenny Britt all over the field and create some very helpful mismatches. Britt isn't on the field much these days after having a minor arthroscopic procedure on the same knee he tore his ACL in last September (he had major surgery for it last year). Analysis: If Britt wasn't hurt he'd be one of our favorite Fantasy receivers this year. But coming off a torn ACL that required an extra procedure doesn't exactly paint the picture of a receiver being in great shape for the season. Britt's size/speed combo makes him dangerous, so once it's clear he's back in good shape Fantasy owners should have a keen interest in him. For now, assume Britt will be ready to go at some point early on in 2012. If he misses a chunk of training camp for whatever reason, it might mean he'll start the season off slowly. If he doesn't and he's participating in full, then there shouldn't be anything stopping him from being a capable contributor. Figure Britt to be more of a sixth-round pick in drafts based on his enormous potential. We'll keep you posted. |
| 5/24/2012 | Titus Young, WR, DET |
Schwartz mum on Young's returnNews: Lions coach Jim Schwartz didn't give an update on when receiver Titus Young would be welcomed back to the team after reportedly punching teammate Louis Delmas when Delmas wasn't looking. The Lions say Young isn't suspended, just told not to come to their workouts, according to MLive.com. Analysis: Young should eventually rejoin the ream, potentially sooner than later. He's a big part of their offense and needs the offseason work to further enhance his game. We love him as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver worth a pick in Round 8. |
| 5/24/2012 | Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT |
Still no timetable for MendenhallNews: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is running as he works his way back from a torn ACL, but that he said he has no timetable for his return. He claims he feels good and is doing more than straight-line runs. Mendenhall tore his right ACL in early January; recovery time for such injuries is anywhere from nine months to a year. "I'll be back at some point," he said. "It's just a matter of what point that is." Analysis: There's a good chance Mendenhall will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If so, he'd be forced to miss at least the first six games of the regular season. There's still a lot of time between now and then, but for now it's probably safe to expect Mendenhall to not be at even close to 100 percent to start the year, which crushes his Fantasy value. By August, you might be drafting Mendenhall as a middle- to late-round sleeper you'll have to sit on for a while. We'll keep you posted on Mendenhall as best as we can; in the meantime, keep an eye on Isaac Redman, who for now appears to be the Steelers' primary back with Mendenhall out. |
| 5/24/2012 | Tim Tebow, QB, NYJ |
Tebow works on special teamsNews: When the Jets acquired Tim Tebow, they said they'd find a number of ways to use him. One of those ways: A protector on punts. That's where Tebow practiced on Thursday as part of the team's OTA. He did work at quarterback and didn't look so hot. But coach Rex Ryan thinks Tebow will change how defenses play against their punt team. "They're going to line up, and they're going to come after Tebow," Ryan said. "What he can help us with, being that personal protector on the punt team, is 'Are you sure you really want to rush that punt?' If it is fourth-and-6 or 7, are you sure you really want to rush it, because we may fake it. ... Tim gives you that inside running presence, outside running presence, he can throw it. And -- by the way -- he'll run. He's a football player, we said it a long time ago. This guy is an excellent football player, a great competitor, and I have a feeling he'll run down and tackle somebody." Analysis: The Jets are going to try and get Tebow acclimated to many positions including several on offense besides part-time quarterback. But until it's clear that he'll participate on a number of plays each week, he's not going to be worth the risk of using or owning in Fantasy. |
| 5/24/2012 | Rueben Randle, WR, NYG |
Randle might have golden opportunityNews: With Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks fracturing a bone in his foot during an OTA practice, the door is open for rookie receiver Rueben Randle to see extensive offseason work with the first-team offense. Randle, the Giants' second-round pick, is a big receiver like Nicks and might really benefit from working with Eli Manning between now and August. Randle had 53 catches this past season for 917 yards and eight touchdowns. Analysis: At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, the Giants found a tall receiver with athleticism who was going to push for playing time from the start of training camp anyway. Now, he might wedge his way into getting a ton of looks from Manning this summer and being even more comfortable with Manning when the bullets are live. We'd be surprised if he didn't make at least a small impact for the Giants in 2012, and he could make a big dent if Nicks' recovery is slow. Draft Randle with a late pick in seasonal formats, a middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/24/2012 | Kendall Wright, WR, TEN |
Wright not working in the slotNews: Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that he's having rookie receiver Kendall Wright focus on learning the 'X' position, or split end. That way he can have veteran Kenny Britt line up all over the place and really create some defensive headaches. Palmer also added that so long as his receiving corps is healthy, he promises to find ways to keep Wright on the field with Britt and Nate Washington. Wright was the first-round pick of the Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft. Analysis: The only drawback for a receiver to learning one position is being pigeon-holed by defenses and thus being a little easier to defend. But Wright has excellent speed and hands to go with his smallish frame, so defenses will have their hands full anyway. He might make a decent impact this year, but his bigger contributions might come after 2012 (we do like his long-term prospects with a mobile gunslinger like Jake Locker). Figure Wright to be worth a late-round pick in seasonal drafts, a middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a Top 20 pick in rookie only formats. |
| 5/24/2012 | Chad Ochocinco, WR, NE |
Ochocinco stinks in practiceNews: Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco appeared to pick up where he left off last season during OTA drills on Thursday. The veteran receiver had to be told where to line up by Deion Branch, then had to run a lap after going offsides on a play. Ochocinco had 15 catches for 276 yards with one touchdown in 2011. Analysis: It's one bad day in practice in the middle of the offseason. Not the end of the world, but it is believed that Ochocinco took a pay cut to stay with the Patriots, but he could have trouble making the final roster as the team added Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney, both of whom did well last season on other squads. So long as he's with New England, and so long as he's buried on the depth chart, he shouldn't be on any Fantasy teams. |
| 5/24/2012 | Ramses Barden, WR, NYG |
Barden, Hixon to get shot to shine?News: The Giants suffered a bad break when receiver Hakeem Nicks broke a bone in his foot during a late May OTA. That means Nicks won't be ready to even practice until mid-August, opening the door for receivers Rueben Randle, Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon to see some extra reps with the first-team offense. Hixon is coming off of two ACL tears in as many years, while Barden has fought inconsistency since being drafted in 2009. Analysis: We think Randle has the best chance to pick up extra practice reps and potentially take over some work from Nicks in the early portion of the season. Barden looks like an intriguing prospect but a slow start to his career makes him tough to trust. Hixon is even more injury prone than Nicks. Neither of the Giants' veteran receivers are worth drafting right now. |
| 5/24/2012 | Victor Cruz, WR, NYG |
Cruz the Giants' new No. 1 WR?News: The Giants suffered a bad break when receiver Hakeem Nicks broke a bone in his foot during a late May OTA. That means Nicks won't be ready to even practice until mid-August, putting some pressure on teammate Victor Cruz to step up and be the Giants' top receiving threat. Much of Cruz's success last year came because defenses accounted for Nicks and left Cruz in single coverage. If Nicks is slow to recover, defenses will clamp down on Cruz and make it tough for him to put up big numbers from week to week. Analysis: The Giants might view this injury as an opportunity to find ways to get Cruz open without Nicks attracting some coverage. The bottom line is that Cruz is sure to stay involved in the Giants' offense, and it'll only help him if he works in camp as their top receiver without any help from Nicks. Coming off a breakout season where he had 82 catches for a franchise-record 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns before adding 21 more catches for 269 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs, and now entering a contract year, it's tough to not love Cruz in 2012. He's a No. 1 option worth a pick in Rounds 3 or 4. |
| 5/24/2012 | Giants, TQB NYG, |
Manning loses Nicks for offseasonNews: The Giants suffered a bad break when receiver Hakeem Nicks broke a bone in his foot during a late May OTA. That means he and Eli Manning won't be able to polish their timing and chemistry until mid-August at the earliest. However, this does give the opportunity for Manning to work on his connections with rookie Rueben Randle and vets Domenik Hixon and Ramses Barden, not to mention third-year receiver Victor Cruz and new tight end Martellus Bennett. Analysis: Manning was going to get plenty of time to work with those players anyway, but every extra little bit helps. So long as Nicks is back in the swing of things before the start of the regular season, the injury news doesn't impact Manning. Coming off his second Super Bowl, and passing for 4,933 yards, 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, Manning is a rock-solid No. 1 Fantasy passer worth a pick starting in Round 4 or 5 in drafts. |
| 5/24/2012 | Dante Hughes, DB, SD |
Hughes joins the GiantsNews: The Giants have signed cornerback Dante Hughes to replace cornerback Brian Witherspoon, who tore his ACL for the second time in as many years on Wednesday. Witherspoon was waived/injured. Hughes spent two seasons with the Colts and three with the Chargers before trying out at the Giants rookie mini-camp two weeks ago. Hughes' best season came last year when he had 42 tackles and three passes defensed for the Chargers. Analysis: Hughes shouldn't put up much in the way of stats with the Giants while Witherspoon spends the year rehabbing his injury. Neither player should be on Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/24/2012 | Devin Hester, WR, CHI |
Hester hype continues in ChicagoNews: Brandon Marshall was the first Bears player to tout Devin Hester as a potential "Pro Bowl receiver." Now Jay Cutler is joining in. The Bears quarterback said after a late-May team OTA workout that Hester is well on his way to being a contributor to the offense in 2012. "Devin Hester is having the best camp of all the receivers," he said. Analysis: Hester is expected to play on a limited basis on offense, but still be a candidate for two or three catches per game. The belief is that Brandon Marshall will attract enough coverage from opposing defenses that the Bears can get Hester open in space or on deep routes. That sounds great but in four seasons as a receiver Hester has never been broken out and become a huge stat contributor. He has season-highs of 57 catches, 757 yards and four touchdowns (the catches and yardage highs came in 2009, the touchdown high came in 2010). It's going to be tough for him to be a generous stat producer for Fantasy, especially playing opposite Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. We'd take Hester with a middle-to-late pick in leagues that reward special-teams yardage (he'll still return punts) but wouldn't touch him otherwise in standard formats. |
| 5/24/2012 | Felix Jones, RB, DAL |
Shoulder sidelines RB JonesNews: Cowboys running back Felix Jones likely won't practice all week in the OTAs and could miss some of the next two weeks because of a shoulder injury. Coach Jason Garrett said Jones "can't catch the ball" over his head right now. He will be worked back slowly into the mix and could be ready for the minicamp on June 12-14. Analysis: Felix Jones has been banged up throughout his career, so this news isn't much of a surprise. He's expected to take on more of a backup/part-time role in Dallas this season with DeMarco Murray taking over as the team's starter. The veteran is entering a contract year and might ball out in hopes of landing a big contract in 2013. But Jones is basically a yardage gainer; he has nine total touchdowns in 48 career games. Jones is a must-own if you draft Murray with an early-round pick. Figure Jones to be a Round 9 candidate as a quality backup. |
| 5/24/2012 | Matt Moore, QB, MIA |
Philbin: QB job still up for grabsNews: Days after Dolphins owner Stephen Ross declared Matt Moore as the team's starting quarterback, head coach Joe Philbin says he'll make the call on who starts for the Dolphins this season, not Ross. "I know he's the owner, but he might not sign my check, the treasurer does," Philbin said Tuesday according to the Palm Beach Post. "But last time I checked, he's on board. We've been very up front with him, that we want a competitive situation at that position." Analysis: During late May OTAs, Moore and David Garrard were alternating snaps with the starters while rookie Ryan Tannehill worked with the backups. Reports say all three quarterbacks looked good. We think Tannehill will ultimately start the most games for the Dolphins, but if the coaches don't think he's ready to start, then Moore will probably begin the season under center. The reality is that none of the Dolphins' quarterbacks are worth starting in Fantasy and can be left off of standard rosters. |
| 5/24/2012 | Sergio Kindle, LB, BAL |
Kindle hoping for a chanceNews: After recovering from a fractured skull two summers ago, Ravens outside linebacker Sergio Kindle is hoping to earn some playing time in 2012. Kindle is still coping with hearing loss in his left ear following a fall down a flight of stairs in 2010. This has made it tough for him to hear calls, and he's yet to deal with crowd noise. Kindle conceded 2012 could be a "make or break year." Analysis: The Ravens seem to be easing Kindle into work and probably won't have him play much during the season until he proves that he can work effectively. We wouldn't touch him in Fantasy. |
| 5/24/2012 | Demaryius Thomas, WR, DEN |
Thomas addresses weight, injuriesNews: Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas is working out at full speed with the team this spring, a welcomed change compared to previous offseasons when he's missed time with injuries. On Tuesday, Thomas touched on his injury history, saying that losing weight might be the key to him staying on the field for 16 games. "I actually trimmed down a little to 228," he told the Denver Post. "I played 232 last year. I want to play at 222." Analysis: After totaling 35 catches for 745 yards (21.3 avg.) and four touchdowns in his final seven games last season (including the playoffs), the sky is the limit for Thomas to have a big third season now that Peyton Manning is his quarterback. Though we expect his receiving average to shrink, he should remain a huge part of the passing game with potential for 70 catches, well over 1,000 yards and a slew of touchdowns -- so long as he can stay healthy. Thomas should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy option with upside. Plan on drafting Thomas in Round 4 or 5 in the majority of leagues. |
| 5/24/2012 | Eric Decker, WR, DEN |
Decker plans on adding weightNews: Broncos receiver Eric Decker is off to a great start in developing rhythm and chemistry with new quarterback Peyton Manning, and it's making him look into all aspects of his game. He told the Denver Post that he's working on putting on some muscle this offseason. "Personally, for me, I think it's finding that right balance nutritionally, getting enough sleep, working and grinding in the weight room," Decker said. "I did feel like I lost some weight and lost some strength. Mentally, it dragged on you a little bit because that was my first full season of playing a lot every game." Analysis: The Post noted that Decker started last year red-hot (30 catches, 359 yards and five touchdowns in seven games) before slowing down (14 catches, 253 yards and 3 scores in his final nine). Much of that can be attributed to the Broncos' pass game being in the hands of Tim Tebow, but it sounds like Decker got worn down as the season went on. By putting on some muscle and improving his endurance, Decker should be ready to play hard for 16 games, which is especially good since Manning is his new quarterback. Fantasy owners should be hyped about Decker's potential this year, making him worth a pick in Rounds 7 or 8 as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver. |
| 5/24/2012 | Nate Collins, DL, JAC |
Bears ink DT CollinsNews: Defensive tackle Nate Collins, who played in 13 games the past two seasons for Jacksonville, has signed a one-year deal with the Bears. Collins entered the league in 2010 as an undrafted free agent with the Giants. Analysis: Collins was charged with possession of marijuana in Jacksonville back in February and was subsequently cut. He might just be a big body for the Bears to have in camp. Don't expect any big stats. |
| 5/24/2012 | Eric Berry, DB, KC |
Berry says he'll be ready for campNews: Chiefs safety Eric Berry told the Kansas City Star that he expects to be ready for the start of training camp. Berry tore his ACL in Week 1 last season. Analysis: Berry should remain a capable defender for the Chiefs and thus a nice Fantasy option. He should be considered a great source for tackles and pass defense stats. We'd spend a mid-round pick on Berry, especially if he flashes his speed and physical play in training camp and the preseason. |
| 5/24/2012 | Julius Pruitt, WR, MIA |
Pruitt opening eyes in Miami?News: Multiple veterans gave the Miami Herald a positive review of second-year receiver Julius Pruitt, calling him impressive in spring workouts. Analysis: Pruitt has been with the Dolphins off and on for the last three years but has yet to record a reception. However, Miami is extremely thin at receiver so there's a chance he could elevate to the starting lineup with a great camp. We'll see how he does but for now Fantasy owners shouldn't invest in him. |
| 5/24/2012 | Phillip Tanner, RB, DAL |
Tanner looks good in drillsNews: ESPN noted that Cowboys backup running back Phillip Tanner looked quick and decisive while running and cutting in a recent OTA. He's coming back from a hamstring injury that abruptly ended his 2011 season. Analysis: Tanner is expected to slot third on the Cowboys' depth chart behind DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones. Given the injury history of both of those backs, it wouldn't be a shock if Tanner got a start or two in 2012. He's only worth drafting in the deepest of Fantasy Football leagues. |
| 5/24/2012 | David Johnson, TE, PIT |
Steelers make Johnson a fullbackNews: According to running back Isaac Redman, David Johnson is being moved from tight end to fullback this season. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Redman broke the news, adding that Johnson has been attending running back meetings and not tight end meetings. Analysis: In three years Johnson has never registered an NFL carry and has 18 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Todd Haley is likely behind this as he has changed players' positions around in the past. Johnson still isn't expected to be productive enough for Fantasy use. |
| 5/23/2012 | Ray Rice, RB, BAL |
Ravens, Rice deadlocked on deal?News: According to ESPN, Ravens running back Ray Rice is looking for a contract in the neighborhood of Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson's contracts -- roughly $30 million guaranteed. Per the network, a Ravens source says such a deal isn't going to happen. That could mean that Rice will continue his holdout until training camp. Analysis: Rice is all but sure to stay with the Ravens. While there is some concern about backs who take their foot off the gas after they get a large contract (Chris Johnson last year, for instance), Rice strikes us as the kind of player who will play hard regardless of his financial situation. He's been great for Fantasy owners over the last two seasons and should keep it up. No matter how you feel about Rice, you can count on him being a Top-5 pick in pretty much every draft. |
| 5/23/2012 | Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC |
Bowe: I'll be at training campNews: Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe told Arrowhead Pride that while he's holding out from the team's offseason workouts, he plans to report to training camp on-time in late July. Bowe was designated as the Chiefs' franchise player this offseason, guaranteeing him a one-year deal at $9.5 million, but he'd like a long-term contract. However, it sounds like he'll sign the offer before camp kicks off. "I'll be there," Bowe said. "I'm staying in shape until it's time to sign on the dotted line." Analysis: Bowe was the Chiefs’ leading pass receiver the past three seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2010 after his 72-catch, 15-touchdown season. Despite quarterback issues last year, Bowe still turned in his second consecutive 1,100-yard season with an 81-catch campaign (but just five touchdowns). Fantasy owners should consider him a No. 2 Fantasy wide receiver option. Plan on drafting him around Round 5 or 6. |
| 5/23/2012 | Mike Tolbert, RB, CAR |
Tolbert not saying much on new roleNews: Mike Tolbert moved from San Diego to Carolina this offseason, rejoining former Chargers coaches Rob Chudzinski and Ron Rivera near his hometown of Douglasville, Georgia. Tolbert told the official team website that he knows what will be asked of him, but he's not saying much about it, only offering that he'll do "a lot of fullback stuff" and "a lot of different stuff." Tolbert joins Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams in the Carolina backfield, and it's been made clear by Rivera that he'll be a fullback. "You never know what's going to happen," he said. "Guys get hurt every day -- Stew might get hurt or I might get hurt of DeAngelo. I'm not wishing that on anybody, but it's always better to have three than two or four than three." Analysis: We waited and waited for the Panthers to move a running back this offseason to clear the way for Tolbert to continue on a regular basis, but the only rusher they traded was Mike Goodson, not DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart. That means Tolbert is probably going to stick as a fullback, just as the coach has said all along. He'll play a lot but chances are his touches will be drastically cut unless the Panthers' running back corps incurs some injuries. Tolbert sinks to late-round material as the third guy in Carolina. |
| 5/23/2012 | Beanie Wells, RB, ARI |
Agent: Wells had 'clean-out procedure'News: After Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt wouldn't clarify on the surgery running back Beanie Wells had on his knee this offseason, Wells' agent told ESPN that his client had a "clean-out procedure." The Cardinals want to take it slow with Wells coming off the surgery, giving him plenty of time to get ready for training camp, which he's expected to be a participant for. "He's in shape and looks good," agent Sean Howard said. "The doctors and the Cardinals have decided to play it safe. Rather than rush him back, the consensus opinion was to let him heal." Analysis: Wells played most of last season with a lingering knee injury, only missing Weeks 3 and 17, the latter of which was a meaningless game. Whisenhunt said following Week 17 that Wells played most of the year on "one leg." It sounds like Wells will be ready to go for camp, easing concerns that he might have had a more serious surgery. Wells had a career year in 2011, rushing for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns through 14 games. Assuming he's fine, Wells is worth drafting as a No. 2 Fantasy RB even though his load is sure to be lightened by second-year back Ryan Williams. |
| 5/23/2012 | Chris Gronkowski, RB, DEN |
Broncos, Colts pull off tradeNews: In a swap of three-year veterans who entered the NFL as undrafted free agents, the Broncos traded cornerback Cassius Vaughn to the Colts on Wednesday for fullback Chris Gronkowski. Chris becomes the second Gronkowski brother to play for the Broncos; tight end Dan Gronkowski was with the team in 2010. Analysis: Neither player is expected to put up big stats anytime soon. Leave both off of rosters. |
| 5/23/2012 | Mike Jenkins, DB, DAL |
Dallas won't deal JenkinsNews: Coach Jason Garrett on cornerback Mike Jenkins, who is not attending OTA practices in what is perceived as a holdout after rumors have surfaced he's unhappy with his contract. "Mike is making a business decision right now," he said. "But he's a big part of what we're doing. We're not going to trade him." Analysis: Jenkins will miss the team's offseason drills, but the start of training camp is more important. The 26-year-old finished with 24 tackles and an interception while missing four games because of injuries. Assuming he retains a starting job, Fantasy owners should not consider him a worthwhile option in IDP formats. |
| 5/23/2012 | Johnny Knox, WR, CHI |
Knox thinner, expected to be on PUPNews: Bears receiver Johnny Knox watched practice during the team's OTA on Wednesday, looking thin following the back surgery he had late last season. Knox said he lost 30 pounds after surgery, then gained 10. That puts him at about 165 pounds. He was in a cast for 2 1/2 months and could miss extensive playing time. The team is expected to place him on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the year. "It could happen, but I'm staying optimistic," he said. "I'm not in a rush. This is my spine, the core of my body that I'm dealing with. It's not my knee or my ankle or my shoulder." Analysis: The Bears added Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery this offseason to help their receiving woes. Chances are that even if Knox made it back in time for the start of the year, Marshall and Jeffery would eat away at any available opportunities. Knox shouldn't be a part of any Fantasy draft plans and might not be worth adding off waivers even once he's back. |
| 5/23/2012 | Andre Brown, RB, NYG |
Brown appeals suspensionNews: Giants running back Andre Brown is appealing his four-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs, claiming he simply failed to inform the league of his adderall prescription. He is preparing as if he'll play in Week 1. "Hopefully when the appeal process goes through, I'll be happy with any games (taken off the suspension)," he said. "I'd be fine with two (games off)." Analysis: Brown will jockey for a roster spot in training camp this summer and shouldn't be considered a capable Fantasy option. |
| 5/23/2012 | Martellus Bennett, TE, NYG |
Bennett cooling off hamstringsNews: Giants tight end Martellus Bennett had to ice his hamstring during practice Wednesday but doesn't see the injury becoming an issue. "I've just been a little sore," he said, adding that he's been running on it hard the past few weeks. Bennett added that he's learning the new terminology with the Giants. It's familiar, but certain words have a different meaning than in Dallas, his former team. Analysis: Bennett has a real chance to not only start for the Giants but stand out at the tight end position. A goliath with worlds of potential, Bennett was dogged by bad habits and depth chart issues during his time in Dallas. The Giants might be the team to take him out of his funk. We'd consider him with a late pick in deeper Fantasy leagues. |
| 5/23/2012 | Kevin Ogletree, WR, DAL |
Coale injury opens door for WRsNews: The injury to rookie receiver Danny Coale, who is out until training camp with a broken left foot, opens the door for other young receivers to battle for the third receiver role and backup spots this spring and summer. And it's a wide-open race; Coale is expected to compete with Dwayne Harris, Andre Holmes, Raymond Radway and Kevin Ogletree for the spots. Analysis: Remember, all of these players except Coale got leapfrogged in short order by Laurent Robinson last year, so expectations shouldn't be high. Harris had a tremendous preseason in 2011 but bounced off and on the Cowboys' roster last year. Ogletree was re-signed this offseason but has 25 catches in his three seasons, including 15 this past year for 164 yards. Holmes and Radway aren't expected to be fierce competitors for playing time and might just represent depth. Coale remains the most desirable receiver for that third spot, so hopefully he heals quickly. |
| 5/23/2012 | Danny Coale, WR, DAL |
Coale needs surgery for broken footNews: Cowboys rookie wide receiver Danny Coale will need surgery for a broken bone in his left foot and is a question mark for the start of training camp, ESPN reports. Coale suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal during a late May OTA session in Dallas and will miss the rest of the offseason workouts, including minicamp. Coale was a fifth-round pick of the Cowboys expected to compete for the slot receiver job. Analysis: Chances are Coale will still be able to compete, though coming back from an injury like this isn't easy and could lead to more injuries. He might not be strong enough to beat press coverage but could still be a good short-area receiver for the Cowboys. He might be more appealing for owners in PPR formats than standard formats. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts as of now. |
| 5/23/2012 | Ron Bartell, DB, OAK |
Bartell won't play scaredNews: Raiders cornerback Ron Bartell said he has recovered "100 percent" after fracturing some small bones in his neck in the 2011 season-opener with the Rams. Bartell said he has no fears about playing this season. "When I had the injury, I didn't actually know that I had fractured my neck. It felt more like a stinger. We didn't find out that I had the fracture until I got the C-T scan. I never had to go through the anxiety of getting carted off the field or losing feeling or paralysis. ... I feel great. I'm just happy to be back on the field." Analysis: A while ago, Bartell was a decent Fantasy cornerback because he accrued a lot of tackles and pass defense stats as offenses kept throwing his way. We suspect more of the same will happen this year, making him a late-round sleeper. |
| 5/23/2012 | David Ausberry, WR, OAK |
Ausberry adds 15 poundsNews: Raiders tight end David Ausberry, who played receiver at USC, weighed 250 pounds last year as a rookie after switching positions. This year he's up to 265 pounds, making him better equipped to block in the trenches and compete for the starting job that opened when the Raiders released Kevin Boss. "That’s what I'm trying to do," Ausberry said. "If I get a chance to get out there, I will get it." Analysis: Ausberry was a project pick for the Raiders last April and didn't see much playing time in 2011, catching two passes for 14 yards. But he's got good size (6-foot-4) and can run a little bit, so if he can ascend up the depth chart in training camp, he could be the deepest tight end sleeper in Fantasy Football this year. The only owners who should draft him right now are those in the deepest of dynasty/keeper leagues. |
| 5/23/2012 | Eddie Jones, LB, NYJ |
Jets cut twoNews: The Jets have waived linebacker Eddie Jones and safety DeAngelo Smith. In 2011 Jones spent time on both the Jets and Rams practice squads and played one game for the Jets as a member of the active roster. Smith signed with the Jets as a free agent in April. He was drafted by the Cowboys in 2009 and also spent time with Browns, Bears and Lions. Analysis: Neither of these guys were expected to help Fantasy owners. Keep them off rosters. |
| 5/23/2012 | Stephen Tulloch, LB, DET |
Tulloch won't be slowed by kneeNews: Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch said the knee tendinitis that will keep him out of OTA workouts until the end of May wouldn't have caused him to miss regular-season practices or games. Tulloch confirmed that he's received an injection to help the tendinitis heal, but he insists the condition will have no longterm effects. "The whole knee is structurally fine," Tulloch said. "(The tendinitis) is just one little spot. I just wanted to take precautions when it comes to (rehab), so I can give 100 percent during the regular season." Analysis: Tulloch was one of Fantasy's top linebackers last season with 111 total tackles, three sacks, five passes defensed and two interceptions. That's pretty darn good. Tack on that he's had at least 110 tackles in each of his last three seasons and that he's never missed an NFL game, and Tulloch stands out as a quality option. He'll be well worth a mid-round pick in drafts. |
| 5/22/2012 | Mikel Leshoure, RB, DET |
Two-game suspension coming for Leshoure?News: After getting arrested twice in a month this offseason on marijuana-related charges, the Detroit News speculates that Lions running back Mikel Leshoure will get suspended for two games for violating the NFL's policy on drugs. "It's over with," said Leshoure, who is working his way back from a torn Achilles that cost him his rookie season. "You live and you learn. You learn from your mistakes and you move on. That's what I am doing." Analysis: No suspension is official, but it's possible that he could get suspended for as many as four games because of his offseason incidents. There's a lot to look for here in the coming months -- the best case scenario is that he avoids a long suspension and returns in great shape to help the Lions' offense. The worst? He's not 100 percent and misses time to start the season because of a long suspension and/or because his Achilles isn't ready. Because of his potential to work a lot in a dynamic Detroit offense, Leshoure is worth drafting as a No. 3 running back with big upside. He won't last past Round 8 in drafts. |
| 5/22/2012 | Greg Little, WR, CLE |
Shurmur impressed with Little's conditioningNews: Browns coach Pat Shurmur was impressed with how receiver Greg Little held up in OTAs on Tuesday, noticing specifically that his conditioning is really good. "I think it's his first true offseason as a pro and I think what he has done is he has taken good care of his body," Shurmur said. "He is much leaner looking to me than he was when he came into training camp a year ago. I think he has worked on his diet and nutrition, and has gotten himself in shape to come out here and run a lot, which receivers have to do. I think that will help his development." Analysis: Little's size and speed makes him a difference-maker for the offense, especially with Brandon Weeden's strong arm leading the charge under center. Little had 61 catches for 709 yards and two scores last year. Hearing that he's in good shape and catching the eye of his offensive-minded head coach will only fuel his rising Fantasy value. Little has No. 3 WR potential but should be drafted as a reserve with a pick in Round 8 or 9 (7 or 8 in PPR leagues). |
| 5/22/2012 | Eagles, TQB PHI, |
Vick working on footwork, accuracyNews: Saying he had butterflies in his stomach for his first OTA practice of the spring, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick said Tuesday that the team is ready to work hard to chase a championship this year and is working on certain aspects of his game. When asked what he's specifically working on, Vick was pleasantly candid: "Obviously, the turnovers because that's something that can be corrected, and my accuracy -- slowing my feet down and not getting too anxious and excited. I can do that from time to time, and I have to work on it. If I do it, then it will take my game to another level. I feel like I'm getting there, so I'm going to continue working hard." Analysis: Anything Vick can do to improve his game will make him more appealing to Fantasy owners, but the No. 1 aspect of Vick's game that owners are queasy about is his health. Vick is never a lock to play 16 games because of his aggressive rushing nature and thus people are scared to spend a valuable draft pick on him. He's still a high-risk, high-reward type who should go off of draft boards between 25th and 35th overall. He'll still be a No. 1 option, albeit one who will need a capable backup behind him on rosters. |
