NFL Player News - Week of 5/11/20

[LT Profits]

Courtesy of Footballguys.com



Eagles | Carlos Hyde has Eagles' interest
Free-agent RB Carlos Hyde (Texans) has received interest from the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Carlos Hyde player page



Falcons | Julio Jones the model of consistency
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones ranked second in the NFL in receiving yards in 2019, and he has finished third or better among wideouts in yards in each of the past seven seasons.

Footballguys view: Jones is incredibly consistent in terms of yards, but Fantasy GMs would like if he scored more touchdowns. He's only hit double-digit touchdowns once in his career (12) and that was all the way back in the 2012 season. Even without a ton of scoring punch, Jones is usually a top-5 fantasy receiver regardless of format and he should be that once again in 2020.

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Julio Jones player page




Chiefs | Mecole Hardman delivered when asked
Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman led all receivers with a 146.6 passer rating when targeted in 2019, finishing with six touchdowns and 20.7 yards per reception on 41 targets.

Footballguys view: The Chiefs brought back 10-of-11 starters on offense for the 2020 season. Hardman is an emerging talent for the team and could take on a larger role this season as he continues to develop into more than just a speed guy. That's why Fantasy GMs are drafting him at WR43 (9.01) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Mecole Hardman player page




Vikings | Kyle Rudolph has nose for end zone
Minnesota Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph and Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce are the only two tight ends with at least 30 receiving touchdowns since the start of the 2015 season

Footballguys view: Rudolph is a talented veteran and clearly a favorite target of QB Kirk Cousins. It's not only his nose for the end zone but it's mainly his reliability and consistency as a target. Rudolph knows how to sit down in a zone and square his shoulders to give his quarterback the largest possible target. Last year, Rudolph and Irv Smith split the targets at the position almost equally (49 for Rudolph, 47 for Smith) and that should continue in 2020. That makes Rudolph a low-end TE2 for Fantasy GMs this upcoming season.

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Kyle Rudolph player page




Chargers | Defenses worried about Mike Williams
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams faced a double team on a league-high 7.8 percent of his routes in 2019.

Footballguys view: We'll see how the Chargers get Williams away from those double teams in 2020. The Chargers didn't add much on offense in terms of wide receivers this offseason. They did draft speedy rookie Joe Reed (Virginia) and run-after-the-catch specialist K.J. Hill (Ohio State) in the fifth and seventh rounds respectively. Those two are interesting deep dynasty prospects but we don't see them taking a lot of heat off of Williams...if ever but especially early on in their careers.

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Mike Williams player page




Cardinals | Quiet finish for Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald topped 100 yards on double-digit targets in the first two games of 2019, but he failed to reach 100 yards or more than eight targets in any of the final 14 games, failing to reach 50 yards 10 times in that span.

Footballguys view: Fitzgerald is no longer the player he used to be and the Cardinals added more talent to the WR room when they traded for superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Fantasy GMs now are drafting Fitzgerald as a deep reserve and rotational 'what the heck' flex player in PPR leagues. He has a current ADP of WR75 (13.11) in 12-team leagues.

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Larry Fitzgerald player page




Vikings | Yardage down for Adam Thielen
Minnesota Vikings WR Adam Thielen has just two 100-yard receiving efforts in his last 18 games since opening the 2018 season with eight straight games of 100-plus yards.

Footballguys view: We'll see if the Vikings can get things back on track for Thielen in 2020. They traded away WR Stefon Diggs and selected WR Justin Jefferson in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Jefferson is primarily a slot receiver, so it will be interesting to see how the team mixes him in with Thielen. We project Thielen to be a WR2 with upside for Fantasy GMs in 2020. He has a current ADP of WR13 (3.06) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Adam Thielen player page




Jets | NY Jets' new backfield disappointed a lot in 2019
New York Jets RBs Frank Gore (44 percent) and Le'Veon Bell (42.4) ranked 27th and 28th, respectively, out of 29 ball carriers in rushing success rate (RSR), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. RSR is defined as the percentage of run plays resulting in a successful play based on the yards to go by down: at least 40 percent on first down, at least 50 percent on second down and conversion on third and/or fourth down.

Footballguys view: Gore has somewhat of an excuse because he was a 36-year old running back last year. He's going to grind things out and be solid-yet-unspectacular anytime he touches the rock. Bell is more of a disappointment based on his workload and expectations with the Jets. He was supposed to be a lot better than he's performed with the Jets and Fantasy GMs realize he will never be the back he used to be with the Steelers. Bell is expected to have a reduced workload in 2020.

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Frank Gore player page
Le'Veon Bell player page




Ravens | Marquise Brown hoping to add almost 20 pounds
Baltimore Ravens WR Marquise Brown played at 157 pounds at times as a rookie in 2019, according to Tyler Dunne of Bleacher Report. In addition to working out this offseason with Lamar Jackson, Brown is planning to play the 2020 season between 170 and 175.

Footballguys view: No matter how you slice it, 157 pounds is incredibly light for an NFL player. Adding 20 pounds and retaining his quickness, which Brown likely would, is for the best in terms of helping the talented second-year player play up to his potential. Brown has incredible upside as a player because he is a legitimate threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. Fantasy GMs should consider him at least a WR3/flex in fantasy leagues this year.

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Marquise Brown player page




Dolphins | DeVante Parker finished 2019 with a bang
Miami Dolphins WR DeVante Parker led all players with 733 receiving yards from Week 11 through the end of the regular season in 2019.

Footballguys view: The Dolphins have built a strong roster with Parker as their lead receiver. That finish for Parker helped him earn the no.6 position for fantasy receivers (standard-scoring leagues) last year. This season, Fantasy GMs are looking at Parker as a WR3 with WR2 upside. Parker has a current ADP of WR35 (7.08) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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DeVante Parker player page




Cowboys | CeeDee Lamb could push for punt return duties
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb finished second in the Big 12 in yards per punt return in 2018 (12.8) and third in 2019 (7.5). In the opinion of the Dallas Morning News' John Owning, Lamb's return ability should be a huge boon over the 4.9 yards Tavon Austin averaged as the team's primary returner last season.

Footballguys view: Lamb is a playmaker and the Cowboys should look in many different ways to get him the rock. Keep this in mind if your league rewards for return yardage and/or return touchdowns. We'll see how this battle shakes out in training camp.

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Patriots | N'Keal Harry working tirelessly on his craft
New England Patriots WR N'Keal Harry is reportedly working out six days a week in the Houston area with All-En Sports Performance to refine his routes and body movement from the ground up, according to Evan Lazar of CLNS Media. The primary focus of his efforts has been to improve on his releases from the line of scrimmage.'That's the main thing that N'Keal is missing. I told N'Keal you have to win at the line of scrimmage. The thing is when you get to the NFL, it doesn't matter how big and strong you are because you aren't going to bully these defensive backs,' trainer Rischad Whitfield told CLNS Media.

Footballguys view: An ankle injury knocked Harry out for most of his rookie season in 2019. The former first-round pick did come back and appeared in seven games for the Patriots where he caught 12 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He struggled to gain separation in his routes and that's what he needs to work on the most. Harry is already a run-after-the-catch specialist and he has strength at the catch point. The Patriots passing game is going to look different without QB Tom Brady, so we'll just watch and see what Harry looks like in training camp before getting too excited about his prospects in 2020.

