PIT - Le'Veon Bell on track for camp Source: ESPN.com - James Walker
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell (knee) said he is on schedule to be ready for training camp and that his leg is stronger than ever before.
More good news for Bell (and for his fantasy owners) as training camp draws closer. Bell has gone through his recovery without any setbacks, and the team should have him ready for Week 1. However, we don't think Bell sees much--if any--time in the preseason. When healthy, all fantasy owners know Bell can easily be a top-5 fantasy RB. His current ADP shows confidence in the fourth-year player as he's going off the board at RB1 (1.04) in 12-team PPR leagues.
After his ankle surgery, there was plenty of speculation that Eifert might miss the first couple of regular season games. Tobin's comments cement what some had already thought was the most-possible outcome. We'll know more about Eifert's status as we go through training camp, but fantasy owners should have another option ready. He's missed 19 games in three seasons, and now it looks like he'll miss some more. Eifert's current ADP is TE4 (6.05) in 12-team PPR leagues--and that may fall after this news.
Denver Broncos LB Von Miller has made significant progress in contract talks with the Denver, but the two sides were not expected to talk Sunday, July 10.
The deadline to sign Miller is on Friday, and we're expecting something to get done. Reports indicate the Broncos may be offering him over $60 million guaranteed in the first three years of the contract. That number might have to climb just a bit to beat the $63.2 million Fletcher Cox (Eagles) received earlier this offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans said he lost focus during games last season. 'You know, I wasn't focused in some games and I have to do that better. I have to practice more. I have to get better in practice with it. It just comes with repetition. Last season is behind me.'
Evans is set to be a big part of the Bucs passing game again this year, and improved concentration should help him be more consistent and put up better numbers. Last year, Evans had the 6th-highest targets-to-route-run percentage of 30.9 percent. However, he had a league-leading 11 dropped passes. He should be targeted around the same rate this year, and with better red-zone performance Evans could post top-10 numbers for fantasy owners (last year he was the 26th-best fantasy WR in standard-scoring leagues).
Indianapolis Colts WR Donte Moncrief caught 34 passes for 381 yards and five touchdowns through seven games with QB Andrew Luck under center last season. In the nine following games, Moncrief caught just 30 passes for 352 yards and a single touchdown.
We could see Moncrief catch around 75 passes this year with Luck healthy and back in the lineup. The third-year WR had surgery in May to repair a turf toe injury, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. Being healthy himself and not having to play with a turf toe problem--plus, with Luck back at full strength--equals potentially great things for Moncrief (and his fantasy owners) in 2016.
Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff has impressed RB Todd Gurley. 'Couldn't ask for a better QB. We are just excited to have him (here),' Gurley said Friday, July 8. 'He's definitely learning. He's getting better. Just excited to play the upcoming season with him.'
We love Goff's ability to scan the field quickly, process information rapidly and get rid of the ball before pressure can get to him. He was the sixth-most blitzed QB in 2015 (142 blitzes faced), yet was only contacted on 86 of those plays and sacked just 26 times. We'd like to see better pass placement from the rookie QB, and at 6'4" 215 pounds he's a bit leaner than ideal. Fantasy owners in re-draft leagues should see him as no more than a QB3. Dynasty players should see him as a potential Matt Ryan-like prospect.
Atlanta Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu has been developing chemistry with QB Matt Ryan during spring practices, and Ryan said he has been impressed with how strong Sanu's hands are.
Perhaps a fresh start in Atlanta will help the former Bengals receiver do better with a larger role. Back in 2014, Sanu ran 508 routes as a No.2 WR for the Bengals opposite superstar A.J. Green. In those 508 routes, Sanu was thrown to 19.1 percent of the time but had a bad rate of 7.1 percent drops-per-target. He finished 2014 as the 30th fantasy WR in standard-scoring leagues. Boom-or-best potential is there for Sanu in the Kyle Shanahan offense. Right now, his ADP is WR51 (11.03) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Philadelphia Eagles WR Rueben Randle is listed as the No. 2 wide receiver behind WR Jordan Matthews, with WR Nelson Agholor listed as the No. 3 receiver, according to NJ.com's Eliot Shorr-Parks.
Randle is not consistent, and we're not expecting that to change now that he's with the Eagles. The former Giants WR has always had natural talent, but drops, injuries and inconsistencies kept him from playing up to his potential. The Doug Pederson offense isn't going to fill the air with footballs, so Randle is a shaky WR7/WR8 for fantasy owners in 2016.