| 5/22/2012 | Arrelious Benn, WR, TB |
Benn falls to third string in Tampa BayNews: Pewter Report reports that wide receiver Arrelious Benn worked with the third-team offense during the Bucs' OTAs on Tuesday. Analysis: Benn has 55 grabs for 836 yards (15.2 avg.) and five touchdowns in 29 games with one torn ACL. Unless this is a ploy to motivate Benn to play well in hopes of contributing as a third receiver, we might be looking at the end of the former Illinois receiver in Tampa Bay. We're not touching Benn in our Fantasy drafts. |
| 5/22/2012 | Michael Jenkins, WR, MIN |
Jenkins says he's ready to goNews: Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who tore the meniscus in his knee late last season, is healed and will be joining the team for OTAs on May 30, according to a text he sent the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Jenkins will see some competition when he returns to the field, as the Vikings signed Jerome Simpson and drafted rookie WRs Greg Childs and Jarius Wright. Analysis: In 11 games last year Jenkins finished his season with 38 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Once Simpson finishes his suspension, Jenkins probably won't see as much playing time, though training camp will dictate that more than anything else. For now, Jenkins shouldn't be a part of anyone's Fantasy roster. |
| 5/22/2012 | Preston Parker, WR, TB |
Bucs extend WR ParkerNews: Wide receiver Preston Parker, who signed with the Bucs in 2010 as an undrafted free agent, has signed a one-year extension. Parker ranked fourth on the team last season with 40 receptions, but tied for 11th the league with 20 receptions on third down. Analysis: Parker had some flashes of breaking out last season but never did. He's not worth drafting and instead is a candidate to bring on rosters as a one-week replacement during the season. |
| 5/22/2012 | Bengals, TQB CIN, |
Dalton: My arm strength is fineNews: After NFL Films producer Greg Cosell offered criticism in a recent Yahoo! Sports podcast claiming some in the Bengals organization questioned quarterback Andy Dalton's arm strength, the team has come out in full force to say that they're happy with Dalton. The second-year quarterback said none of the coaches addressed the comments with him directly, nor did they need to. "Everybody has an opinion, (Cosell) can say whatever he wants. It's not going to affect me," Dalton said. " ... I don't think it held me back last year and I don't think it's going to hold me back in my career here. Arm strength is one thing, a lot of throwing the ball is timing, consistency and keeping everybody on the same page. I don't think arm strength is an issue." Analysis: Dalton played well as a rookie in leading the Bengals to the playoffs. He passed for 3,398 yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and he added 37 carries for 152 yards and a score. We consider Dalton a No. 2 Fantasy passer coming into 2012, and he is worth drafting with a late-round pick. He has the potential to be a No. 1 quarterback with a stud receiver in A.J. Green and some talented weapons, including tight end Jermaine Gresham. But another receiver in the mix would definitely help Dalton improve in his sophomore campaign. |
| 5/22/2012 | Eric Hagg, DB, CLE |
Hagg, Young competing for starting job?News: Browns safety Eric Hagg is working with the first-team defense in OTAs and appears to be in a competition with Usama Young for the starting job. Analysis: The winner of this competition will be worth owning as a reserve Fantasy option to start the season. We'd handicap Young to win the battle but we'll see how the Browns move forward with them. Neither one is worth drafting right now. |
| 5/22/2012 | Jamar Chaney, LB, PHI |
Chaney ready for actionNews: Linebacker Jamar Chaney (neck) was cleared by team doctors to participate in this week's OTAs. He's working at all three LB positions, but he will probably see most of his action on the weak side unless rookie Mychal Kendricks can't cut it on the strong side. "I feel great and I'm ready to go, no matter where they put me," Chaney said. Analysis: Chaney shouldn't be expected to put up big stats as the Will linebacker in Philadelphia. He'll be worth a late-round pick as a reserve linebacker in Fantasy this summer. |
| 5/22/2012 | Brent Celek, TE, PHI |
Celek limited, but feels goodNews: Eagles tight end Brent Celek recently said he feels "better than I have probably in the last three of four years" following surgeries on his shoulder and hernia this offseason, but he's still not quite a full participant in the Eagles' OTAs. In fact, he's still a question mark to work at the team's June minicamp but is expected to be ready to roll for training camp. Analysis: The Philadelphia Inquirer hinted that Celek might not be as limited as originally believed. If he can participate in full this summer, then there shouldn't be any reservations about taking him as a No. 1 Fantasy option. Figure that he'll get picked as soon as Round 9 and potentially as late as Round 11. |
| 5/22/2012 | Jeff King, TE, ARI |
King has torn quadNews: The Arizona Republic reports that Cardinals backup tight end Jeff King tore a quadriceps muscle while working out this offseason. He was spotted Tuesday on crutches with a brace on his knee. The team hopes he'll be ready for the start of the season. Analysis: Despite a solid start to the 2011 season, King is pretty much untouchable in Fantasy because his production isn't consistent. He'll have weeks where he won't catch more than one pass per game. Todd Heap and Rob Housler remain the Cardinals' top tight ends. |
| 5/22/2012 | Lestar Jean, WR, HOU |
Jean gets first-team repsNews: The Texans opened their OTAs with second-year receiver Lestar Jean working with the first-team offense. Jean did not play in 2011 after suffering a shoulder injury late August. Analysis: Keep in mind that Andre Johnson did not participate, so it's not like Jean has landed a starting job. But he could be in the conversation for the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver on the Texans. Jean has plenty of raw talent at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. He fits right into the mold of the tall Texans WR corps, but finding playing time may be tough considering Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and rookie DeVier Posey could top him. He is not worth selecting in most Fantasy formats for now, but the WR situation should be monitored going forward. |
| 5/22/2012 | Dallas Clark, TE, TB |
Bucs sign TE Clark to one-year dealNews: Tight end Dallas Clark signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers late Monday, effectively replacing Kellen Winslow as the team's starter. Clark, 33, played in a total of 17 games the last two seasons with 71 receptions. Each season, he was placed on injured reserve; in 2010 he had a season-ending wrist injury and a pinched nerve and broken fibula cost him time last season. Clark says his body is holding up well. "It's not slowing me down," he said Tuesday. "I don't feel I've been hampered with anything. I feel like I can come out and perform well every day." Analysis: Injury concerns overshadow everything about Clark's game, including his declining skills. He'd be a nice short-area target for Josh Freeman and might cash in a few times in the red zone, but the days of him being a dominant Fantasy option seem gone. Clark is worth a late-round flier in drafts as a backup tight end, but that's it. |
| 5/22/2012 | Knowshon Moreno, RB, DEN |
Moreno practices in OTAsNews: Knowshon Moreno participated in OTA workouts with the Broncos just six months after tearing his ACL in a Week 10 game against the Chiefs. Analysis: We don't know just how much Moreno did, but for him to be back on the field just six months after surgery is quite surprising. He's in for a battle for his roster spot this summer as the team still has Willis McGahee, Lance Ball and others, and drafted Ronnie Hillman. Moreno isn't worth drafting at this point. |
| 5/22/2012 | Brandon Weeden, QB, CLE |
Browns expect Weeden to be 'that guy'News: Speaking before a banquet for Browns fans, general manager Tom Heckert said the team drafted quarterback Brandon Weeden out of Oklahoma State in the first round with the idea he would start in his first season. Heckert's comments came one day before the Browns hold their first organized training activities (OTAs), when Weeden and Colt McCoy will be on the field together for the first time. "You can write about it and talk about it however you want," Heckert said. "The best guy is going to play and we fully expect Brandon to be that guy. That's our goal is to have him be the guy. I think when we say, open competition, the best guy's going to play, that's just the way it is. But we drafted Brandon Weeden to be that guy. (You) draft a guy 22nd in the draft, you think he's going to be that guy." Analysis: Considering that the Browns' other choices at quarterback are Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace, it only figures to be a matter of time before Weeden is officially named the starter. Weeden posted big stats in college (and completed over 72 percent of his passes his senior year), but he won't have a receiver like Justin Blackmon in Cleveland (Greg Little isn't quite that guy). And he's much older than your typical rookie -- he turns 29 in October. He's got the smarts and arm to work in a West Coast style of offense. With the Browns' receiving corps among the ugliest in the league, though, he could struggle to put up a ton of numbers. We wouldn't draft him in standard seasonal leagues but would take a flier on him late in dynasty/keeper leagues drafts as well as spend an early- to middle-round pick on him in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/21/2012 | Andre Johnson, WR, HOU |
Texans' Johnson had May knee surgeryNews: Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson disclosed Monday that he had offseason arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this month after hyperextending his knee in a late November game at Jacksonville last season. Johnson claims he didn't have any pain following the injury. He plans to participate in full during training camp this summer. "Nothing to panic about," Johnson said. "I had it two weeks ago. It was from a play that happened in the game against Jacksonville (in November). I hyperextended my (left) knee. It (was swollen). Got the swelling to calm down. I came back during offseason workouts, it (became swollen) again. We felt like the best thing to do was get it scoped, get it fixed." Analysis: Johnson also suffered a pair of hamstring injuries last season before finally getting healthy to help the Texans in the postseason. He also had ankle surgery last offseason. Let's face it, the guy is an incredible receiver when he's healthy but questions about how healthy he can be are surfacing. The 31-year-old remains a quality Fantasy receiver but owners might think twice before investing in him given that he played in just seven games last season. Expect him to get snagged between 15th and 30th overall in all leagues, likely determined by the scoring system (higher in PPR, lower in standard). |
| 5/21/2012 | Peyton Manning, QB, DEN |
Manning looks like himself in OTAsNews: The Broncos opened their OTAs on Monday to the media, and all eyes were on quarterback Peyton Manning. According to first-hand accounts, including those of the Denver Post, Manning looked like his old self. He displayed his trademark accuracy on his passes short and long, which were thrown with plenty of velocity. Manning worked with his entire receiving corps and was vocal with them through the practice. The quarterback was pleased with the tempo of the practice and was ultimately happy to get back on the field against a defense after missing so much time with his neck injury. "I really need to use this time," Manning said. "I do think there's a difference when you are on the field, in helmets, going up against the defense. Up until now we haven't been able to go against a defense, so this will be great work for me. This was one step, and there are different phases; training camp will be your next phase, putting on shoulder pads, then preseason and regular season. I'm just taking it one day at a time, but I was excited for this day to get here." Analysis: The more we hear about Manning having success in practice, the more we'll feel comfortable calling him a rock-solid No. 1 Fantasy quarterback. Really, the only issue that remains is how he'll handle getting hit by opposing defenses, and that's something we won't know until probably Week 1. We should all wait until Manning goes through his paces in training camp and the preseason before getting really excited about him. If he looks as good as we remember, he'll be in the discussion as the seventh quarterback taken in drafts, right behind brother Eli, in Round 3 or 4. If he's not quite as smooth but clearly on track to play, he'll be more of a fifth-round pick with the likes of Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger. And if he's not playing at all but still expected to be ready for the season, Fantasy owners might start gambling with him starting in Round 6 or 7. We'll continue to pay attention to Manning's progress this offseason. |
| 5/21/2012 | Joe Flacco, QB, BAL |
Flacco: We have to score moreNews: In the wake of the injury to pass rusher Terrell Suggs, the Ravens offense might have to shoulder more of the load this year to help the team win. That sounds great to quarterback Joe Flacco, who told the official team website that he's fine with being responsible for putting more points on the board. "I want us to get in more of a mindset where we have to score points,” Flacco said. "I think we've got the talent around us, definitely. I think we need to go out there and we need to make our minds up that we're going to do that. I think we're a team that should be able to go out there and put 40 up and not really look back." Analysis: Flacco pointed out that having that pressure to score more isn't a bad thing and that the young players that contributed last year should do better this year. Armed with a good receiving corps solidified by second-year speedster Torrey Smith and reliable route runner Anquan Boldin, not to mention Ray Rice in the backfield, Flacco should be on pace to put up some good stats once more. He's also entering a contract year, which should fire him up to play to his potential. No one's drafting Flacco to be a starter in Fantasy but he's a quality No. 2 Fantasy quarterback worth a pick starting in the middle/late rounds. |
| 5/21/2012 | Cam Newton, QB, CAR |
Rivera: Newton won't let himself slumpNews: In a Q&A with the Charlotte Observer, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that quarterback Cam Newton is fully aware of a potential sophomore slump and made it clear to the coach very early in the offseason process that he will do what it takes to avoid it. "[I]f there's anybody that's going work through it, he's going to work through it," Rivera said of Newton. "When the season was over, one of the things he said was he wanted to find a way to make sure he didn't have one. I think the less we talk about it, the less we get caught up in it, the better. It's like the Madden curse, he really wanted to be the cover. ... Instead of running from it, saying, oh, I hope it doesn't happen -- it's not going to happen. I'm not going to let it happen. I think that's his approach to the sophomore slump." Analysis: Newton has put in a lot of time this offseason with the Panthers and it's believed that he won't be lazy about improving his game. Remember, defensive coaches are breaking down Newton's 2011 season looking for leaks, and they'll try new things to combat him this fall. But the fact remains that Newton has proven to be a strong quarterback with uncanny rushing skills, and his uber-productive ways lead to big Fantasy numbers. Though it's tough to envision him rushing for 14 touchdowns again, he should come close to 4,000 yards passing and still be a factor as a rusher out of the backfield. He's a No. 1 Fantasy option expected to be snared with a pick between 12th and 25th in standard drafts and a Top 10 pick in formats that start multiple quarterbacks. |
| 5/21/2012 | John Skelton, QB, ARI |
Whiz to Rome: QB battle is evenNews: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt told CBS Sports Network's Jim Rome that the battle between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton to start at quarterback this season is even right now. "That's the question that's going to be answered through the workouts this spring and in training camp this summer," Whisenhunt said. "They've both been working hard at it. It's been good to get out on the field and actually work on techniques and fundamentals with these guys. At times last year they both showed they can do good things. But consistency at that position is something we've got to improve on. So hopefully the competition between both of them will sharpen up one of them enough that he'll be a good starter for us." Analysis: Skelton helped the Cardinals finish 8-8 as he stepped in numerous times for Kolb, including when he dealt with concussion issues. He finished the season with 1,913 passing yards and 11 touchdowns along with 14 interceptions. He completed just 54.9 pct. of his passes. It's going to take a superb summer from Skelton to unseat Kolb as the starter, though it wouldn't be a surprise to see Skelton play eventually. He's not worth drafting at the moment, especially with the QB situation in the desert unsettled. |
| 5/21/2012 | Ryan Broyles, WR, DET |
Broyles does work at OTAsNews: Lions rookie wide receiver Ryan Broyles, who is six months removed from surgery that repaired a torn ACL, participated in individual and position drills during the team's OTA on Monday. The official team website reports that while Broyles isn't close to 100 percent, he is running routes and catching passes. Broyles was the Lions' second-round pick in April's draft. Analysis: As of now, the expectation is that Broyles will begin the season on the PUP list and be unavailable for the first part of the year. The Lions could conceivably "redshirt" his rookie year and leave him on PUP all season, but that will depend on how he's doing as well as how the whole offense is doing. Broyles became the NCAA leader with 349 career receptions and completed his senior season for the Sooners with 83 catches, 1,157 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games. But his health, in addition to his size (5-foot-10 and 192 pounds) is a hurdle. He's worth a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and an early-to-middle round selection in rookie-only drafts, but we wouldn't touch him in seasonal formats. |
| 5/21/2012 | Brandon LaFell, WR, CAR |
Rivera confident in WR LaFellNews: In a Q&A with the Charlotte Observer, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that he's expecting a big contribution from wideout Brandon LaFell this season. "I feel very confident about Brandon. The one thing I didn't want to do last year, I wanted to keep the carrot in front of Brandon," Rivera said. "I didn't want him to feel like he's arrived. I think the thing that Brandon has to always keep in front of him is the big picture, and that is his continual growth. I hope he never, ever feels like he's arrived. If he keeps that approach and works hard like that. And truthfully, looks at the way Steve Smith does things, I think that's going to help him. I really do. Because when Legedu (Naanee) did get hurt, and (LaFell) did step up and become the starter, I was very pleased with what happened. I thought it kind of signified that, hey, you know what, I think the young man's arriving. But he hasn't gotten there. That's the one thing, I don't want him to ever feel like he's gotten there." Analysis: When Naanee got hurt toward the very end of last season, LaFell finished with five catches for 130 yards and a touchdown including a 91-yard score in a blowout win vs. the Bucs. In total, LaFell caught two fewer passes than his rookie season for almost 150 more yards and two more touchdowns. Entering his third season without much competition for the starting job or playing time, there's plenty to like about LaFell to call him a sleeper. He's worth a middle- to late-round pick in drafts. |
| 5/21/2012 | Yeremiah Bell, DB, NYJ |
Bell signs with JetsNews: The Jets have signed safety Yeremiah Bell, the team confirmed Monday. He was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and was a staple of their defense for years. He'll compete for playing time and potentially start. Analysis: Bell is considered a stud for Fantasy because of his tackling ability. So long as he lands regular playing time with the Jets, he'll remain a quality Fantasy option. The Jets have become deep at safety and might turn to a "big nickel" defense, which would include Bell being on the field. He's worth a mid-round pick as of now. |
| 5/21/2012 | Robert Meachem, WR, SD |
Meachem focused on knowing RiversNews: Robert Meachem told the North County Times that his focus this offseason is getting to know Philip Rivers and create that chemistry off the field so they can have success on the field. "The better you know each other in the locker room and joking around outside of practice really helps," Meachem said. "It's not just about running routes or studying film. It's about holding a conversation and understanding an individual personality. ... You have to build that strong relationship with your quarterback. You have to know what he sees and how that relates to what you see. The transition has been smooth, and that's what you expect with two veteran guys trying to do everything right and get on the same page. We know it's a process that takes time, and we're working through it." Analysis: Meachem has a chance to really explode in 2012 given his move to San Diego and the playing time he's expected to have. He had a little knee surgery this offseason but is fine. Meachem is expected to replace Vincent Jackson in the Chargers' offense for roughly 45 plays per game, head coach Norv Turner said in March. He has deep speed but questions about other aspects of his game keep him from being a full-fledged breakout candidate. He's almost a Top 30 Fantasy receiver. Expect Meachem to be taken with a middle-round pick in drafts as a No. 3 receiver with the potential to break out in Turner's offense. |
| 5/21/2012 | Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC |
Coach: MJD needs to be hereNews: While Maurice Jones-Drew continues to miss valuable offseason preparation time while holding out for a new contract, Jaguars offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski thinks it would be in the rusher's best interests to join the team and learn their new offense. "It's not helping him by not being here, he'll have a lot of learning to catch up on," Bratkowski told the Florida Times-Union. "But yet, he's a gifted and talented player and I’m sure he can get caught up. It's certainly not helping him. Whether it's hurting him or not, that remains to be seen." Analysis: MJD has two years left on a contract he signed in 2009, but that deal makes him the eighth-highest paid running back in the league -- and he was the NFL's top rusher last season. There's no need to worry now, but an extended absence from training camp might keep him from being at his best in the early going. Hopefully this situation is resolved soon. We consider Jones-Drew a No. 1 Fantasy running back worth drafting with a Top 5 pick in all leagues as long as there isn't a prolonged holdout. |
| 5/21/2012 | Michael Crabtree, WR, SF |
Harbaugh: Crabtree's hands best I've seenNews: 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh told KNBR-AM in San Francisco that Michael Crabtree's hands are "the best hands I've ever seen on a wide receiver." Crabtree had a successful campaign with career highs in catches (72) and yards (874) last year but scored just four touchdowns and had only four games with double digits in Fantasy points (standard scoring). Analysis: High praise from Harbaugh, who played with Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis and coached Jerry Rice and Tim Brown in Oakland. And let's not forget that Harbaugh added two other receivers via free agency and another in the draft. So while the compliment sounds like high praise, and while Crabtree did make some excellent catches during the regular season, let's not run out and name him the next Roddy White. Crabtree will fight for targets in San Francisco, especially if new Niner Randy Moss (who has some decent hands himself) plays as well as he's hinted at in offseason workouts. He should be viewed as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues with an emphasis of him being that valuable in a PPR format compared to a standard format. Plan on drafting Crabtree with a mid-round pick in all formats. |
| 5/21/2012 | Le'Ron McClain, RB, SD |
McClain the next Tolbert in San Diego?News: Chargers coach Norv Turner told KWWN-AM in Las Vegas over the weekend that he's excited about what running back/fullback Le'Ron McClain brings to the team. He was signed as a free agent in March. "[H]e's a very versatile player and he's a big old-school fullback," Turner said. "But he's a good runner, he's got good catching skills and I think he'll be a big addition." Analysis: Many believe that the Chargers' decision not to add another a running back will mean a big season for Ryan Mathews. That could be true, but if McClain can pick up a decent percentage of the reps Mike Tolbert left behind when he went to Carolina, then he could be worth a little bit in Fantasy. Back in 2008 McClain had the chance to be the Ravens' primary rusher and he wound up with 902 rush yards on 232 carries with 10 touchdowns. If the Chargers fail to add another back through training camp, McClain could emerge as a late-round sleeper. |
| 5/18/2012 | LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI |
Eagles break the bank for McCoyNews: LeSean McCoy and the Eagles agreed to a five-year contract extension that runs through 2017. The deal is for a reported $45 million, with $20.765 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid running backs of all-time. McCoy set franchise records in 2011 with 17 touchdowns rushing, and 20 total scores, while earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He also led the NFL with 102 first downs and 48 runs of 10-plus yards, while finishing as the league's fourth-leading rusher with 1,309 yards and another 315 yards receiving. As for slowing down now that he's gotten paid, McCoy said he's focused on winning. "[M]e as a person and just the way I was raised, I try and do things the right way," McCoy said when asked about comparing his contract situation to teammate DeSean Jackson's. He later added, "We have one main goal. Sure, guys like new contracts and stats but the main goal is to win a championship and I think we're all on the same page. ... That’s the main goal is to bring a championship to Philadelphia." Analysis: While a few Fantasy owners might back off of McCoy now that he got paid, we like that the Eagles got the deal done well in advance of his contract year without McCoy voicing any displeasure about a lack of a wealthy contract. Now he can focus on football. Even with the money in the bank, we think McCoy will continue to produce at a high level as a key cog in the Eagles' explosive offense. As one of the rare running backs with 300-touch potential over the course of a season, McCoy stands out as an elite Fantasy option worth a pick between second and fourth overall in every league. |
| 5/18/2012 | Roddy White, WR, ATL |
White aiming for more Julio, fewer dropsNews: After being named to NFL Network's Top 100 list -- albeit not as high as he'd like -- Falcons receiver Roddy White told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his league-leading 15 drops are to blame for not being considered an elite receiver. "I led the league in drops, which is unacceptable," White said. "I have to go out there and I have to play better, I have to hold onto the ball. But other than that, I feel like I performed well, I felt like I did pretty well this season. I felt that I should have been at least in the top five [wide receivers]; right now I'm fighting to be in the top 10. I'm kind of confused right now." White also said that the addition of Julio Jones helped his numbers last year and should again in 2012. "He's done wonders for me," White said. "I get a lot more one-on-one coverages and things like that. And I'm mad that Julio isn't on the list!" Analysis: White's 2011 started slow but finished strong: he had 47 catches for 563 yards and three touchdowns in his first nine games before exploding in Week 11 and finishing with 53 catches for 733 yards and five scores in his final seven. Though there is some concern about Julio Jones cutting into his production this year, the reality is that he's been among the most targeted receivers in the NFL over the last five seasons, including the most-targeted wideout over the last two years. Expect White to wind up going in Round 2 in standard leagues and toward the end of Round 1 in PPR drafts. |
| 5/18/2012 | Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI |
Seven more pounds on MaclinNews: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin has put on seven pounds of muscle this offseason, up to 205 pounds, in an attempt to be more physical and stronger against opposing cornerbacks. An unnamed Eagles coach told the paper that he's expecting a breakout season from Maclin, who missed training camp with a cancer scare and another three games with minor hamstring and shoulder injuries that might have stemmed from him missing camp. He finished last year with 859 yards on 63 grabs and five touchdowns. Analysis: Maclin's yards per catch average has been routinely in the high 13 yard range his entire career, and he's averaged more than four catches per game over the last two seasons with a 15 touchdowns in 29 games (nearly one per two games). So long as he stays healthy, he seems like a very safe bet to be productive. He's also two years out from being in a contract year. Consider Maclin a fine No. 2 Fantasy receiver worth a pick between Rounds 5 and 6. That makes him an excellent value on Draft Day. |
| 5/18/2012 | Antonio Gates, TE, SD |
Turner says Gates looks 'great'News: Antonio Gates said he was "excited" to get back to work and not have to deal with foot injuries a month ago. On Wednesday, his head coach was excited to have him on the field. Chargers coach Norv Turner told the San Diego Union-Tribune that his star tight end is participating without incident in the team's minicamp and looks great. "He's back," Turner said. "Physically, he's back to where we want him to be. I think, like anybody, going through this offseason program helps you get better. (It's) the combination of conditioning, the combination of getting better in the areas you can improve, and being out there with your teammates." Analysis: Gates hasn't worked out in the Chargers' offseason program in two years because of a multitude of foot injuries. But he's fine now and should be a lock to start the regular season in the Chargers' lineup. With all the excitement over tight ends in New England and New Orleans, Gates shapes up to be a decent value on Draft Day this summer. He's worth a pick in Round 4 but owners might even find him available in Round 5. Not bad for a tight end who in his last 39 games has averaged nearly 70 yards per start with 25 touchdowns. With Vincent Jackson off to Tampa Bay, there might even be a bump up in his numbers in San Diego this fall. |
| 5/18/2012 | Sidney Rice, WR, SEA |
Rice running routesNews: The Tacoma News Tribune reports that Seattle receiver Sidney Rice was active and running routes at the team's offseason conditioning workout Thursday but wore a red jersey to signal no contact. Rice is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Analysis: Rice has plenty of upside heading into 2012 with the addition of Matt Flynn. He had a down year in 2011 due to injuries, but if he can return at 100 percent and stay healthy he can be a starting Fantasy option in all leagues. Go into the season with Rice as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, and he should be drafted with a mid-round pick. If he can play 16 games then he should be able to produce at a high level. |
| 5/18/2012 | Wes Welker, WR, NE |
Patriots not happy with WelkerNews: The Boston Globe and Boston Herald report that receiver Wes Welker may have done himself a disservice in contract negotiations with the Patriots on Thursday when he spoke publicly about the progress - or lack thereof - in recent talks. “There have been talks, but nothing that’s brightened anything at all," Welker said. “It’s actually gotten worse." Welker explained that “worse" means the Patriots’ offer is now less than the two-year, fully guaranteed $16 million the team proposed during the 2011 regular season. Welker’s agents came to Foxborough earlier this week in an attempt to move negotiations along, but things apparently did not go well. Shortly thereafter, Welker signed his franchise tag, calling it a “leap of faith," and then aired his frustrations Thursday. According to a team source, Welker’s decision to go public in recent weeks about negotiations has not gone over well with the Patriots. His words have only increased the chances that 2012 will be his final season with the team. Analysis: Welker signed his franchise tag, which will pay him a guaranteed $9.515 million for the coming season. We hope Welker can work something out with the Patriots on a long-term deal, so continue to monitor what develops. He will be with the Patriots this year, and he should continue to play at a high level. Consider him a No. 1 Fantasy option in all leagues. |
| 5/18/2012 | Jerome Simpson, WR, MIN |
Musgrave a fan of SimpsonNews: While the Vikings will deal with receiver Jerome Simpson missing the first three games of the year, they're ultimately happy with his arrival in town. Minnesota's been looking for a legit deep-speed receiver for several years, and according to offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, it has one in Simpson. "He's a legitimate split end," Musgrave told KSTP-AM. "He has speed to threaten down the field and also get in and out of breaks and beat man coverage." Analysis: The Vikings should benefit from Simpson as he offers a big, athletic receiving target that they didn't quite have with Michael Jenkins last season. He's got some potential to serve as a quality reserve for Fantasy owners -- not a reliable No. 3 receiver -- making him worth a late pick in drafts. Just remember, he'll miss the first three games of the year, so if you draft him you have to commit to keeping him for a little while. If you're not ready to do that, then look elsewhere for Fantasy help. |
| 5/17/2012 | Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN |