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N'Keal Harry player page




Giants | Two will compete for No. 2 QB job
New York Giants QBs Colt McCoy and Alex Tanney will compete for the No. 2 quarterback job during training camp. QB Cooper Rush could also have a chance to compete for the job.

Footballguys view: Rush is the new guy as he was released by the Cowboys after they signed QB Andy Dalton off the open market. He was a player we were watching in Dallas but only in crazy deep dynasty formats. That's the view we'll take with him now that he's with the Giants. Rush is really the only exciting player from this group behind Daniel Jones in such formats.

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Colt McCoy player page
Alex Tanney player page
Cooper Rush player page




Jets | NYJ may look at Joe Flacco
Free-agent QB Joe Flacco (Broncos) could receive interest from the New York Jets if they are looking for an experienced backup quarterback, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Rich Cimini.

Footballguys view: The Jets don't have much experience behind Sam Darnold. Primary backup David Fales sticks with Adam Gase and knows the system from their time with the Dolphins. He spent most of last season with the team and re-signed with them back in April. James Morgan is the rookie from FIU that everyone was buzzing about before the draft as some sort of sleeper. The Jets picked him up in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft but he's a developmental QB at best. Morgan has a big arm but little control in terms of accuracy. Flacco underwent neck surgery in April and won't be ready until late August/early September. We'll see if the Jets (or anyone else) wants to make a move at that time.

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Joe Flacco player page




NFL | Stephen Gostkowski expects to find a team
Free-agent PK Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots) said he expects to sign with a team around training camp since no team is allowed to practice at this point.
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Stephen Gostkowski player page



49ers | Jerick McKinnon not cutting yet
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said RB Jerick McKinnon (knee) is nearing the end of his rehab process, where he will shift his focus from running straight ahead to attempting to 'simulate some of the cutting that goes on at that position, specifically.'

Footballguys view: McKinnon has a thin margin to make the team. He needs to get healthy ASAP and prove that he belongs on the team, especially with such a jam-packed RB room. McKinnon signed with the 49ers in 2018 but has not played a down for them in two seasons. He re-worked his contract earlier this offseason just to get a chance to stay with the 49ers.

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Jerick McKinnon player page



Source: footballguys.com

[BarkingToad]

When will the Jerks fire Gase?

[LT Profits]

When will the Jerks fire Gase?

Why would they? Jets quiety went 7-9 last year, far out-performing expectations

[Otters27]

Why would they? Jets quiety went 7-9 last year, far out-performing expectations

Hated betting against the Jets

[Stallion]

Never bet games involving the Jets and when the Saints are on the road.

[cjwatsonfan32]

If the Vikings want to make a push in a very wide open north, they better make Thielen a priority this season.

[BarkingToad]

Why would they? Jets quiety went 7-9 last year, far out-performing expectations

They didn't beat anybody besides NFC east and other crappy teams. Just like in Miami. Pursuing Flacco and Gore isn't going to put them over the top.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Wow,Hollywood Brown wants to add 20 pounds? Hopefully it won't hinder his speed.

[Otters27]

Can't believe Colt McCoy still playing. What a career as a back up

[LT Profits]

They didn't beat anybody besides NFC east and other crappy teams. Just like in Miami. Pursuing Flacco and Gore isn't going to put them over the top.

And what does any of that have to do with Gase doing a bad job? And they did not get Gore to get "over the top", they got him because they want to cut down Bell's reps.

[LT Profits]

Tuesday Update

Vikings | Dalvin Cook got outside with regularity in 2019
Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was credited with a run between the guard and the tackle 129 times (eighth-highest total in the NFL) and a league-high 68 times outside of the offensive tackle in 2019.

Footballguys view: Cook is a capable back running between the tackles but he is also fantastic at running outside the tackles. He's an inside/out runner who does a good job in the zone-blocking system the Vikings have. Cook is one of the best running backs in the game today at a RB1 for Fantasy GMs again in 2020.

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Dalvin Cook player page




Bengals | Joe Mixon proved elusive in Year 3
Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon broke 61 tackles in 2019, making him one of four backs last season and one of seven backs since 2015 to top 60 in a single season.

Footballguys view: Mixon is a powerful runner and should continue to be that for the Bengals in 2020. The team is trying to work on a new long-term deal for the veteran back. Getting him locked in is great for a team with a young franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow.

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Joe Mixon player page




Chargers | Austin Ekeler hard to handle last season
Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler averaged a broken tackle on 25.8 percent of his 132 rush attempts in 2019, according to Sports Info Solutions. The mark was the highest among all backs with at 100 carries.

Footballguys view: Ekeler doesn't break tackles with incredible power but instead gets through tackles with a low center of gravity and leg drive. He's tough to get a handle on and you can see that on film. The advanced data backs that up obviously.

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Austin Ekeler player page




NFL | Carlos Hyde asked to plow straight ahead in 2019
Free-agent RB Carlos Hyde ran in between left and right guard an NFL-high 137 times last season.

Footballguys view: Hyde was a 1,000-yard rusher last year for the Texans but has yet to latch on with a team for the 2020 season. The Eagles are interested where they could use him as a two-down banger in a RBBC with Miles Sanders. We'll see if they end up offering him a contract. No matter who signs him, Hyde has a formula for success and the advanced data shows you that's right between the tackles.

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Carlos Hyde player page




Ravens | Lamar Jackson incredibly efficient in 2019
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson threw for a touchdown on league-best nine percent of his 401 pass attempts in 2019. Only one other quarterback (Drew Brees, 7.1) with at least 300 pass attempts finished with a mark better than six percent.

Footballguys view: Jackson was deadly last year as a runner and as an efficient passer. Expect more of the same this year as the Ravens try a rinse and repeat to get back to the playoffs and hopefully (for them) to the Super Bowl.

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Lamar Jackson player page




Patriots | Matt LaCosse not guaranteed roster spot
New England Patriots TE Matt LaCosse may have to compete with TE Ryan Izzo for one roster spot during training camp.

Footballguys view: The Patriots selected two tight ends in the 2020 NFL draft and they should be taking over the room. Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene are those rookie who should provide the Patriots with a 1-2 punch at the position with Asiasi as the receiver and Keene mostly a blocker.

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Matt LaCosse player page
Ryan Izzo player page




Steelers | Two WRs may compete for one spot
Pittsburgh Steelers WRs Deon Cain and Ryan Switzer may compete for one roster spot during training camp.

Footballguys view: They are two different types of receivers that's for sure. Cain is the downfield threat who can fly by defenders and track the ball. Switzer is the small, waterbug receiver who can use quickness on underneath routes. We'll see which type of receiver the Steelers prefer to keep near the end of the bench.

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Ryan Switzer player page
Deon Cain player page




Broncos | KJ Hamler likely to be slot WR
Denver Broncos WR KJ Hamler appears to be the leading candidate for the slot receiver job this upcoming season.

Footballguys view: Hamler played 694 snaps last year for the Nittany Lions, with 616 of those coming from the slot. That's his best spot to attack a defense and attack he will at the pro level with the Broncos rejuvenated offense. Hamler is a threat to score anytime he touches the rock. He's got elite speed and the quickness to make defenders look silly before and after the catch. Hamler is being Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy in the pecking order at the WR position in Denver but he could have a couple of big games as a rookie in 2020.

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Broncos | DaeSean Hamilton may be on bubble
Denver Broncos WR DaeSean Hamilton may be a candidate to be released or traded before the start of the season since he likely will be the fourth or fifth receiver and does not play on special teams, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell.