Rawls is the frontrunner to be the successor to Marshawn Lynch, although Seattle did add three RBs to the mix via the 2016 NFL draft. Before getting hurt in Week 14, Rawls had four 100-yard rushing games--including a 200-yard day on the ground against the 49ers in Week 11. If healthy (and the bellcow), Rawls has a chance to perform like a high-end RB2 for fantasy owners. His current ADP is RB14 (3.12) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Boldin may not be the player he used to be, but we imagine the veteran should be able to latch on with some team during training camp. The Bengals lost Mohamed Sanu (Falcons) and Marvin Jones (Lions) in free agency, so having interest in any WR before/during/after camp would make sense. At this time, it doesn't sound like Boldin is on their radar.
Miami Dolphins WR Leonte Carroo received first-team repetitions during minicamp and was head coach Adam Gase's first-hand selection in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Rutgers product is a favorite of our dynasty staff. Carroo missed four games in 2015 due to a high-ankle sprain and a suspension, but when he's on the field he can be consistently productive. His ability to get open--and get vertical--is apparent in his whopping 19.38 average yards-before-contact-per-reception. That is well above the FBS average of 11.41 yards, and ranked 5th for all WRs with 35 receptions or more in 2015. He may be behind Kenny Stills as the Dolphins No.3 WR entering training camp, but don't be shocked if (when?) Carroo passes the veteran.
Cleveland Browns WR Corey Coleman likely will the team's No. 1 wide receiver in 2016, in the opinion of the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. Coleman needs to improve his route running as well as his grasp of the offense but showed great athleticism and hands during offseason workouts.
Coleman is going to take over for Travis Benjamin (Chargers) since he moved on in free agency. We like Coleman's game because it's all about speed and field-flipping plays. He's got the quickness to get off the line of scrimmage smoothly and is a threat to score on short throws due to his run-after-the-catch ability. Last year, Benjamin finished the season as a top-30 fantasy WR. This year we see the rookie Coleman as more of a WR4, and he's got a current ADP of WR46 (9.12) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman likely will receive less carries in 2016 because running backs coach Bobby Turner believes less work will keep Freeman fresher during the season.
Tevin Coleman is too talented to leave on the bench if healthy, and the second-year pro will cut into Freeman's touches. Freeman had four, 100-yard rushing games over the first half of the 2015 season. However, in the second half of the season he did not have a single game with 100 yards rushing. In 2016, the Falcons should use Coleman to keep Freeman fresher for the stretch run. We like Freeman as a top-10 fantasy RB this year even though he'll be splitting touches. His current ADP is RB8 (2.06) in 12-team PPR leagues.
We've heard this before, but things will have to play out in training camp. Siemian was a seventh-round pick in 2015 and spent his rookie year learning behind Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. He was an oft-injured and poor starter at Northwestern, but Siemian is athletic and has a rocket arm. We'll see if Mark Sanchez (the top QB on the depth chart right now) can keep Siemian at bay. Neither have much fantasy relevance in the run-heavy Gary Kubiak offense, and neither have much dynasty value with Paxton Lynch as the future.
Updating previous reports, Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery would have to dramatically decrease his salary expectations for a long-term deal to be completed by the July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players. The scenario is unlikely to happen.
Jeffery has already signed his one-year franchise tender, so he's on the books for $14.5 million this season. He only played in nine games last year, so the Bears likely want to see Jeffery healthy and effective before committing to him long term.
Taylor knows that he could be in for a big payday if he plays up to his potential in 2016. He's on the books for $3.1 million in 2016, but he could be making $15 million or more each season if he shows well as the Bills starter. A QB with his skill set would likely be in high demand if he hit the open market.
Coleman began last year as the starter for the Falcons, but his rookie season got off track due to injuries (a hamstring injury; broken ribs; a concussion). That allowed Devonta Freeman to take over as the starter and shine for the Falcons. This year, both RBs should be used as a dangerous RBBC. Coleman is a speedy back with the ability to score from anywhere on the field. We see him as a RB4/flex option for fantasy owners.
Sanders isn't going to put up the numbers he used to when Peyton Manning was QB for the Broncos. However, he's a key piece to the team's passing game and we could see him catching around 75 passes in 2016. We're projecting Sanders as a WR3/flex play for fantasy owners, and his current ADP in 12-team PPR leagues is in that ballpark (WR28, 5.09).
Free-agent QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Jets) has experienced no progress in contract talks with the New York Jets with just over two weeks away. Time may be running out since training camp felt like a deadline to get a deal done.
Nothing on the horizon for Fitzpatrick and the Jets...just like it's been for some time now. If the team gets to camp and realizes they could do better than Geno Smith at starter, then perhaps something would change between the two sides. We're not holding out breath.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns RB Isaiah Crowell might be in hot water for posting a controversial photo on social media, but beat writer Mary Kay Cabot said Monday, July 11, that the team is not believed to have any plans to cut the embattled back.
