We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most to you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
We are not big fans of reporting contract extensions as news, but NFL Network reported last week that the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford were working on a new deal. Stafford’s new deal would set the market for Derek Carr and other QBs looking for their first big deal. Expect these two passers to get considerably more than what Washington offered Kirk Cousins. For his career, Stafford is 5-46 against teams over .500. In addition, his fantasy production has been sliding for a while. The Cousins saga shows us how desperately teams need to invest in a quarterback or the team has the difficult decision of overpaying after it is too late or allowing the quarterback to walk in free agency.
Last week, beat reporter Rich Campbell wrote that the Chicago Bears coaches want quarterback Mike Glennon to start all season and not turn the reins over to rookie Mitchell Trubisky. The report stated that there is no competition for the starting gig. What makes this situation interesting is that Glennon could be on the street in 2018 so the Bears will want to see what they have in the youngster. For this reason, we do not believe the team will be able to follow through with this plan, especially if in the midst of a losing streak or poor play from Glennon.
The arrest of DOnta Foreman rocked the fantasy world. He was arrested a couple of weeks ago for possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon on the University of Texas campus. Foreman played football at Texas and still has many friends on campus. After the arrest, Foreman’s attorney, Chip Lewis, spoke out on his behalf saying, "This legal handgun was recently purchased by D'Onta and registered in his name … The handgun was properly secured inside his vehicle as required by Texas law. A passenger in D'Onta's vehicle was in possession of marijuana. D'Onta did not use or possess the marijuana." After the arrest, on the advice of his attorney, Foreman took a drug test to validate the claim that the marijuana was not his or in his possession. The third-round pick passed the drug test. There is increasing hope that the rookie will escape all charges and possibly evade the commissioner’s office. He makes a great buy low option while playing behind Lamar Miller.
The Packers allowed Eddie Lacy and James Starks to walk in free agency this offseason, leaving just Ty Montgomery in the Green Bay backfield. The team selected Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones to provide depth. Both were third-day picks and not viewed as competition to the starter. Williams has been anointed as Montgomery’s backup by some but it might be too early for that call. Williams makes a great complement to Montgomery while Jones offers speed and elusiveness, something the Packers running backs have not shown in several years. This will be a fun offense to watch.
Feeling uneasy about the options on the roster, Arizona re-signed veteran ball carrier Chris Johnson to a one-year deal. This is a good marriage for the player and team. This signing shows the team had little faith – despite the public comments – in Kerwynn Williams. Keep an eye on rookie T.J. Logan to climb up the depth chart behind superstar David Johnson. He has a little early-career Johnson to his game.
Many were hopeful that Mike Williams was past the neck injury which sidelined him for a season at Clemson. Last week, it was reported by Adam Schefter that Williams has a herniated disk in his back and may need season-ending surgery. The news broke after Williams required a second epidural in his back in an effort to get him ready for training camp. Williams has seemingly been injured or limited almost since draft day. The good news came from Ian Rapoport who reported that surgery is not currently being considered, but was a few weeks prior. Either way, we expect the rookie to open training camp on the PUP list and try to make it back on the field by the season opener. Tyrell Williams will take his spot in the lineup opposite Keenan Allen if the rookie is slow to recover. Travis Benjamin and Dontrelle Inman will provide depth. Considering the gravity of the injury, we expect the team to be cautious with the youngster until he gets back to full strength.
Ace beat reporter Jamison Hensley recently named wide receiver Breshad Perriman as having the "most impressive offseason" of the players at the position. While that might not be overly impressive, any good news on Perriman is fantasy-relevant news. The addition of Jeremy Maclin limits any upside of Perriman breaking out in 2017.
In the “not surprising” category, beat writer Alden Gonzalez left second-receiver receiver Mike Thomas off his projection for the Rams’ final roster. Gonzalez explained his logic, saying that the four-game suspension pushed the youngster off the roster. In addition, the draft selections of Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds and signing of Robert Woods made Thomas expendable. Many will remember the debates as to which “Mike Thomas” was superior in the 2016 NFL Draft season. This is no longer a debate.
Last week, we saw another beat writer opine that Bears’ tight end Zach Miller needs to shine in training camp in order to keep his roster spot, much less the starting job. This time, it was the Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Potash who wrote the news on Miller after Brad Biggs starting the theme. Miller has been oft-injured throughout his career and is well into his 30s. The draft selection of Adam Shaheen and signing of Dion Sims signaled the team’s decision months ago.
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