Footballguys view: Hamilton has disappointed during his pro career. A third-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Hamilton was supposed to take over for Emmanuel Sanders but that never came to fruition. Even after Sanders was traded, Hamilton didn't do what the team expected him to. They drafted three receivers in the draft, two in the first two rounds (Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler) so Hamilton is either going to be buried on the depth chart or off the 53-man roster.

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DaeSean Hamilton player page




Patriots | Dalton Keene agrees to terms
New England Patriots third-round draft choice TE Dalton Keene agreed to terms on a four-year contract with the Patriots Monday, May 11, according to a source. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Keene is part of the plan to help the team improve at the tight end position. He'll likely split time with fellow rookie Devin Asiasi this season. Keene is a tight end/H-back/fullback/gadget quarterback who is known for his toughness and grit. He might not be in line for a ton of targets as a rookie, but Keene can take short passes and plunge into the end zone. He is tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam. We'll monitor him in dynasty formats mostly.

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Colts | T.Y. Hilton to remain a focal point
Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton will continue to be a focal point in the passing game even though he struggled with injuries last season, according to offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni. Sirianni said the team may throw more deep passes to Hilton in 2020.

Footballguys view: He hasn't played a full 16-game season over the last two years. If Hilton does make it through the entire regular season, then we could see him having a bounce-back year and finishing in the top 20 for fantasy receivers. He should be a favorite target of Philip Rivers from day one. Hilton has a current ADP of WR19 (4.03) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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T.Y. Hilton player page




Raiders | Deovontae Booker officially signed
Updating a previous report, free-agent RB Devontae Booker (Broncos) officially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, May 11. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Booker disappointed during his time with the Broncos and needed a fresh start. He may not live up to his potential as a runner but he can be a good receiver out of the backfield. Booker will compete with Jalen Richard to establish a pecking order behind starter Josh Jacobs. He's no lock for the 53-man roster.

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Devontae Booker player page




Jets | Adam Gase excited about RBs on roster
New York Jets RBs Le'Veon Bell and Frank Gore should have success this upcoming season, according to head coach Adam Gase. 'Those two guys can really do some damage together,' Gase said. 'We have two guys that can play all three downs. They both have outstanding skill sets. There's a little bit of difference in their running style and how they do things, but we know Frank really well and we know how to use them.'

Footballguys view: Bell should have a reduced workload this year for the Jets. Gore will get his standard, backup/veteran workload with his new team. Bell has a current ADP of RB15 (3.06) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Frank Gore player page
Le'Veon Bell player page




Dolphins | Tua Tagovailo and Miami reach rookie deal
The Miami Dolphins and rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa, who was taken fifth overall in the NFL Draft, have filed a four-year, $30.28 million contract that includes a fifth-year option. Tagovailoa receives a guaranteed $19.6 million signing bonus.

Footballguys view: Tagovailoa is set to be the franchise quarterback for the Dolphins. He's athletic, has great accuracy and is known as a leader on and off the football field. Injuries, specifically the hip injury he suffered last year, led to him falling in the NFL draft as Tagovailoa was looking like the no.1 overall pick. He didn't fall far as the Dolphins wanted him for some time. They get their man but we'll see if he's recovered enough from hip surgery to compete for the starting job in training camp. It might not be a bad idea to let him sit for a year behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. Stay tuned.

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Colts | Nyheim Hines to benefit from Philip Rivers
Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni believes RB Nyheim Hines' role out of the backfield as a pass-catching back will benefit 'big time' by playing with new starting QB Philip Rivers.

Footballguys view: Hines can be the new Austin Ekeler for Rivers in 2020. Fantasy GMs need to keep that in mind when considering Hines in PPR leagues. We don't think he'll finish as a top-10 back in such formats (like Ekeler) but Hines could approach RB4/deep flex levels in 2020 if he builds a strong chemistry with his new QB.

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Nyheim Hines player page




Colts | 1-1 punch out of Indy's top backs
Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni is looking at the tandem of RBs Marlon Mack and rookie Jonathan Taylor as a '1-1 punch' for the team to utilize.

Footballguys view: The addition of Taylor was...interesting...because of the talent they have in Mack. Now, Taylor is supremely gifted in his own right -- mainly as a runner who can grind down a defense and is tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam. The rookie from Wisconsin is not a receiving threat, so he might just be a two-down banger for the Colts. That's what Mack already is because the team uses Nyheim Hines as a receiving threat. We'll see how this three-headed RBBC shakes out in training camp and the preseason.

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Marlon Mack player page




Buccaneers | Mike Evans excited about Bucs' new QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans said new Bucs QB Tom Brady is a 'franchise changer' and added he believes Brady is 'the greatest of all-time.'

Footballguys view: You add the GOAT and everyone is excited. How much does Brady have left in the tank? We're about to find out this season with the Buccaneers. They certainly have a great group of weapons around him, featuring Evans as the top receiving target. Fantasy GMs are selecting Brady at QB18 (11.12) in 12-team PPR leagues. Evans is going off the board at WR9 (2.11) in such formats.

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Tom Brady player page
Mike Evans player page



Source: footballguys.com

[cjwatsonfan32]

They frontloaded Tua’s contract? In a state with no state income tax too. Good for Tua. In 3 years he’ll be back to surfing and out of the NFL

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Can't believe Colt McCoy still playing. What a career as a back up

Jake Fromm reminds me of McCoy and should have a long career as a backup as well.

[LT Profits]

Wednesday Update

Saints | Michael Thomas shouldered heavy load in 2019
New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas was targeted on a league-high 31.1 percent of his team's pass attempts in 2019.

Footballguys view: That's because the Saints haven't had much in the WR room besides Thomas. That changes this year with Emmanuel Sanders added in free agency. We'll see how much Thomas sees his target load reduced now that Sanders is starting opposite of him.

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Michael Thomas player page




Patriots | Mohamed Sanu starts rehabbing
New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu (ankle) reportedly shed the cast/boot from his surgically repaired ankle recently and has started rehab, according to the NFL network's Michael Giardi.

Footballguys view: Sanu is a veteran and doesn't need a ton of time to get back up to speed. The virtual offseason means he doesn't have to miss physical practice. So long as he shows up in training camp ready to go (mostly), Sanu should be starting in Week 1 of the regular season. Julian Edelman, N'Keal Harry and Sanu will be the top three receivers for the Patriots in 2020.

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Mohamed Sanu player page




Bears | Ted Ginn Jr. financials
Updating previous reports, Chicago Bears WR Ted Ginn Jr.'s one-year contract with the team is for $1.187 million and includes a $137,500 signing bonus as well as $750,000 guaranteed.

Footballguys view: Ginn isn't the same player he used to be but he still has tons of speed. That will be his role for the Bears as Ginn will be asked to take the top off the defense regularly.

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Ted Ginn Jr player page




Jets | Frank Gore financials
Updating previous reports, New York Jets RB Frank Gore's one-year contract with the team is for $1.05 million and includes a $200,000 signing bonus.

Footballguys view: Gore is there to grind down defenders. He'll work in tandem with starter Le'Veon Bell in 2020. There's not a ton of fantasy value there for Gore with his role.

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Frank Gore player page




Saints | Drew Brees on point again in 2019
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees threw a catchable ball on 82.8 percent of his pass attempts in 2019, according to Sports Info Solutions. The only other time a quarterback topped that mark over the last five seasons was when Brees threw a catchable ball 83.6 percent of the time in 2018.