Crowell quickly removed the offensive picture and immediately issued an apology. He's set to be the lead back in a RBBC with Duke Johnson Jr. Crowell may be the starter and get the most carries, but Johnson could do more with his touches and is a much better receiver out of the backfield. Right now, Crowell is RB42 (9.09) while Johnson is RB25 (5.12) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Buffalo Bills RB Karlos Williams showed up to minicamp approximately 20-25 pounds overweight. Head coach Rex Ryan indicated the team would need to set a realistic weight-loss goal for Williams by the start of training camp, which probably means he'll be starting practice conditioning on the sideline.
Williams needs to get in shape and prove that he can be the primary backup behind LeSean McCoy in 2016. He's going to face tough competition from guys like Mike Gillislee and rookie Jonathan Williams. A fifth-round pick out of Arkansas this year, Williams is one of the more naturally talented runners in this draft class. He's powerful and instinctive with the ball in his hands, and Jonathan Williams could easily be a three-down back at the pro level.
He's the lead dog and a fine all-purpose back--when healthy. Forsett missed the final six games of the 2015 season with a broken forearm, but he's back healthy and ready to lead this team on the ground. The veteran back is a good receiving back as well, so there's no need for him to come off the field unless he needs a breather. Fantasy owners are cool on his prospects for this year as Forsett has a current ADP of RB32 (7.10) in 12-team PPR leagues. There's a chance Forsett could catch 70 passes and finish the season as a top-15 fantasy RB, so get him at a value while you can.
San Francisco 49ers WR Eric Rogers has had an impressive offseason so far. What adds to the intrigue is that head coach Chip Kelly personally contacted Rogers after the 49ers signed the wide receiver.
A star in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders, Rogers has made a good impression throughout this offseason and he's certainly a player to watch in camp. At 6'4" 215 pounds, Rogers has a nice size/speed combination and his 'my ball' mentality shows through in highlight packages. He'll be in line to make the 53-man roster if he has a good camp. However, we're only monitoring him in super deep dynasty leagues. The 49ers passing game doesn't get us excited in re-draft leagues.
Free-agent WR Chad Johnson (Dolphins) was invited by Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson to work out with Cleveland wide receivers at training camp.
He's not going to be part of the coaching staff, but Johnson is going to be a guest instructor. The artist formerly known as 'Ochocinco' has been out of the NFL since he was with the Dolphins for a couple of months in 2013. Since then, he's been playing (when healthy and not suspended) in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes. Browns camp is already going to be interesting with all the changes in staff and the personnel, but now it will be even more interesting if a personality like Johnson is on site.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson will be used in the slot on a regular basis if WR Donteea Dye, WR Kenny Bell or WR Russell Shepard can play well enough to earn regular time on the outside. If this happens, WR Adam Humphries' snaps will be reduced.
Bell is the player to watch here. A fifth-round pick out of Nebraska in 2015, Bell has no problem making big catches at key moments. He can get by defenders playing off coverage and has the speed to make for a nice deep threat. We could see him stretch the field for the Bucs while Jackson works on more underneath routes.
The Saints don't need a change-of-pace back as they already have C.J. Spiller in the fold. Last year was a bad year for Bush with the 49ers, and he's gotten little interest on the open market. Perhaps when injuries strike in training camp, Bush will get an offer from some team out there.
NE - Appeals court rejects QB Tom Brady Source: NFL Network - Albert Breer
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady had his request for a new hearing on his four-game suspension rejected by a federal appeals court Wednesday, July 13. Brady was asking for the full 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the case.
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Brady's remaining hope is to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. We're not sure he's going to go that route, so his four-game suspension may be something he just has to serve. If that's the case, the Patriots will have Jimmy Garoppolo as their starter. Back to Top
McCoy dodges some trouble here. He's the Bills featured back, and they should give him as large of a workload as he can possibly handle. Fantasy owners should watch the backup situation behind McCoy. Karlos Williams is overweight, and he will have to win the No.2 job over guys like Mike Gillislee and rookie Jonathan Williams. Handcuffing the correct backup to McCoy could pay off big for fantasy owners. McCoy has a current ADP of RB13 (3.09) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is working out in Houston at a training facility he helped to open. He is going through grueling workouts, trying to put his various training disciplines - hill sprints, weight lifting, agility drills, core work, pool training, boxing and MMA sparring - in one place. Peterson also runs 10 40-yard dashes, with 30 seconds' rest in between each. The slowest of them should be no worse than 4.49 to 4.55 seconds.