AP: I'm 50-50 to start the seasonNews: Just over a week ago, Adrian Peterson stood in front of the media in Minnesota and said his goal remained to be ready for the start of the regular season. Now, as he continues his rehab from a torn ACL, Peterson told ESPN that he's not sure he can make that goal. "To be honest with you I feel like 50-50," he said. "I feel like honestly, sitting here telling you the truth, I'll be able to participate doing certain things. I think I'll be able to participate. ... I feel like I will be able to get out there and you call a run play or whatever, I'll be able to go through practice. That's how I feel. That's my mindset; but I'm going to follow the protocol. Whatever the Vikings and their staff want me to do, then I'm gonna do that; but I'm not going to hinder myself. I'm going to let those guys know how I feel, so if I'm able to get out there and get a couple of reps or whatever, then I'm going to participate in that way. But I'm sure they've got my best interests in hand, so we'll work it out." Analysis: Peterson has begun doing drills involving cutting and working on his explosiveness, which is an important step. He claims he's at "50 percent" of his old self in that area but his acceleration and deceleration needs work and his conditioning has "a long ways to go." Perhaps the biggest piece of optimism offered by Peterson is that he was allowed by trainers recently to run straight-line sprints with his teammates, and he beat them all. A possible scenario is that the Vikings keep Peterson's workload limited in his first three or four games before giving him the full workload we're all used to seeing him have. While that would hurt his Fantasy potential at the start of the year, it would mean he'd be ready to play big starting around mid-October. For now Fantasy owners should expect Peterson to be a question mark for the start of the season but a potential No. 1 Fantasy rusher once he gets his regular reps. We see him being taken in the middle of Round 3 in most drafts, though whoever takes him must also pick his current handcuff, Toby Gerhart, with a pick as soon as Round 9. We'll keep you posted on Peterson's progress. |
| 5/18/2012 | Doug Baldwin, WR, SEA |
Baldwin hopes to remain productiveNews: The Tacoma News Tribune reports that Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin talked about avoiding a sophomore slump after leading the team in receptions last season. Baldwin had 51 catches for 788 yards and four touchdowns for Seattle, becoming the first undrafted rookie free agent to lead his team in receptions and receiving yards since Bill Groman for the American Football League’s Houston Oilers in 1960. “One of my biggest things I keep hearing from people is not to have a sophomore slump,” Baldwin said. “One of my biggest things right now is to be perfect every day. Right now I’m working on my third perfect day with no drops and no missed assignments. So, not at all, I think I have so much more to prove and so much more I’m capable of.” Baldwin would like to prove he’s a complete receiver and not a person who can only play in the slot. Seattle general manager John Schneider said he’s more concerned with Baldwin growing into his role as one of the best slot receivers in the game. “He can play outside, but he can be a dominant inside player,” Schneider said. “He’s got a real natural feel for sitting down in a zone, stemming guys and breaking off outside. He’s got really quick hands, and real long arms.” Analysis: Baldwin will be part of an improved passing game in Seattle with the return to health of Sidney Rice and the addition of quarterback Matt Flynn. We consider Baldwin a No. 4 Fantasy receiver with upside. He is worth drafting with a late-round pick in most formats. |
| 5/18/2012 | Santonio Holmes, WR, NYJ |
Holmes makes good impressionNews: The New York Post reports that new Jets receivers coach Sanjay Lal has been impressed with Santonio Holmes so far this offseason. Lal said Holmes has been, “very eager, very football-hungry, very competitive.” And Lal is not the only one who has noticed Holmes’ contributions on the practice field. “He’s been great,” said tackle Wayne Hunter. “Santonio has been great. He’s been doing extra stuff that people wouldn’t believe. He’s been doing extra with Mark. He’s been doing stuff that he hasn’t done in the past. He’s been a team player, and it’s been a good change.” Analysis: Holmes caught 51 passes for 654 yards (a career-worst 12.8 avg.) and eight touchdowns last year, posting 10 or more Fantasy points (standard scoring) in five games. Holmes hasn't been a stud since arriving in New York and with more guaranteed coin in his piggy bank, he might not ever reach the numbers he had in Pittsburgh in 2009 (1,248 yards). We view Holmes as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver worth a mid-round pick. |
| 5/17/2012 | Mike Wallace, WR, PIT |
Wallace will wait to sign tenderNews: Restricted free agent Mike Wallace really isn't a free agent anymore. Per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Wallace's chance to sign elsewhere expired in April, meaning that his only two options are to sign his one-year, $2.7 million tender with the Steelers, or hold out. According to ESPN, Wallace will wait to sign his tender until the last possible minute, which will likely be June 15. Per the CBA, the Steelers can drop the guaranteed value of the one-year tender to under $600,000 after June 15, which means Wallace would lose over $2 million by not signing. Wallace is unlikely to participate in offseason workouts with the team but would be a part of training camp if he signs by the June 15 deadline. The Steelers have said they'd like to sign him to a long-term deal. Analysis: Ultimately, it's fairly safe to expect him back in Pittsburgh, which is probably for the best. What would really be nice is if Wallace signed his tender and played in a contract year again, which could yield some really nice stats for Fantasy owners to enjoy as he plays his best to break the bank next spring. Wallace has back-to-back 1,200-total-yard seasons with at least eight scores in each year, so it's pretty clear that he's a capable NFL receiver. Let's see what happens next but go ahead and pencil Wallace into drafts between Rounds 3 and 4 as a No. 1 option. |
| 5/17/2012 | Rolando McClain, LB, OAK |
McClain sentenced to jailNews: Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was sentenced to 180 days in jail and fined $2,000 by a municipal court judge in Decatur, Ala., after being found guilty on all four misdemeanor charges he faced stemming from an incident last November. He was charged with third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm. McClain was released on bond; it is not known when he will serve his jail term. Analysis: McClain posted career highs in tackles last year with 99, adding five sacks, a safety and 14 passes defensed. But he's routinely criticized for being a mediocre player in the middle of the Raiders defense. The NFL might weigh in with a suspension here since McClain has clearly violated the personal conduct policy, and if he's in jail then he can't play football. For now, Fantasy owners shouldn't touch McClain. |
| 5/17/2012 | Connor Barth, K, TB |
Barth signs four-year dealNews: The Buccaneers announced Thursday that they have signed kicker Connor Barth, the team's franchise player, to a four-year contract. "For the Bucs organization, [General Manager] Mark Dominik, Coach [Greg] Schiano and everyone to believe in me, to know that I'll be their kicker for the next four years, is awesome," said Barth. "It's just an amazing opportunity and I want to continue to perform like I have and live up to their expectations. I want to thank everyone - the fans, everybody, the team behind me - and I'm looking forward to getting back on the field." Barth is coming off his best season, finishing second in the NFL with a 92.9 field goal percentage (26-of-28), which also marked the best single-season field goal percentage in Buccaneers history. He ended the year making 15 consecutive field goals, the longest active streak in the NFL. Analysis: Barth has the potential to be a No. 1 Fantasy kicker, but he should be viewed as a No. 2 option on Draft Day. Plan on using him as a bye-week replacement during the year. |
| 5/17/2012 | Carson Palmer, QB, OAK |
Palmer getting used to rolling outNews: Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer said he's adjusting well to new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's scheme, which requires him to roll out and throw on the run more than he has since early in his NFL career at Cincinnati and in college at USC. "I've done a ton of it in my career early on and in college, did a ton of different nakeds and keepers and boots and stuff like that," he said. "It really suits me well. It suits our personnel well with some of the guys we have on the outside." Analysis: Palmer had 2,637 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his nine starts with the team last year. He's got a nice young receiving corps that specializes in deep speed, so anything the Raiders can do to put him in position to make long plays will go a long way. What's clear is that Palmer is still capable of posting big totals (six games with at least 250 yards and four with at least 300 yards; four starts with two or more touchdowns). No one will draft him to be a starter, but assuming he still has his fast receiving corps, expect him to be an interesting middle- to late-round pick as a quality No. 2 Fantasy QB. |
| 5/17/2012 | Brandon Tate, WR, CIN |
Tate to compete for No. 2 roleNews: Much has been made about Bengals rookie receiver Mohamed Sanu working well in minicamp workouts thus far, but Bengals receiver and kick-return man Brandon Tate is also expected to get a chance to play. Last season, Tate arrived from New England and was only used as a returner. Despite his 24 career receptions, he didn't play a snap on offense. Now, he owns the second-most career receptions on the team and coach Marvin Lewis said Tate is competing to start at No. 2 WR. "I did all [the routes] in practice, but Week 1 with my situation they didn't want to throw me out there," Tate said. "Whatever the coaches need me to do, I'll do. This year they want to get me going out [at wide receiver] and see what happens." Analysis: Tate has some pretty good speed but has been considered a project at receiver for a while. We actually like Sanu's chances to contribute better than Tate's. We wouldn't draft Tate this summer. |
| 5/17/2012 | Martin Rucker, TE, KC |
Rucker resurfaces with ChiefsNews: St. Joseph, Missouri native Martin Rucker signed with the Chiefs, his fourth team since joining the NFL out of Missouri in 2008. The 6-5, 251-pound former 4th-round draft choice of Cleveland played in 12 games in four seasons with the Browns, Cowboys and Jaguars. Analysis: The tight end isn't expected to be a regular contributor to the Chiefs and shouldn't be a part of Fantasy teams. |
| 5/17/2012 | Paul Posluszny, LB, JAC |
Posluszny says he'll be readyNews: Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny said Wednesday that although he's yet to be cleared for contact, his shoulder feels fine and he's been cleared to participate in all other activities in the offseason. The Jaguars' leading tackler last season underwent surgery in January and expects to participate in training camp. Analysis: Posluszny had 119 total tackles last season with two sacks, nine passes defensed, two interceptions and a forced fumble. These are the kind of numbers owners can expect from Posluszny -- so long as he stays healthy. Draft him as a quality No. 2 Fantasy linebacker with a mid-to-late pick in drafts. |
| 5/17/2012 | Danario Alexander, WR, STL |
Hamstring sidelines AlexanderNews: Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Wednesday that wide receiver Danario Alexander didn't participate in an OTA practice because of a sore hamstring. There's no timetable on when he'll return to work. Alexander says he's focused on playing 16 games and welcomes the competition the team has added at receiver. "I'm looking forward to a lot of competition," said the 6-foot-5, 217-pound Alexander. "We're in the heat of the battle and we just have to separate ourselves. It keeps you driving and keeps you motivated. That's part of the NFL. You're always going to have new competition coming in." Analysis: Alexander is one of many receivers on the Rams battling for playing time. With a history of significant leg and knee injuries, missing playing time isn't what's best for him to land a spot on the roster. Fantasy owners shouldn't consider him. |
| 5/16/2012 | DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI |
D-Jax's focus much improvedNews: A year ago, DeSean Jackson was sweating a long-term contract extension and did some silly things like hold out of training camp and not focus on football. His stats suffered until the end of the year when he started to play well on a fairly consistent basis (15 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns in his final four games). But he got the long-term deal he was looking for this offseason and says his focus is all about football this summer, adding that "100 pounds of stress" were taken off his shoulders. "It was a tough year for myself, had a lot of struggles, had a lot of things that just took me off of my game and my focus," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "This year, a lot of that has just been removed, and I'm able to focus and be comfortable and be confident that I'm at a place where I'm wanted. I just really want to be able to bring a championship to the city." Analysis: Jackson has clearly learned from his mistakes and doesn't have to sweat a contract now that he has one (five years worth $51 million). D-Jax is the definition of a boom-or-bust Fantasy player: He had at least 11 Fantasy points in six games in 2011 with four points or less in seven games. Consistency isn't Jackson's strong suit but the glimmer of hope he showed at the end of the year might be enough for Fantasy owners to begin the year with him as their No. 2 receiver. Figure him to be taken between Rounds 5 and 6 in drafts this summer. |
| 5/16/2012 | Tim Hightower, RB, WAS |
Hightower still not cleared by doctorsNews: Redskins running back Tim Hightower is grateful for his opportunity to stay with the team after tearing his ACL last October. And while it remains to be seen just how much playing time he'll have -- doctors have yet to clear him for football activities according to the Washington Post -- Hightower's focus is just on getting his legs back to normal. "That's the least of my worries right now," he said about regaining the starting job. "My focus is on improving each day and really committing to getting into the best shape I can. That stuff will get determined in due time when it should be. I've just got to stay determined." Analysis: The paper speculates that Hightower has the best chance to start for Washington because of his experience in their rushing scheme and his pass protection skills. We'd be surprised to see Hightower land the majority of carries right off the bat given his ACL injury and the finish Roy Helu and Evan Royster had last season (they'll fight for playing time this summer). At the very least Hightower could work as the Skins' third-down back and short-yardage/goal-line back, roles he's done well with in the past. Figure Hightower to be a late-round pick for depth in Fantasy drafts, especially for those owners who spend a good pick on Helu. |
| 5/16/2012 | Darren McFadden, RB, OAK |
McFadden confident, won't play scaredNews: After looking great in his first offseason practice open to the media, Raiders running back Darren McFadden said he feels back to normal and has his sights set on reaching a personal goal of 1,800 yards this season. McFadden is coming off of a Lisfranc foot sprain that cost him nine games last year after he totaled 768 yards and five scores in seven games. Coach Dennis Allen says he'll spare McFadden some reps in an effort to keep McFadden healthy for as long as possible. "I'm just out there playing, going hard," McFadden said according to the Contra Costa Times. "If I get hurt, so be it. I could see it if I was just going down the street, falling over, getting hurt. It's all behind me. If I get hurt going hard, I can't do anything about it. ... I feel like I got my feet wet in the NFL, now I have my confidence, so it's just going out there and playing with confidence. I'm going to go out there and run the ball." Analysis: The more we hear about McFadden practicing and doing well, the more likely Fantasy owners will want to gamble a Top 25 pick on him this summer. Potentially, McFadden could evolve into a 20-touch-per-week running back now that there isn't a dedicated or reliable backup behind him on the Raiders roster (Mike Goodson figures to be the guy). But he's also been injury prone over his career -- he's never played more than 13 games in a season. But when he has played, he's been awesome: He's averaged 88.5 rush yards and 33.0 receiving yards over his last 20 starts with 15 total touchdowns (and that's been with Michael Bush playing alongside him). Staying healthy is a major factor, and it's something Fantasy owners will have to consider with him. It's OK to draft McFadden with that Top 20 pick (likely between 13th and 20th overall), but in doing so you must also commit to drafting his backup -- for now that's Mike Goodson -- as a handcuff for if/when McFadden gets hurt. |
| 5/16/2012 | Drew Brees, QB, NO |
Vitt: Brees won't be impacted by suspensionsNews: Franchise-tagged quarterback Drew Brees might not be under contract to play for the Saints at this moment, but expectations are that he'll at least sign his one-year tender and be on the Saints in 2012. The same can't be said for head coach and offensive playcaller Sean Payton, who was suspended for the 2012 season as part of the Saints' penalties for their role in "Bountygate." Payton will not be allowed to help the Saints with their game plans for the entire season, and some believe that his absence will hurt the offense. But interim coach Joe Vitt believes that Brees' relationship with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who isn't suspended, will keep the offense afloat. "Nobody knows Drew Brees as well as Pete. Nobody knows Pete as well as Drew Brees," Vitt told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They were tied at the hip in San Diego, so they speak a common language and common verbiage." Analysis: If this were a younger quarterback or a quarterback on a new team, we'd see this as a problem. But Brees has been with the Saints since 2006, working in the same offense for six seasons going on seven. Even without Payton, we don't see Brees falling apart. If anything, we think the Saints defense will struggle this season, which means more passing from Brees. We still view Brees as an elite Fantasy QB worth a first-round pick. |
| 5/16/2012 | Joe McKnight, RB, NYJ |
McKnight out of shapeNews: Jets running back Joe McKnight told the New York Daily News he put on 16 pounds this offseason. How did he do it? By eating McDonald's. "I was eating healthy, but the majority of time I was eating bad," he said. "I wasn't eating all the right stuff ... like Tim Tebow." Analysis: We really don't understand what Tebow has to do with eating right. Bottom line? If McKnight is out of shape come training camp, he'll risk losing reps to the likes of Bilal Powell and Terrance Ganaway. McKnight isn't worth drafting in standard formats as it is. |
| 5/16/2012 | Delone Carter, RB, IND |
Carter recovering from surgeryNews: The Indianapolis Star reports that Colts running back Delone Carter is on the mend from thumb surgery this offseason. He is expected to be ready for training camp. Analysis: Carter is expected to be the No. 2 running back behind Donald Brown, and he should be considered a sleeper on Draft Day. The Colts will likely lean on their ground game, and Carter could be a change-of-pace rusher and work at the goal line. Brown has more upside coming into the season, but Carter is someone to target in standard leagues with a late-round pick. |
| 5/16/2012 | Taylor Thompson, TE, TEN |
TE Thompson impresses in campNews: Titans rookie tight end Taylor Thompson didn't play his position in college -- he was a defensive end -- but you wouldn't know it based on the team's recent minicamp. According to the official team website, Thompson ran smooth routes and caught everything thrown at him. That might have been because Thompson says the Titans run an offense similar to what the offense ran at SMU when he was there. "I felt very comfortable on offense. "I've learned a lot the past few days and I'm just having a great time," Thompson said. "I'm pretty familiar with what they're running here. It's similar to what Coach (June) Jones ran at SMU.” Analysis: Thompson is a project-type player, though one with awesome size (6-foot-6, 287 pounds) and athleticism. Questions about his endurance and obviously his experience keep him from being a full-fledged Fantasy sleeper. If he stands out in training camp then it's just a matter of time before he helps the Titans offense and Fantasy owners. If he struggles, then he's probably a few years away. The Titans also have tight end Jared Cook on the roster along with a number of receivers, so there isn't much of a chance of Thompson putting up huge stats anytime soon. For now he's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/16/2012 | Owen Schmitt, RB, OAK |
Raiders add FB SchmittNews: Free agent fullback Owen Schmitt signed Tuesday with the Raiders, the team announced. Schmitt played his first two seasons with Seattle and the past two with Philadelphia. He's appeared in 51 games with 12 starts. Starting fullback Marcel Reece has yet to sign his exclusive rights tender and isn't participating in the offseason program. Analysis: He's not expected to put up big stats. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/16/2012 | Darius Fleming, LB, SF |
Report: Fleming has torn ACLNews: Outside linebacker Darius Fleming, the 49ers' fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, tore his ACL during the team's rookie minicamp according NFL.com. Fleming was one of two linebackers the team selected in the draft, the other being Virginia's Cam Johnson (seventh round). Analysis: Fleming had some potential to contribute to the Niners' pass rush but it appears he won't be doing much of anything this year. Too bad. It's fine to pass on him in all leagues including rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/16/2012 | Jerome Harrison, RB, DET |
Harrison won't play in 2012News: The Lions placed running back Jerome Harrison on the reserve/non-football illness list. Harrison had surgery in October for a brain tumor, which was discovered after the Lions attempted to trade him to the Eagles. Analysis: Harrison's future in football is very much unclear. Look elsewhere for Fantasy help. |
| 5/16/2012 | Jordan Cameron, TE, CLE |
Shurmur expects Cameron to step upNews: Browns coach Pat Shurmur said that he expects second-year tight end Jordan Cameron to see a jump in production in 2012. Cameron played in just eight games last season and totaled 33 yards on six catches. "The guy that looks way different is Jordan Cameron," Shurmur said. "Oh, gosh -- the size -- and he's had a great offseason. He's a guy that hadn't played much football, so I think he'll make a big improvement this year." Analysis: Standing at 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, Cameron has the size and the speed (4.53 in his 40-yard dash a year ago at the combine) to make defenses miserable. It sounds like he's made improvements in his understanding of the Browns offense this offseason and could be a factor this year with a solid camp and preseason. The potential here is huge, but playing time will be the biggest issue -- just as it was for Evan Moore last year. Don't draft him yet, but be prepared to snare him late if coaches keep talking him up. |
| 5/16/2012 | Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, CLE |
Make-or-break year for Massaquoi?News: Browns coach Pat Shurmur said that wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi will have to step up this season. Massaquoi has dealt with injuries through his short career and has just 1,491 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons. "It's time for him to show us what we know he can do," Shurmur said according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. "I think last year he was hampered by injury, which can be tough for a receiver. What I've seen thus far in the offseason, it looks like he's gonna be ready to go." Analysis: The Browns drafted speedster Travis Benjamin, and he could cut into Massaquoi's playing time with a good camp. No one should consider Massaquoi a reliable Fantasy receiver at this point, even with the Browns' upgrade to Brandon Weeden at quarterback. Expect to find him on waivers during the season. |
| 5/15/2012 | DeMarco Murray, RB, DAL |
Murray cleared to practiceNews: The Dallas Morning News reports that Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray said Monday that the ankle injury that prematurely ended his standout rookie season has healed and he has been cleared by team doctors. “It's great,” Murray said during an interview on ESPN. “I've been officially cleared by our doctors, and I've been doing everything the past month or two without any limitations. I feel great.” Murray suffered a fractured right ankle and a high right ankle sprain in a Week 14 loss to the Giants. Murray had surgery in December, began rehab shortly after and started running in February. The third round pick finished the 2011 season with 897 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Analysis: We're excited Murray is ready to go, and we look forward to him picking up where last season ended. He will again share carries with Felix Jones, but Murray should be considered a solid No. 2 Fantasy running back worth drafting in Round 3 in all formats. |
| 5/15/2012 | Doug Martin, RB, TB |
Martin has hamstring strainNews: The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs general manager said Tuesday that rookie running back Doug Martin has a slight hamstring strain. He did not practice with the team during OTA workouts. Analysis: Martin was drafted to compete with running back LeGarrette Blount, and Martin has the chance to start right away. But he needs to be 100 percent healthy, and hopefully he will be ready for the start of training camp. Keep an eye on what happens with Martin, and he should be considered a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy option if his hamstring is OK. He will lose reps, possibly at the goal line, to Blount, but Martin has the potential to be a three-down rusher as long as he's healthy. |
| 5/15/2012 | Mohamed Sanu, WR, CIN |
Bengals might have a starter in SanuNews: It didn't take long for Bengals rookie receiver Mohamed Sanu to establish himself with the team. Following their recent rookie minicamp, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Sanu did very well. "I thought Sanu was everything we expected him to be," Lewis said according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He's going to be able to come in here and play right away as a rookie. He's going to push to start and for playing time." Analysis: Sanu doesn't have a ton of competition for the job opposite A.J. Green and could be a factor this season for the Bengals' passing attack. He's a productive receiver who had 115 catches for 1,206 yards (10.5 avg.) and seven touchdowns last season with Rutgers. Now that he's in the starting mix, Sanu will be worth a late choice in seasonal drafts (especially PPR formats). He's also worth a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/15/2012 | Jay Cutler, QB, CHI |
Cutler concerned about O-lineNews: Bears quarterback Jay Cutler says his thumb is healed following offseason surgery after breaking it during the 2011 season. And he certainly gives a thumbs-up to the Bears adding Brandon Marshall via trade and Alshon Jeffery in the draft. But he told the Chicago Sun-Times that his offensive line is still a concern of his. "If Gabe [Carimi] comes back, if J'Marcus [Webb] pans out. Where are we going to put Chris Williams? There are some question marks there," Cutler candidly said. "Until we really get that resolved, and get our front five settled in, we've got some work to do on offense. ... There are going to be times it's 3rd and 8, 3rd and 10, and we're going to have to take seven step drops and we're going to have the longer route and they're going to have to protect." Analysis: Cutler and the Bears know what they have to do: Move the pocket. Several coaches and Cutler himself have talked about using bootleg rollouts on passing plays, something he did in Denver. That keeps defenses on their toes and keeps plays alive. Anything is better than Cutler having to take seven-step drops all the time in Mike Martz's offense, which happened last season. Now he should be able to scamper around and slice up defenses with his arm and his legs. Getting a pair of solid receiving threats will only help him. Without a stud receiver in Chicago, Cutler has averaged 225.8 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game. Expect that average to go up with the addition of Marshall and Jeffery. Cutler is now worth discussing as a sleeper quarterback worth taking after about a dozen passers go off the board. We'll probably see him taken in Round 8 or 9 in a lot of drafts this summer. |
| 5/15/2012 | Juron Criner, WR, OAK |
Criner shines in OTAsNews: Raiders rookie wide receiver Juron Criner put on a receiving show during Tuesday's OTA. On one play, he made an acrobatic grab between two defenders of a 50-yard pass from Carson Palmer. On another, he blew past a defensive back for a long catch from Palmer. It appeared that Palmer and Criner already had their rhythm down pat. "I think every day he gets a little bit better," coach Dennis Allen said. "I was pleased with the way he practiced today. It's not a whole lot different than what we saw on tape in college. That's what we expect from him." Analysis: This is nice to hear but we'd like to see Criner do this against first-string competition before we start touting him as a sleeper. Funny thing is that Criner slipped in the NFL Draft partially because of his speed. The guy otherwise is a gem -- he's 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds and caught 75 passes for Arizona last season for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns. If he can keep this up through the summer then we're talking about a serious sleeper. |
| 5/15/2012 | Justin Blackmon, WR, JAC |
Blackmon back at practiceNews: The Jaguars official team website reports that rookie receiver Justin Blackmon returned to practice Tuesday after dealing with a sore foot. Blackmon said his sore foot was caused by wearing new cleats at the rookie minicamp. Analysis: It appears like Blackmon is fine and should be 100 percent ready for training camp. We consider Blackmon a No. 3 Fantasy receiver at best, and he will have to prove himself while dealing with a young quarterback in Blaine Gabbert. He's worth a middle- to late-round pick in seasonal drafts, a middle-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a Top-5 pick in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/15/2012 | LeGarrette Blount, RB, TB |
Blount ready to prove himselfNews: The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday it's too early to know how the team will split carries between running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin, who was drafted in the first round. Blount said he is looking forward to the challenge. "Them drafting a running back might be what I needed to become an every down back," said Blount, who added he lost at least five pounds this offseason. Blount says he's proving more and more everyday he can play every down. "I've been showing I can be an every down back," he said. Blount says he still sees himself as the No. 1 back. "Yeah, until they take it away," he said. "But at the end of the day, we're both going to play. But don't nobody affect my carries but me. Not what he does. ... Nobody can affect my carries but me. They drafted (Martin) because we needed him. I can't carry the load by myself." Analysis: Blount's Fantasy value is clearly diminished with the addition of Martin, but he's not going to disappear in the offense. Blount will still get his share of touches and could work as the short-yardage back in the red zone. We consider Blount a No. 3 Fantasy option in standard leagues. He should be drafted with a mid-round pick, and hopefully he can find his way into the end zone on a consistent basis to keep his value at a high level. |
| 5/15/2012 | Mike Williams, WR, TB |
Williams ready to be good againNews: The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs receiver Mike Williams knows he has to improve on his disappointing season in 2011. "It wasn't good enough," Williams said. "Everybody asks me how I assess myself from last year, it just wasn't good enough.'' Williams is coming off a horrible second season (771 yards, three touchdowns) after a big rookie year (964 yards, 11 touchdowns). He said the addition of Chargers free agent receiver Vincent Jackson will benefit him and the team. "Who can you double now?'' Williams asked. Analysis: We hope Williams can rebound in his third year and play at the level we saw from him as a rookie. Williams should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy option on Draft Day, and he is worth drafting with a late-round pick. There will be some weeks where Williams looks like a star, and there will also be times when you are ready to cut him. Just lower your expectations and realize he can be a solid reserve, especially if he uses 2011 as a motivating factor. |
| 5/15/2012 | Bruce Irvin, DE, SEA |
Irvin impresses in minicampNews: Going up against veteran left tackle Alex Barron for much of the team's mid-May minicamp, first-round pick Bruce Irvin displayed some awesome speed off the edge. He struggled on inside moves and power moves against Barron but otherwise flashed the ability head coach Pete Carroll knew he had. "He's very, very fast. He's very instinctive," Carroll said. "... He's definitely going to be a guy that we're going to find ways to use him and it's really going to fit in the pattern that we had thought." Analysis: Carroll once tried to recruit Irvin to Southern Cal out of junior college. So clearly Carroll is hot for Irvin and has designs on how to use him to attack quarterbacks. Despite his lack of experience, Irvin's athleticism and toughness should give him a chance to be an effective pass rusher for the Seahawks, be it as a joker linebacker or as a traditional defensive end on passing downs. Expect a modest amount of sacks from Irvin and not a whole lot else. He's a late-round flier in seasonal leagues, a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a middle-round choice in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/15/2012 | A.J. Jenkins, WR, SF |
Jenkins out of shape at minicampNews: Multiple outlets that cover the 49ers noticed that rookie wide receiver A.J. Jenkins wasn't in good shape during the team's recent minicamp. And they weren't the only ones to notice -- head coach Jim Harbaugh saw it too. "Out of shape, that's the bad news," Harbaugh said about Jenkins and other rookie receivers according to the San Jose Mercury-News. "Good news is that it's a very talented group of those young receivers, could tell that right away. Bad news is that we've got to get them in shape. Don't know exactly what all these guys were doing for the last six months." Analysis: Jenkins is reportedly going to train with Jerry Rice on his infamous hill soon, and that should kick-start his training regimen and get him ready for camp. Jenkins clearly can get into shape as evidenced by his senior year at Illinois where he caught a Big Ten-best 84 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven scores. Don't expect a ton of playing time early for Jenkins, especially with the likes of Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham and Randy Moss on the roster. He's worth a late pick in the deepest of seasonal leagues and in dynasty/keeper leagues and an early- to middle-round choice in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/15/2012 | Robert Turbin, RB, SEA |
Turbin could catch passesNews: The Seahawks official team website reports that rookie running back Robert Turbin, a fourth-round draft choice from Utah State, has already showed he can catch the ball out of the backfield. If he’s able to pick up the blitz as a blocker, Turbin could be the third-down back, in addition to complementing leading rusher Marshawn Lynch. “Too early to tell,” coach Peter Carroll said when asked about Turbin replacing Justin Forsett as the third-down back. “That’s stuff that has to be determined. He has not had to block a lot in pass protection, but I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t. He’s perfectly suited to do that and he didn’t look far off, technique-wise. So he’s just got to get guys roaring downhill at him and we’ll see.” Analysis: Turbin is the likely handcuff option to Lynch. He will compete for backup duties with Kregg Lumpkin, but Turbin might have more upside. Keep an eye on what happens with his role this offseason, but Turbin could be worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues and mid-round pick in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/15/2012 | Stanley Havili, FB, PHI |