Footballguys view: That sounds about right. Brees is more accurate than an Olympic archer (see that Sports Science special) and continues to play near the top of his game. Expect more of the same in 2020.

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Drew Brees player page




Redskins | Defenders feasted on Kyle Allen in 2019
Washington Redskins QB Kyle Allen was sacked on a league-high 8.2 percent of his dropbacks (minimum 300 pass attempts) last season, according to Sports Info Solutions.

Footballguys view: Allen is going to compete with Dwayne Haskins for the starting quarterback in Washington. He has experience with Ron Rivera from their time in Carolina last year before the veteran coach was fired. Haskins is the 2019 first-round pick and many expect him to win the starting job.

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Raiders | End zone mostly eluded Darren Waller in 2019
Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller last season joined new teammate Jason Witten (2009, 2012) as the only tight ends in NFL history to catch at least 90 passes in a season and score three or fewer touchdowns.

Footballguys view: Waller needs to get into the end zone more in 2020 if he wants to be more of a fantasy factor. He was the no.2 receiving tight end in the league in 2019 with 1,146 yards. Waller was the no.4 fantasy tight end last year but it will be interesting to see if he loses a few targets to Witten in 2020.

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Darren Waller player page




Cowboys | A closer look at Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott boasts a career record of 40-24 as an NFL starter. In his 40 wins, he has thrown for 75 touchdowns versus only 10 interceptions, completed 69.2 percent of his passes and compiled a passer rating of 112.2. In his 24 losses, he has thrown for only 22 TDs versus 26 interceptions, completed 61.1 percent of his throws and compiled a passer rating of 76.0.

Footballguys view: Like most quarterbacks, Prescott is better playing with a lead. He's getting better as a passer and should soon have a new long-term contract from the Cowboys. The two sides have until July 15th to get a new deal done. He's QB7 (6.09) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Dak Prescott player page




Packers | Aaron Rodgers fared well minus Davante Adams
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers completed 68.6 percent of his passes, threw for an average of 313.7 yards and sported a 10:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the four games last season WR Davante Adams missed due to a high-ankle sprain. In 12 games with Adams, Rodgers was a 59.9 percent passer, threw for 228.9 yards and sported a 16:3 TD-to-INT ratio.

Footballguys view: Hopefully Adams is not hurt this season. The Packers failed to add WR talent for Rodgers in the draft, and now he'll rinse/repeat with most of the weapons he had last year. We'll see how far the Packers go, but in fantasy leagues Rodgers is still a QB1 in 2020.

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Aaron Rodgers player page
Davante Adams player page




Jaguars | Ryquell Armstead showed promise in passing game
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Ryquell Armstead averaged 10.29 yards per reception on 14 catches last year. No rookie back with at least 10 catches had a higher average.

Footballguys view: Armstead is a talented running back who is just waiting for an opportunity to do more. With Leonard Fournette still in town, Armstead will work as his primary backup once again. If Fournette goes down with an injury, Armstead has three-down ability.

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Ryquell Armstead player page




Broncos | Drew Lock motivated by John Elway
Denver Broncos QB Drew Lock said recently he's motivated by the faith his high-profile general manager, John Elway, has bestowed in him. 'I know there's been a lot of talk about the quarterbacks in Denver,' Lock said. 'You know, Peyton (Manning) was the man there, obviously. We've had some good ones, and up-and-down (QBs) in there, and I didn't want to be that for John. I wanted to be a steady guy for him. I wanted to show everybody that they drafted the right quarterback.'

Footballguys view: The Broncos believe they finally could have the franchise quarterback they've long been searching for. Lock only played in five games last year as a rookie, but he went 4-1 in those contests. This offseason, the team has built around Lock adding big-time weapons like WR Jerry Jeudy and WR K.J. Hamler in the draft. They have also added pieces to the interior of the offensive line to protect him better. We'll see how Lock responds under new OC Pat Shurmur in 2020.

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Drew Lock player page




Jaguars | Mike Glennon officially signs
Updating a previous story, free-agent QB Mike Glennon (Raiders) officially signed an undisclosed deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars Tuesday, May 12.

Footballguys view: Glennon is a seasoned backup with plenty of starting experience if the Jaguars need him. This is a clear sign they are 'all in' on Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback...for this year at least. Some felt the Jaguars would be a landing spot for Cam Newton where he could have the starting job. That's not the case now as it seems unlikely Jacksonville would add Newton after signing Glennon. Instead, Minshew will get this year to prove he can be the starter for the future. He showed flashes last year as a rookie but 'Minshew Mania' was not without plenty of rough patches.

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Mike Glennon player page




Eagles | Carson Wentz among greats in production
Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz's 97 touchdown passes through his first four NFL seasons have been topped by just eight players in league history.

Footballguys view: Wentz is great...when healthy. He's got to stay healthy in order to get the Eagles in the postseason again. The team went out and added more weapons around him, like 2020 first-round pick WR Jalen Reagor, to help the passing game. Wentz has a current ADP of QB9 (7.08) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Carson Wentz player page




Cowboys | Dak Prescott on historic pace
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has thrown 97 touchdown passes in his regular-season career. Only eight players in league history had more TD passes across their first four seasons.

Footballguys view: Prescott is getting better with time. The Cowboys put the franchise tag on him earlier this year and the two sides have until July 15th to work out a long-term deal. We'll see if they can get something done. The Cowboys signed Andy Dalton to a contract to serve as Prescott's backup and give them veteran insurance as they hope to be in a Super Bowl window.

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Dak Prescott player page




Seahawks | Phillip Dorsett happy to sign with Seattle
Seattle Seahawks WR Phillip Dorsett said Tuesday, May 12, he feels he's now in the proper system after turning down an offer from the Seahawks to re-sign with the New England Patriots a year ago. 'I feel like this is the right offense for me,' he said. 'Obviously I know (QB Russell Wilson), and he's a great quarterback. The way he plays quarterback and the way this offense is fits my skill set.'

Footballguys view: Wilson keeps plays alive and can launch passes down the field with ease. Dorsett has largely disappointed in his stops around the NFL but he still has elite speed. Expect Seattle to use Dorsett to take the top off the defense in 2020.

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Phillip Dorsett player page




Packers | Jace Sternberger ready for larger role
Green Bay Packers TE Jace Sternberger is looking forward to the opportunity to play a larger role within the offense in 2020 after Jimmy Graham signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency. 'That's one thing that we've all discussed, that I will have the opportunity for my role to be bigger,' Sternberger said. 'It's all how I handle it and what I can prove. It goes back to me and this opportunity. I'm just really excited about it, and I'm just definitely ready for it.'

Footballguys view: Sternberger, a third-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2019, has the talent to be a quality starter in this league. He appeared in a small handful of games as a rookie due to injury and was only targeted with one pass in the regular season (that was not completed). Sternberger is not much of a blocker but he's a fine route-runner and can create after the catch. He's not a burner by any means but he does get open with savvy and guile. The second-year pro could be a fine underneath target for Aaron Rodgers in 2020. He's off the radar in fantasy drafts right now, but keep this guy on your waiver wire speed dial. The talent and opportunity are there for him to sneak into that TE2 range.