Peterson should once again be the centerpiece of the Vikings offense, and fantasy owners know that he's set to be a top-5 fantasy RB in 2016. At age 31, Peterson is showing no signs of slowing down. He was the only RB in the league with over 300 carries last year, and we think Peterson will get a similarly sized workload this year. His current ADP is RB4 (1.09) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Houston Texans WR Braxton Miller said Tuesday, July 12, in a satellite radio interview that he is open to playing anywhere the team asks. 'Playmaker. I'll play slot, I'll play outside, receiver, running back. Whatever's in the game play,' Miller said.
Miller only played one year at WR during his college career at Ohio State. The converted QB has crazy athleticism and the ability to score from anywhere on the field. We love his upside as we've only seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of his ability as a receiver.
New Orleans Saints WR Willie Snead had a big season in 2015, and the big question heading into 2016 is whether he loses snaps in two-receiver sets to WR Michael Thomas or another player. Beat writer Nick Underhill feels if Snead gets the same opportunities as last season he could have an even better season.
Undrafted out of Ball State in 2014, Snead bounced around to a few teams before landing with the Saints. He had a breakout season in 2015, running 509 routes, getting targeted 102 times, catching 69 passes for 984 yards and three touchdowns. He'll face competition for routes/targets this year from the rookie Thomas or Brandon Coleman, but Snead has proven that he'll be ready for the challenge.
New Orleans Saints WR Brandin Cooks managed 1,138 receiving yards last season, and beat writer Nick Underhill sets the floor at 1,200 yards heading into 2016, with Cooks possibly flirting with 1,500 yards if he can stay healthy and post a few big games.
Cooks was the 12th rated fantasy receiver in 2015 as the leading receiver for the Saints, and this season he could break into the top 10. He was a stud for fantasy players last year, especially in the fantasy playoffs when he had 15 catches for almost 250 yards and two touchdowns in Week 15 and Week 16 combined. Added weapons like TE Coby Fleener and rookie WR Michael Thomas should help open things up for Cooks. We like him as a high-end WR2 with the upside to easily finish as a WR1 in 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs SS Eric Berry likely will not receive a long-term deal before Friday, July 15, unless there is major progress in contract talks between Berry and the Chiefs.
It's been quiet on the Berry front, but many felt something would get done between the two sides. With time winding down to sign a new long-term deal, the parties involved may just be too far apart. Berry could be seeking a contract that makes him the highest-paid safety in the league. Currently, Jarius Byrd (Saints) has the largest contract ($54 million) for a safety. Earlier this year, Harrison Smith (Vikings) signed a five-year, $51 million deal with $28.5 million guaranteed.
Denver Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. said he believes LB Von Miller would sit out if he is not able to agree to a long-term deal before July 15. 'I believe him,' Harris said. 'You've got to take his word for it. It would be hard for me to sit out, missing out on $14 million, but I think Von is serious in what he's saying. I think he truly, this whole time just talking to him, he hates the franchise tag. I definitely think he won't sign it.'
Miller is currently working with the Broncos to get a new deal done. The two sides have had a lot of positive momentum over the last week, and we feel they'll find a way to make him the highest-paid defensive player in league history. The deadline to sign Miller is Friday, July 15th at 4pm ET.
Washington Redskins RB Keith Marshall appears to have a good chance to make the 53-man roster at this point but could be on the roster bubble if the team adds a veteran running back during training camp, in the opinion of CSNMidAtlantic.com's Rich Tandler.
Marshall was one of the best high school RBs in the country when he committed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. A serious knee injury shortened his college career, but that natural rushing talent is still there. If Washington does add a veteran back to the mix, Marshall may be more likely to land on the practice squad.
Washington Redskins RB Chris Thompson (shoulder) did not participate in offseason workouts because of shoulder surgery but should be ready for training camp. Thompson is expected to be the third-down back for the Redskins in 2016.
Thompson is a quick RB who can make defenders miss in the open field. However, he's not a big back and can get banged up. We're not counting on him to do a lot for fantasy owners. Matt Jones is the starter, and he should get most of the work for Washington. His current ADP is RB22 (5.05) in 12-team PPR leagues.
We'd agree with that statement...on paper. With Ben Watson (Ravens) gone, the Saints need Fleener to be their new version of Jimmy Graham. The opportunity is there for him to be quite the valuable fantasy asset in 2016. Don't be surprised if Fleener finishes the year with career-best numbers.
New York Giants RB Rashad Jennings said at 31 he thinks he's just now entering his prime. 'There's a difference between being an NFL player and being a pro,' Jennings said. 'Being an NFL player is a guy that comes into the league, has some talent, plays a little bit. But a pro really understands how to take care of his body, how to play the X's and O's, play the game before it happens. I've just been allowing my maturity to catch up with my age at the same time. I'm excited. As I get into my latter years, I'm getting into my prime.'
