Goodson says he'll practice next week
Mike Goodson, RB, NYJ
11:00 AM
News: The
New York Daily News reports Jets running back
Mike Goodson expects to practice next week. He didn't practice this week in the wake of being arrested on drug and weapons charges. A hearing is scheduled for June 12.
Analysis: Maybe the Jets are planning to have Goodson as part of their plan for 2013 after all. Between the courts and the league there's no guarantee that Goodson will play for all of the 2013 season. For now owners shouldn't have him on their radars, though if his attorney is as innocent as he suggests, that would change before the majority of people hold their Fantasy drafts.
Morgan hopes for No. 3 role
Joe Morgan, WR, NO
10:57 AM
News: The
New Orleans Times-Picayune reports Saints receiver
Joe Morgan is trying to prove himself this season. After missing his rookie year in 2011, Morgan had just 10 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns last season, but entering his third year he could be in line for a bigger role. With
Devery Henderson gone, Morgan could be third on the depth chart. Since he was predominately a deep threat last season, Morgan is trying to improve his intermediate routes this offseason if he hopes to earn the No. 3 wide receiver role. "You've seen the highlight plays, so that means all the other 31 teams have seen the highlight reel plays," Morgan said. "They're not going to keep letting me run up and down the field. Eventually guys are going to start playing softer coverage and play back me back a little bit."
Analysis: Morgan will continue to be the deep threat for the Saints, but if he improves his route running that will only enhance his ability. We like Morgan with a late-round flier in standard leagues, and hopefully his third season in the NFL will lead to a breakout campaign.
News: The
San Jose Mercury News wrote about 49ers receiver
Ricardo Lockette and what he might be able to bring to San Francisco after the team lost veteran
Michael Crabtree to a torn Achilles. The report says, "Lockette, 27, has spent the past eight months getting round-the-clock tutoring from Kaepernick, including two months this offseason as they trained in Atlanta with teammates
A.J. Jenkins and
Chad Hall. Kaepernick also has found creative ways to help Lockette assimilate with the 49ers' vast and complex playbook, and that includes word association for breaking down plays."
Analysis: We took a peek at Lockette's two catches in 2011 with the Seahawks. He's got nice size to go with terrific speed. One of his catches went for a touchdown where he bobbled the ball before reeling it in. The other was a fade route where he had a defender on his hip and he still made the catch. But he also had a dropped pass and ultimately wasn't consistent enough for the Seahawks to keep him. The Niners seemingly waited for a chance to use him and this could be it. We're not drafting him just yet but we're definitely watching him in training camp.
News: U-T San Diego speculated that
Danario Alexander could be a trade target for the 49ers in the wake of losing
Michael Crabtree but the Chargers are high on their young, tall talent. The team is reportedly excited about Alexander after he clicked in a big way with
Philip Rivers last season. Alexander has looked good in spring OTAs, making back-shoulder catches on Monday. "This is a great opportunity for me to just get better without worrying about any injuries," Alexander said. "I was trying to ease into it last year, trying to keep my feet under me. But, now, I'm full speed all the way."
Analysis: A year ago he was struggling with a hamstring injury in St. Louis, so Alexander's come a long way. He's entering a contract year and has much to prove. We suspect the Chargers will lean toward a pass-happy approach and that would favor Alexander. He's got a track record of serious knee issues (five surgeries) but obviously has upside after catching 37 passes for a ridiculous 658 yards (17.8 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns including two at Pittsburgh in an improbable upset victory. With the Chargers, Alexander is worth drafting as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy WR with a mid-round pick -- and some pretty strong upside.
Luck OK with running more
Andrew Luck, QB, IND
10:42 AM
News: According to the team's official website, the Colts ran the ball just 39.7 percent of the time last season. While that sat well with
Andrew Luck last season, the truth is the Colts' coaching staff wants to be more balanced. As the team moves into a new offense with more West Coast offense principles (Luck's familiar with it), Luck said it's OK for him to hand off more often. "Obviously, all quarterbacks have a little syndrome in which we like to think we can throw the ball every play, every game and win," said Luck. "I think we realize that running the ball is going to help our passing game. If we can have a balanced attack, I think that will really, really help the team."