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Jace Sternberger player page




Falcons | Dirty Birds want kicking competition?
Atlanta Falcons PK Younghoe Koo is likely to have some competition in training camp, according to head coach Dan Quinn Tuesday, May 12. 'We are still definitely considering adding a kicker into that spot,' Quinn said. 'You could imagine that some of those decisions involve workouts and things that aren't at this space.'
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Chargers | Tyrod Taylor to start all season?
Los Angeles Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor will hold onto the starting job for the entirety of the 2020 season, according to Michael Silver of NFL Network Tuesday, May 12.

Footballguys view: Taylor could certainly do just that to let 2020 first-round pick Justin Herbert develop. We've seen Taylor start plenty of games in his NFL career. He's athletic, has a strong arm and will generally be careful with the ball. With the Chargers elite defense, that type of QB style could be enough to win a lot of games. In fact, don't be surprised if the Chargers make a run at a Wild Card spot in 2020. Herbert is clearly the future, but the team would have to struggle (Taylor specifically) for them to make a change right away.

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Tyrod Taylor player page




Raiders | Devontae Booker terms
Updating a previous story, Las Vegas Raiders RB Devontae Booker signed a one-year contract including a $50,000 signing bonus. Booker qualifies for the veteran salary benefit, which will carry a cap hit of $887,500.

Footballguys view: Booker is no lock for the 53-man roster but that veteran salary benefit could help keep him around. He's disappointed in the pros as a runner but Booker does flash good skill as a receiver out of the backfield. He'll compete with Jalen Richard to be a backup to Josh Jacobs in 2020.

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Devontae Booker player page




Jets | Frank Gore contract terms
Updating previous reports, RB Frank Gore's one-year deal with the New York Jets was worth $1.05 million and included $200,000 in guarantees.

Footballguys view: Gore seems like he could play forever. The veteran back will grind away at defenses in a combination with starter Le'Veon Bell.

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Frank Gore player page




Patriots | TB12 disputes reports of issue with Josh McDaniels
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady took to Instagram to shoot-down speculation that he had a deteriorating relationship with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, which was speculated as a reason he didn't want to remain in New England. 'Please stop this nonsense! Please be more responsible with reporting,' Brady noted on the Instagram story. He added after 19 years together, he and McDaniels are brothers for life.

Footballguys view: There are a lot of people who want some of 'The Last Dance' in the Patriots and Brady...but that doesn't seem to be the case. It doesn't mean their relationship wasn't without friction, it just might be a little overblown compared to what really happened. Time will tell if we ever get a behind the scenes dish on how Brady and the Patriots got along towards the end of his time in New England.

Link to story
Tom Brady player page



Source: footballguys.com

[Otters27]

Hope Drew Lock can be a franchise guy

[cjwatsonfan32]

Glad Rodgers fared well without Adams since the packers seemed to not give one shit about receivers during the draft

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Hope Drew Lock can be a franchise guy

They surrounded him with a lot of weapons...I hate the Broncos so I hope he is an epic bust

[LT Profits]

Thursday Update

Texans | David Johnson did little after catch in 2019 Wed May 13, 11:37 PM
Houston Texans RB David Johnson led all NFL running backs with 139 air yards on his catches last season as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Conversely, his 231 receiving yards after the catch was the fifth-lowest total for running backs with at least 40 targets.

Footballguys view: Johnson needed a change of scenery as things fell apart for him with the Cardinals. He gets just that with the Texans in 2020. Johnson should be the lead back and can do plenty as a runner and receiver out of the backfield with this fresh start.

Link to story
David Johnson player page




Bears | Hands betrayed Tarik Cohen in 2019
Chicago Bears RB Tarik Cohen was credited with eight drops last season - the most of any running back in the NFL.

Footballguys view: Cohen needs to do a better job of snaring passes with his role on the Bears offense. He's a smaller target so passes need to be more on the mark with Cohen than they are with larger receiving backs with a larger wingspan. Cohen has flex appeal for Fantasy GMs in PPR formats.

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Tarik Cohen player page




Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa praised by former NFL QB
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was discussed during a recent interview between ESPN analyst Mark Sanchez and Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd, and Sanchez did not hold back when asked about Tagovailoa's pro readiness.'Sometimes you can't even articulate what he did on film and it leaves you scratching your head because it's so good, so fast and so instinctive. It's almost like he's processing what's happening physically in front of him. And in those nanoseconds his body is already reacting. He's already making decisions you didn't even know he could make that quickly. It's uncanny. He's physically and mentally twitchy,' Sanchez said.

Footballguys view: Tagovailoa has all the makings of a superstar quarterback. If he stays healthy and plays up to his potential, then the Dolphins have found a quarterback of a caliber they haven't had since the days of Dan Marino. We'll see if the Dolphins give him a redshirt year as a rookie with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter.

Link to story




Browns | Odell Beckham Jr. hurt by poor throws
Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. struggled for the bulk of the 2019 season for several reasons - including a core muscle injury - but another factor that contributed to his poor first year with Cleveland was that only 59.7 percent of his targets were deemed catchable, according to Pro Football Focus. Over his first five seasons with the New York Giants, his catchable target percentage was 64.9.

Footballguys view: Baker Mayfield was under pressure early and often in 2019. That has to change this year so he can toss better passes towards Beckham and the other receivers on the roster.

Link to story
Odell Beckham Jr player page




Bills | Josh Allen erratic on short passes in 2019
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen completed 69 percent of his passes during two receivers within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage - the worst rate by any qualifying quarterback last season.

Footballguys view: Allen was just erratic in general because his deep passes didn't fare much better. We'll see if he can make more progress as a passer in 2020. Throwing to Stefon Diggs could help his numbers all over the field this season.

Link to story
Josh Allen player page




Giants | Daniel Jones looking to limit fumbles
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones said he has been working on holding onto the ball this offseason after he fumbled the ball 18 times in 2019.

Footballguys view: Jones was under pressure early and often last year as a rookie. The Giants have made moves to upgrade their offensive line, so better protecting Jones was a clear priority for the team. With better protection and better ball security, Jones shouldn't cough up the rock as much in 2020.

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Daniel Jones player page




Bills | Tyler Kroft on track to being No. 2 TE
Buffalo Bills TE Tyler Kroft is the leading candidate for the No. 2 tight end job entering training camp.

Footballguys view: Second-year pro Dawson Knox will be the lead tight end for the Bills in 2020. When he needs a breather, or when the team wants two TEs on the field, then Kroft could get some snaps. Kroft is a capable receiver and blocking tight end with little fantasy value unless Knox has to miss time with an injury.

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Tyler Kroft player page




Jaguars | Chris Thompson officially joins Jaguars
Updating a previous report, free-agent RB Chris Thompson (Redskins) officially signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars Wednesday, May 13. Official terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Thompson is going to keep doing what he does best -- catching passes out of the backfield. Leonard Fournette is still in Jacksonville and he's still the lead back for the team. Thompson will compete with Ryquell Armstead to be the backup to Fournette. If healthy, Thompson could catch around 30 passes in a reserve role.

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Chris Thompson player page




Patriots | Thaddeus Moss was a target for NE
Washington Redskins TE Thaddeus Moss said he received interest from the New England Patriots after the 2020 NFL Draft but decided to sign with the Redskins.

Footballguys view: Moss, the son of former NFL superstar WR Randy Moss, had interest after the draft as a priority free agent. He's got a good all-around skill set, mostly known for his ball skills and blocking ability. He didn't drop a single pass last year for LSU and was one of the best in-line blockers in this class. Moss is not going to run by defenders, so we're looking at him as a back-of-the-depth-chart sort of player at the pro level.