Jennings has struggled to stay healthy as a pro, and 2015 was the first time he played a full 16-game season. A seventh-round pick of the Jaguars in 2009, Jennings set career-high numbers last year with the Giants and finished the year as the No.19 fantasy RB in standard-scoring leagues. This year, the Giants are going to air it out a bit more on offense and split the RB touches between Jennings and Shane Vereen. Jennings has a current ADP of RB38 (8.10) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Dixon is an exciting rookie RB who is currently a reserve behind starter Justin Forsett. His foot frequency is amazing, but we'd like to highlight his ability to gain yards after contact. In 2015, Dixon was 5th in the FBS with an average of 3.59 yards rushing after contact. At 210 pounds, Dixon is not the biggest back but he is relentless and fights for yards. Grab him later in your drafts as a handcuff to Forsett, or jock-block the Forsett owner and stash Dixon as a sleeper.
Cleveland Browns DE Desmond Bryant (pectoral) is likely out for the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle late last week, according to multiple team sources. He sustained the injury during a workout last week and underwent surgery Tuesday, July 12.
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An unfortunate blow for the Browns defense. Bryant was the team's best defensive lineman last year and led the team with six sacks (a career high). He's got an $8 million cap number in 2017, but there's only $1 million in dead money. We don't think he'll be playing for that price coming off this season-ending injury. Back to Top
The Broncos upped their offer last week, and then upped it once again on Thursday. If Miller signs a new six-year, $114.5 million offer that includes $70 million in guaranteed money, it would make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
Denver Broncos LB Von Miller is still without a long-term contract just one day before the deadline, Friday, July 15, but the Broncos remain hopeful that they can ink their star pass-rusher as talks have become more private. Denver believes a lot of progress has been made, according to a source, although any updates regarding negotiations have not been leaked by either side.
It seems as though the Broncos have laid out their offer and it's up to Miller to take it or not. If Miller didn't and then chose to sit out the season, Shane Ray would have to step up to either take Miller's place at strong side linebacker or DeMarcus Ware's if the veteran moved over to SLB instead. In that case, how big a hit the defense would take would depend on how ready for prime time the second year Ray is.
Green Bay Packers WR Jordy Nelson (knee) said in June that he was ready, but it remains to be seen whether head coach Mike McCarthy and team doctors will give Nelson the green light when training camp opens July 26.
We're not worried and, frankly, we'd rather the Packers proceed with some caution. After all, we saw what happened to the Packers without him last year and we'd rather the impact be positive this time out. Nelson, if healthy, is a WR1 without any question.
New York Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson and the Jets are still far apart in their long-term contract negotiations. The deadline for franchise tagged players to sign a long-term deal is Friday, July 15. If a deal is not done, Wilkerson would have to play the 2016 season under the franchise tag. Wilkerson would earn $15.701 million this year with the tag. It's also possible, according to NJ.com's Darryl Slater, that Wilkerson could also be tagged next year.
Wilkerson will play, but under the tag. The simple truth is the Jets lack the room to make him a good offer this year or next. Wilkerson will play because he stands to make more money in free agency if he proves he is healthy. We may see more Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson in Wilkerson's spot by the end of the season.
Free-agent WR Anquan Boldin (49ers) has been pursued the strongest by the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. Boldin thinks highly of Saints wide receivers coach John Morton, who coached him with the San Francisco 49ers.
This wouldn't help many Fantasy GMs as Boldin would get buried behind Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and rookie Micheal Thomas. Boldin's 789 yards were solid considering what a disaster the 2015 49ers were, but that doesn't mean he'd find many targets in a crowded offense.
Harrison Smith made a ton of cash in his last contract with the Vikings, and it would make sense that Berry - with more experience and a better track record - should see the same money. That said, nobody is more cash strapped than the Chiefs (with just over $200,000 left in cap space). If they rescinded Berry's tag, they would have $10.8 million to work with but Berry would be a free agent.
Denver Broncos TE Virgil Green could become a potent weapon in the offense as his presence and blocking ability wouldn't tip the team's hand in their intended play call. He has 35 receptions for 379 yards and two touchdowns in his five-year career, and the team hopes he can significantly exceed those in 2016.
Remember how Julius Thomas was irrelevant for the first few years of his fantasy career and then he finally exploded? Green developed into a great blocker while Thomas was there but now that Thomas is in Jacksonville and Peyton Manning is no longer a factor, Green could be a decent dark horse. Right now he's a TE3 but watch him in camp. He was a much more productive receiver in college and has the upside to be much more.