Havili is Eagles' top fullbackNews: Coach Andy Reid confirmed that second-year player Stanley Havili will go into training camp as the No. 1 fullback. Havili, a seventh-round pick from Southern Cal, spent 2011 on the practice squad. He replaces Owen Schmitt, who had four carries and three receptions last year and wasn't re-signed. Analysis: Havili might get a carry or a catch here or there but isn't expected to benefit Fantasy owners. |
| 5/15/2012 | Kris Adams, WR, MIN |
WR Adams waived by VikesNews: The Vikings announced Monday that they have waived wide receiver Kris Adams. Analysis: Adams will try to latch on elsewhere. Fantasy owners shouldn't touch him. |
| 5/15/2012 | Chad Jones, FS, NYG |
Giants waive injured DB JonesNews: The Giants waived safety Chad Jones because of a failed physical, the team announced. Jones was the team's third-round pick in 2010, but he severely injured his leg in a car accident in Louisiana before his first training camp with the Giants and consequently has never appeared in an NFL game. Jones had been hoping to return to the team but was declared unable to participate in a recent rookie minicamp. Giants general manager Jerry Reese still considers the former LSU star a "part of the Giants family," adding, "we'll continue to work with him in his rehab." Jones thanked the Giants through his agent, Rocky Arceneaux. Analysis: Jones' career is very much in jeopardy. He'll focus on getting in shape as best as he can so that he can land on another roster. Fantasy owners shouldn't touch him. |
| 5/15/2012 | Armond Smith, RB, CAR |
Browns dump RB SmithNews: The Browns cut running back Armond Smith and signed running back Adonis Thomas, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which cited a league source. Thomas rushed for 1,071 yards at Toledo in 2011 and performed well in rookie minicamp. Smith didn't make the Browns' final roster last summer. Analysis: Neither rusher has much of a chance to be productive anytime soon. Keep both off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/15/2012 | Nick Toon, WR, NO |
Toon has good minicampNews: The Saints coaching staff pointed out fourth-round rookie receiver Nick Toon among the players that stood out during this past weekend's rookie minicamp. Acting head coach Joe Vitt said Monday that Toon caught the ball well and ran some good routes. "He ran routes very well and ran with the ball well afterwards," Vitt said. Analysis: Last season, Toon led the Badgers in receiving with 64 catches for 926 yards and 10 touchdowns. He isn't the fastest receiver, but he can run smooth routes and that will only help him find some playing time this season. Toon obviously has the pedigree to be a contributor for the Saints and might get the chance to do just that with a good preseason. He's worth a late pick in deep seasonal PPR leagues, a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a third-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/15/2012 | Rhett Bomar, QB, OAK |
Raiders waive two playersNews: Quarterback Rhett Bomar and tight end Andre Hardy were waived Monday, the Raiders announced. Hardy, the son of former NFL running back Andre Hardy, played basketball in college but hasn't played football since high school. Bomar, who was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round in 2009, hasn't appeared in an NFL game. Analysis: Neither player is expected to make an impact for a team anytime soon. Leave them off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/15/2012 | Joe Banyard, RB, JAC |
Jags make roster swapNews: The Jaguars signed rookie linebacker Joshua Jones, waiving rookie running back Joe Banyard. Jones (6-foot-1, 234 pounds), who had 17 tackles for loss and four sacks for Elon last season, participated in the team's rookie minicamp recently on a workout basis. Banyard has signed with the team as a rookie free agent after the draft. Analysis: Neither of these players are expected to contribute many stats anytime soon. Leave them off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/15/2012 | Jerome Messam, RB, MIA |
Prospect Messam needs knee surgeryNews: Dolphins running back Jerome Messam will have his second knee surgery in five months. The former CFL rushing standout posted the news on Twitter, with the Palm Beach Post confirming that Messam originally hurt the meniscus in his left knee last November while playing with the Edmonton Eskimos. Messam is 6-foot-4 and over 240 pounds, a giant for a running back. He rushed for 1,057 yards and six touchdowns in 18 games for Edmonton last year. Analysis: Messam was expected to provide depth for the Dolphins and only see playing time regularly if the guys ahead of him on the depth chart (Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas) miss action. He's only worth a late-round flier in the deepest of rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/14/2012 | Mark Ingram, RB, NO |
Ingram could be slowed in campNews: The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said Monday that the team will probably have to back off running back Mark Ingram at start of training camp, but he should have the green light for the regular season. Vitt said the injury with Ingram is a concern, but he is working hard in his rehab. Ingram underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee toward the end of April. Analysis: We hope Ingram can be 100 percent for the start of training camp, but he might be limited again. If he's healthy for the start of the season then he has the chance to be a No. 3 Fantasy rusher with upside. Just keep in mind the Saints have Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas, and Ingram's best asset will be his ability work at the goal line. Keep an eye on what develops, but Ingram should only be drafted with a mid-round pick in the majority of leagues. |
| 5/14/2012 | Brandon Marshall, WR, CHI |
Report: Marshall won't face chargesNews: ESPN reports that Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall isn't expected to face any charges stemming from an incident outside a New York night club where Marshall allegedly punched a woman. According to the report, the police haven't found any evidence of any wrongdoing on Marshall's part. Analysis: Obviously it's good news for Marshall if he's not charged and thus not suspended by the league. Things seem to be looking up for Marshall, who escaped Miami for Chicago where he'll be reunited with quarterback Jay Cutler. The two hooked up for big numbers in Denver and should be in line to do it again. Assuming he starts the season on-time like everyone else, he's worth drafting as a borderline No. 1/No. 2 receiver in standard formats and a low-end No. 1 WR PPR formats. Expect him gone between 30th and 40th overall in all drafts. |
| 5/14/2012 | Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ |
Sanchez struggled with decisionsNews: The New York Daily News reports that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled with decision making in 2011, according to quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh. Sanchez had 26 touchdown passes and 26 turnovers, and Cavanaugh hopes he can become more of an effective game manager in Tony Sparano’s new offensive system. “There were turnovers that were not his fault that were credited to him,” Cavanaugh said. “But there were enough that playing that position he needs to cut some of those down. Most of them came from just poor decision-making. So I spent a lot of time with him talking about ‘Let’s get focused on managing the game.' Taking the big plays when they’re there (and) understanding that ... even though it’s drawn up to be a touchdown, not every play has to be a touchdown. Not every play has to be a completion. Sometimes throwing it away is a good thing. Sometimes taking a sack is better than throwing an interception.” Analysis: The ability for Sanchez to succeed is there. Sanchez had thrown for 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions before an epic three-week meltdown that included nine turnovers to end the season. But this year, with the addition of Tim Tebow, Sanchez's Fantasy value is limited. He should only be considered a No. 2 Fantasy option at best, and he is only worth drafting in deep leagues with a late-round pick. |
| 5/14/2012 | Maurice Fountain, DE, PHI |
Fountain tears patellarNews: Eagles coach Andy Reid disclosed Monday that defensive end Maurice Fountain tore his patellar tendon and will have surgery. "He was actually doing a heck of a job," Reid said. Analysis: Fountain was a long way from being a regular part of the Eagles defense. Keep him off Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/14/2012 | Roy Helu, RB, WAS |
Helu has company in HightowerNews: The Redskins announced Monday that they have re-signed unrestricted free agent running back Tim Hightower. He is expected to provide depth to Roy Helu and Evan Royster, who are both second-year running backs. Analysis: Hightower was the Redskins starter in 2011 before suffering a torn ACL. When he went down, Helu took over, and we expect him to be the No. 1 option in the backfield for the Redskins this year. Hightower could potentially work at the goal line and in passing situations, but Helu still has the potential to be a workhorse. We like Helu as a No. 2 Fantasy running back, and he should be drafted in Round 3 or 4 in all leagues. |
| 5/14/2012 | Evan Royster, RB, WAS |
Royster to battle HightowerNews: The Redskins announced Monday that they have re-signed unrestricted free agent running back Tim Hightower. He is expected to provide depth to Roy Helu and Evan Royster, who are both second-year running backs. Analysis: Hightower was the Redskins starter in 2011 before suffering a torn ACL. We expect him to return as the No. 3 option behind Helu and Royster, with Royster having more upside as the backup option to Helu. Keep an eye on what develops with Hightower, but Royster is worth drafting with a late-round pick in all leagues. |
| 5/14/2012 | Brandon Coutu, K, JAC |
Jaguars sign kicker CoutuNews: The Jaguars needed a kicker with veteran Josh Scobee on the franchise tag. They got one in little-used veteran Brandon Coutu. He made three extra points and missed one field goal in Week 17 last year for the Bills. Analysis: Coutu is a longshot to actually replace Scobee on the Jaguars roster. Leave him off rosters. |
| 5/14/2012 | Rob Myers, TE, WAS |
Redskins drop TE MyersNews: The Redskins waived tight end Rob Myers on Monday. He played in one game with the Redskins last year but didn't catch a pass. Analysis: Myers shouldn't be on anyone's Fantasy Football rosters. |
| 5/14/2012 | Bobby Wagner, LB, SEA |
Wagner to compete for MLB jobNews: Seattle coach Pete Carroll has wanted the Seahawks to get faster on defense, especially at linebacker. With the addition of Bobby Wagner in the second round of the draft, Carroll hopes they've solved that issue. Wagner has been thrown into the fire during this weekend's rookie minicamp getting reps at middle linebacker as the Seahawks look to fill the hole left by David Hawthorne's departure to New Orleans. He'll battle veterans Matt McCoy and Barrett Ruud for the starting job this summer. "Bobby's going to get a heck of a chance. We want to see him. We'd love to get that speed on the field if we could. It's rare to find a linebacker that runs that fast," Carroll said. "... But he's got to do it. He's got a long way to go before he can take that over." Analysis: We thought Wagner would get a chance sooner than later, but it sounds as if he'll get a shot this summer to unseat two veterans who have posted underwhelming totals over the past few years. We consider Wagner worth a late pick in seasonal and dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only drafts for now. |
| 5/14/2012 | Clyde Gates, WR, MIA |
Gates no lock to make final rosterNews: The Palm Beach Post reports that Dolphins receiver Clyde Gates is no lock to make the final roster. The report states that "Gates, a former basketball player who didn’t play high school football, has tremendous speed, but is incredibly raw as a receiver, barely getting on the field during his rookie year and finishing with two catches. Considering he was drafted for the previous offense, has no ties to the current coaching staff and is competing with seven other receivers for three spots, Gates is certainly no lock to make the roster. His $339,861 in dead money is not onerous at all." Analysis: Gates has become a popular offseason sleeper with the Dolphins having a huge hole at receiver with Brandon Marshall gone. We expect Gates to make the final roster, but keep an eye on what develops. Gates could be someone to target on Draft Day if his role improves, but he has a long way to go before Fantasy owners can count on him in most formats. |
| 5/14/2012 | Torrey Smith, WR, BAL |
Smith will be ready for campNews: After having double hernia surgery this offseason, Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith told the Baltimore Sun that he'll be ready for the start of training camp this summer. He's been dunking in charity basketball games and believes he'll have no restrictions when the team gets together in late July. As he told CBSSports.com in April, Smith is preaching consistency as a key to long-term success. "The biggest thing that helped my game is being consistent," said Smith. "I've got a lot of growing to do. This is going to be my fifth season playing receiver now, so I'm still learning each and every day. For me in order to take the next step, it's just being consistent, making the simple plays and just being consistent in my technique, being consistent catching the ball, everything. ... [T]o see the progress I was able to make in 20 weeks, I can only imagine what it's going to be like this offseason because I came right out there and I looked better than I did all of last year and I had surgery." Analysis: For Smith to put up 50 catches for 841 yards and seven scores is pretty impressive considering he was a rookie and was playing hurt. Imagine what he can do with experience and healthy legs?! There's going to be a lot of hype around Smith in 2012 -- nearly every Fantasy owner is going to want him based on his potential. The right time to draft him is probably late Round 6 as a borderline No. 2/No. 3 Fantasy wide receiver. |
| 5/14/2012 | Travis Benjamin, WR, CLE |
Coach thinks Benjamin will make impactNews: Browns coach Pat Shurmur finished up his press conference Sunday with a bit of a jaw-dropper: When asked if rookie receiver Travis Benjamin could compete for a significant role, the coach said, "I would say so. I saw a lot of good stuff from Travis this weekend and I feel like he will only continue to get better." Analysis: Benjamin flashed his speed throughout the minicamp while also dealing with some drops. Obviously he doesn't have a lot of tough competition for playing time, so the deep-ball threat from The U could get into action sooner than later. It only helps him that the Browns drafted a strong-armed quarterback in Brandon Weeden. Expect him to have some Devin Hester-like moments on offense, making him worth a late pick in deeper dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. If he keeps pressing for playing time then he'd be worth a late flier in seasonal leagues. |
| 5/14/2012 | Devon Wylie, WR, KC |
Footwork an issue for Wylie?News: While Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel was ultimately complimentary of rookie receiver Devon Wylie, he did tell the media on Sunday that the receiver has to work on his footwork. "Wylie showed he has some quickness and has ability to make some plays," Crennel said following the team's mid-May rookie minicamp. "He looked quick and effective. I think he can be productive. He's got to work on his footwork a little bit because he was on the ground some. That happens a lot with some fast guys when they're trying to stop and cut. They end up slipping until they can get their feet completely under them." Analysis: Wylie is often compared to Wes Welker because of his small stature and unique quickness, but he's also injury prone as he dealt with hamstring, ankle and foot injuries throughout his college career. We'll see if Wylie is given an opportunity in training camp -- if he gets the reps with Matt Cassel & Co. then he'd be worth a late-round flier in seasonal leagues, a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a third- or fourth-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/14/2012 | Junior Hemingway, WR, KC |
Crennel praises rookie HemingwayNews: Speaking after the team's mid-May minicamp, Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said that rookie receiver Junior Hemingway did some good things to stand out. "Hemingway has a very good knowledge of how to run routes, and he has good hands," Crennel said. "I think with a guy like that, the more offense you put in, the more teamwork you do, then his qualities begin to show up more." Analysis: Hemingway also spoke after the minicamp, saying that it helped that he played in three different offenses in college. The 6-foot-1, 222-pound receiver had 88 catches for 1,638 yards and 11 touchdowns at Michigan. He's a long way from being a regular contributor for the Chiefs but it sounds like he's a safe bet to make their final roster. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/11/2012 | Trent Richardson, RB, CLE |
Richardson has 'extreme' expectationsNews: Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson had his first practice with the team Friday, and according to on-scene reports he looked good. That's to be expected given that he's running around in shorts and not taking on contact, but expectations are that Richardson looks just as good when the games count. Richardson said he's still learning the terminology of the playbook but isn't daunted by it ("It is similar to Alabama's program as far as running styles and running plays," he said) and added that the minor knee surgery he had is definitely in the past. Now it's about where his mind is at, and when it comes to his rookie year, Richardson has big plans. "I do not listen to what anybody else says, but me," he said about the high expectations everyone has for him. "I am going to hold my expectations high, real high, very high. The expectations that they have for me now, I don't think it is high enough for me and I am going to go higher and I am going to go to the extreme. You never set your expectations at a limit and that is just me being a man and being a competitor and an athlete. I think you should always have your expectations high." Analysis: Richardson might be the best running back prospect to come out since Adrian Peterson. He's strong, quick, versatile and tough -- and he'll fit in perfectly with what the Browns are doing. There is a ton to like here even though he'll play in the rough-and-tumble AFC North and two dates per year against the Ravens and Steelers. We'd like to see the Browns do more with their passing attack to help ease the defensive pressure Richardson will attract, but at the very least he's a candidate for over 15 touches per week with goal-line duty. It might take one big preseason play for the hype on Richardson to reach unreasonable levels. But until then consider him a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB worth the gamble with a pick starting in Round 3. |
| 5/11/2012 | Randy Moss, WR, SF |
Teammates say Moss looks greatNews: Randy Moss looked every bit a team player as he demonstrated a cut and quick feet for his fellow wide receivers, who listened intently and observed while the veteran impressed in his first formal practice with the 49ers on Thursday. Then 35-year-old Moss dazzled with a 55-yard touchdown catch from Alex Smith. After the hour-long, pad-free practice, Moss made a quick exit from team headquarters but teammates stayed and raved about the veteran. Most said he was fast and proved that he knows the playbook and doesn't have any rust, but one teammate -- a former division rival against Moss -- said the most. "He still looks the same. He never, ever since he's been playing football has looked like he's been running fast," Donte Whitner said per The Sports Xchange; Whitner used to match up twice a year with Moss while playing for Buffalo. "But he's a long-strider, and when you actually run against him he's really running really fast. He's running the same as he's always run. His body looks like a younger Randy Moss, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do on the football field. ... I know a lot of stuff defenses do against him, and a lot of stuff doesn't work." Analysis: Expect to hear more rave reviews about Moss in the coming months. That's to be expected -- but when we see Moss look good in camp workouts and in the preseason, then we can get really excited. Here's the deal: He's up there in age and didn't exactly leave the NFL with a positive impression, but he seems motivated to play well and re-establish himself. Having Alex Smith throw to him isn't the best situation, but Smith himself is improving and could learn to lean on a target like Moss. And if Moss has his speed back, there could be some big plays in his future. As of now, he's worth a late-round pick as a reserve Fantasy receiver, but by the time drafts ramp up in August, we might be looking at Moss as a speculative mid-round choice that owners in deeper leagues might start, especially when he plays at a stadium he's shined in -- Lambeau Field -- in Week 1. |
| 5/11/2012 | Alshon Jeffery, WR, CHI |
Jeffery has good first day until legs crampNews: Bears rookie receiver Alshon Jeffery was impressive in person according to several accounts on the scene before leaving minicamp practice with leg cramps on Friday. He had impressed coaches with his hands in drills, specifically his ability to pluck high passes caught offensive coordinator Mike Tice's eye. "I saw him make a few plays over there in one-on-ones, and back in the old days we called that picking peanuts," Tice said. "He was picking peanuts off some guys' heads, it looked like to me." Analysis: There's definitely a lot of positive momentum for Jeffery after landing in Chicago thanks to his size, hands and opportunity. With the Bears likely to lean on Brandon Marshall at one starting spot, the other receiver job is wide open and Jeffery is clearly trying to get it as he's already spent part of the offseason working out with Bears backup Josh McCown (who also came away impressed with Jeffery). The 6-foot-3, 220 pounder totaled 179 career receptions for 2,894 yards (16.2 per catch) and 22 touchdowns in college. He'll probably take a while to be that productive in the pros, but expectations are growing for him. He's worth a late pick in deeper seasonal drafts, a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second-round choice in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/11/2012 | Josh Cooper, WR, CLE |
Cooper makes early impressionNews: Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden looked particularly comfortable throwing to undrafted rookie receiver Josh Cooper in the early days of their rookie training session. That comes as no surprise considering they hooked up often as Oklahoma State teammates. Cooper might be a surprise contributor after signing as a free agent. "Me and Cooper have been working for five years, but especially these last 14-16 days. We have gone up to the field every day at about 8:30 in the morning and just throw route after route," Weeden said. "I always joked with people that I liked throwing the ball to him just as much as I liked throwing it to Justin Blackmon and I wasn't lying. I love throwing the ball to Josh Cooper. You saw today, he is a great route runner, unbelievable hands, he made me look good on one and we were on the same page on the other. He is a great player, very smart. ... I've got a lot confidence in 'Coop' and I am excited for him to be here." Analysis: The 6-foot-1 Cooper caught 71 passes for 715 yards (10.1 avg.) and three touchdowns last year for the Cowboys. If he makes the Browns roster he's not expected to be a big contributor, but it's not like the team is loaded with strong receiving options. We'll keep an eye on him. |
| 5/11/2012 | Vince Young, QB, BUF |
Report: Bills ink QB YoungNews: A report from ESPN says the Bills have signed quarterback Vince Young to a one-year deal. Not coincidentally, Bills defensive end Mario Williams posted a welcome message on Twitter to Young: "Congrats to @VinceYoung glad to have you!" Young had a tryout with the Bills last week and apparently impressed them enough to sign him. Analysis: In Buffalo, Young will battle to be the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick and won't see much playing time unless something happens to the starter. He's not worth adding to Fantasy rosters until Fitzpatrick misses significant playing time. |
| 5/11/2012 | John McCargo, DT, CHI |
Bears sign three D-linemenNews: A workout at Halas Hall of veteran free agents earlier this week led the Bears to sign three players to bolster the D-line. Defensive linemen John McCargo, Demario Pressley and Cheta Ozougwu all signed one-year deals. McCargo, a 6-2, 295-pounder played five seasons for Buffalo and one for Tampa Bay and has one career start. Pressley, a Saints' fifth-round pick in 2009, also played for Carolina one season. Ozougwu was a seventh-round pick by the Texans last year. Analysis: These guys might destroy a buffet or collectively lift up a small car, but they're not expected to help you win Fantasy games. |
| 5/11/2012 | Phillip Taylor, DT, CLE |
Browns confirm torn pec for TaylorNews: Browns coach Pat Shurmur announced Friday that defensive tackle Phil Taylor suffered a pectoral tear, which puts his 2012 in jeopardy. The injury typically takes several months to recover from. "[M]ost likely he's going to have surgery here in the middle of the week," Shurmur said. "He is going to miss some significant amount of time, more months than weeks. It's too early to speculate how long that will be." Analysis: Taylor is a key cog to the Browns' run defense -- without him the team would likely have to lean on one of their drafted rookies: University of Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes. Assuming the worst, Taylor shouldn't be taken in Fantasy drafts. |
| 5/11/2012 | Michael Egnew, TE, MIA |
Egnew catching Philbin's eyeNews: After a recent rookie camp, Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin praised tight end Michael Egnew on his abilities along with noting his size, and thinks he can develop into a contributor who can line up all over the place. "We like his size, and we like his ability to attack the middle of the field," Philbin said. "[N]ow we have a guy at 6-foot-5 with good length, even if the linebacker matches him down the field sometimes you can get a back shoulder throw you can get the ball , those guys (like Egnew) have a big catching radius where they are big targets. So I think that hopefully in the red zone or other area of the field he can be a threat. ... He's not as comfortable yet playing next to an offensive tackle with his hand in the ground, which is something he's going to have to work on, no question about it. ... I think he has some versatility. We're going to see if we can line him up in a couple different spots." Analysis: The Dolphins are desperate for receivers and Egnew could fit in as a No. 2 type tight end who can stretch defenses down the middle. He's got some potential both in the short-term and long-term but as of now is only worth a pick late in dynasty/keeper leagues and in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/11/2012 | Redskins, DST WAS, |
Skins draft three defendersNews: Robert Griffin III might have been the big name the Redskins took in the NFL Draft, but they also picked up three defenders: Texas linebacker Keenan Robinson, SMU cornerback Richard Crawford and Iowa safety Jordan Bernstine. They join seven veterans including safeties Brandon Meriweather and Tanard Jackson as new additions to the Redskins defense. Analysis: This rookie trio will provide depth on defense and special teams and probably won't make much of an impact this year. There could be some iffy moments for the Redskins secondary in 2012 given their vulnerable safeties. No one should draft them as a No. 1 unit -- they're best left on waivers to use as a potential one-week replacement during the season. They'll probably struggle in Week 1 at New Orleans. |
| 5/11/2012 | Ronde Barber, DB, TB |
GM: Barber moving to safetyNews: Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said in a post-draft interview that the team is leaning toward moving Ronde Barber to safety. Barber signed a one-year deal in late March, meaning that he'll play for the Bucs for the 16th straight year. Analysis: The move to safety should impact Barber's tackle totals negatively but he should still come up big against the pass. He's not a bad No. 3 Fantasy DB based on his expected decline in tackles but his expected gain in interceptions and pass defense stats from week to week. |
| 5/11/2012 | Browns, DST CLE, |
Browns might lose DT for seasonNews: Browns coach Pat Shurmur announced Friday that defensive tackle Phil Taylor suffered a pectoral tear and will miss a considerable amount of time, potentially the 2012 season. Taylor is a key cog to the Browns' run defense -- without him the team would likely have to lean on one of their drafted rookies: University of Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes. "[M]ost likely he's going to have surgery here in the middle of the week," Shurmur said. "He is going to miss some significant amount of time, more months than weeks. It's too early to speculate how long that will be." Analysis: This might be the beginning of a long year for the Cleveland run defense. But even if Taylor were healthy, we'd wait to consider the Browns DST, possibly taking a look at them as a one-week replacement off waivers when faced with a favorable matchup. |
| 5/11/2012 | Evan Rodriguez, TE, CHI |
Rookie Rodriguez gives Bears 'options'News: Tight end Evan Rodriguez, the Bears' fourth-round draft pick, is expected to help fill the void of pass catcher that has been missing since Greg Olsen was traded a year ago. At 244 pounds, Rodriguez isn't going to help the Bears as an in-line blocker, no matter what coach Lovie Smith says. But they feel he's got enough grit to be a lead blocker from the fullback position or hit a moving target on the second level. "He's another guy that can do a lot of things for us, whether it's lining up at the fullback position, splitting out as an F guy, being able to move," Smith said. "He's got good speed, (and is a) good blocker. We can do a lot of things with him, too. He gives us a lot of options." Analysis: Rodriguez has garnered some comparisons to New England tight end Aaron Hernandez because of his position, size, speed and the fact both played for current Temple head coach and former Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio. But Rodriguez doesn't quite have Hernandez's speed and is slightly smaller, and he's still raw as a receiver. We'll keep an eye on him in training camp but we don't expect him to be a big contributor in 2012. For now he's only worth a pick late in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/11/2012 | Drayton Florence, DB, DEN |
CB Florence lands in DenverNews: A crowded field of cornerbacks didn't deter veteran free agent Drayton Florence from picking the Denver Broncos as his new team. The Broncos have strengthened their defensive backfield this offseason, also bringing aboard veteran Tracy Porter to play with perennial Pro Bowler Champ Bailey. And they drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden in the fourth round to compete with holdovers Chris Harris, Tony Carter, Syd'Quan Thompson and Cassius Vaughn. Florence is a 10th-year pro whose release from the Bills was regarded as a mild surprise. He had 45 starts in 46 games during his three-year stint with Buffalo. But the versatile veteran was slated to make $4 million in base salary this season. Florence had seven of his 17 career interceptions with Buffalo. He spent his first five NFL seasons with San Diego, followed by a year in Jacksonville before signing with the Bills in 2009. Another factor that helped Denver land Florence is that he played for Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio his one season in Jacksonville, where Del Rio was the head coach. "Yes, the familiarity always is good when you've played for somebody and you know how they work," Florence said. "The system, the language is going to be familiar." Analysis: Florence has put up numbers adequate enough to warrant use as a one-week replacement DB in Fantasy leagues, but he needs regular playing time first. He might end up as the Broncos' nickelback, which isn't a bad thing. He might be worth plucking off waivers again in 2012. |
| 5/11/2012 | Calais Campbell, DT, ARI |
Cardinals lock up DL CampbellNews: Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell agreed to a five-contract extension Thursday. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound lineman had 51 solo tackles and 73 overall tackles last season. He also had eight sacks, two forced fumbles, 11 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, his first interception, and blocked three field goals. The Cardinals had placed the "non-exclusive" franchise tag on the 25-year-old Campbell on March 2. Drafted in the second round in 2008 out of the University of Miami, he was the Cardinals' 2011 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year for his community work. Analysis: Campbell's excellent numbers were enough to help him finish as a Top-5 Fantasy DL, which is exceptional given that he plays with his hand on the ground in a 3-4 defense. We think he'll have a chance to put up solid numbers again in 2012, so consider him with a mid-round pick in IDP drafts. |
| 5/10/2012 | Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, OAK |
DHB charged with drunk drivingNews: The Raiders have confirmed reports that wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was cited last month on suspicion of driving drunk on the Bay Bridge. The San Francisco district attorney filed charges on Wednesday according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "We will be pleading not guilty on May 31 and we will further investigate and contest these charges as the case moves forward," said attorney Ivan Golde, who represents Heyward-Bey. Golde called it "a very low blood-alcohol level case," but declined to get into specifics since the authorities haven't released the number. He also said Thursday it should be noted Heyward-Bey "has been a model NFL player." Analysis: Heyward-Bey proved that he belonged in the NFL in his third year, getting 64 grabs for 975 yards and four touchdowns. Expectations are that he'll serve as the Raiders' top receiving target again this season, though it remains to be seen if he receives a suspension from the NFL for this incident. We can see Heyward-Bey having some big weeks (he had three games in 2011 with at least 15 Fantasy points) and disappearing in others (he had four Fantasy points or less in six games last year). Because of that, he should be considered a quality reserve receiver in the majority of leagues worth a middle- to late-round pick. |
| 5/10/2012 | Joseph Addai, RB, NE |
Addai signing official in New EnglandNews: The Patriots have signed former Colts running back Joseph Addai, the team confirmed Thursday. Terms were not disclosed. Addai, 29, was one of three veterans -- Ryan Grant (Packers) and Tim Hightower (Redskins) were the others -- to visit the team recently. The Patriots needed a veteran to aid second-year players Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen after BenJarvus Green-Ellis signed with the Bengals. Addai, a 2006 first-round pick, averaged 3.7 yards per carry last season and was released by the Colts in March. Analysis: Addai's numbers have sunk like a rock over the last couple of seasons and there were times last year where he looked like a shell of his former self. He hasn't played 16 games since his rookie year and has played one season with 15 games in his last four. Moreover, splitting reps in New England won't help his numbers rebound. We wouldn't draft him unless it's made clear this summer that he'll start and see consistent playing time -- something we've rarely seen from Patriots running backs in the past. |