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Titans | Jonnu Smith working out with QB
Tennessee Titans TE Jonnu Smith said he has been working out with QB Ryan Tannehill at a local park over the last few weeks so they can improve their chemistry.

Footballguys view: Smith took over for Delanie Walker for the Titans last year. Walker failed to stay healthy again, and the team moved on from the veteran this offseason. Smith posted career-best numbers in 2019 and could best those totals in 2020. He was the no.17 fantasy tight end last year (standard-scoring leagues) and could break into low-end TE1 range with the role all to himself. His current ADP is TE18 (13.07) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Ryan Tannehill player page
Jonnu Smith player page




Eagles | Philly a potential landing spot for LeSean McCoy?
Free-agent RB LeSean McCoy (Chiefs) is not in a hurry to sign with a new NFL team, but he is listening to offers. He plans to play for a 12th season in the league and would like to close out his NFL career the right way and to put a stamp on his career. While he is keeping his options open, McCoy said he could see himself returning to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he started his career. 'That's home, so you never know,' McCoy said. He believes he could provide veteran leadership to the team's existing backs and help RB Miles Sanders in his development.

Footballguys view: McCoy said he wants to sign with a contender earlier this offseason and the Eagles would qualify as that. He knows the team, they know him and they could use a veteran presence behind starter Miles Sanders. McCoy is not the same player he used to be but showed he's got something left in the tank with his 4.6 yards-per-carry average in 2019.

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LeSean McCoy player page




Colts | T.Y. Hilton entering contract year
Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton is entering the final year of his contract with the team but has made it clear he would like to be with the team for his entire NFL career. Hilton said there were some conversations with the Colts on a new deal before the COVID shutdown. At that point, talks were tabled but it's possible they may resume. Hilton thinks his next contract will be his last.

Footballguys view: Injuries held Hilton to just 10 games last year and he hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2017. He should be in for a bounce-back year and become a favorite target of new starting quarterback Philip Rivers. Hilton wants to retire at the end of his third contract and we feel something should get done with the Colts. He's on the books for around $14.5 million for this season.

Link to story
T.Y. Hilton player page



Source: footnallguys.com

[cjwatsonfan32]

“Odell Beckham hurt by poor throws” lol football guys are sounding like booger McFarland with this kind of stuff

[JAKEPEAVY21]

TY Hilton needs to stay healthy this year.

[LT Profits]

Friday Update

Cardinals | Arizona still believes in Hakeem Butler
Arizona Cardinals WR Hakeem Butler missed his entire rookie season after suffering a finger injury in training camp, but the coaching staff still believes he has an 'intriguing skill set,' according to Kyle Odegard of the team's website.'(Butler has) tons of ability. He's healthy. He's been working hard this offseason. He knows what we expect of him, and what we think he can be. I'm really excited when we can finally get him back on the field,' head coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
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Hakeem Butler player page



Browns | Receivers didn't always help Baker Mayfield
Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield lost 294 yards due to receiver error on accurate throws last season. The mark was the 11th-highest in the league for a quarterback.
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Baker Mayfield player page



Jaguars | Jay Gruden's presence big for Tyler Eifert
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Tyler Eifert suggested during an interview with the team's website Thursday, May 14, that the presence of new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden was 'a big factor' why he chose to sign with the team in free agency.
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Tyler Eifert player page



Buccaneers | Ronald Jones putting in some work
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones' limitations in the passing game have cost him playing time at various points throughout his two-year NFL career, but he is focusing his offseason work on running sharper routes and being more consistent with his hands. In addition, his workout coach also stated that Jones is 225 pounds.
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Ronald Jones II player page



Redskins | Antonio Gibson tough to bring down
Washington Redskins WR/RB Antonio Gibson broke 33 tackles on 77 career touches in his time at Memphis, according to Pro Football Focus.

Footballguys view: Gibson is a multi-purpose weapon who can do a lot of damage as a receiver out wide, in the slot or from the backfield. He can also gash a defense as a runner due to his size and vision. We're excited to see how the rookie from Memphis fits into the Washington backfield with other RBs like Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson.

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49ers | Brandon Aiyuk shines under pressure
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk had a penchant for the spotlight while at Arizona State, according to his former head coach Herm Edwards. 'When the lights are the brightest, he runs to the middle of the field,' Edwards said. 'He doesn't run to the shadows. He likes competition. ... 'He did a great job when he was called upon to make big plays. In big moments in games, he always showed up for us.'

Footballguys view: Aiyuk's game is all about run-after-the-catch ability. He broke 14 tackles last year for the Sun Devils and averaged a whopping 10.9 yards after the catch. Expect him to start immediately opposite of Deebo Samuel in 2020.

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Browns | Nick Chubb stellar after contact
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb is the only running back since 2006 to average four-plus yards after contact per carry for his career, according to Pro Football Focus.

Footballguys view: Chubb has a great center of gravity and that gives him amazing contact balance. He is tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam and can bounce off would-be tackles with ease. Expect that to continue in 2020 in what could be the best season of his career.

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Nick Chubb player page




Rams | Jared Goff struggled on play action
Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff was the least efficient passer in the league on play-action attempts in 2019, but he attempted more play-action throws than any other QB.

Footballguys view: Goff has to be better on play-action passes. In the Sean McVay system, utilizing play-action passes helps get receivers open downfield for big plays -- field-flipping plays at times. The Rams need to make sure to run the ball effectively which helps on the run fake when the team wants to execute a play-action pass.

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Jared Goff player page




Steelers | Mason Rudolph to be backup QB
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph will be the backup to Ben Roethlisberger in 2020, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

Footballguys view: Rudolph is their backup quarterback but the Steelers don't really have a quarterback of the future. The offense went off the rails last year after Ben Roethlisberger was injured in Week 2. Rudolph doesn't provide much upside as a developmental player, but the Steelers might see him as a guy who could take over when Roethlisberger is done.

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Mason Rudolph player page




Steelers | Ben Roethlisberger setback free
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) has been progressing well in his recovery after missing the final 14 games of the 2019 season due to an elbow injury, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. 'He's doing great thus far. He's in great physical condition. Rehabilitation, in regards to the injury itself, is going well. I hear nothing but positive reports from that standpoint,' Tomlin said. 'There have been no bumps in the road.'

Footballguys view: Great news for the Steelers here. Nobody knows how much Roethlisberger has left in the tank. This elbow injury should limit the veteran quarterback in training camp and the preseason. The upside is there for Roethlisberger to be a low-end QB1 for Fantasy GMs in 2020...if he can stay healthy.

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Ben Roethlisberger player page




Browns | Baker Mayfield leading team workouts
Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield is leading workouts with several teammates in his hometown of Austin, Texas. TE David Njoku and WRs Rashard Higgins and Damion Ratley have been among those present.

Footballguys view: Mayfield is set for a bounce-back season in 2020. Things went off track for Mayfield last year in his second season. To get out of that sophomore slump, the Browns added more weapons in free agency and the draft. They also beefed up their offensive line to better protect their young quarterback.

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Rashard Higgins player page
David Njoku player page
Baker Mayfield player page
Damion Ratley player page




Steelers | Eric Ebron passes physical
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron (ankle) tweeted Thursday, May 14 he passed his physical. He added he has been able to run and cut without pain.