Atlanta Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu has bonded with QB Matt Ryan, working together at Ryan's passing camp in Orlando, and throughout June minicamp. The duo built chemistry as the practices wore on. 'He's got great hands,' Ryan said. 'One of the things I noticed right from the start is how strong his hands are. He's a really good worker. I think he can really help us.'
The Falcons continue their quest for somebody - anybody - who can make some noise across from Julio Jones. Sanu was inconsistent in Cincinnati so we're going to need to see something more from him before we get excited. Right now we see him as just a WR5 for fantasy purposes.
Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams had a difficult season in 2015, and while he posted 50 receptions he averaged just 9.7 yards per catch. The last time a receiver with at least 25 receptions finished with that few yards per catch was in 1951. He dropped 12 of his 96 targets, while averaging just 3.0 yards per catch. With a deep receiving corps, beat writer Rob Reischel predicts Adams will need a big training camp and preseason for a roster spot.
Drops, injuries and inconsistent route running all plagued Adams last season, as did a poor fit as an occasional WR1 in the Packers offense. Adams can't compete with the top defensive backs in the NFL, and that was made abundantly clear last season. The Packers were unhappy with everyone last season and Adams isn't the only one who could be on the outs with a weak preseason. The Packers won't carry a ton of average receivers, so he has to step up and out-perform Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis.
Green Bay Packers WR Randall Cobb led the team with 79 receptions in 2015, but he managed a career-low 10.5 yards per catch in 2015. He also had 14 dropped passes, more than any other Green Bay receiver over the past 25 years. And when Cobb drew more attention than usual from the slot, he couldn't separate from elite corners or nickel backs.
Cobb isn't a good fit as a WR1 either in fantasy or reality, and we saw that last year. With Jordy Nelson back, he'll return to normal though, and get back to putting up solid WR2/WR3 numbers in an offense which is effective when both guys are there.
Buffalo Bills RB Karlos Williams has been suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
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It hasn't been a good offseason for Williams. He was already in the doghouse as he's about 20 to 25 pounds overweight, and now Williams will miss the first month of the season. Williams can practice during training camp, and he can play with the team in the preseason. Once the regular season begins, Williams has to stay away from the facility but he's eligible to return in Week 5 against the Rams. Back to Top DEN - OLB Von Miller agrees to deal
Source: USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos LB Von Miller agreed to a six-year, $114.5 million deal Friday, July 15, a person familiar with the deal told KUSA's Mike Klis. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced.
The Broncos have paid a premium price for a premium player. Miller is arguably the best pass-rusher in the game, and there's no doubt the Broncos don't win Super Bowl 50 last year without him. The team put a record (for a defensive player) $70 million in the deal as well. With Miller in the second year of the devastating Wade Phillips' defense, the Broncos are still in a playoff/Super Bowl window in 2016.
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady announced he will have no further action with the legal process against the NFL in appealing his four-game suspension. Brady released this statement: "I'm very grateful for the overwhelming support I've received from Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family, coach Belichick, my coaches and teammates, the NFLPA, my agents, my loving family and most of all, our fans. It has been a challenging 18 months and I have made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process. I'm going to work hard to be the best player I can be for the New England Patriots and I look forward to having the opportunity to return to the field this fall."
We can't wait for the day "DeflateGate" is no longer relevant. However, the NFLPA may take this to the Supreme Court in order to challenge NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's power. "After careful consideration and discussion with Tom Brady, the NFLPA will not be seeking a stay of the four game suspension with the 2nd Circuit," the union's statement said. "This decision was made in the interest of certainty and planning for Tom prior to the New England Patriots season. We will continue to review all of our options and we reserve our rights to petition for cert to the Supreme Court."
Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins has received an offer from the Redskins worth $16 million per season with $24 million in guaranteed money. Cousins will play under the franchise tag in 2016 for $20 million.
Cousins signed his franchise tag months ago, and he's ready to gamble on himself. If he has another strong season as a starter for Washington, then he could perhaps secure a deal that pays him around $20 million annually.
We like the rookie back, but this is just unacceptable. The legal process will have to play its course before the league takes any action. With Karlos Williams out of shape and suspended for the first four games of the year, Jonathan Williams has a chance to win the primary backup job behind LeSean McCoy.
Free-agent RB Reggie Bush (49ers) could be an option for the Buffalo Bills because of RB Karlos Williams' four-game suspension, in the opinion of CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora.
We're not crazy about this idea, but the Bills may want to add a veteran back. We like rookie Jonathan Williams as a player all dynasty owners need to add or at least monitor. Add in veteran Mike Gillislee, and the Bills go four deep at the position (when Karlos Williams is not suspended).
