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.
While many in the fantasy community are down on James Conner – even after his breakout 2018 campaign – Conner told reporters that he is expecting his role to be similar for the upcoming 2019 season. He said, "I'll have a similar role … I know I'll be a big part of it and have a big role." With youngsters Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell waiting in the wings, fantasy pundits have been predicting Conner’s touches to be limited, especially after Samuels exploded late in the season. There should be ample touches for Conner to hold onto his fantasy RB1 status. He appears to be a solid RB1 in a year without many sure things at the position.
The demise of Lamar Miller has been expected for many seasons, but the veteran ball carrier has held onto the starting role … so far. This year, DOnta Foreman is healthy and ready to compete for a share of the job. He is reportedly down to 230 pounds after finally recovering from the torn Achilles. Houston running backs coach Danny Barrett told reporters that Foreman is "light-years ahead of where he was last year." In the explosive Texans offense, the starting ball carrier has legitimate RB2 upside and can be an every-week fantasy starter.
With the emergence of Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard has been an afterthought for the fantasy community. Beat writer Paul Dehner still predicts Bernard will see 11-13 touches per game for the upcoming season. If this rings true, it will make Bernard a fantasy RB3 – or better – in PPR (Points Per Reception) leagues. Per Dehner, "I think you’ll see much more of Giovani Bernard … I think there will be more of Joe Mixon and Bernard out there together than you have [seen] in recent years." New coach Zac Taylor knows he needs an improved running game to take the pressure off Andy Dalton. Also, rookie Trayveon Williams is a player to monitor in case one of the top pair are injured. Neither is known for durability.
While the buzz around Ronald Jones II has been palpable, it was refreshing to see beat writer Greg Auman say that he expects Peyton Barber to "certainly likely" to finish with more yards than Jones. Yes, it is far too soon to give up on Jones, but he is far from a sure thing after 23 underwhelming rookie carries. The Bruce Arians offense will yield a fantasy-viable option at the position. It is very possible that the future starter is not on the roster yet, so fantasy players are encouraged to keep tabs on the team’s depth chart.
When Emmanuel Sanders tore his Achilles last season, many thought he may need a year – or longer – to return so when the veteran pass-catcher said last week that he could be ready by the season opener, it was a surprise. Sanders is still hesitant to give a solid timetable for a return and he is likely to start the season on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list meaning he will miss at least the first few games of the 2019 season. But the optimism is encouraging. With the injury should give believers a chance to acquire the veteran receiver for peanuts in dynasty leagues.
With Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb gone from Green Bay, fantasy players are left trying to sort out the receivers for the Packers. Knowing that Nelson would depart a year ago, the team drafted three receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft. The best pro of the trio appears to be Marquez Valdes-Scantling. While Valdes-Scantling has garnered much of the press this offseason, too, it is former undrafted player Geronimo Allison that excites superstar Davante Adams, especially when lined up in the slot. Adams said, "He’s the guy who’s been working a lot in the slot, and he’s used to playing a little more outside, but this is making him a little more dynamic." Allison and Jake Kumerow are the low-cost receivers to acquire in the high-volume passing attack. One of the two should be a viable flex starter most weeks.
After his off-the-field troubles at Clemson and ACL tear as a rookie last season, Colts receiver Deon Cain has been a forgotten player in dynasty leagues. But Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan recently said that the team is still "extremely bullish" on Cain. The youngster is expected to be healed by training camp. The Indianapolis offense is full of playmakers. Even coach Frank Reich chimed in on Cain, saying, "You guys know we were very excited about what Deon showed, how quickly he picked things up and the playmaking ability that he showed." Still just 22 years of age, Cain will have an opportunity to show off his wares this season. The Colts are stacked at both wide receiver (T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess, Parris Campbell, and Cain) and tight end (Eric Ebron, Jack Doyle, and Mo Alie-Cox) so quarterback Andrew Luck should have the weaponry to put up big fantasy numbers.
It is good to see young players working hard on and off the field. Jets tight end Chris Herndon is coming off an impressive 39-catch rookie season but is focused on improvement. He recently told reporters that he has been focused on film study over the offseason. Herndon said, "You could have all the skill in the world, but if you don’t know what to do, you’re not really going to get much playing time … Before you can get out there and make plays, you have to know where to be and that’s probably the most important part." The possible two-game suspension could create an opportunity to buy in dynasty leagues. Herndon is a key player in an up-and-coming offense.
Dynasty owners know not to expect year-one returns for rookie tight ends, but it is always great to see these youngsters making noise early. Dawson Knox has been the focal point of buzz in Buffalo. Even after the team signed Tyler Kroft and have second-year Jason Croom coming off 22 catches in 2018, Knox was drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft. Kroft is still sidelined with a foot injury, allowing Knox more reps to shine. The rookie has seized the opportunity. The Buffalo News recently ran an article predicting Knox in the starting lineup for the season opener. No, we do not expect much fantasy goodness from the Mississippi star. But he is athletic and could be a player to buy this year for the future.
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