| 5/10/2012 | Marshawn Lynch, RB, SEA |
'Hawks to lighten Lynch's load?News: The Tacoma News Tribune speculates that there will be a big camp battle between the running backs behind starter Marshawn Lynch for spots on the depth chart. Why? Because the team wants to take some carries off of Lynch so that he's healthy for the playoff run. Lynch had a career-high 285 carries in 15 games last season with at least 20 carries in eight of his last nine games. Leon Washington figures to be the third-down back while Kregg Lumpkin and rookie Robert Turbin will vie for the backup job. Analysis: Don't let this report scare you off of Lynch as he'll be very involved in what the Seahawks do offensively from week to week. Not a single rusher on the Seahawks roster can bowl over defenders like Lynch, and that might force the team to lean on him. And they just paid him a nice contract extension this offseason -- they didn't do it to have him watch someone else run. Lynch has been solid in the three years of his career where he's had at least 200 carries. Though he's a little injury prone because of his hard rushing style, Lynch is still one of the few backs with 20-touch potential and goal-line work in the league. That's why he's worth a first-round pick this season in standard drafts, likely between fifth and 12th overall. |
| 5/10/2012 | Stevan Ridley, RB, NE |
Ridley gets company in AddaiNews: The Patriots have signed former Colts running back Joseph Addai, the team confirmed Thursday. He's expected to provide depth at the position with second-year backs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and veteran Danny Woodhead. Addai, a 2006 first-round pick, averaged 3.7 yards per carry last season and was released by the Colts in March. Analysis: You didn't think the Patriots would just let Ridley waltz his way into the dominant rushing role, did you? Here's the good news: If Addai is the stiffest competition the Pats could find for Ridley, then the younger back should do well. Ridley's a hard-nosed runner who totaled 441 yards and a touchdown on 87 carries spread out over 12 games. In four games where he had at least 10 carries, Ridley averaged 6.26 yards per carry (307 yards on 49 carries) with a score. There's a lot of real potential here for Ridley -- he's worth drafting as at least a No. 3 running back worth a pick starting in Round 6, even with Addai joining the team. |
| 5/10/2012 | Fred Davis, TE, WAS |
RG3 will 'appreciate' his tight endsNews: Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday, Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III said he will make it a point to "show my appreciation" to his tight ends -- namely Fred Davis -- in Washington. Griffin admitted that the offense he was in at Baylor did not feature tight ends, but the one in D.C. will certainly use them. "You've got guys like Fred Davis and Chris Cooley, those guys can really ball," Griffin said. "You want to feature them ... but tight ends aren't there just to catch, they actually protect you and block for you. So I plan to show my appreciation and throw their way." Analysis: Griffin's top receiving tight end in college had 18 catches last season, so there had been some concern that Davis might get lost in the shuffle with all of the Redskins' additions at receiver. But he's such a great target and athlete who can exploit matchups that Griffin might find throwing to him to be irresistible. We think Davis is fine as a No. 1 Fantasy TE worth a pick in the middle rounds. |
| 5/10/2012 | Danny Woodhead, RB, NE |
Woodhead gets company in AddaiNews: The Patriots have signed former Colts running back Joseph Addai, the team confirmed Thursday. He's expected to provide depth at the position with second-year backs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and veteran Danny Woodhead. Addai, a 2006 first-round pick, averaged 3.7 yards per carry last season and was released by the Colts in March. Analysis: Woodhead seems destined to work primarily in passing downs for the Patriots when they actually opt to have a running back on the field. Woodhead had more than 900 total yards and six touchdowns in 2010, but his production regressed last year to just over 500 total yards and one touchdown. Vereen is actually the rusher who will impact his playing time more than anyone else. If anything, Woodhead is worth a late-round flier as a reserve. |
| 5/10/2012 | Shane Vereen, RB, NE |
Vereen gets company in AddaiNews: The Patriots have signed former Colts running back Joseph Addai, the team confirmed Thursday. He's expected to provide depth at the position with second-year backs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and veteran Danny Woodhead. Addai, a 2006 first-round pick, averaged 3.7 yards per carry last season and was released by the Colts in March. Analysis: Vereen was going to have a hard time finding reps from week to week without Addai, now that the veteran is there it will be even harder. This isn't to say that Addai will crush Vereen's chances of making an impact; Vereen was going to have a hard time competing with Ridley and Woodhead in the first place. We consider Vereen a decent Fantasy reserve worth drafting with a late-round pick. |
| 5/10/2012 | Buccaneers, DST TB, |
Bowers suffers torn AchillesNews: The Buccaneers announced some tough news Thursday after defensive end Da'Quan Bowers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while participating in the club's offseason program. He's expected to miss the entire 2012 season. This news comes on the same day that the Bucs are believed to be moving Ronde Barber to safety from cornerback. Analysis: Losing Bowers is a kick in the gut for the Bucs -- he wasn't their top pass rusher (that would be Adrian Clayborn) but certainly was expected to contribute. Tampa Bay has done a decent job improving its defense this offseason, especially the secondary with cornerback Eric Wright and rookie safety Mark Barron joining the starting lineup. However, it's best to consider the Bucs DST a one-week replacement off waivers when faced with a good matchup during the season. |
| 5/10/2012 | Michael Bennett, DE, TB |
Bennett to be busy in 2012News: The Buccaneers announced some tough news Thursday after defensive end Da'Quan Bowers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while participating in the club's offseason program. He's expected to miss the entire 2012 season. This news comes on the same day that the Bucs are believed to be moving Ronde Barber to safety from cornerback. Michael Bennett figures to see an increase in playing time with Bowers out. Analysis: Bennett had a career-best four sacks and 39 total tackles last season with a forced fumble. In deeper IDP leagues he'd be worth a look late in drafts as a reserve DL. |
| 5/10/2012 | Da'Quan Bowers, DE, TB |
Bowers expected to miss seasonNews: The Buccaneers announced some tough news Thursday after defensive end Da'Quan Bowers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while participating in the club's offseason program. He's expected to miss the entire 2012 season. This news comes on the same day that the Bucs are believed to be moving Ronde Barber to safety from cornerback. Michael Bennett figures to see an increase in playing time with Bowers out. Analysis: Losing Bowers is a kick in the gut for the Bucs -- he wasn't their top pass rusher (that would be Adrian Clayborn) but certainly was expected to contribute. Fantasy owners shouldn't touch him since he probably won't see the field until 2013. |
| 5/10/2012 | Titans, DST TEN, |
Titans draft five defendersNews: The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon. Analysis: All five defenders will provide solid depth; we're big fans of Brown and Mike Martin. But the Titans' big addition this offseason was Kamerion Wimbley, and he'll be a great asset in their pass rush. Their secondary is coming along and their linebackers aren't perfect, so the Titans DST isn't quite worth drafting, but they should have some weeks where they'll be useful off waivers for a spot start. |
| 5/10/2012 | Rams, DST STL, |
Brockers highlights Rams' draftNews: Four of the Rams' 10 draft picks in April addressed the defensive side of the ball, including their top pick, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers. He's joined by North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson and Hawaii linebacker Aaron Brown. Analysis: The Rams' defense has been in flux all offseason after being obliterated week after week in 2011. Cortland Finnegan followed former coach Jeff Fisher to St. Louis to help shore up the Rams' weak secondary, and veterans like Trevor Laws, Kendall Langford and William Hayes will help along the defensive line. The Rams should be better as a whole, but they shouldn't get picked for Fantasy use. Expect them to be available off waivers during the season. |
| 5/10/2012 | Seahawks, DST SEA, |
Seahawks reel in eight defendersNews: The Seahawks made strides in improving its pass rush and creating depth on defense in the 2012 NFL Draft. They spent a first-round pick on West Virginia pass rush specialist Bruce Irvin and followed it up with Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner in Round 2. The rest of the haul includes Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard, Idaho linebacker Korey Toomer, Northwestern State cornerback Jeremy Lane, Kentucky safety Winston Guy, N.C. State defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy and Louisville defensive tackle Greg Scruggs. Analysis: Some feel Irvin was picked too soon, but he's a capable pass rusher who head coach Pete Carroll was familiar with. He should develop into a good defender for the Seahawks and thus help their sack totals (they had 33 last year). Everyone else is probably a year away from contributing defensively. But with their additions of Jason Jones to the D-line and linebacker Barrett Ruud to the middle of the defense on top of their already tough secondary, this is a big sleeper for 2012. We encourage owners to consider the Seahawks with a final-round pick. |
| 5/10/2012 | 49ers, DST SF, |
Niners add depth to defenseNews: The 49ers spent three third-day draft picks on their defense, adding Notre Dame linebacker Darius Fleming, Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson and Virginia defensive end Cam Johnson. They are the only additions to the Niners' defense this offseason. Analysis: It's not a bad thing that the Niners defense comes back intact, is it? After all, they were outstanding against the run and the pass and finished as the top unit in Fantasy Football. Fifty sacks, 25 interceptions and 18 fumble recoveries will do that for you. Plan on drafting the 49ers DST as a No. 1 unit, and they should be selected with a pick as early as Round 10 in standard formats. |
| 5/10/2012 | Brandon Taylor, SS, SD |
Chargers think defense in draftNews: The Bolts locked up three defenders with their first three picks in the NFL Draft: South Carolina linebacker Melvin Ingram, UConn defensive tackle Kendall Reyes and LSU safety Brandon Taylor. Ingram is considered to be among the top pass rushers available in the draft, and that was a huge need for the Chargers. Reyes will provide some quality depth (and potentially) start along the D-line and Taylor should be a future starter who adds depth to the backfield while working on special teams. Analysis: This was a great draft for the Chargers, who needed quality defenders to fill in holes quickly. All three players should do that. Ingram is worth a late pick in seasonal drafts, a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a solid third-round pick in rookie-only drafts. Taylor is also worth a look in all types of formats given his skills and potential to play sooner than later. He's worth a late pick in deeper seasonal leagues, a late pick in all dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. Reyes isn't expected to be a major stat contributor at all and is more like a late-round flier in the deepest of rookie drafts. |
| 5/10/2012 | Chargers, DST SD, |
Chargers focus on defense in draftNews: The Bolts locked up three defenders with their first three picks in the NFL Draft: South Carolina linebacker Melvin Ingram, UConn defensive tackle Kendall Reyes and LSU safety Brandon Taylor. Ingram is considered to be among the top pass rushers available in the draft, and that was a huge need for the Chargers. Reyes will provide some quality depth (and potentially) start along the D-line and Taylor should be a future starter who adds depth to the backfield while working on special teams. Analysis: This was a great draft for the Chargers, whose DST looks a lot nicer with this young talent injected. They'll have a new defensive coordinator in John Pagano, who will keep the 3-4 scheme, and they should be better at getting to the quarterback with Ingram joining free-agent signee Jarret Johnson and mainstay Shaun Phillips. If Taylor can get up to speed quickly and Eddie Royal or Roscoe Parrish can play well retuning kicks, this DST could make some noise. Starting the season off at Oakland isn't exactly a terrible thing either. Don't feel obligated to draft them with a final-round pick because there are better choices to start the year, but don't be surprised to find yourself considering them off waivers during the season. |
| 5/10/2012 | Braylon Edwards, WR, SF |
Jets, Bengals after banged-up Braylon?News: After ESPN reported that the Jets and Bengals were considering signing free agent wide receiver Braylon Edwards, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Edwards is still rehabbing a knee injury suffered last year, which could be why he hasn't signed yet. Edwards struggled to come back from a torn meniscus last season with the 49ers, totaling 181 yards on 15 catches in nine games. Analysis: Edwards hasn't exactly been a consistent receiver through the years. Now that he's saddled with a balky knee and entering his ninth season, Fantasy owners shouldn't consider him worthy of a draft pick this summer. He's probably a guy you can wait to claim off of waivers if he does re-sign somewhere. |
| 5/10/2012 | Steelers, DST PIT, |
Steelers D finally gets helpNews: The Steelers drafted only three defenders in the NFL Draft: Miami (Fla.) linebacker Sean Spence, Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu and Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick. Spence should work on special teams right away and provide depth at inside linebacker while Ta'amu will get used as part of their D-line rotation. Frederick should also contribute on special teams and potentially begin the year as the team's fourth cornerback. These additions are the only ones made by the Steelers this offseason; defensive end Aaron Smith retired, cornerback William Gay left via free agency and linebacker James Farrior and cornerback Bryant McFadden were released. Analysis: Fortunately for the Steelers, they already have plenty of talent on defense, so these losses might sting but not get them ripped apart. The defense is coming back mostly intact, for better or worse, and that could mean that the unit produces about as well as it did last season. That's good but not great. Is the Steelers DST still worth drafting? Sure, but don't be the Black & Gold towel-waver who takes them a few rounds too soon. The last or second-to-last round is the right time to draft them. |
| 5/10/2012 | Josh Freeman, QB, TB |
Freeman sheds 20 poundsNews: Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik told NFL Network that quarterback Josh Freeman has trimmed 20 pounds off his frame this offseason. The weight loss was done to become more mobile and bounce back following a major regression in 2012. Freeman passed for 3,592 yards, 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions last year. He did add 238 yards on the ground and the first four rush scores of his career. "You've seen a guy who's completely committed to getting his season back on track and hitting the reset button and getting his game back to hopefully to more of what we saw in 2010 as a young 22-year-old," Dominik said. "The last couple years, he's been playing around 255-260 (pounds). Right now, he's sitting downstairs (at the team facility) weighing about 235-238. He's getting his body right, working on getting more mobility and better conditioned and buying in, heart and soul, to how and what (the newly hired) Mike Sullivan is and wants to be as offensive coordinator." Analysis: Expectations are getting high for Freeman after the Bucs added a big-play receiver in Vincent Jackson, an O-line protector in Carl Nicks and a versatile running back with excellent hands in rookie Doug Martin. Fantasy owners should draft him as a No. 2 Fantasy QB, but he's got obvious potential to boost his stats and be a highly productive contributor this season. Getting him with a late-round pick isn't a bad idea at all. |
| 5/10/2012 | Sean Spence, LB, PIT |
Spence headlines Steelers' drafted defendersNews: The Steelers drafted only three defenders in the NFL Draft: Miami (Fla.) linebacker Sean Spence, Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu and Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick. Spence should work on special teams right away and provide depth at inside linebacker while Ta'amu will get used as part of their D-line rotation. Frederick should also contribute on special teams and potentially begin the year as the team's fourth cornerback. Analysis: We were fans of Spence in college and think he's a solid fit for the Steelers in the middle of their defense. He has 90-tackle potential once he gets regular playing time, which conceivably might be soon given the age of starter Larry Foote. He'd need a good camp for that to happen. Spence is the only one worth drafting -- he's a late-round flier in deeper seasonal leagues, a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. Ta'amu and Frederick aren't worth using in Fantasy at this point. |
| 5/10/2012 | Ryan Grant, RB, GB |
Lions, RB Grant not a matchNews: Free agent running back Ryan Grant did not make a scheduled trip to visit the Lions because the two sides couldn't agree to terms on a contract. He remains a free agent looking for a place to play. "I'm OK with the whole process," Grant told ESPN. "I only concern myself with the stuff I have control of. And right now, that's training." Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Grant, but he has minimal Fantasy value depending on where he signs. He will likely be a backup rusher somewhere and get minimal touches. At best he will be worth drafting with a late-round pick. |
| 5/10/2012 | John Beck, QB, HOU |
Texans take a look at QB BeckNews: The Texans signed quarterback John Beck, the Houston Chronicle reported. Beck has started seven of the nine games he has played in during his five-year career with the Dolphins and Redskins, yet is winless as a starter. Beck provides a veteran buffer behind Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates and will likely compete with rookie free agent Case Keenum for the third spot. Analysis: Beck knows the offense the Texans run and could push for a roster spot. But guess what? Beck's never been a good quarterback in the NFL and hasn't been even a decent Fantasy option. Tell your friends to take him with their first-round picks, but don't take him with even your final choice. |
| 5/10/2012 | Ladarius Green, TE, SD |
Expectations low for rookie TE GreenNews: ESPN speculates that the Chargers will use 2012 as a year to get tight end Ladarius Green comfortable with the offense while contributing on special teams. At 6-foot-6, 238 pounds, Green is not a prototypical bulky tight end but his height and agility gives him the ability to go up and get the ball in close coverage. Green had at least five touchdowns in three of four collegiate seasons and totaled 15 scores on 95 catches for 1,400 yards over the last two years. Analysis: The Chargers have a top-shelf tight end already in Antonio Gates and a decent backup in Randy McMichael, so there's no pressure to get the fourth-round pick on the field. However, a strong training camp and preseason could change that. It wouldn't be a shock to see him take a Jimmy Graham-like route to the NFL: Play sparingly as a rookie before getting on the field a lot the following year. There is definite sleeper potential here. For now we wouldn't take him in a seasonal draft, but would use a speculative mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a third-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/10/2012 | Najee Goode, LB, TB |
Barron headlines Bucs' draftNews: The Buccaneers added more quality talent to their defense in the NFL draft, selecting Alabama strong safety Mark Barron with their first pick. They backed him up with Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David, West Virginia linebacker Najee Goode and West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy. And in the days following the draft it was learned that the Bucs are likely to move Ronde Barber to safety. Analysis: There's a lot to like here for Fantasy. Barron, David and Goode should all be contributors for the Bucs, though at different times. This year, Barron and David should see the field a lot. Barron is worth a middle- to late-round pick in seasonal drafts and dynasty/keeper leagues and is a solid second-round pick in rookie-only drafts. David isn't quite as valuable: Take him late in seasonal leagues and dynasty/keeper leagues with a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only formats. Goode is worth holding on to for a while, so pick him up late in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie drafts. Tandy isn't expected to be productive enough to use in Fantasy. |
| 5/9/2012 | Frank Gore, RB, SF |
Gore: I can still play at high levelNews: Frank Gore has seen the 49ers sign Brandon Jacobs and draft LaMichael James this offseason after Kendall Hunter stole some significant playing time last season. Some people believe is an indictment that Gore can't shoulder the rushing workload anymore. Gore would beg to differ. A year after posting 282 carries for 1,211 yards and eight touchdowns, Gore says he has plenty left to give the Niners. "I feel like I still got a lot left in my tank," said Gore. "I want to show it off that I still got a lot left in my tank and I can play at a high level. I will play at a high level as long as God blesses me to be healthy so I can go out and do something that I love." Analysis: Gore didn't play nearly as often on third downs last year -- proof of that is in his six-year lows of 17 catches for 114 yards and zero touchdowns. Now there's potential for him to lose some goal-line work to Jacobs and potentially some long-down work to James. Gore remains a borderline No. 1/No. 2 Fantasy running back for now, worth a pick between 17th and 35th overall in drafts. Getting Jacobs with a late-round pick as a handcuff to Gore is also advised. |
| 5/9/2012 | Jacoby Jones, WR, BAL |
Jones speeds to B-moreNews: Former Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones has agreed to terms with the Ravens on a two-year contract. Jones, who was cut by the Texans last week, caught 31 passes for 512 yards and two touchdowns last season but also fumbled twice in Houston's playoff loss to the Ravens. Jones has 127 catches for 1,741 yards and 11 touchdowns over five NFL seasons, all of them with the Texans. Analysis: The 27-year-old Jones gives depth to Baltimore's group of receivers and should be this year's third option behind Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin. His days of being a sleeper in Fantasy Football are long over -- with a limited potential in a non-full time role in Baltimore, he's best left on waivers. |
| 5/9/2012 | Vinny Curry, DE, PHI |
Eagles bulk up defense in draftNews: The Eagles knew their run defense stunk last year, so they addressed it in the NFL Draft. They took Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with a first-round pick and Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks with their first second-round choice. They backed those picked up with Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry and Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin. Cox and Kendricks figure to be starters right away while Curry should work his way into the D-line rotation eventually while Boykin could develop into a nickelback down the line. Analysis: We like Kendricks long term but can't get behind Cox knowing that he won't put up stats on a regular basis. Curry is worth a late-round flier in rookie-only drafts but that's it. We wouldn't draft Boykin in any Fantasy format. |
| 5/9/2012 | Eagles, DST PHI, |
Eagles improve defense in draftNews: The Eagles knew their run defense stunk last year, so they addressed it in the NFL Draft. They took Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with a first-round pick and Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks with their first second-round choice. They backed those picked up with Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry and Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin. Cox and Kendricks figure to be starters right away. Analysis: The Eagles defense is much improved this offseason between these rookie moves and the addition of DeMeco Ryans to the middle of the unit. With the secondary settled in after struggling through much of last year and a defensive coordinator who knows he must improve, this is a DST that is worth drafting late this summer. They certainly start the season off with a favorable matchup at Cleveland. |
| 5/9/2012 | Raiders, DST OAK, |
Raiders address front seven in draftNews: The Raiders spent four draft picks on the defense: San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris, Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford, Georgia State defensive end Christo Bilukidi and Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar. Also recently, the team saw safety Tyvon Branch sign his one-year franchise tender, meaning that he's back for 2012. Analysis: The rookie additions will provide depth but the Branch news is the most important here. The Raiders' secondary could be in for some long games given that they've signed three new corners (Shawntae Spencer, Ronald Bartell and Pat Lee) to go with their young ballhawks. There might not be a quality defender in the bunch. Tack on a run defense that still doesn't look to be improved, and teams might romp on the Raiders. Even with gobs of potential from their kick and punt return units, the Raiders DST has fallen out of consideration for a draft pick in Fantasy formats. |
| 5/9/2012 | Matt Schaub, QB, HOU |
Texans will be cautious with SchaubNews: Texans coach Gary Kubiak said that while quarterback Matt Schaub is improving on his rehab from a major foot injury, the team will not rush him back on the field. "If we're not paying attention, he'll do everything, but we're not going to let him do that," Kubiak said. "We're going to put the reins on him, so to speak. He will do drill work, could throw some 7-on-7, but he will not be put in a team environment where he might get tripped up or something like that happens. He's ready to go. It's us being cautious with him right now." Analysis: Sounds like Schaub is still on track to be ready for training camp and the start of the season. That's good because he is going to represent a tremendous bargain come Fantasy drafts this summer. Because there are so many quarterbacks expected to put up huge numbers, Schaub will fall in drafts, potentially as far as Rounds 6 or 7. We'd consider him then as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback -- he has 5,000-yard and 35-touchdown potential, especially if the Texans improve their receiving corps this offseason. He's not a bad guy to build a draft strategy around. |
| 5/9/2012 | Ropati Pitoitua, DE, KC |
Chiefs check out PitoituaNews: The Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Jets defensive end Ropati Pitoitua. He was a free agent after playing in 22 games over the past two seasons with the Jets. The former Washington State defensive end joined New York as an undrafted free agent in 2008, spending his first season in the league on the team's practice squad. Pitoitua played in eight games in 2009 before playing in 14 games last season. He has 22 tackles and one sack in his career. Analysis: He isn't expected to put up stats, so he's an easy choice to leave off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/9/2012 | Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, WR, DAL |
AOA re-signs with Big DNews: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, a fourth-round pick in 2010, has been claimed off waivers for his third stint with the club. Recently cut by Jacksonville, Owusu-Ansah had played both safety and wide receiver and returned both punts and kickoffs in his 14 career games with Dallas. Analysis: Owusu-Ansah is not expected to be a massive Fantasy contributor and should remain ignored in all IDP formats. |
| 5/9/2012 | Case Keenum, QB, HOU |
Kubiak likes rookie QB KeenumNews: The Texans signed undrafted rookie quarterback Case Keenum, and he might have a chance to make the final roster. Keenum set several NCAA, conference and school records and left the University of Houston as the all-time Football Bowl Subdivision leader in passing yards (19,217) and touchdown passes (155). He'll battle for the No. 3/emergency QB job in camp this summer. "I spent some time with him in Indianapolis (at the Scouting Combine), obviously, and then I watched him go from there to his workout," coach Gary Kubiak said. "And then when I spent time with him at our workout, I was just so impressed with how far he had come in a month. I know some guys that have coached him; I know Kliff (Kingsbury, former University of Houston offensive coordinator) very well, and I just think he fits what we do. He can move, he's smart. It's a good fresh start for him. I know he's disappointed not getting drafted, but it may work out well for him, so we're looking forward to it." Analysis: The signing is not only a good story but possibly the start of a nice career. However, Keenum is a long way from being a consideration in Fantasy. Keep him off of rosters. |
| 5/9/2012 | Ravens, DST BAL, |
Suggs has Achilles surgeryNews: Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs had surgery repair a torn Achilles tendon Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery. The Ravens didn't indicate whether Suggs will be able to play this fall, or if it was a full tear or partial tear (Suggs indicated previously that it was a partial tear). The Ravens are expected to line up second-round pick Courtney Upshaw at Suggs' rush linebacker spot and have Paul Kruger take over at strongside linebacker, Jarret Johnson's former position. "Terrell had a successful surgical procedure done on his Achilles tendon this afternoon by Dr. Bob Anderson," general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. "After some recovery time, Sizzle' will begin the process of rehabbing the area. We know he will work hard to get back on the field with his teammates as soon as the doctors and trainers allow. We're confident that he can make a full recovery." Analysis: Suggs is a threat all over the field from his hybrid linebacker-end position and is considered the best defensive player on the Ravens. If he can play at any point this season it would help the Ravens immensely. With Suggs out the Ravens DST is more like a middle- to low-end No. 1 option in Fantasy. It would be a bonus if he could come back by November or December. This DST is worth a late-round pick. |
| 5/9/2012 | James Casey, TE, HOU |
Kubiak: Casey will play some TENews: Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said the James Casey will primarily play fullback, but that he'll also see time at tight end in their two-TE sets. "He's going to play everywhere," Kubiak said. "He's our starting fullback today; he's our starting 'Tiger' today if we go to two (tight ends), so James is going to play all over the place. It's still about versatility with James, so that really hasn't changed." Analysis: Anytime a player can land more playing time, the door opens for more stats. We still suspect that Casey won't evolve into a prominent Fantasy option, so don't add him to rosters, but he might be worth watching in the early going. |
| 5/9/2012 | Terrell Suggs, LB, BAL |
Suggs has surgery for AchillesNews: Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs had surgery repair a torn Achilles tendon Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery. The Ravens didn't indicate whether Suggs will be able to play this fall, or if it was a full tear or partial tear (Suggs indicated previously that it was a partial tear). The Ravens are expected to line up second-round pick Courtney Upshaw at Suggs' rush linebacker spot and have Paul Kruger take over at strongside linebacker, Jarret Johnson's former position. "Terrell had a successful surgical procedure done on his Achilles tendon this afternoon by Dr. Bob Anderson," general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. "After some recovery time, Sizzle' will begin the process of rehabbing the area. We know he will work hard to get back on the field with his teammates as soon as the doctors and trainers allow. We're confident that he can make a full recovery." Analysis: Suggs was named the 2011 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year after he had 70 tackles, including 14 sacks, and was a threat all over the field from his hybrid linebacker-end position. Rookie Courtney Upshaw might be asked to step up in his place while he's out. With no firm timetable on when Suggs will return, Fantasy owners shouldn't spend anything more than a late pick on him. Remember, drafting Suggs means keeping him on your bench for at least the first seven or eight weeks of the season. |
| 5/9/2012 | Bernard Pollard, DB, BAL |
Ravens keep safety PollardNews: The Ravens signed veteran strong safety Bernard Pollard to a three-year contract extension. In his first season in Baltimore last year, Pollard had 75 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. "Bernard showed last year that he is a Raven," Newsome said. "He's smart, tough and brings a passion to the games, our practices and in the weight room. His physical presence on the back end is very important to the way we play defense. He has indicated since the first day he stepped into our building last training camp that he wanted to be a Raven for the long haul." Analysis: Pollard has the potential to be an outstanding choice for Fantasy play even though he didn't touch 100 total tackles last year with the Ravens. We'd spend a late pick on him as at least a No. 3 Fantasy DB. |
| 5/8/2012 | Alex Smith, QB, SF |
Niners working on Smith's accuracyNews: Alex Smith will have his first offseason without a change in offensive coordinators, and expectations couldn't be any higher. Smith posted career-best numbers in 2011 with a 61.4 percent completion percentage, 3,144 yards passing and a 90.7 passer rating. He threw 17 touchdown passes and just five interceptions while starting all 16 games. Now the Niners plan to improve Smith's accuracy by fixing mechanical issues with his left leg and balance according to Comcast SportsNet. "I saw a mechanics guru, or specialist down in L.A.," Smith wrote in a chat on the official team website. "I went there to kind of clean some things up with my motion. I'm really focused on getting my fundamentals better. Really didn't have time last offseason to do it." Analysis: We might be on the verge of Smith's best year: The 49ers have added some firepower to their receiving corps with Mario Manningham, rookie A.J. Jenkins and future Hall of Famer Randy Moss joining Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis. And Smith himself just helped lead the Niners to the NFC title game while posting those great stats. We think Smith should be drafted late as a backup Fantasy option with potential for him to be useful as at least a matchup-based starter. |
| 5/8/2012 | Ryan Williams, RB, ARI |