Jeffery has already signed his franchise tender, so there's no threat of a holdout. He'll play this season with a one-year price tag of $14.5 million. Last year, Jeffery played in only nine games. With a full 16-game season (and the likely production that comes with that), we could see Jeffery get a payday similar to what Demaryius Thomas (Broncos) and Dez Bryant (Cowboys) got last year.
Oakland Raiders CB David Amerson signed a four-year contract extension Friday, July 15, worth $38 million. The deal includes around $18 million in guaranteed money.
Amerson gets a nice raise here, and it further emphasizes the strong defense the Raiders have assembled. We'll see free agent addition Sean Smith start opposite Amerson in 2016, and it could be quite difficult to move the ball through the air against this secondary...especially with that pass-rush up front.
Updating a previous report, New York Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson did sign a five-year deal with the Jets Friday, July 15, worth $86 million. The deal includes $37 million guaranteed and $54 million in the first three years.
It was a bit of a surprise move to be honest. All signs were pointing to no deal, but the two sides were able to get something done right before the deadline. Wilkerson had not participated during the offseason camps and there was a belief that he would hold out into training camp and perhaps even the regular season. Now, Wilkerson gets the long-term deal he wants and the Jets will continue to have one of the best defensive lines in the league.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Los Angeles Rams CB Trumaine Johnson did not receive a long-term deal Friday, July 15, and will play under the one-year franchise tag.
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There was no movement in this situation, so the fact Johnson didn't get a long-term deal was not a surprise. He'll play this season under the one-year franchise tag with a cap number of $13.9 million. Back to Top
It's a blow to the 49ers defense as Lynch is a player that can consistently create pressure (62 QB pressures in 2015) on opposing QBs. Lynch will be able to return in Week 5 against the Cardinals.
Free-agent RB Ray Rice (Ravens) said he still hopes to play in the NFL but understands that his window to play again is closing because of his age and his off-field incident.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune - Katherine Terrell
Updating a previous report, free-agent WR Anquan Boldin (49ers) received some interest from the New Orleans Saints earlier in the offseason, but the team never made him an offer and are not pushing to sign him at this point, according to a source.
We're interested to see where Boldin lands. The veteran WR showed last year with the 49ers that he's not washed up--yet. He may not be what he used to be, but Boldin has plenty of experience and can be more than just a 'depth' player. The Saints have a young group of WRs behind Brandin Cooks, so perhaps they'll explore adding Boldin later.
For the last week, we've seen reports that indicated nothing was going to get done. Berry is a player we can all cheer for since he beat cancer. The team just didn't have the cap space to make it happen, so Berry will play under the $10.8 million franchise tender in 2016.
Wright is one of the better receivers on a suddenly crowded roster. That said, he sort of did what he wanted to during past seasons and if he won't run the route he's supposed to when he's supposed to, Dorial Green-Beckham, Harry Douglas, and Rishard Matthews are right behind him, waiting. With this particular offense and some of his issues, we think Wright is a WR5/WR6 at best.
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas said he is 'feeling great' heading into training camp and will 'for sure' have a better year after dealing with drops last season.
We think this could be a bounce back season for Thomas, but the quarterback situation does give us pause. In the end though, Thomas is his own worst enemy and if he can get the drops under control he's a decent WR1 regardless of who is throwing the ball.
Free-agent QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Jets) and the New York Jets should have more flexibility in future negotiations because the signing of DE Muhammad Wilkerson brings the possibility of a one-year deal. New York had just $3.4 million in salary cap space before the Wilkerson deal. That will now increase by a few million because the Jets no longer have to carry Wilkerson's $15.7 million franchise tag.
The Wilkerson signing was a bit of a surprise as the two sides had shown little to no movement prior to his new contract getting done. Things have been quiet on the Fitzpatrick front, but that could change quickly with training camp less than two weeks away.
Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery and the Bears did not agree to a long-term deal before the deadline Friday, July 15. ESPNChicago.com's Jeff Dickerson said the disconnect between both sides is obvious, and he questioned if the Bears view Jeffery as a No. 1 wide receiver.
Jeffery has a lot to play for in 2016...and that's great news for fantasy owners. With 2015 first-round pick Kevin White healthy and starting opposite Jeffery, that could open things up for the talented veteran. We wouldn't be surprised to see Jeffery catch 90 passes this year and finish as a top-10 fantasy WR. His current ADP is WR10 (2.07) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Kansas City Chiefs SS Eric Berry will play this season on a one-year deal, but general manager John Dorsey is hopeful that an extension beyond 2017 can be reached sometime next season.
We're all Berry fans...no matter the team affiliation. He beat cancer, and Berry is an inspiration to all. It's a bit of a surprise that the Chiefs didn't find a way to get something done. We'll see if the two sides can work something out during the year.