Footballguys view: Ebron is a dangerous weapon when healthy. This ankle injury would have kept him out of OTAs and minicamp if those were going on right now, but with a 'virtual offseason' instead we should see him make his Steelers debut in training camp. Ebron should be the lead tight end for the Steelers in 2020.

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Eric Ebron player page





Titans | Ryan Tannehill excelled on difficult throws
Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill led all qualified passers in 2019 with a completion percentage over expected of plus-8.0 percent, according to Next Gen Stats. The stat measures the difference between a QB's actual completion percentage and expected completion percentage based on the level of difficulty of their throws.

Footballguys view: Tannehill looked like a different quarterback during his time with the Titans last year. He was able to make difficult throws and receivers like A.J. Brown came through for him in a big way. We'll see if he can repeat and continue his performance this year now that the Titans have paid him a big price.

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Ryan Tannehill player page




Raiders | Vegas had interest in LeSean McCoy
Free-agent RB LeSean McCoy (Chiefs) received interest from the Las Vegas Raiders before the Raiders decided to sign RB Devontae Booker.

Footballguys view: McCoy says he wants to play for a contender and most feel he will land back with the Eagles. Booker over McCoy kind of says where McCoy is at in his pro career. He's not the same player he used to be but could give some team valuable veteran depth in 2020. McCoy looked good in flashes for the Chiefs but was a healthy scratch once they began their playoff run to the Super Bowl last year.

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LeSean McCoy player page




Seahawks | Geno Smith agrees to terms
Free-agent QB Geno Smith (Seahawks) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, May 14, according to a source. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Smith stays with Seattle to be a backup to Russell Wilson. With Wilson one of the most durable quarterbacks in the league, Smith will likely hold a clipboard all season long. He will compete with undrafted rookie Anthony Gordon (Washington State) in training camp to be the primary backup.

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Geno Smith player page




Falcons | OC expects improvement from Russell Gage
Atlanta Falcons WR Russell Gage Jr. should be able to take his play to another level this upcoming season, according to offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Koetter said Gage will need to work on his consistency.

Footballguys view: Gage finished last season strong with 12 catches over the final two games of the year. He's competing as the no.3 receiver for the Falcons behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Gage is a player we'll continue to monitor in dynasty formats.

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Falcons | Wait-and-see with Todd Gurley's health
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said RB Todd Gurley played in a similar offensive system with the Los Angeles Rams and feels that's fortunate. With a similar terminology and concept base, it could help Gurley hit the ground running faster with his new team. 'He can do everything. He's an excellent running back. He can protect. The main question is that no one seems know is, what's his health status? What's his workload?' Koetter said.

Footballguys view: The team took a chance on the former Georgia Bulldogs superstar. If healthy, Gurley can be one of the best running backs in the league. He may not be the same player he used to be but Gurley can still be an effective lead back. Koetter added the team will just have to wait until they can work with Gurley to see where he's at physically. Gurley has a current ADP of RB27 (6.04) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Todd Gurley player page




Giants | Saquon Barkley not worried about contract
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley, who is entering the third-year of his rookie contract, doesn't sound concerned about getting a new contract at some point. 'I'm a big believer in taking care of the little things first. I'm going to be the best player and leader I can be. If I take care of that, the rest will take care of itself,' Barkley said. He also noted he was excited to see the team adding to the offensive line during the NFL Draft.

Footballguys view: Barkley wants to have a bounce-back season in 2020. The team struggled last year on offense and Barkley played while banged up (in addition to missing three games). Even in a down season, Barkley was a top-10 fantasy running back. If healthy and effective or productive as he was as a rookie, Barkley can finish as a top-3 back. He has a current ADP of RB2 (1.02) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Saquon Barkley player page



Source: footballguys.com

[cjwatsonfan32]

Saquon will always have O line issues up in New York. That next contract, if it’s with the giants, will be the last.

[jrgum3]

Can't wait to see what Shannahan dials up to take advantage of Aiyuk's ability. I think he should thrive under Shanny's guidance.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Geno Smith signed? Wow

[LT Profits]

Saturday Update

Cowboys | Plenty to go around for CeeDee Lamb?
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb should have 'plenty of opportunities' in 2020 because of the departures of Houston Texans WR Randall Cobb and Las Vegas Raiders TE Jason Witten, according to Dan Parr of NFL.com. Cobb and Witten accounted for 166 targets in 2019, according to Pro Football Reference.
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Vikings | Immediate role for Justin Jefferson?
Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson has a 'chance to be a pretty impactful rookie,' according to general manager Rick Spielman.
Link to story



Broncos | Royce Freeman the odd man out?
Denver Broncos RB Royce Freeman accounted for 32.3 percent of the carries in 2019 and 33 percent in 2018, and he 'appears to be the odd man out' of the running back rotation in 2020 following the addition of RB Melvin Gordon, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.
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Melvin Gordon III player page
Royce Freeman player page



Redskins | Dwayne Haskins drops weight
Washington Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins said he has dropped 11 pounds this offseason.

Footballguys view: Haskins may feel the weight loss will make him quicker on the move. He was the team's first-round pick in 2019 and he did flash a bit in limited playing time as a rookie. However, this new staff led by head coach Ron Rivera has no ties to Haskins and he will have to compete for the starting job with Kyle Allen in training camp.

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Dwayne Haskins player page




Jets | Chris Herndon in line to start
New York Jets TE Chris Herndon is expected to be the starting tight end this upcoming season and should have a solid role in the passing game, in the opinion of the New York Post's Brian Costello.
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Chris Herndon player page



Browns | Dontrell Hilliard signs tender
Cleveland Browns exclusive rights free-agent RB Dontrell Hilliard signed his one-year tender offer Friday, May 15. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Hilliard is a reserve running back for the Browns and doesn't have much fantasy value. He'll compete for a spot on the end of the depth chart. Hilliard will compete with guys like D'Ernest Johnson and undrafted rookie Benny Lemay.

Link to story




Saints | New Orleans adds Ty Montgomery
Free-agent RB Ty Montgomery (Jets) signed with the New Orleans Saints Friday, May 15. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Montgomery is a do-everything running back who can line up as a wide receiver or in the slot in addition to the backfield. He'll compete for a reserve role but would be quite interesting in that high-powered offense if he gets a larger opportunity.

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Ty Montgomery player page




Jaguars | Jacksonville set at QB?
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone on Friday, May 15, was asked in a radio interview if there was any interest in the team signing free agent QB Cam Newton. Marrone didn't address that specific question, but did say he believes the team is fairly well set at the position. 'Right now we have four quarterbacks, so we're pretty much done,' Marrone said. 'If there's any opportunity, we constantly talk about the players that are out there. . . . We're always looking to improve and we're looking to get the right pieces to help us.'

Footballguys view: Gardner Minshew is their starter and Mike Glennon is their veteran backup. The team is unlikely to add another quarterback to the room at this time. Minshew showed flashes as a rookie in 2019 but his game was far from consistent.

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Cam Newton player page




Chiefs | Tyreek Hill top deep threat
Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill led all players with 10 receptions on throws of at least 40 yards downfield since 2017.

Footballguys view: Hill and Patrick Mahomes know how to make things happen. Those big plays that we've seen from day 1 with this duo will continue in 2020. Hill has a current ADP of WR3 (1.11) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Tyreek Hill player page




Jaguars | More pocket for Gardner Minshew?
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew will be working on making more plays from the pocket, according to head coach Doug Marrone. The priorities will be developing rhythm and reads and deciphering coverage. Marrone added they don't want to discourage Minshew from using his creativity, but they want him to make good decisions.