Williams says he's running, cuttingNews: Cardinals second-year running back Ryan Williams says he's been cutting and running on his surgically-repaired right knee, adding that he's surprised he's doing so but not worried about his return. Williams had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in August and missed his rookie year. "I kind of feel like the most anticipated player of the year, and (fans) haven't even seen anything but a couple weeks of training camp,” the running back told the official team website. "This situation, I'm not going to say it was fun to go through, but it's nothing. I believe in myself and I believe I will be back. I asked (head athletic trainer) Tom (Reed), and I trust Tom and I feel he will be honest with me, and I asked, 'Do you think I will be 100 percent?' He said 'I feel you will be better than you were before.'" Analysis: The website noted that the Cardinals didn't draft a running back even though Williams is coming off his injury and starter Beanie Wells had a knee procedure this offseason, a telling sign that the coaching staff believes their rushers will be ready. We like the idea of drafting Williams with a mid-to-late pick on Draft Day, either as a handcuff to Beanie Wells or as a quality reserve with potential to see some productive playing time. |
| 5/8/2012 | Dez Bryant, WR, DAL |
Bryant focused on football this springNews: The Cowboys wanted wide receiver Dez Bryant to have a more structured offseason in hopes of having him better prepared for the start of the year, and so far it's working. Bryant has stayed at the facility, working out and being involved in the teaching sessions according to assistant head coach Jimmy Robinson. That's a lot better than last year, when all players were locked out. and his first year when he was a rookie. "He's out there working really, really hard to get better," Robinson said according to ESPN. "It's got to make a difference. ... He's getting better every day, but again that's got to carry over to the next phase, the OTAs and training camp and then the regular season, game day." Analysis: Bryant's season totals from 2011 look good (63 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns), but how he got those totals made Fantasy owners go nuts. He didn't have any 100-yard games (he had only two games with over 80 yards), and not until Week 10 did he begin posting quality performances in consecutive weeks including a three-game touchdown streak from Week 13 to 15. But there's so much to love about this guy -- his big frame, his quality speed and his role in an aggressive offense. Entering his third season, expectations remain high for a receiver who has averaged four catches, 55.1 yards and .55 touchdowns per game through 27 games. If you buy into Bryant being a breakout candidate this year, you'll find yourself reaching for him between Round 4 and Round 5 in drafts as a No. 2 WR. If you're not a believer, you'll be lucky to find him available in Round 6. |
| 5/8/2012 | Shayne Graham, K, HOU |
Texans will have kicking battleNews: The Texans have signed kicker Shayne Graham to compete with rookie Randy Bullock, coach Gary Kubiak confirmed. Graham has kicked for the Patriots (12 for 12), Giants (0 for 0), Ravens (2 for 2) and Dolphins (4 for 5) over the last two seasons. He last spent a full season with the same team in 2009 when he made 23 of 28 field goals for the Bengals. "He's had some success in this league, and I think the competition will be good for them," Kubiak said. "I want to see them compete because it should bring out the best in them." Analysis: This has the makings of a legit competition in Houston, which is horrible for Fantasy owners since we won't know which one will win the job until the preseason is in full swing. What's more, the Texans' offense sets up its kickers to put up good stats from year to year (their kicker finished in the Top 10 in standard scoring leagues each of the last two seasons), so it's a valuable option for Fantasy owners. We won't speculate on which kicker will win at this point as it's a legit toss-up -- just know that whichever kicker wins the job is worth starting in Fantasy play. There's nothing wrong with spending a final-round pick on one of them and then replacing him with the other off waivers. We'll keep you posted. |
| 5/8/2012 | Ryan Longwell, K, MIN |
Longwell booted for WalshNews: The Vikings have released veteran placekicker Ryan Longwell, who had three years remaining on his contract. The 37-year-old veteran of 15 seasons, including six with the Vikings, saw his job become tenuous when the team selected Georgia kicker Blair Walsh in the sixth round, and even more so when coach Leslie Frazier said last week keeping two kickers was "not in the thinking right now." Analysis: Walsh is considered a reliable mid-range kicker who is not afraid to tee it up from 60-plus yards. But he hit 21 of 35 field goal attempts (60 pct.) in 2011 while setting an NCAA record with at least one field goal in 45 games in his career. It's tough to take a shot on Walsh knowing he hit just 60 percent of his kicks in school, and even tougher knowing that the Vikings' offense isn't expected to put him in position to kick a ton of field goals. We wouldn't take Walsh with a pick in Fantasy and wouldn't obviously take Longwell until he lands somewhere (if he lands somewhere). |
| 5/8/2012 | Jets, DST NYJ, |
Coples headlines Jets draftNews: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples was the Jets' first draft pick, but he wasn't their only defensive draft pick. The team also picked up Arkansas State linebacker Demario Davis, Wake Forest safety Josh Bush and South Carolina safety Antonio Allen. Analysis: The Jets finished fifth in defense last season, but New York's 35 sacks ranked tied for 17th in the league. The Coples pick was made to improve that sack production, but he's the only offseason addition to help their pass rush. The signing of LaRon Landry, however, should help their coverage against big receiving threats. If he gets hurt, the unit could be in big trouble, but until that happens Fantasy owners should still consider the Jets DST worth a final-round pick. |
| 5/8/2012 | Markus Kuhn, DT, NYG |
Giants draft DT KuhnNews: The New York Giants have taken North Carolina State defensive tackle Markus Kuhn with their final pick in the NFL Draft. Kuhn, who is German and speaks three languages, had 45 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks this season for the Wolfpack. Analysis: Giants coach Tom Coughlin described him as a gym rat who has the potential to improve. We'll wait until he reaches that improvement to recommend him for Fantasy. |
| 5/8/2012 | Jayron Hosley, CB, NYG |
Giants draft 'feisty' HosleyNews: The Giants added cornerback Jayron Hosley in the third round of the NFL Draft. The Virginia Tech standout had 59 tackles and three interceptions this past season, a campaign in which he was bothered by a hamstring injury and concussion issues. He's also been dealing with a drug issue -- he failed a drug test at the combine. Coach Tom Coughlin described Hosley as a competitive, feisty, physical player who many times has been matched against an opponent's top receiver. He said the team was aware of his drug issue and has spoken to him about it. "We believe we can work with him and he's willing to overcome any issues that he has," Coughlin said. Analysis: The Giants compare Hosley to Adam "Pacman" Jones -- not because of his off-field issues but because he plays bigger and tougher than he is (5-foot-10, 178 pounds). We're not expecting him to be a productive stat machine, so Fantasy owners shouldn't spend a draft pick on him. |
| 5/8/2012 | Corey White, SS, NO |
Saints draft Samford safety WhiteNews: The Saints selected Samford strong safety Corey White in the fifth round (No. 162 overall) of the NFL draft. White (6-feet, 206 pounds) had a strong combine effort and should do some work on special teams to begin his career. Analysis: White isn't expected to be a big stat producer for a while, so don't think about adding him to Fantasy rosters, even in dynasty and keeper leagues. |
| 5/8/2012 | Akiem Hicks, DT, NO |
Saints draft DT HicksNews: The Saints went after a need by taking ex-LSU defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (6-foot-5, 318 pounds) with their first pick of 2012 draft in the third round (No. 89 overall). Hicks went to Regina to play football after leaving LSU. He's expected to provide depth at defensive tackle. Analysis: Hicks might be a ways from helping the Saints out but he's unlikely to ever be productive enough to help Fantasy owners. Leave him off rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Patriots, DST NE, |
Jones, Hightower highlight Pats draftNews: The Patriots spent the majority of the 2012 NFL Draft focused on improving 2011's league-worst defense, using six of their seven picks over the weekend on defensive players. The Patriots traded up twice in the first round to select defensive end Chandler Jones of Syracuse at No. 21, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower of Alabama at No. 25. The Patriots also spent both of their second-day picks on defense, selecting safety Tavon Wilson of Illinois in the second round, at No. 48, as well as defensive end Jake Bequette of Arkansas in Round 3, at No. 90. Ohio State safety Nate Ebner and Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard were late-round choices. Analysis: Jones and Hightower should be key cogs in the defense right away, especially Hightower. The biggest problem the Pats had last season was getting their pass rush to scare opposing quarterbacks, and Jones should help there as might Bequette in due time. Despite their well-documented woes last season, the Patriots DST is worth a late pick in drafts given their weak-ish division schedule, though they'll be a risky choice to trust in Week 1 at Tennessee. |
| 5/8/2012 | Vikings, DST MIN, |
Vikes draft five defendersNews: The Vikings spent five of 10 draft picks on defense, including a first-round pick on Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith. In addition, the Vikings spent two picks on cornerbacks in Central Florida's Josh Robinson and Notre Dame's Robert Blanton along with two picks toward the front of the defense in N.C. State linebacker Audie Cole and Cal defensive end Trevor Guyton. Analysis: Smith should start from Day 1 but Blanton has the size and versatility to possibly join him if he can put together a good camp. The Vikings have done a nice job with their secondary this season with Chris Carr and Zackary Bowman joining the defense and providing excellent depth that they might have used last season. The Vikings DST shouldn't get picked in Fantasy drafts but should be considered as a one-week replacement when faced with a good matchup during the season. |
| 5/8/2012 | Dolphins, DST MIA, |
Miami adds three defendersNews: The Dolphins' draft was highlighted by the selection of Ryan Tannehill, but they added three defenders. Miami (Fla.) defensive end Olivier Vernon, Oregon linebacker Josh Kaddu and Texas defensive tackle Kheeston Randall got their names called by the Fins. Analysis: Vernon should help the team's defensive line rotation and Kaddu and Randall might contribute on special teams. The Dolphins added a lot of role players this offseason but their biggest move was extending the contract of pass rusher Cameron Wake, who will move to defensive end in their new 4-3 scheme. The Dolphins defense is still expected to give up plenty of yards and points, so Fantasy owners shouldn't trust the DST, but they might have some good weeks when faced with favorable matchups. |
| 5/8/2012 | Chiefs, DST KC, |
Poe highlights Chiefs draft haulNews: The Kansas City Chiefs filled one of their biggest needs with a massive gamble, selecting Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe with the No. 11 pick in the NFL draft. He was one of three defenders the team drafted: The other two were Alabama cornerback DeQuan Menzie and San Diego State defensive tackle Jerome Long. Analysis: Poe is expected to slide into the middle of Kansas City's 3-4 defensive line and help slow down the run. The other fellas will provide capable depth. The Chiefs added cornerback Stanford Routt this offseason to replace Brandon Carr and will get back safety Eric Berry from a torn ACL suffered last September. This isn't a DST worth drafting but they will have some weeks where they'll be special. Consider using the Chiefs DST off waivers as a one-week option. |
| 5/8/2012 | Jaguars, DST JAC, |
Jags draft four defendersNews: The Jaguars spent four draft picks on defense in April, none higher than the second-round choice on Clemson defensive end Andre Branch. Joining him are Nevada linebacker Brandon Marshall, FSU cornerback Mike Harris and Ashland defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton. Analysis: It's been a long time since the Jaguars defense had a quality pass rush; they're hoping Branch can contribute something along the D-line. Marshall should provide good depth at linebacker as should Harris and Pendleton at their respective positions. With defensive coordinator Mel Tucker returning to the team and Aaron Ross joining the squad, the Jaguars appear to be about as good as they were last year, which is to say they're not quite a No. 1 DST but a good No. 2 option. If you like to play the waiver wire for DSTs from week to week, the Jaguars aren't a terrible choice to begin the year as they play at Minnesota in Week 1. |
| 5/8/2012 | Tim Fugger, LB, IND |
Colts draft LB FuggerNews: Tim Fugger, selected 214th overall by the Colts in the seventh round of Saturday's draft, was projected to be a late-round pick by most scouts. Fugger displayed good speed for a defensive end, running a 4.64 in the 40 during his on-campus Pro Day. He is expected to move to an outside linebacking role in the team's new hybrid 3-4 defensive alignment. He earned second-team All-SEC honors as as a senior. Fugger registered 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in 2011. He started 13 games at DE for the Commodores and had a pair of sacks against Arkansas. Analysis: Fugger is sure to be a project for the Colts defense and not a guy who should contribute a lot of stats. Leave him off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Josh Chapman, DT, IND |
Chapman picked by IndyNews: Colts fifth-round draft choice Josh Chapman of Alabama (6-foot-1, 316 pounds) is a defensive lineman who played through a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee as a senior. He recorded 23 total tackles with 3 1/2 tackles for loss and one sack. Chapman did not play in the Senior Bowl due to his injuries. Analysis: Chapman is known as a hard-nosed, blue-collar player who should fill the Colts need for a dependable nose tackle, but he won't put up a ton of stats. Leave him off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Jared Crick, DE, HOU |
Texans draft Huskers' CrickNews: The Texans added another pass rusher in the fourth round, taking Nebraska defensive end Jared Crick. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Crick made 22 tackles, including three for loss, in an injury-shortened 2011 season. He finished in Nebraska's top in career sacks (20), even after tearing a chest muscle in the sixth game of his final year.The injury dropped Crick, who began the season as a possible late first-round pick, down the boards. Analysis: The fourth-round pick should work as part of the Texans' D-line rotation but not be a candidate for many stats, at least not right away. Fantasy owners shouldn't draft him. |
| 5/8/2012 | Packers, DST GB, |
Pack goes heavy on defense in draftNews: Packers general manager Ted Thompson used his first six of eight draft picks on defensive players, getting three of them by trading up three different times. The Packers not only will be counting on first-round draft pick Nick Perry (Southern Cal) to be the pass-rushing complement to Clay Matthews at outside linebacker, but they may have to depend on defensive linemen Jerel Worthy (Michigan State) and Mike Daniels (Iowa) early and often as well. The additions of Worthy and Daniels look to be shrewd moves by Thompson according to The Sports Xchange, who undoubtedly was preparing to lose defensive end Anthony Hargrove for a portion of next season. The Packers' other draft picks include Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward, Maine safety Jerron McMillian and N.C. State linebacker Terrell Manning. Analysis: The Packers defense was flimsy in 2011, but their DST was fine for Fantasy thanks to their seven touchdowns (two on returns, five on defense) and the defense's 31 interceptions. But the Packers went heavy on defensive linemen and pass rushers to improve on the 29 sacks they had. This re-tooling should go a long way in helping their defense up front, which should in turn help the secondary. They're still worth a late pick in drafts, especially with the 49ers coming to Lambeau in Week 1. |
| 5/8/2012 | Lions, DST DET, |
Lions go heavy on CBs, LBsNews: The Lions drafted three cornerbacks and three linebackers in April's draft, all of them with picks in Round 3 or later. The three cornerbacks are Louisiana-Lafayette's Dwight Bentley, Albion's Chris Greenwood and New Mexico State's Jonte Green. The linebackers are Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis (who might play some defensive end), Temple's Tahir Whitehead and Oklahoma's Travis Lewis. To date, they're the only additions to the Lions defense this offseason. Analysis: Bentley might have a chance to start for the Lions given their lack of depth at cornerback, and Lewis has some potential given his athleticism, but the reality is that none of these rookies is expected to change how the Lions DST is viewed. That's not a bad thing -- they remain a low-end starting option headed into drafts this summer. They're fine as a final-round pick, especially since they take on the Rams at home in Week 1, and that's not a bad way to start the year. |
| 5/8/2012 | Derek Wolfe, DT, DEN |
Broncos draft four defendersNews: The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons. Analysis: If there's a Fantasy sleeper in the bunch, it's actually the guy picked last. Trevathan's career will probably begin on special teams but he could turn into a decent tackling machine if given the chance later in his career. We wouldn't draft any of these guys in standard Fantasy play while Trevathan is worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/8/2012 | Broncos, DST DEN, |
Wolfe headlines Broncos' defensive draft haulNews: The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Analysis: The Broncos are quietly putting together a nice offseason on their defense -- it's simply being overshadowed by their acquisition of Peyton Manning. Wolfe should help bolster the run defense and the free agent defensive back signings of Mike Adams and Tracy Porter should go a long way in helping the Broncos against the pass. Tack on Jack Del Rio running the defense and the Broncos DST is starting to look pretty good. They're still a No. 2 unit but one worth keeping tabs on early on during the season in case they can develop into a unit worth starting. Expect to find them off waivers during the season. |
| 5/8/2012 | Baron Batch, RB, PIT |
Batch still not clearedNews: Steelers running back Baron Batch, a 2011 draftee who never made it past the opening week of training camp due to season-ending ACL surgery, wasn't cleared to join 40 first-year players and rookies for a minicamp last weekend. Batch is considered a candidate to be in the mix to replace rusher Rashard Mendenhall at the beginning (and perhaps all of) the 2012 season. Analysis: Batch has some good third-down type skills but coming back from a torn ACL is a tough deal. He's not worth owning in Fantasy for now outside of the deepest of dynasty/keeper leagues. |
| 5/8/2012 | Jordan Shipley, WR, CIN |
Doctor clears WR ShipleyNews: Jordan Shipley posted on Twitter that he's been cleared by noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews to resume full team activities without any restrictions. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Shipley still needs to be cleared by the Bengals' doctors before hitting the field in late May. Shipley suffered an ACL tear in the season opener last year. Analysis: The Bengals added some young talent in the draft in Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones, so Shipley will have to work hard to get a foothold in the offense. With the rookie additions combined with A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham likely to get much of Andy Dalton's attention, we wouldn't touch Shipley in any drafts. |
| 5/8/2012 | Tiquan Underwood, WR, TB |
Rutgers connection lands Underwood in TampaNews: The Tampa Bay Times reports that wide receiver Tiquan Underwood has agreed to terms with the Buccaneers, reuniting with Greg Schiano, who coached him at Rutgers. Analysis: You'll remember Underwood as the receiver cut by the Patriots the night before Super Bowl XLVI. You'll also remember him for his high-top fade. You won't remember him for the dazzling amount of stats he's put up over his career because he's totaled 11 catches for 141 yards in three years. He's a longshot to make the Bucs and shouldn't be on Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Antonio Allen, SS, NYJ |
Jets add four defendersNews: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples was the Jets' first draft pick, but he wasn't their only defensive draft pick. The team also picked up Arkansas State linebacker Demario Davis, Wake Forest safety Josh Bush and South Carolina safety Antonio Allen. Analysis: Davis has some potential thanks to his speed and size combination. He might develop into a pet project for Rex Ryan. Bush could end up backing up LaRon Landry (which means he'll eventually have some playing time because Landry gets hurt a lot). Allen could also earn some snaps, albeit he's more likely to help on special teams. All three of these guys are worth late picks in rookie-only drafts, with Davis the most intriguing of the three. |
| 5/8/2012 | Travis LaBoy, DL, SD |
LaBoy dumped by the ChargersNews: The Chargers released outside linebackerTravis LaBoy on Monday. LaBoy joined the Chargers in 2011 as an unrestricted free agent. He played and started 14 games, finishing the season with 47 tackles and a sack. The move was somewhat expected after San Diego drafted OLB Melvin Ingram with the 18th overall pick. Analysis: LaBoy isn't as effective a pass rusher as he once was. Leave him off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Bradie Ewing, RB, ATL |
Falcons will have fullback camp battleNews: The Falcons released fullback Ovie Mughelli on Tuesday, according to a team source. Mughelli, who was slated to make $3 million, was placed on injured reserve last season after a knee injury and the team drafted fullback Bradie Ewing in the fifth round of last month's draft. Ewing and Mike Cox will battle for the starting fullback position. Analysis: Mughelli was responsible for popping open holes for Michael Turner but was never a big stat producer. Cox and Ewing won't put up a lot of stats either. Fullbacks typically don't belong on Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Ovie Mughelli, RB, ATL |
Falcons release FB MughelliNews: The Falcons released fullback Ovie Mughelli on Tuesday, according to a team source. Mughelli, who was slated to make $3 million, was placed on injured reserve last season after a knee injury and the team drafted fullback Bradie Ewing in the fifth round of last month's draft. Ewing and Mike Cox will battle for the starting fullback position. Analysis: Mughelli was responsible for popping open holes for Michael Turner but was never a big stat producer. Cox and Ewing won't put up a lot of stats either. Fullbacks typically don't belong on Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Ryan McBean, DE, BAL |
McBean lands with RavensNews: Baltimore signed former Broncos defensive tackle Ryan McBean on Monday, the team announced. McBean left the Broncos as a restricted free agent after Denver rescinded a free agent tender offer. The move adds depth to a defensive line unit that saw Cory Redding (Colts) and Brandon McKinney (Colts) leave this offseason. McBean will have his six-game suspension reduced to three, according to the Carroll County Times. McBean tested positive for PEDs, which resulted in McBean suing the NFL for not taking the proper testing steps (McBean has since dropped the suit). McBean will be eligible to play against Cleveland in Week 4. Analysis: McBean will provide depth for the Ravens and won't put up a lot of stats. Keep him off rosters. |
| 5/8/2012 | Randy Bullock, K, HOU |
Bullock will battle Graham in campNews: The Texans have signed kicker Shayne Graham to compete with rookie Randy Bullock, coach Gary Kubiak confirmed. Graham has kicked for the Patriots (12 for 12), Giants (0 for 0), Ravens (2 for 2) and Dolphins (4 for 5) over the last two seasons. He last spent a full season with the same team in 2009 when he made 23 of 28 field goals for the Bengals. "He's had some success in this league, and I think the competition will be good for them," Kubiak said. "I want to see them compete because it should bring out the best in them." Analysis: Bullock was the first kicker drafted by Houston -- ever. He won the Lou Groza award, honoring the nation's top kicker, after connecting on 29 of 32 field-goal attempts in 2011. Bullock, born in Klein, Texas, is also a Texas A&M alum just like Kubiak. While this all sounds nice and could give him an edge over Graham (he's younger, he cost the team a draft pick, he's a native Texan, etc.), the reality is that if he stinks in camp and the preseason, he'll be out of a job. We won't know which one will win the job until the preseason is in full swing. What's more, the Texans' offense sets up its kickers to put up good stats from year to year (their kicker finished in the Top 10 in standard scoring leagues each of the last two seasons), so it's a valuable option for Fantasy owners. Whichever kicker wins the job is worth starting in Fantasy play. There's nothing wrong with spending a final-round pick on one of them and then replacing him with the other off waivers. We'll keep you posted. |
| 5/7/2012 | Fred Jackson, RB, BUF |
Bills lock up RB JacksonNews: The Bills have delivered on their promise to reward running back Fred Jackson by signing him to a two-year contract extension that's potentially worth $9 million. He is now signed through the 2014 season. Jackson was the Bills' first-half MVP last season before his year ended after he broke a bone in his right leg in a 35-8 loss at Miami on Nov. 20. He still finished with six touchdowns and a team-best 934 yards rushing while averaging 5.5 yards a carry. Jackson has led the Bills in rushing in each of the past three seasons. He insists he'll have the same chip on his shoulder that has been paramount to his success. "Without a doubt, that's never going anywhere," Jackson said. "That's kind of what got me to where I am today." Analysis: With doctors clearing him for football activities, Jackson should be an eager participant in the Bills' offseason practices. He should be the team's starter, but after C.J. Spiller ended last season with a bang, chances are they'll split reps with Jackson getting more work but not quite as much work as he had before he got hurt last year. Jackson's also 31 years old but doesn't have the wear-and-tear that typically comes with rushers over 30. It's clear that he's a part of their future and a potential 15-touch-per-game back, something Fantasy owners should feel good about. Jackson represents a solid value as a No. 2 Fantasy RB worth a pick between late Round 3 and early Round 5. |
| 5/7/2012 | LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, NYJ |
L.T. on brink of retirementNews: LaDainian Tomlinson, who turns 33 next month, is expected to retire from the NFL, The Sports Xchange reports. He's the fifth-leading rusher in league history with 13,684 yards and will be remembered as one of the best all-purpose running backs to play the game. Last season he averaged 3.7 yards a carry, but he helped in the passing game with 42 catches, fourth most on the team. However, he said immediately after the season ended at Miami in Week 17 that he was seriously contemplating retirement. He told Sports Illustrated that he'd still consider playing if the right opportunity came along. Analysis: Tomlinson leads all active running backs in rushing yards, has 162 career regular-season touchdowns (17 receiving) and caught at least 50 passes in eight straight seasons to begin his career. The former consensus No. 1 Fantasy running back isn't expected to be worth even a late draft pick this summer. |
| 5/7/2012 | Leonard Hankerson, WR, WAS |
Hankerson not ready for minicamp?News: Second-year receiver Leonard Hankerson said his surgically-repaired hip is not yet 100 percent, but he's hopeful he'll return to full workouts within a couple weeks. However, he could not say if he'll be able to fully participate in the June 11-13 minicamp. "We wanted to take the process slow," Hankerson said. "We wanted to see if it was going to heal right and it didn't. So we had to get surgery. It's getting better. I feel it getting better every week." Analysis: Hankerson is expected to be a key cog in a Redskins offense that added a lot of receiving talent this offseason. He remains a big target for them, and rookie Robert Griffin III should like the idea of throwing jump balls to him. Once we see him in the swing of things in camp he'll be worth a look late in drafts. |
| 5/7/2012 | Jabar Gaffney, WR, NE |
Patriots confirm Gaffney signingNews: The Patriots have officially re-signed wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, announcing the move on Monday. Gaffney was released by the Redskins last week after posting career-bests in catches (68) and yards (947) in 2011 with five scores (which tied a career-high). Fifty of those 68 catches went for first downs or touchdowns. Analysis: This is a team that already has Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Deion Branch, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Gaffney's going to have to fight for playing time with the Patriots, and it's likely that he'll fall way short of matching his totals from 2011. We wouldn't touch him in drafts this summer. |
| 5/7/2012 | Remi Ayodele, NT, NO |
Saints bring back AyodeleNews: The Saints filled another hole as defensive tackle Remi Ayodele signed a one-year deal with the team Monday. Ayodele (6-foot-2, 318 pounds) played for the Saints from 2008-2010 and was a starter most of his time in New Orleans. Ayodele signed with Minnesota in 2011 but was released after one season. Analysis: Ayodele will provide depth at DT and isn't expected to post many stats. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/7/2012 | Tyvon Branch, DB, OAK |
Branch sticks with RaidersNews: Safety Tyvon Branch signed his franchise tag tender Monday, the Raiders announced. He has posted at least 100 total tackles in each of his last three seasons and has started every game in that span. He'll receive a $6.22 million guaranteed salary for 2012. Analysis: Branch has become a dependable No. 1 Fantasy DB worth a mid-round pick in drafts this summer. |
| 5/7/2012 | Cowboys, DST DAL, |
Claiborne highlights Dallas' draftNews: The Cowboys moved up and took LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne with the sixth overall pick in the draft, but he wasn't their only defensive pick. The Cowboys also picked up Boise State defensive end Tyrone Crawford, Wake Forest linebacker Kyle Wilber, Eastern Washington safety Matt Johnson and Montana linebacker Caleb McSurdy. Analysis: Claiborne should do for the Cowboys what his college teammate, Patrick Peterson, did for the Cardinals: Provide a punch on special teams and come into his own on defense. The additions of Dan Connor at linebacker, Brandon Carr at cornerback and Brodney Pool at safety also help the future of this unit. Despite their poor play last year (with different cornerbacks and a weakness in the middle of the defense), the Cowboys DST strikes us as one worth drafting with a final-round pick this season. Just be prepared to deal with their tough first game: at the Super Bowl Champion Giants in Week 1. |
| 5/7/2012 | Devon Still, DT, CIN |
Big guys highlight Bengals draftNews: In addition to the selection of Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, the Bengals added Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, Clemson defensive tackles Brandon Thompson, Iowa cornerback Shaun Prater and Boise State safety George Iloka. Still and Thompson are both big guys who can clog the line of scrimmage while Prater is a keen ballhawk and Iloka is a raw project who played corner in college and could be a solid safety eventually. Analysis: While Iloka had his draft stock slide, he has some potential to be a big-tackle producer if given the opportunity to start. Everyone else isn't expected to put up much in the way of stats and shouldn't be part of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/7/2012 | Bengals, DST CIN, |
Kirkpatrick highlights Bengals' draftNews: Cincinnati added to its already bursting collection of cornerbacks by taking Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick with the 17th overall pick. Kirkpatrick only had three interceptions in three seasons at Alabama but held down the shutdown corner for the national champions. The team also added Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, Clemson defensive tackles Brandon Thompson, Iowa cornerback Shaun Prater and Boise State safety George Iloka. Analysis: The Bengals have built themselves a heck of a secondary with Kirkpatrick joining free agents Jason Allen and Terence Newman in a corps that already includes Leon Hall, Nate Clements and Pacman Jones. And the addition of Still to their defensive line should help against the run. Quietly, the Bengals DST has become a good unit, albeit not one you should go out of your way to draft. Figure them to be available off waivers and a capable defense worth using as a one-week replacement throughout the season. |
| 5/7/2012 | Santana Moss, WR, WAS |
Moss sheds weight for slot moveNews: Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan told the media last weekend that wideout Santana Moss had lost 15 pounds, likely in an attempt to regain his speed. Speculation is that Moss might move into the slot this season. But it's also worth noting that when asked who his starting receivers would be, Shanahan didn't say Moss' name and did mention Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan and Leonard Hankerson before giving Moss a compliment. “He’s come in as good a shape as he’s come in the last few years according to him,” the coach said. Analysis: Had Moss shown up in rough shape, he probably wouldn't be on the roster. And even though Shanahan didn't mention Moss' name when talking about starters, Morgan and Hankerson are both coming off of injuries, so it might just be a matter of time before Moss (who himself got hurt last year) gets some regular playing time. The deep receiving corps mixed in with rookie Robert Griffin III starting for the Skins makes Moss a risky Fantasy option. He'll probably slip in drafts to the middle/late rounds and be suitable as a reserve receiver. |
| 5/7/2012 | Brandon Hardin, FS, CHI |
Defensive backs highlight Bears draftNews: The Bears spent four of six draft picks on defensive players, including three on defensive backs. In addition to drafting Boise State linebacker Shea McClellin, the Bears took Oregon State safety Brandon Hardin, Nevada cornerback Isaiah Frey and TCU cornerback Greg McCoy. Hardin has tremendous size (6-foot-3) but is coming off of a shoulder injury that knocked him out for 2011 and a career as a cornerback. Frey's an experienced corner with some good explosion while McCoy is a speedster who can return kicks. Analysis: Hardin has some potential, especially given the Bears' lack of quality talent at safety. He's worth a late pick in deeper drafts and rookie-only leagues. The other defensive backs shouldn't be considered for Fantasy play. |
| 5/7/2012 | Bears, DST CHI, |
McClellin, DBs highlight Bears draftNews: The Bears spent four of six draft picks on defensive players, including three on defensive backs. Their top pick figures to contribute the most: Boise State linebacker Shea McClellin is expected to work as a defensive lineman after scoring seven sacks last season and 20 1/2 in his collegiate career. The Bears also spent picks on Oregon State safety Brandon Hardin, Nevada cornerback Isaiah Frey and TCU cornerback Greg McCoy. Analysis: In addition to these youngsters, the Bears added some efficient veteran talent this offseason in linebacker Geno Hayes and cornerback Kelvin Hayden. The Bears defense has some solid depth to go with their improved special-teams (Eric Weems might replace Johnny Knox and Devin Hester should still do some work). They're worth drafting with a late pick in drafts. |