Indianapolis Colts RB Frank Gore's yards per carry fell from 4.1 to 3.5 when QB Andrew Luck was out of the lineup, and he averaged just 2.7 yards per carry in the three games OT Anthony Castonzo missed.
Luck is back, and the Colts spent most of the offseason working to upgrade the offensive line. Both should help Gore perform better in 2016. Consider him a RB3--and a consistent one at that--in any fantasy league format.
Washington Redskins S DeAngelo Hall said he is looking forward to his move to full-time safety in 2016 and believes he will 'put a little fear' in opposing quarterbacks because of his ability to create turnovers.
Hall has the experience to roam the field and monitor where QBs are going with the ball. The starter opposite of him is going to be worked out in training camp, but don't be surprised if free agent addition David Bruton wins the job.
The Panthers have a strong front seven on defense, and their front four is one of the best in the game. Love was an important rotational player for the Panthers as they made a run to Super Bowl 50, and that's why they re-signed him to a one-year deal earlier this year. Back in March, Soliai signed a two-year, $7 million with $3 million guaranteed. The guaranteed money may make it difficult for the Panthers to cut him if his declining play continues.
New York Jets DE Sheldon Richardson will 'surely' come at a higher price than the $54 million in guaranteed money to which DE Muhammad Wilkerson signed, according to NJ.com's Darryl Slater. Richardson and the Jets are expected to start long-term contract negotiations next offseason as Richardson enters the fourth year of his rookie contract.
The Jets have used the fifth-year option on Richardson (a first-round pick in 2013), a move that will lock up Richardson through the 2017 season. We should see the two sides work towards an extension next offseason before Richardson hits free agency (so long as he stays healthy and stops getting suspended).
Cleveland Browns DE Armonty Bryant could end up serving more as a pass-rushing linebacker after he returns from a four-game suspension, according to Terry Pluto of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Bryant is a talented, but oft-troubled player who can do more as a pass-rusher due to his length, strength and burst combination. He played 460 snaps last year and posted a career-high 5.5 sacks. Bryant also contributed with two forced fumbles. He had better stay out of trouble now that new Browns head coach Hue Jackson has implemented a zero-tolerance policy. Bryant is suspended four games to start the season for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Denver Broncos LB Von Miller's agent asked general manager John Elway for formal permission to explore a trade if the sides could not agree on a deal. Elway informed Miller's agent that the Broncos would not trade Miller and that the offer Miller and his agent ended up agreeing on was final.
The Broncos drew a line in the sand with Miller after moving that line quite a bit. They were far apart about a month ago, but June is the month of posturing....July is the month when things get done. Expectations are already high for Miller as he's one of the league's best pass-rushers and the clear leader of the league's greatest defense.
Reed was one of our favorite rookie defensive tackles in the 2016 draft class. A mountain of a man, Reed was never able to put up great numbers at Alabama. Instead, his role was to plug up the middle and re-direct plays around him---a role he played well. Earlier this year at the Reese's Senior Bowl, Reed was a dominant player in practice and was one of the 'buzz' players during the week. He should at least be a solid run-stuffer for the Seahawks defense in 2016.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Charean Williams
Dallas Cowboys LB Rolando McClain's future with the Cowboys remains in limbo. Owner Jerry Jones has supported McClain even in light of the news of his 10-game suspension this season, but many in the organization want McClain released.
It's another year and there's more trouble for McClain. Jones said releasing McClain would be difficult for the Cowboys financially. McClain signed a one-year, $4 million contract this offseason that included a $750,000 signing bonus.
San Francisco 49ers WR DeAndre Smelter said he benefitted from sitting out and rehabbing his knee last year because he was able to observe and learn from WR Torrey Smith and WR Anquan Boldin.
A fourth-round pick out of Georgia Tech last year, Smelter has the toughness to make difficult catches over the middle of the field. He can create separation with football savvy, and Smelter is a force to be dealt with after the catch. We'll see if he can regain his speed and quickness after returning from his knee injury. Smelter also needs to become more familiar with the full route tree after running a limited route tree for the Yellow Jackets.
Detroit Lions DT Haloti Ngata hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2011, and beat writer Dave Birkett believes the Lions need to monitor Ngata's snap count in 2016 in order to keep him healthy and productive.
Dallas Cowboys DE Jack Crawford is expected to pick up additional snaps at defensive tackle early in the year as DT Tyrone Crawford moves outside in place of DE Demarcus Lawrence and DE Randy Gregory, who will both be serving suspensions to start the year.
It's all hands on deck for the Cowboys defensive line. We hope they don't suffer any injuries at the position in training camp as they're already incredibly thin.
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NFL Player News - Week of 7/11/16
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