Analysis: While we don't expect the Colts to run the ball even 50 percent of the time in 2013, we do think they will think of running the ball a bit more often than they did last year. Luck attempted 627 passes last season but completed under 55 percent of them. If he throws only, say, 550 passes but completes 60 percent of them then he'd have roughly the same amount of completions as he had as a rookie. While the new system might mean more short- and mid-range passes from Luck, he should still be productive for Fantasy owners. He's worth a pick starting in Round 6 as a starter in standard seasonal leagues.
Luck OK with running more
Colts, TQB IND,
10:42 AM
News: According to the team's official website, the Colts ran the ball just 39.7 percent of the time last season. While that sat well with
Andrew Luck last season, the truth is the Colts' coaching staff wants to be more balanced. As the team moves into a new offense with more West Coast offense principles (Luck's familiar with it), Luck said it's OK for him to hand off more often. "Obviously, all quarterbacks have a little syndrome in which we like to think we can throw the ball every play, every game and win," said Luck. "I think we realize that running the ball is going to help our passing game. If we can have a balanced attack, I think that will really, really help the team."
Analysis: While we don't expect the Colts to run the ball even 50 percent of the time in 2013, we do think they will think of running the ball a bit more often than they did last year. Luck attempted 627 passes last season but completed under 55 percent of them. If he throws only, say, 550 passes but completes 60 percent of them then he'd have roughly the same amount of completions as he had as a rookie. While the new system might mean more short- and mid-range passes from Luck, he should still be productive for Fantasy owners. He's worth a pick starting in Round 6 as a starter in standard seasonal leagues.
Bell a fit for Steelers' blocking system?
Le'Veon Bell, RB, PIT
10:19 AM
News: The Steelers will utilize a zone-blocking scheme in addition to their traditional power-blocking, man-on-a-man style according to the
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The change-up essentially favors quicker, sleeker running backs with good eyes to find a hole and burst through it. Bell has good field vision but is a massive downhill runner at 6-foot-1 and 244 pounds, though he is nimble in tight spaces.
Analysis: Bell opened up OTAs behind Jonathan Dwyer on the Steelers depth chart, and they'll battle for playing time along with a trimmed-down Isaac Redman. The blocking scheme might not be perfect for the rookie but the expected workload he'll get in Pittsburgh should mean he'll run behind every kind of scheme his O-line can functionally perform. Expect Bell to get picked starting in Round 5 or 6 in seasonal drafts and dynasty/keeper league start-ups. Bell will be a Top 10 pick in rookie-only drafts.
Moeaki out until training camp
Tony Moeaki, TE, KC
10:07 AM
News: Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday that tight end
Tony Moeaki, who underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee this offseason, could be out until training camp. "Probably see him at training camp,” Reid said. He was asked if Moeaki would be ready when training camp starts. “We’ll see," Reid said. "But right now, I’m thinking he will be, but we’ll see how it goes. He’s working like crazy.”
Analysis: Moeaki will compete with Anthony Fasano and rookie Travis Kelce for playing time, but he has minimal Fantasy value even if he starts. Keep an eye on Moeaki's health heading into training camp, but he should not be drafted in the majority of leagues even if he's 100 percent and starting. There are just too many better Fantasy options coming into the season.
News: Chiefs coach Andy Reid likes what he sees from rookie tight end
Travis Kelce so far through OTA workouts. The Chiefs drafted Kelce in the third round from Cincinnati. "He’s doing a nice job, athletically," Reid said Thursday. "Again, that’s one of the positions that has a whole lot of different looks that they’ve got to learn, and he’s working through that. He’s a smart kid, he’s working through it. It’s just a matter of time and reps there. He’s working hard.”
Analysis: Kelce should provide a target for quarterback Alex Smith after snagging 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bearcats last season. The Chiefs have two other known tight ends on their roster in Anthony Fasano and Tony Moeaki, but it won't be hard for Kelce to get playing time ahead of them if he plays as expected. He's not worth drafting in most seasonal leagues, but Kelce can be someone to monitor and potentially add off the waiver wire. He is worth drafting with a mid-round pick in rookie-only formats.
News: Defensive end
Greg Romeus was cut by the Saints.
Analysis: Romeus has never been a reliable Fantasy option. Keep him off of rosters.