| 5/7/2012 | Frank Alexander, DE, CAR |
Panthers add to defense in draftNews: In addition to Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Panthers drafted Oklahoma defensive end Frank Alexander, Coastal Carolina cornerback Josh Norman and Cal safety D.J. Campbell. Alexander is a big, high-motor defender who had 19 tackles for loss last season. Norman's a good cornerback minus the top-end speed, and Campbell is a strong safety who is a good athlete with OK speed who should excel on special teams after doing a lot of it in college. Analysis: The only guy to eyeball here is Alexander, who could work his way into the defensive line rotation sooner than later given the talent in Carolina. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. The rest can be ignored. |
| 5/7/2012 | Panthers, DST CAR, |
Johnson hurting as Panthers draft defenseNews: Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson had knee surgery recently and may miss the rest of the team's voluntary workouts and minicamps, The Sports Xchange reports. The team announced that the surgery was necessary to relieve swelling in his right knee. This came after the team's draft haul, which included Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, Oklahoma defensive end Frank Alexander, Coastal Carolina cornerback Josh Norman and Cal safety D.J. Campbell. Analysis: Johnson needs to be healthy for the Panthers defensive unit to be at its best, but this is a team that needs serious help up front against the run. Pairing Kuechly with a returning Jon Beason should help, but big guys up front who can freeze opposing linemen and keep running backs bottled up would go a long way. The Panthers DST isn't worth drafting this summer. |
| 5/7/2012 | Dan LeFevour, QB, JAC |
Jaguars send five packingNews: On Monday the Jaguars released quarterback Dan LeFevour, safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, receiver Nelson Rosario, receiver Jarrett Boykin and defensive end Frank Trotter. Analysis: None of these guys were or are expected to be useful for Fantasy. Leave them off rosters. |
| 5/7/2012 | Jarett Dillard, WR, JAC |
Jags cut WR DillardNews: The Jaguars waived wide receiver Jarett Dillard, a fifth-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. He caught 35 passes for 398 yards and a touchdown in two seasons for the Jaguars. He missed the 2010 season with a knee injury and caught 29 passes for 292 yards last season. Analysis: Once upon a time Dillard was considered a deep, deep sleeper. He obviously never reached his low expectations and will try to latch on elsewhere in the league. He's not worth owning in Fantasy. |
| 5/7/2012 | Charles Johnson, DE, CAR |
Panthers DE Johnson has knee surgeryNews: Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson had knee surgery recently and may miss the rest of the team's voluntary workouts and minicamps, The Sports Xchange reports. The team announced that the surgery was necessary to relieve swelling in his right knee. Johnson posted to his Twitter account that, "My surgery went good! Thanks to everyone for your blessing." He signed a $72 million contact with the Panthers last year. Analysis: In two seasons he's totaled 20.5 sacks and 102 total tackles (40 tackles and 9.0 sacks in 2011), so he's been a quality stat contributor. We should see more big numbers from him this season assuming his knee heals properly. He's worth rolling the dice on as a No. 2 defensive lineman with a mid-round pick. |
| 5/7/2012 | Lamar Miller, RB, MIA |
Dolphins have plans for MillerNews: After participating in his first weekend of workouts with the Dolphins, running back Lamar Miller seems like a player the team will depend on if only for his speed. And it might be beyond the running back position. Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said the team is looking into using Miller in a number of ways this season. "There's a couple pictures of him being spread out," Philbin told the Palm Beach Post. "There's a chance down the road, as Lamar gets acclimated, that he might be able to spread himself a ways as a receiver to a certain degree. I'm not saying make a full position change, but I think there's some flexibility with what you can do with the guy." Analysis: Miller caught just 28 passes in college with his only touchdown coming on a horribly-thrown flea-flicker pass against Virginia Tech, so it's not like he's got the receiving prowess of a Reggie Bush. Coming off of shoulder surgery in December is also an issue, albeit not a big one. With special-teams duty also expected to be part of his workload, we think Miller's not worth a late pick in seasonal drafts. He is worth a mid-to-late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a third-round choice in rookie-only drafts given his long-term outlook. |
| 5/7/2012 | Dwight Freeney, DE, IND |
Looks like Freeney's moving to LBNews: With the Colts opting not to trade veteran Dwight Freeney thus far this offseason, signs point to him staying with the only club he's ever known. That means an expensive salary for him this season, and it also means a position change. With the Colts moving to a 3-4 base defense, the team is going to ask Freeney to play as an outside linebacker. “For me, it's just getting familiar with all those nuances,” he told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "My line of sight, walking around (pre-snap), dropping into coverage -- I'm doing those things. It's going to take a little time at the beginning to get used to and as comfortable as I have been having my hand in the ground (at end) and being in one position." Analysis: The move to linebacker will be nice for the Colts but it hurts Freeney's Fantasy value. As an outside linebacker, Freeney isn't expected to put up the tackle totals that most middle linebackers do, and that means a limited amount of Fantasy points for him. If you're in a league that doesn't count tackles then he's OK as a No. 3 option. But if tackles count, Freeney's more of a late-round reserve choice. |
| 5/7/2012 | Cameron Wake, LB, MIA |
Wake lands contract extensionNews: The Dolphins have extended pass rush specialist Cameron Wake's contract through the 2016 season. Wake made the Pro Bowl in 2010, when he had 14 sacks, and he had 8 1/2 sacks last year. He came to the Dolphins in 2009 from the Canadian Football League, where he was a two-time defensive player of the year. ESPN reported the extension was worth $49 million, with $20 million guaranteed. "It's kind of like taking things to another level, kind of like when I came down here from the CFL," Wake said Sunday. "It has been an amazing, amazing journey." Analysis: Wake is on the verge of becoming a defensive lineman, and that's big for Fantasy purposes. Assuming he indeed makes the move to DE, Fantasy owners should consider Wake a low-end No. 2 DL with potential to deliver some nice stats -- he's only a year removed from a 14-sack, 57-tackle season. |
| 5/7/2012 | Robert Griffin III, QB, WAS |
Redskins name RG3 starting QBNews: In a decision that shouldn't surprise anyone, the Redskins named rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III their starter for 2012. He'll open offseason practices with the first-team offense. During a rookie minicamp, Griffin said he's watching a lot of film of former quarterbacks running Mike Shanahan's offense and is learning a lot from it. He also admitted that he doesn't know the playbook as well as he'd like to but knows he has lots of time to get it down. "It's a different when you (know) what routes you have on a certain play but you've got to know where to go with the ball during certain coverage," he said. "You have just got to know where to go with the ball when you see a certain coverage. And that's the thing you’ve got to study at and you just don't get good at that right off the bat." Analysis: Griffin set or tied 54 Baylor University records in three full seasons, throwing for over 3,500 yards in each of his last two years and for 10,071 yards in 40 career games. He also threw 77 touchdowns, rushed for another 32 and had just 17 interceptions and 13 fumbles over that time. Griffin might be a bit wiry, but there's no doubting his arm strength, intelligence or mobility -- three things that will be utilized greatly in Shanahan's West Coast offense. We think he has a bright future in this league and would bank on him to play better than Andrew Luck in 2012. He's worth taking as a speculative No. 2 Fantasy QB with a middle- to late-round pick in seasonal leagues (ahead of Luck). He's worth the mid-round choice in dynasty/keeper leagues and is a Top-5 choice in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/7/2012 | Emmanuel Acho, LB, CLE |
Browns draft five defendersNews: The Browns made some splashes early in the NFL Draft but added five defenders with picks starting in the third round. Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes, Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson, Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho, Boise State defensive end Billy Winn and Arizona cornerback Trevin Wade all are Browns property following the draft. Hughes and Winn are versatile linemen, with Hughes more impactful inside and Winn more impactful outside. Johnson is known for his aggressiveness, almost to a fault. Acho is considered a talented outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, and the quick-footed Wade could eventually develop into a nickelback. Analysis: The most promising player of the bunch is Acho, who could get fast-tracked to the starting lineup if he has a strong training camp (the suspension of Scott Fujita could help him). No one else is believed to have the chance to put up a ton of stats anytime soon and shouldn't be on Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/7/2012 | Frank Trotter, DE, JAC |
Jaguars send six packingNews: On Monday the Jaguars released quarterback Dan LeFevour, safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, receiver Nelson Rosario, receiver Jarrett Boykin and defensive end Frank Trotter. Analysis: None of these guys were or are expected to be useful for Fantasy. Leave them off rosters. |
| 5/4/2012 | Andrew Luck, QB, IND |
Arians keeping Luck comfortableNews: New Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians told the official team website that he plans on giving rookie quarterback Andrew Luck a lot of lee-way with the team's new offense. Arians will let Luck come up with the playbook terminology to keep him comfortable and keep the system simple. He also plans to be aggressive in teaching the plays, giving Luck a lot to process again and again until he learns it. That process seemed to work for two of his former pupils -- Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. "I think you have to keep the game simple. Let them play in Technicolor," said Arians. "Quarterbacks have to see a picture when they call a play, and you keep it as simple as possible for them. The ones like (Andrew Luck), Peyton (Manning), Ben (Roethlisberger) and those guys, they are like piranhas. They eat information and gobble it up, and then you let them run with it." Analysis: So not only will Arians cater the offense to the Colts' strengths, but he's also going to cater the names of the plays to Luck and teach him the playbook aggressively. It's a smart move for Arians that should pay off for Luck sooner than later. Expectations are moderate for Luck in his first season given that he's got a nice group of receiving options around him and that the Colts should play from behind a lot, but he shouldn't be counted on for big numbers right away. In standard seasonal formats, Luck will be swiped with a middle- to late-round pick as a No. 2 Fantasy QB with plenty of obvious upside (we do like Robert Griffin III better in 2012 but not long term). In dynasty/keeper league drafts, expect Luck to be taken with a mid-round pick because of his long-term potential. And he's a rock-solid No. 1 overall pick in rookie-only leagues. |
| 5/4/2012 | Bills, DST BUF, |
Bills add four to defenseNews: The Bills spent their first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft on cornerback Stephon Gilmore, giving them a set of fresh legs to help against opposing offenses. Gilmore's got great size and should be at least a nickelback to start the year. The Bills rounded out their defensive draft haul with Florida State linebacker Nigel Bradham, LSU cornerback Ron Brooks and TCU linebacker Tank Carder. Analysis: Only Gilmore should see regular playing time this season -- in the wake of his arrival, the Bills released veteran Drayton Florence. The bottom line is that the Bills did a great job this offseason addressing their pass rush with Mario Williams and Mark Anderson while keeping most of their secondary in tact. They added good depth at linebacker and cornerback in the draft. With their defense on the rise and the Jets and Dolphins starting to fade in the division, the time's right to spend a late pick on the Bills DST in standard drafts. |
| 5/4/2012 | Christian Thompson, FS, BAL |
Ravens add Thompson, Jackson, TysonNews: In addition to drafting outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, the Ravens spent three other picks on their defense in the draft. They took South Carolina State safety Christian Thompson, Cal Poly cornerback Asa Jackson and Georgia defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson. Thompson is a former Auburn defensive back with good coverage ability and some long-term potential. Jackson is a speedy cornerback who plays tougher than his size suggests but needs some experience. Tyson is a big body expected to eventually help cram the run. Analysis: None of these players are expected to put up enough stats to warrant Fantasy use anytime soon. Leave them off rosters. |
| 5/4/2012 | Falcons, DST ATL, |
Falcons use back end of draft for DNews: The Falcons added Troy linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, Mississippi State safety Charles Mitchell and South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson with late picks in the NFL Draft. Massaquoi is considered a raw prospect who has some speed in his game, Mitchell might eventually be a good gunner on special teams and Robertson is a big body who could develop into a role player for the team. Analysis: The Falcons improved their secondary before the draft with the addition of cornerback Asante Samuel, and they might have one of the most complete secondaries in the game with Samuel, Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson on the staff. But their front seven is not complete; losing Curtis Lofton to the Saints hurts and questions about their aging pass rushers (John Abraham, Ray Edwards) will follow them through training camp. We consider the Falcons DST a No. 2 Fantasy option on Draft Day, and they are worth using as a starter in deeper leagues. If they start out the season playing well then add them in all formats as a starting option. |
| 5/4/2012 | Jamell Fleming, CB, ARI |
Fleming, Bethel drafted by CardsNews: The Cardinals added cornerback Jamell Fleming (Oklahoma) and safety Justin Bethel (Presbyterian) to their defense in the NFL Draft. Fleming, a third-round pick, is a tough zone coverage cornerback. Bethel is a tweener who is also tough and has good speed but wasn't tested playing FCS-level competition. He's also a good kick blocker. Analysis: Neither of these guys are expected to produce big stats for Fantasy owners. Leave them off rosters. |
| 5/4/2012 | Cardinals, DST ARI, |
Cards add DB help in draftNews: The Cardinals added cornerback Jamell Fleming (Oklahoma) and safety Justin Bethel (Presbyterian) to their defense in the NFL Draft. Fleming, a third-round pick, is a tough zone coverage cornerback. Bethel is a tweener who is also tough and has good speed but wasn't tested playing FCS-level competition. He's also a good kick blocker. Analysis: The Cardinals are coming back mostly in tact this season, namely along their front seven. Pass rush will be a big question for them: Can Calais Campbell repeat his feats from last year with unproven edge rushers in O'Brien Schofield and Sam Acho helping out? We wouldn't trust the Cardinals DST as anything more than a one-week option available off waivers during the season. |
| 5/4/2012 | Chris Polk, RB, PHI |
Eagles steal Polk after the draftNews: Running back Chris Polk of Washington agreed to sign with the Eagles as a rookie free agent following the NFL Draft. Polk skipped his senior year to enter the draft but wasn't selected. He averaged 101.2 rushing yards a game for his career at Washington and he's second on the school's career yardage list (4,049 yards) to Napolean Kaufman. Polk was red flagged by teams in the draft because of a supposed degenerative shoulder problem. When Polk began hearing that teams were concerned about his shoulder, he had it checked by well-known orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. According to team sources, Andrews wrote a letter stating that Polk had some scarring from the surgery, but there was nothing that should prevent him from being drafted or playing football. "I know teams are concerned about my shoulder, but I also heard somebody say something about a degenerative hip and there is just no truth to that," Polk said according to The Sports Xchange. "I had labrum surgery on the shoulder a year ago and it didn't slow me down last season." Analysis: Polk's college production and skills certainly suggested that he get picked in the draft, but obviously some NFL teams got scared off by the injury. With the Eagles he can battle for a roster spot at little to no risk. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/4/2012 | Chandler Harnish, QB, IND |
Colts end their draft with a quarterbackNews: Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish, who was taken with the 253rd and final pick of the draft, didn't just get a title and a vacation as this year's Mr. Irrelevant. He got a chance to play for his favorite NFL team and potentially be a backup for Andrew Luck. Harnish set 30 school records at Northern Illinois, was a two-time all-Mid-American Conference selection, a three-time academic all-league choice and was chosen as the league's MVP. He led the Huskies to the league title and their fourth straight bowl game in 2011. He finished his career with 8,944 yards passing, completed 61.9 percent of his passes with 68 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He also ran for 2,238 yards and 24 TDs and his 11,927 yards in total offense rank third all-time in league history. "It is relevant because otherwise you wouldn't burn a pick on somebody," Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said. "This person we took had tremendous success in the Mid-American Conference. He's got ability, and he was higher on our board than where we took him." Analysis: Watch out, Luck -- here comes Harnish! OK probably not, but he's an accomplished passer who will provide good depth for the Colts. He'll battle to back up Luck and isn't worth a pick in any Fantasy league. |
| 5/4/2012 | Daryl Richardson, RB, STL |
Rams draft RB Richardson after allNews: The St. Louis Rams selected running back Daryl Richardson of Abilene Christian (not Alabama running back Trent Richardson) with their second pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Richardson is the brother of former Abilene Christian running back Bernard Scott, who now plays for the Bengals, and former Abilene Christian receiver Clyde Gates, who now plays for the Dolphins. As a senior, Richardson rushed for 867 yards, including a long run of 75 yards. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns. Richardson also caught 40 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson is also looking forward to learning from Rams RB Steven Jackson. “It's just a blessing to get the opportunity and even just to get to play with Steven Jackson because he is a top performance running back,” Richardson said. Analysis: Richardson shot up draft boards with a strong pro day workout in early April, posting a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. But he's more of a speedy edge rusher and not a blocker or a physical between-the-tackles back. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/4/2012 | John Potter, K, BUF |
Kickoff specialist picked by BillsNews: The Bills selected Western Michigan kicker John Potter with their ninth and final pick in the NFL draft. Potter completed his four-year career with 333 points to set a school record among kickers. Though he missed all three field-goal attempts from beyond 50 yards, the Bills were particularly impressed with how he consistently strong he was on kickoffs. He had 36 touchbacks last season. General manager Buddy Nix says the Bills would consider using him in kickoff situations in a bid to force opponents to start at their own 20. He becomes the first kicker the Bills have selected in the draft since picking John Nies in 1990. Analysis: Do you get points for kickoffs in your Fantasy league? Chances are the answer to that question is no. Unless he can unseat Rian Lindell for the field-goal kicking job, he's not worth adding to rosters. |
| 5/4/2012 | Edwin Baker, RB, SD |
Chargers cooking something with BakerNews: The Chargers used a seventh-round pick in the NFL draft to take running back Edwin Baker, who left Michigan State after his junior season. Baker ran for 665 yards and five touchdowns last season, sharing carries with Le'Veon Bell. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Baker had 1,201 yards rushing and 13 TDs as a sophomore, earning All-Big Ten honors. Analysis: While he moves well for his size, there are durability concerns with Baker, and with 15 career catches there are questions about his hands. He's worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/4/2012 | Brad Smelley, RB, CLE |
Smelley follows Richardson to ClevelandNews: The Browns closed their NFL draft by selecting versatile Alabama fullback Brady Smelley, reuniting him with college teammate Trent Richardson. Smelley was used mostly as an H-back in a variety of formations for the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder developed into a dangerous offensive weapon last season for the national champions. Smelley caught 34 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns. He had seven receptions in Alabama's 21-0 win over LSU in the BCS title game. Smelley can also do some work as a tight end. Analysis: Chances are Smelley's versatility combined with his blocking skills and familiarity with Trent Richardson got him on the Browns' radar. He's not expected to put up enough stats to warrant Fantasy use, though. |
| 5/4/2012 | Jordan White, WR, NYJ |
Jets pick up WMU WR WhiteNews: The New York Jets selected Western Michigan wide receiver Jordan White with their final pick, No. 244 overall, of the NFL draft. White bounced back from two major knee injuries early in his career to catch 140 passes for 1,911 yards and 17 touchdowns in his senior season. Analysis: He's a terrific route runner with great hands and could give Mark Sanchez another solid slot receiver to complement Jeremy Kerley. He's worth a look late in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Toby Gerhart, RB, MIN |
Gerhart says he'll be readyNews: Vikings running back Toby Gerhart suffered a MCL tear late last season that didn't require surgery. According to the bruising rusher, he says he's feeling better and will be ready for the start of the season. "I've been able to work through it pretty nicely," he said during a recent offseason workout. "Coming back, it's getting better and better, just rehabbing the last few months. Being back out here taking care of it -- it's feeling good running around." Analysis: Gerhart should begin the season with a big job: Replacing Adrian Peterson. The Vikings' star running back is coming back from a torn ACL suffered last December and will either not be ready for the start of the year or will be limited to start the year. Gerhart is expected to take on a larger role than normal at least to begin the year. Depending on how Peterson comes back and depending on how Gerhart does, his potential for 2012 is all over the map. If he doesn't do so hot in the early going, Peterson will take back his workload once he proves he's healthy. If Gerhart does do well, then he could keep a share of the rushing duties for a while. Expect Gerhart to be targeted by those owners who take Peterson early on with a pick around Round 8. If you don't have Peterson, you probably won't be interested in taking him that soon, but if he's there in the later rounds you should consider him as a quality rusher worth padding your bench with. |
| 5/3/2012 | B.J. Coleman, QB, GB |
Favre-friend Coleman joins the PackNews: With the second of their two seventh-round compensatory picks, the Packers drafted B.J. Coleman, a quarterback from Chattanooga. Coleman (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) has an impressive physique, a strong (though inaccurate) arm and good mechanics. He's intelligent and an eager learner, which is good because he has much to absorb transitioning from Chattanooga to the NFL. Playing at the FCS-level, Coleman had a 52-31 career TD-INT ratio and only completed 57.4 percent of his passes. But the Packers like his intangibles, including size and character. Analysis: In preparation for the draft, Coleman said he spent part of January and February working out with Brett Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss. Coleman and Favre share an agent, Bus Cook. And Coleman hopes to continue consulting Favre, although it wasn't clear whether he had yet to run that idea past the Packers' coaching staff. He'll be buried on the Packers' depth chart and isn't worth a pick in Fantasy drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | David Paulson, TE, PIT |
Steelers add TE PaulsonNews: The Steelers have selected Oregon tight end David Paulson in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Paulson had 31 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season with the Ducks. Analysis: Paulson will join a crowded tight end position that includes Heath Miller, Weslye Saunders and Leonard Pope. Steelers tight end coach James Daniel says Paulson reminds him of a fullback with speed who could contribute on special teams. That sounds like a nice player for the Steelers but a disaster for Fantasy owners. Keep him off of rosters. |
| 5/3/2012 | Jeremy Ebert, WR, NE |
Thumbs up! Pats draft EbertNews: The Patriots took Northwestern wide receiver Jeremy Ebert with their final pick in the seventh round of the draft. At 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, Ebert ran a 4.41 this spring and is in the same mold as Wes Welker and Julian Edelman -- good, tough slot receivers with quickness. Ebert also has special teams ability and that will help his chances at making the team. Analysis: Ebert's a long way from being a contributor for the Patriots, but he does have some nice hands (he has 173 career receptions at Northwestern). He's worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Drake Dunsmore, TE, TB |
Bucs draft TE DunsmoreNews: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Northwestern tight end Drake Dunsmore with the second of two picks the team had in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Dunsmore had 45 receptions for 522 yards and six touchdowns at Northwestern last season. He finished his college career with 143 catches for 1,567 yards and 14 TDs. Analysis: The son of ex-Bear Pat Dunsmore, expect the tight end to provide depth this season and have the chance to develop down the line. He's only worth a late pick in deeper rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Toney Clemons, WR, PIT |
Steelers bring WR Clemons homeNews: The Steelers took Colorado wide receiver Toney Clemons, a Pittsburgh native, with a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Clemons wouldn't have had a chance at being drafted if not for a strong college finish. He had 25 catches, 476 yards and five touchdowns in his final five games. Receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said the tape of Clemons' final games convinced him he was worth taking. It "really showed him to be a productive receiver," Montgomery said. "He has a unique combination of size and speed." Analysis: Clemons is a second cousin to Chiefs receiver Steve Breaston, WNBA star Swin Cash and comes from a family of state and region sprinting champions. But until he works on his game, he won't find a lot of playing time. He's worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts for now. |
| 5/3/2012 | Bryce Brown, RB, PHI |
Eagles take a shot on RB BrownNews: The Eagles selected Kansas State running back Bryce Brown with their final pick of the NFL draft. The 6-foot, 220-pound Brown ran for 460 yards as a freshman at Tennessee before transferring to Kansas State. He sat out 2010 and carried only three times for 16 yards before leaving the team in September. Brown ran a 4.37 time at the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. "He's had kind of a wild ride here through college football," coach Andy Reid said. "You're talking tremendous, tremendous skill here. He catches the ball effortlessly and is a smooth, smooth runner. He has all the talent in the world, but it's just a matter of tying things down here." Analysis: Character concerns pushed Brown, a fast runner, way down the draft board. But the Eagles are in need of depth and can afford to take a chance on him. Once considered one of the top high school recruits in the country, rated by many ahead of Alabama's Trent Richardson, Brown will now have to work his way up the Eagles' depth chart. Brown is worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Rishard Matthews, WR, MIA |
Dolphins draft WR MatthewsNews: The Dolphins selected Nevada receiver Rishard Matthews in the seventh round of the NFL draft. The 6-foot-2 Matthews had 91 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. During his two seasons at Nevada he caught 147 passes for 2,243 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He's a junior college transfer who missed two seasons (2007, 2008) with injuries. Analysis: Matthews might contribute on special teams first before getting time on offense. But he's on the Dolphins, and they're thin on receiving talent, so he could find playing time with an incredible preseason. He's worth a late flier in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Michael Smith, RB, TB |
Bucs add Utah State RB SmithNews: The Buccaneers selected Utah State running back Michael Smith in the seventh round of the NFL draft. The 5-foot-9, 207 pound rusher has a timed speed under 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Analysis: Smith didn't play much in college because he was the backup to Aggies starter Robert Turbin, but he flashed some great speed when he did play. He needs work on his technique but could eventually get some playing time. He's worth a late flier in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | LaVon Brazill, WR, IND |
Colts draft WR BrazillNews: Indianapolis drafted Ohio University wide receiver LaVon Brazill with a sixth-round pick. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound receiver was the MVP of the Idaho Potato Bowl game and was a second-team all-Mid-American Conference choice in 2011. He missed playing time as a junior due to injuries but rebounded with a strong senior season at Ohio University, catching 74 passes for 1,146 yards and 11 touchdowns. Analysis: Brazill was a four-year starter with the Bobcats. Smallish and lanky, he needs to get a little stronger in his upper body in order to ward off the press defensive coverage that he'll see at the next level. Chances are he'll serve as a reserve for the foreseeable future. He's worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Terrance Ganaway, RB, NYJ |
Jets draft big back GanawayNews: The Jets selected Baylor running back Terrance Ganaway with a sixth round pick of the NFL draft. Ganaway set Baylor's single-season marks with 1,547 yards rushing and 21 rushing touchdowns last year as a senior. Analysis: At 5-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Ganaway is a thickly built and powerful runner who adds depth to new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano's run-first offense. Save for a strong training camp and preseason, Ganaway will likely not see much playing time in 2012. He's one for the future -- draft him late in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Tommy Streeter, WR, BAL |
Ravens pick up size and speed with StreeterNews: The Baltimore Ravens selected Miami wide receiver Tommy Streeter with a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft. Streeter is a 6-foot-5, 220-pounder who had 46 catches and scored eight touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season. He left after three years at Miami, the first two of which he saw very little action. Analysis: The Ravens are looking for a downfield threat to go with Torrey Smith, and Streeter has an outside shot at filling the bill. He ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash and averaged 17.6 yards per catch last year at Miami. Expect Streeter to see limited playing time this season. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Marvin McNutt, WR, PHI |
Eagles pad depth with WR McNuttNews: The Philadelphia Eagles have selected Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt with the first of their two picks in the sixth round of the NFL draft. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound McNutt had 82 catches for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. Analysis: McNutt gives the Eagles a sizable receiver that could make an impact inside the red zone down the line. He might be able to deliver more consistently than Jason Avant could -- and he might bump Avant out of a job eventually. If he can improve his route running then he might develop into a 50-catch receiver who lands a lot of first downs. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Dan Herron, RB, CIN |
Bengals spend pick on RB HerronNews: The Bengals took Ohio State running back Dan "Boom" Herron with a sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft. Despite missing half of his senior season because of the school's tattoo-parlor scandal, the 5-foot-10, 213-pound Herron had 1,155 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns as a junior. Analysis: Herron is more physical than fast and might have to land a job on special teams before getting any kind of playing time on offense. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | James Hanna, TE, DAL |
Cowboys draft TE HannaNews: The Dallas Cowboys selected Oklahoma tight end James Hanna in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Hanna is from Flower Mound, which is only a few miles from the Cowboys' practice facility, and he should blossom into a reserve tight end for them. Hanna had 27 catches for 381 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Sooners. In 2010, seven of his 18 catches were for touchdowns. Hanna said Jason Witten is his role model. "I've grown up all through football, since I've been playing, a Cowboys fan," Hanna said, "just watching him and he's been there a long time. He's a great player and I'm really looking forward to getting to learn from him." Analysis: Count Hanna as another Aaron Hernandez-like tight end specimen: He's 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds and has really good speed but has had some issues catching the ball and isn't a dedicated blocker. He might be a few years away from making an impact in Dallas. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Ryan Lindley, QB, ARI |
Landley joins crowded QB corpsNews: The Cardinals took quarterback Ryan Lindley of San Diego State with a sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft. Lindley started a school record 49 consecutive games with the Aztecs, establishing several school passing and total yardage records. He has a strong arm but has had issues with his accuracy. He says he has worked hard in the offseason with former USC offensive coordinator Ted Tollner on his footwork. Analysis: He joins a team that has three quarterbacks already under contract - Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Rich Bartel, so he's clearly a project-type player for the Cardinals. If he can improve his accuracy and bide his time, he might get some chances to play. Only if you're in a league that can carry players for a long time should you consider Lindley. |
| 5/3/2012 | B.J. Cunningham, WR, MIA |
Dolphins take a chance on CunninghamNews: The Dolphins selected Michigan State receiver B.J. Cunningham in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Cunningham, the Spartans' leading career receiver, had 79 catches last year for 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns. In four seasons he made 218 receptions for a school-record 2,086 yards. He stands at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds. Analysis: Cunningham's lack of overall speed and explosiveness are question marks, but he is a reliable possession player with vacuum hands. With the lack of talent at receiver for the Dolphins, Cunningham might be able to get some chances to play early. We'll watch him in training camp and let you know if he'll be any good, but for now assume that he's worth only a late pick in dynasty/keeper league drafts and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only formats. |
| 5/3/2012 | Cyrus Gray, RB, KC |
Productive RB Gray joins the ChiefsNews: The Chiefs added running back Cyrus Gray of Texas A&M with their sixth-round pick in the NFL draft. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound Gray ran for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Aggies last season. He finished with 3,298 yards rushing with 30 touchdowns on 632 carries in 49 career games. He also caught 103 passes for 776 yards and six scores. He returned 99 kickoffs for an average of 23.7 yards a return, with two touchdowns -- one covering 99 yards against Colorado and another going for 98 yards against Oklahoma when he was a freshman. He also threw a 14-yard touchdown pass as a junior. "His role will define itself as time goes on," Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He knows a lot about the NFL game. [Former Texas A&M head coach] Mike Sherman ran a pro style offense, and he's a smart player, a really tough player. He played a whole season with his shoulder in a harness. ... We've got a number of good backs and he's going to find a role. We're excited about having him around." Analysis: Gray not only provides valuable depth, but he's a team-first, high-energy player with a solid build to run the ball. His willingness to play hurt (and play successfully when hurt) was especially appealing to the Chiefs. He's got some long-term potential to contribute before his career is over. We'd take him late in dynasty/keeper leagues and with a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Alfred Morris, RB, WAS |
Morris latest Shanahan projectNews: Washington selected Florida Atlantic running back Alfred Morris with a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound Morris ran for 3,529 yards and 27 touchdowns over his career at FAU. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has had success turning late-round picks into 1,000-yard runners and likes what he sees in Morris. "I liked his running style," Shanahan said. "He has the ability to make people miss. He has great lateral quickness, and he can cut on a dime." Analysis: The sixth-rounder starred at Florida Atlantic and is a compact runner with good leg strength, but he had 16 fumbles in 762 touches at school and seems destined to be a short yardage/goal-line back. He's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Vick Ballard, RB, IND |
Colts pick up RB BallardNews: The Colts drafted Mississippi State running back Vick Ballard with a late pick in Round 5 of the NFL Draft. At 5-foot-11 and 219 pounds, Ballard is considered a power rusher who can work between the tackles. He ran for 1,189 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior in 2011. Ballard, who struggled at times as a senior against top-flight run defenses, knows that he has a lot of work to do when he gets to Indy. "I can still get better," he said when asked about his pass blocking skills. "At Mississippi State, they said that if you couldn't protect the quarterback, you couldn't play." Analysis: Ballard might eventually be looked upon to do some short-yardage/goal-line work in the pros, but it won't come easy. With some fumbling issues in college that need rectifying, Ballard is more of a project for the Colts than a potential sleeper. Save for a strong training camp, he doesn't appear to be a worthwhile Fantasy pick except late in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Marvin Jones, WR, CIN |
Jones falls to Bengals in draftNews: The Bengals spent a pick in the fifth round on wide receiver Marvin Jones from California. Jones had 62 catches for 846 yards and three touchdowns last season. Jones said many coaches were telling him he'd go as high as a mid-second pick. If he can replicate a career that saw him post 2,260 yards and 156 receptions at Cal, the Bengals may have added needed depth. Analysis: Some people think Jones might even contend for a starting job, but fellow rookie Mohamed Sanu seems better suited. At 6-foot-2 and 199 pounds, Jones has the height you look for in a receiver along with some good speed (timed at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash). It remains to be seen if he can handle press coverage given his thin frame, though. We wouldn't spend a pick on him in seasonal leagues but would take a shot on him with a late choice in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Chris Rainey, RB, PIT |
Steelers get speedy with RaineyNews: The Steelers took Florida running back Chris Rainey in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Rainey could make an immediate impact as a special teams player and might contribute sparingly as a rookie. Rainey has explosive speed (4.37) and was a dual threat with the Gators, where he ran for 861 yards and two touchdowns as a senior. He also caught 31 passes for 381 yards and two scores and has done work on punt returns. "You'll see him do a little bit of everything," offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. "He can catch the ball. Run with it. Return it. That's a commodity." Analysis: A couple of years ago Haley drafted Dexter McCluster in Kansas City with the idea of lining him up all over the place and finding mismatches. While McCluster struggled to do that with the Chiefs, chances are Haley will try to utilize Rainey along those same lines. Rainey is exceptionally speedy and could be used in short-area space as well as on handoffs and of course special teams. He is small and has a history of shoulder injuries, so chances are he won't be a regular player like Antonio Brown or Percy Harvin -- at least not right away. He's probably best left for owners in leagues that reward special-teams yardage who have a late-round pick to burn. Otherwise expect him to go late in dynasty/keeper leagues and with a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Courtney Upshaw, LB, BAL |
Upshaw to step in for RavensNews: The Ravens chose Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw with an early pick (35th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. Little did they know how badly they would need him -- less than a week after the pick was made, Ravens star pass rusher Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles' tendon and will miss the entire season. The Ravens will now have to count on the 6-foot-2, 272-pound Upshaw to make some plays in Suggs' place instead of work alongside him. Upshaw had 9 1/2 sacks last year for the NCAA national champions, as well as 11 quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles. "He plays like a junkyard dog," Ravens director of personnel Eric DeCosta said. "He's a physical, violent football player. A lot of guys can rush the passer, a lot of guys can drop and play in space, but setting the edge is really one of the most important things at this position, and we feel this guy can do that." Analysis: Upshaw should have a clear path to a starting job with Suggs out. He doesn't have the ideal size for a pass rushing monster but his college tape shows that he's a strong-willed, energetic force who can hit the edge and get to the quarterback. He's also good at defending the run. The Ravens struck gold with this pick and now he could end up being a key figure for them this season. He's worth a late pick in seasonal leagues that count tackles (a little higher in leagues that don't count tackles), a middle- to late-round choice in dynasty/keeper leagues and a third-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Vikings, TQB MIN, |
Ponder working to improve in '12News: A year ago, Christian Ponder got ready for the season away from the Vikings' facilities, which made it a challenge for him to truly prepare. No such problems this season, and Ponder is capitalizing on it. The quarterback has watched his team add talent via free agency (receiver Jerome Simpson, tight end John Carlson) and the draft (tackle Matt Kalil and receivers Jarius Wright and Greg Childs), and he feels the time is right for him to step up. After working out with the likes of Simpson this week, Ponder's optimistic for the upcoming season. He's prepared for it by adding some muscle. "I had some injuries last year (and) I can try to help myself not get injured next year,” he said. "(I'm) doing a lot of stuff in the weight room, the training room, doing yoga. (I am preparing) myself to be in the best physical shape as possible for this coming season." Analysis: Ponder didn't win over Fantasy owners much as a rookie, but he'll be given the chance to put up some nice numbers in 2012. The offensive line should be better and his receiving corps should be much better. Ponder is a deep sleeper for 2012, worth a late pick in drafts. |
| 5/3/2012 | Maake Kemoeatu, NT, BAL |
Kemoeatu joins the RavensNews: The Ravens and nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu agreed to a one-year deal. Kemoeatu, 33, began his career with the Ravens but did not play in the NFL last season due to Achilles' and knee injuries. "Maake will be given an opportunity to make our 53-man roster, and if he does, he will provide added depth on our D-line and help our ability to stop the run," general manager Ozzie Newsome said Wednesday according to The Sports Xchange. Analysis: Kemoeatu is injury prone and not a statistical machine. Not exactly a good combo for Fantasy Football. Keep him off of rosters. |
| 5/3/2012 | Daniel Hardy, TE, MIN |
Vikings send Hardy flyingNews: The Vikings released tight end Daniel Hardy on Wednesday to make room for their new rookie additions. Analysis: Hardy hasn't caught on in the NFL and isn't expected to do so anytime soon. |
| 5/3/2012 | Chad Spann, RB, PIT |
Steelers release a pairNews: The Steelers released cornerback Antonio Smith, signed in mid-January, and running back Chad Spann, picked up after a spate of injuries in December. Analysis: Neither of these guys were expected to be big contributors in the first place. Keep them off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/3/2012 | Steven Hauschka, K, SEA |
Hauschka re-signs with 'HawksNews: The Seattle Times reports that kicker Steven Hauschka signed his one-year tender and will play in a contract year with the Seahawks. Hauschka was a restricted free agent. He made 25 of 30 field goals last season including two from 50-plus yards. Analysis: The Seahawks' offense added some talent this offseason but still isn't expected to be dominant. They should set up Hauschka for about as many field goal attempts this season, but he's just not quite among the Top 12 Fantasy kickers to trust right off the bat this season. Expect him to be a kicker available off waivers for one-week use during the season. |
| 5/2/2012 | Saints, DST NO, |
NFL hands down bounty suspensionsNews: The NFL announced multiple suspensions for two Saints defenders for their roles in the team's pay-for-performance/bounty program: Defensive end Will Smith has been suspended for four games and linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the season. Two former Saints defenders -- Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita -- have also been suspended. The team was likely anticipating such a move, namely with Vilma, signing linebackers Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne and Chris Chamberlain this offseason. Head coach Sean Payton has been suspended without pay for the 2012 season, ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely and interim head coach/offensive line coach Joe Vitt is suspended for six games. Analysis: The Saints were prepared for the loss of Vilma but losing Will Smith will hurt their pass rush, which is already considered tepid even with Smith (they had 33 sacks last year). New Orleans' defense isn't half bad except for their pass rush, which is a huge question mark. Fantasy owners shouldn't draft the Saints DST this summer; instead, check them out off waivers when you need a one-week replacement or longer during the season. We could see a lot of high-scoring games in New Orleans. |
| 5/2/2012 | Jahvid Best, RB, DET |
Doctors will clear Lions' BestNews: Lions running back Jahvid Best will be cleared to participate in his first football-related activity since Week 6 of the 2011 season when Detroit holds a minicamp in June. Best missed the last 10 games of last season after suffering two concussions between August and October. "(Best's) doctors felt like it just made sense to (clear him for football activities) in June," general manager Martin Mayhew told WJR-AM. "It gives him the most time (to prepare for training camp)." Analysis: Best is currently participating in non-football portions of Detroit's offseason program. While his increased activity is a positive sign, it will be difficult to truly gauge Best's health until he participates in contact drills during training camp. The Lions have no reason to rush Best back on the field as they have Mikel Leshoure coming back from his injury and can utilize both backs as well as Kevin Smith, who re-signed. Because a concussion might knock out his season at any time, Best has to be considered a low-end No. 3 Fantasy rusher worth a middle- to late-round pick in standard leagues and a mid-round selection in PPR formats. Touchdowns might be hard for him to come by. |
| 5/2/2012 | Greg Childs, WR, MIN |
Big WR Childs heads to MinnesotaNews: The Vikings selected Arkansas receiver Greg Childs with a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft. Childs, 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds, got off to a promising start with the Razorbacks but suffered a left knee injury in the eighth game of his junior season and was limited last year to 21 catches for 240 yards and no touchdowns. The Vikings believe he has recovered from his torn patella tendon injury. "He looks fully, 100-percent healthy, and we are looking to get the player we saw in 2010 and 2009 -- that big outside receiver with big play ability," said general manager Rick Spielman. Analysis: In Minnesota, he'll join teammate Jarius Wright, who was chosen by the Vikings earlier in the fourth round. The guy's a beast but questions about his knee will follow him (it definitely pushed him down the draft board). If he can develop his pre-injury form like the Vikings hope for, he could be a steal. We'd speculate on him with a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and with a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/2/2012 | Rhett Ellison, TE, MIN |
Ellison joins the VikingsNews: The Minnesota Vikings have selected Southern Cal tight end Rhett Ellison with a fourth-round selection in the NFL Draft. The 250-pounder can also play fullback and could be a replacement for Jim Kleinsasser, the long-time Vikings battering ram who retired after the season. Ellison caught 21 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns for the Trojans last season. Analysis: Ellison is a versatile option with experience lining up on the line of scrimmage as a tight end, in the backfield at fullback and out wide as a receiver. He is a quick athlete and is usually sure-handed as a receiver. Ellison is a much improved route runner and can block well, too. He's just not fast. Figure him to be buried on the Vikings' depth chart and not a major offensive option, making him worth a late flier in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/2/2012 | Adrien Robinson, TE, NYG |
Giants add Robinson to TE corpsNews: The Giants selected Cincinnati tight end Adrien Robinson with a fourth-round pick. Robinson had only 12 catches and three scores in 2011 and caught just 27 passes in his career with the Bearcats. He does have good size (6-foot-5, 267 pounds) and has been known for his blocking. Analysis: This might sound a little crazy, but for a guy who caught 27 passes in college, he has the stuff to be a contributor in the NFL. A former prep basketball player, Robinson has good receiving skills and decent speed to go with his big size. He might be a year away from being a part of what the Giants do, but he sure landed on the right squad given their quarterback and injury-riddled tight end group. He's worth a late pick in deeper dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/2/2012 | Keshawn Martin, WR, HOU |
Texans add WR MartinNews: The Texans took Michigan State receiver Keshawn Martin with a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Martin was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection after ranking second on the Spartans in receptions (66) and yards receiving (777) in 2011. He added 274 yards on punt returns and 30 yards on kick returns last year. "We like the way he plays," said Texans WR coach Larry Kirksey. "He's a dynamic player who we think can compete. He has RB skills like (Vikings WR) Percy Harvin." Analysis: Martin could work his way into a slot role for the Texans, but he's one of two rookies battling for playing time this summer (DeVier Posey is the more appealing option). He doesn't have much bulk to him, isn't a strong route runner and has been known to shy away from contact. He might have to work on special teams first, then pick up some work on offense. He's only worth picks late in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/2/2012 | Jarius Wright, WR, MIN |
Vikings draft WR WrightNews: The Vikings have selected Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright with a fourth round pick in the NFL Draft. Wright caught 66 passes for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Razorbacks last season and holds the school's career records for catches (168) and yards (2,934) and is second in school history with 24 touchdowns. Analysis: Wright has the speed and hands you look for from a receiver, but his size (5-foot-10, 182 pounds) is not a positive. He had trouble with press coverage in college and will surely see a lot of it in the pros. He also doesn't have a lot of extensive work on special teams. It might take some work for Wright to see relevant playing time, but with the likes of Jerome Simpson and Devin Aromashodu the only guys stopping him from getting on the field, he could get some work with a strong preseason. Until that happens he's only worth picking in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts with late-round picks. |
| 5/2/2012 | Orson Charles, TE, CIN |
Bengals draft TE CharlesNews: The Bengals took Georgia tight end Orson Charles in the fourth round of the NFL draft. As a junior in 2011, Charles started all 14 games and caught 45 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns. Analysis: Charles is a little bit better as a receiver than a blocker, but his strength is a big plus for him (35 reps of 225 pounds at the combine). He's not necessarily a giant (6-foot-3 is decent for a tight end) nor does he have the highlight reel to make offensive coaches salivate, which is why he ultimately became a fourth-round pick. He's expected to back up starter Jermaine Gresham, meaning that it will take a lot of work for Charles to be a reliable Fantasy choice. He's worth late picks in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts for now. |
| 5/2/2012 | Scott Fujita, LB, CLE |
Fujita suspended three gamesNews: The NFL announced multiple suspensions for former Saints defenders for their roles in the team's pay-for-performance/bounty program: Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove has been suspended for eight games and linebacker Scott Fujita has been suspended for three games. Two current Saints defenders -- Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith -- have also been suspended. Analysis: Fujita should return for work in Week 4 at the Ravens, but he hasn't been considered a quality stat producer for a while. Leave him off of Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/2/2012 | Anthony Hargrove, DE, GB |
Hargrove suspended eight gamesNews: The NFL announced multiple suspensions for former Saints defenders for their roles in the team's pay-for-performance/bounty program: Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove has been suspended for eight games and linebacker Scott Fujita has been suspended for three games. Two current Saints defenders -- Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith -- have also been suspended. Analysis: Hargrove will miss the first half of the Packers' season, eligible to return in Week 9 vs. Arizona, but his stat production was never considered quality enough for Fantasy consumption. He shouldn't be on Fantasy rosters. |
| 5/2/2012 | Will Smith, DE, NO |
Smith suspended four gamesNews: The NFL announced multiple suspensions for two Saints defenders for their roles in the team's pay-for-performance/bounty program: Defensive end Will Smith has been suspended for four games and linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the season. Two former Saints defenders -- Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita -- have also been suspended. Analysis: Smith let down Saints fans and Fantasy owners alike in 2011 with a 35-tackle, 6.5-sack campaign. More was expected from Smith, who was the team's most prolific pass rusher but didn't lead the team in sacks (safety Roman Harper had 7.5). His attempt to get back into form in 2012 won't start until Week 5, and with a bye coming in Week 6, he's effectively useless for five of the first 13 games a Fantasy owner will play. He's worth a late-round pick. |
| 5/2/2012 | Jonathan Vilma, LB, NO |
Vilma suspended for 2012 seasonNews: The NFL announced multiple suspensions for two Saints defenders for their roles in the team's pay-for-performance/bounty program: Defensive end Will Smith has been suspended for four games and linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the season. Two former Saints defenders -- Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita -- have also been suspended. Analysis: The team was likely anticipating such a move with Vilma, signing linebackers Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne and Chris Chamberlain this offseason. We expect Lofton to be the best replacement for the Saints and for Fantasy owners. No one in a seasonal league should draft Vilma since he won't play. |
| 5/2/2012 | Joe Adams, WR, CAR |
Panthers tab WR/PR AdamsNews: The Panthers selected wide receiver Joe Adams from Arkansas with a fourth round pick in the NFL Draft. A four-year starter for the Razorbacks, Adams had his most productive season in 2011 as a senior with 54 catches for 652 yards along with averaging 16.9 yards per return last year with four touchdowns. Analysis: Adams has an explosive burst, lots of versatility and impressive ability to run after the catch, but we'll see him work as a punt returner first and a receiver second. Playing time is expected to be minimal, and even when he gets it we'll have to watch out for fumbles -- he had 11 in his collegiate career. The 5-foot-11 speedster is worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/2/2012 | Kirk Cousins, QB, WAS |
Cousins lands in D.C.News: The Redskins drafted Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. The talented Cousins won 27 games as a three-year starter for the Spartans. Last year he threw for 3,316 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 63.7 percent of his passes. The Redskins claim they drafted Cousins after taking Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick to serve as a backup. "Hopefully, [an injury to Griffin] doesn’t happen," coach Mike Shanahan said. "But you want to be prepared. ... I thought it was a steal for us." Analysis: Cousins is a smart quarterback with a good but not great arm. He has the makings of being a career backup with the opportunity to play moderately well when he finds playing time. Perhaps the Redskins will try and trade Cousins in a couple of years the way the Falcons did with Matt Schaub and the Eagles did with Kevin Kolb. He's only worth a late pick in deeper dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/2/2012 | Josh Brown, K, NYJ |
Jets pick up kicker BrownNews: The Jets have signed veteran kicker Josh Brown, bringing in an experienced leg to compete with incumbent Nick Folk for the starting job. The 33-year-old Brown was released by the Rams last weekend after St. Louis drafted his potential replacement, Greg Zuerlein of Missouri Western, in the sixth round Saturday. Brown is a career 81 percent kicker but was 21 for 28 on field goals last season. Speaking at a charity event Tuesday night, coach Rex Ryan says Brown gives the team "two excellent kickers" and it will be "a great competition" between him and Folk this summer. Analysis: We think Brown can edge Folk in the battle in camp and be the reliable leg the Jets have been lacking. If the Jets' offense had some more firepower, we'd like Brown as a last-round pick. But since the Jets seem meandering, and since there is a kicking competition, we wouldn't consider Brown. If he wins the job you should expect to find him off waivers during the season as a potential one-week replacement. |
| 5/2/2012 | Collin Mooney, RB, TEN |
Titans make roster movesNews: The Titans signed rookie fullback Collin Mooney, who will ask the Army for an early release. Mooney set a rushing record as a senior at Army in 2008, running for 1,339 yards. He graduated from West Point in 2009 and spent the past three years serving. Now he's hoping to try playing in the NFL. The Titans released fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou and linebacker Lawrence Wilson to clear roster space. Analysis: None of these guys are expected to be worth owning in Fantasy play. Leave them all off of rosters. |
| 5/2/2012 | Zac Diles, LB, TEN |
Diles signs with TitansNews: The Titans have signed veteran linebacker Zac Diles, a five-year veteran who played 11 games with Tampa Bay and Indianapolis last season. He started his career in Houston, where he played 50 games over four seasons, and he had his best year in 2009 when he started 12 games with 45 tackles and two forced fumbles. Analysis: Diles will battle for a roster spot in camp this summer but he isn't expected to put up a ton of stats. Don't make him a part of your Fantasy team. |
| 5/2/2012 | Jalen Parmele, RB, JAC |
Jaguars sign RB ParmeleNews: The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed kick returner Jalen Parmele. He previously was a backup running back for the Ravens and Dolphins. Analysis: Unless he makes the team and unseats Maurice Jones-Drew for playing time, he's not worth owning in Fantasy. |
| 5/2/2012 | Matt Leinart, QB, OAK |
Raiders say they're signing LeinartNews: Quarterback Matt Leinart will sign with the Raiders Tuesday, according to the team. He's expected to back up Carson Palmer while being reunited with Greg Knapp, his former offensive coordinator from Houston. Analysis: In six seasons, Leinart made 18 starts, threw for 3,950 yards and recorded 15 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Until he earns a starting role and proves that he's better than he's ever been, Fantasy owners shouldn't consider him. |
| 5/2/2012 | Nick Folk, K, NYJ |
Folk will battle for jobNews: The Jets have signed veteran kicker Josh Brown, bringing in an experienced leg to compete with incumbent Nick Folk for the starting job. The 33-year-old Brown was released by the Rams last weekend after St. Louis drafted his potential replacement, Greg Zuerlein of Missouri Western, in the sixth round Saturday. Speaking at a charity event Tuesday night, coach Rex Ryan says Brown gives the team "two excellent kickers" and it will be "a great competition" between him and Folk this summer. Analysis: We think Brown can edge Folk in the battle in camp and be the reliable leg the Jets have been lacking. Folk wasn't worth drafting in the first place given that he's not a reliable leg (he made 19 of 25 total field goal attempts last year) but now that he'll have to earn his job all bets are off. If he wins the gig, he'll be worth a look off waivers during the season. |
| 5/2/2012 | Caleb King, RB, MIN |
Vikings release RB KingNews: Vikings running back Caleb King was released from jail with no charges filed against him on Tuesday, three days after being arrested in an alleged beating outside a birthday party last weekend. But that didn't stop the Vikings from cutting ties with the former University of Georgia standout. The Vikings cut King just hours after he was released from jail. The team did not comment on the decision, instead announcing it in a one-sentence press release. Anoka Count Sheriff's Cmdr. Paul Sommer said on Saturday that a 22-year-old man suffered "a very serious brain injury," a fractured skull and cuts on his face that required more than 50 stitches to close in an alleged altercation that started after the man allegedly teased the 24-year-old King about his resemblance to an unspecified celebrity. Authorities said King denied assaulting the man and told detectives the man fell to the ground when King was talking to him. Analysis: King signed with the Vikings as a rookie free agent last year after going undrafted in the supplemental draft. He spent most of the season on the practice squad, was bumped up to the active roster late in the year, but didn't play in a game. |
| 5/1/2012 | Chris Givens, WR, STL |
Rams take shot on GivensNews: The Rams picked wide receiver Chris Givens of Wake Forest in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 198-pound Givens amassed 2,473 receiving yards on 163 receptions in his career. Last season, Givens set a school single-season record with 1,330 yards on 83 passes and nine touchdowns. He also did work as a kick and punt returner. Analysis: A former running back and track star, Givens has good speed and can change direction quickly, but his hands are considered good, not great. Combine that with his size and you can see why he lasted until Day 3. But with the Rams' receiving corps thin, he could compete for playing time in camp and potentially find the field on offense as well as on special teams. He's worth a late flier in the deepest of seasonal leagues (not in your typical 10-or 12-team league), a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/1/2012 | T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND |
Colts nab FIU receiver HiltonNews: The Colts selected small, speedy receiver T.Y. Hilton in the third round of the NFL draft. Hilton caught 72 passes for 1,038 yards and seven touchdowns last season at Florida International. He can return punts and kicks. Analysis: Hilton has quality speed and hands and should be a factor right away on special teams. At 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, it remains to be seen just how impactful he can be on offense on a regular basis, but he could make some plays from time to time. He's not worth a draft pick in standard seasonal play but is worth a late flier in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/1/2012 | Logan Payne, WR, NYJ |
Jets send Payne packingNews: The Jets have waived wide receiver Logan Payne. He spent last season on injured reserve with a wrist injury. Analysis: Payne shouldn't be considered Fantasy relevant until he finds a new team to play for with lots of playing time. Forget about him. |
| 5/1/2012 | Nick Foles, QB, PHI |
Eagles draft QB FolesNews: The Philadelphia Eagles selected Arizona quarterback Nick Foles with a third-round pick in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Foles could compete with Mike Kafka and veteran Trent Edwards for the backup job behind Michael Vick. Foles is a strong-armed, pocket passer who threw for 4,334 yards as a senior. He finished his career with 10,068 yards passing, 67 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. He attended Westlake High in Austin, Texas, where he broke several of Drew Brees' passing records. Analysis: With Michael Vick turning 32 before the start of the season and in the final guaranteed year of his contract, the Eagles wanted a passer to have on the roster for the next several years. He has good (not elite) arm strength, good accuracy and can easily make all the NFL throws with effortless deep passes. So why did he fall to Round 3? His footwork stinks, he has a slow delivery, isn't a fast decision maker and doesn't always make the smart throw. So in short, he's a project, and that's what Andy Reid loves. He's worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/1/2012 | Bernard Pierce, RB, BAL |
Productive Pierce heads to Charm CityNews: The Ravens have selected Temple running back Bernard Pierce with a third-round pick in the NFL draft. Pierce had a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons with Temple and finished his career ranked second in career yards rushing (3,570) despite playing only three seasons. The 6-foot, 218-pounder scored 53 career touchdowns, including 21 as a senior, when he finished with 1,481 yards on the ground. Analysis: Pierce is a zone runner who is extremely physical. He runs a bit upright and his body seems tight rather than agile. Pierce also had several lingering physical issues, including a bad hamstring and concussion, and started only 24 of his 34 games. He landed in a great spot where he can take his time and learn the nuances of the game from the Ravens' staff. He should be in position to back up Ray Rice and might be worth a late pick just to be his handcuff. Otherwise, he's worth a late pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-to-late pick in rookie-only drafts. |
| 5/1/2012 | Quinn Porter, RB, STL |
Rams waive five guysNews: The Rams waived tight end Demarco Cosby, defensive tackle John Henderson, cornerbacks Nate Ness and Chris Smith and running back Quinn Porter. Analysis: None of these players were or are expected to be Fantasy relevant. Leave them off of rosters. |
| 5/1/2012 | Browns, TQB CLE, |
McCoy to stick with Browns?News: Colt McCoy returned to work with the Browns not knowing how much longer he'll have a job. McCoy participated as expected in the team's voluntary offseason conditioning program on Monday just days after Cleveland drafted his likely successor, Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. McCoy could be kept as his backup and Browns President Mike Holmgren said over the weekend he could imagine McCoy staying on as the team's No. 2 QB. "That could be a difficult situation except if it is ever going to work, it will work if that happens, because Colt McCoy is a special young man," said Holmgren, who picked McCoy in the third round in 2010. "Of course he wants to play, they all want to play. Again, nothing has been done yet, we don't know how it is going to sort itself out. ... It is never easy, everyone wants to play. But, you only have one ball and only one guy can play at a time." Analysis: Holmgren insisted Weeden will not be handed the starting job, but the Browns wouldn't have taken him with the No. 22 overall pick - much sooner than most experts had him going - if they intended to groom him for the future. Plus McCoy doesn't possess the same strong arm as Weeden. McCoy is 6-15 in two seasons as a starter. He made 13 starts last season before missing the final three games after suffering a concussion on a hit by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison. The Browns were criticized for their handling of McCoy's injury, and the NFL implemented new policies as a result of the helmet-to-helmet hit. McCoy isn't worth owning in Fantasy play. |
 |
Get prepped to set your lineup with the latest player rankings, updates & more delivered directly to your inbox each week. Preview |