Footballguys view: Keeping Minshew in the pocket means they better have options for him right away as a passer. He was under a lot of pressure last year and thus would scramble around looking to make a play with his arm. Minshew is their guy as they've yet added a guy like Cam Newton to take the starting job and in fact signed perennial backup Mike Glennon to be the guy behind the second-year quarterback. We'll see if the added weapons and emphasis on staying in the pocket helps Minshew play more consistently in 2020.

Link to story
Gardner Minshew player page




Colts | Indy signs three picks
Indianapolis Colts second-round pick RB Jonathan Taylor, fourth-round pick QB Jacob Eason and sixth-round pick LB Jordan Glasgow signed their rookie four-year deals Friday, May 15. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Footballguys view: Taylor is the player to watch here. He's a dominating runner who often is miscast as just a two-down banger. Taylor is powerful and swift as a runner and while he's not an elite receiver, he's not a terrible receiver out of the backfield either. However, with Nyheim Hines there as their pass-catching back we shouldn't see Taylor get too many catches as a rookie. He'll split carries in a RBBC with Marlon Mack this season.

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Steelers | James Conner still the featured back
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner will remain the featured back in 2020, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. 'James is a featured guy and proven runner when healthy,' Tomlin said. 'We're excited about him getting back to health and displaying that in 2020. Benny Snell is a guy that is capable of being a featured runner who plays with a physical style in a similar manner to James. He's capable of being a James-type of guy if James is unavailable.'

Footballguys view: Conner is still the lead back but his role could be smaller this year for a few reasons. He needs to stay healthy and a smaller workload may help him do that. The Steelers have spent draft picks on guys like Benny Snell (2019) and Anthony McFarland (2020) that could cut into Conner's playing time. Conner has a current ADP of RB19 (4.02) in 12-team PPR leagues.

Link to story
James Conner player page



Source: footballguys.com

[BarkingToad]

Geno Smith signed? Wow

[LT Profits]

Geno Smith signed? Wow

"With Wilson one of the most durable quarterbacks in the league, Smith will likely hold a clipboard all season long."

Nice job, where do I sign?

[Otters27]

Can't wait to see what Shannahan dials up to take advantage of Aiyuk's ability. I think he should thrive under Shanny's guidance.

Miners should be good for years to come

[Stallion]

The 49ers did a good job replacing what they lost. I don't see them being as good as last year, with that schedule.

[cjwatsonfan32]

The 49ers did a good job replacing what they lost. I don't see them being as good as last year, with that schedule.

That west seems to be wide open. Hawks niners again probably

[LT Profits]

Sunday Update

Rams | Van Jefferson close to full strength
Los Angeles Rams WR Van Jefferson (foot) said he is 90 percent healthy following surgery on his foot.
Link to story



Vikings | Chad Beebe at full strength
Minnesota Vikings WR Chad Beebe (ankle) is 'back healthy again' following ankle surgery, according to head coach Mike Zimmer.
Link to story



Raiders | Nelson Agholor now a backup?
Las Vegas Raiders WR Nelson Agholor will likely move to a backup role following the addition of WR Henry Ruggs III, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic.
Link to story
Nelson Agholor player page



Colts | Michael Pittman should be red zone target
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. likely will be a popular red zone target for the Colts this upcoming season because of his size.
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Titans | Tennessee could look for veteran No. 2 QB
Tennessee Titans QBs Logan Woodside and Cole McDonald are expected to compete for the No. 2 quarterback job during training camp, but the Titans could consider signing a veteran backup quarterback if neither of the quarterbacks impress during camp, in the opinion of TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt.

Footballguys view: The Titans won't add anyone like Cam Newton, who could be a threat to Ryan Tannehill at the top of the depth chart. Instead, look for a veteran like Joe Flacco (when healthy) to potentially be an option for the Titans as they look for veteran experience in the QB room behind Tannehill.

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Cardinals | DeAndre Hopkins likely to see drop in volume
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins ranks first in the NFL in targets (487) and receiving touchdowns (31) over the last three seasons. He also ranks second with 315 receptions in that time.

Footballguys view: We'll see how the Cardinals use him in 2020, and they do have other talented WRs on the roster, but Hopkins should still be producing at an incredibly high level. It wouldn't surprise us to see him used as much as he was with the Texans for years.

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DeAndre Hopkins player page




Bills | Zack Moss high on confidence
Buffalo Bills RB Zack Moss has a warning for any NFL defenders who plan on bringing him down in 2020. 'Anybody who wants to tackle me it's going to have to be a business decision,' Moss said during an appearance on 'Good Morning Football' on the NFL Network. 'It's all game, all night. The fourth quarter is punishment. ... 'I'm trying to be the most dominant player on the field every time I have that ball in my hands.'

Footballguys view: Moss is high on confidence and he has a no-nonsense running style that has shades of Marshawn Lynch to his game. He's not as fast or quite as brutal as Lynch was/is on the field but Moss could bring some power to the backfield behind starter Devin Singletary.

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Seahawks | Russell Wilson unlucky
Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson threw 48 incompletions from 2017-2019 on positively-graded throws, according to Pro Football Focus.

Footballguys view: Wilson hasn't always had the best receivers around him. Those receivers certainly have lacked consistently and it comes through in the advanced data. Wilson isn't 'unlucky' per se but he does need more help from his wideouts.

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Russell Wilson player page




Giants | Golden Tate tops in open field
New York Giants WR Golden Tate led the position with 183 forced missed tackles from 2010-19.

Footballguys view: That sounds about right. Tate has always looked like a running back after the catch with his moves and quickness. He needs to stay healthy as he only appeared in 11 games last year, but Tate still has WR3/flex value for Fantasy GMs.

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Golden Tate player page




Raiders | Darren Waller learning from veteran
Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller is picking up tips this offseason from TE Jason Witten, his new veteran teammate. 'He is great getting off the ball right at the snap, he will be ahead of receivers. So I'm thinking, 'I didn't know ⁦jason Witten was that fast,' but there are a lot of small details to his game that are just incredible.'

Footballguys view: It will be interesting to see how Waller and Witten work together in this TEBC. Fantasy GMs love what Waller did last year, finishing second in the NFL in receiving yards by a tight end. However, he only scored three touchdowns and most would like to see that number increase. It might not if Witten is taking away some looks near pay dirt. Waller has a current ADP of TE5 (5.07) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Darren Waller player page




Cowboys | Addition will benefit Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will be one of the biggest beneficiaries with the Cowboys drafting WR CeeDee Lamb in the first round, according to a team beat reporter. Per Pro Football Focus, Elliott averaged 5.1 yards per carry when rushing in 11 personnel, fifth-highest among the 23 NFL players with at least 80 eligible carries in 2019. Additionally, Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards from 11 personnel with 823 yards on 161 attempts. With WRs Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Lamb, defenses must respect the Cowboys' ability to pass and generally will be forced to replace at least one linebacker with a defensive back, switching to a nickel or dime sub-package.

Footballguys view: That only makes sense from a gameplanning standpoint. With more weapons in the passing game, defenses won't be able to stack the box to stuff the run more regularly. Elliott is one of the best in the game and a virtual lock to finish as a top-5 fantasy back (again) in 2020.

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Ezekiel Elliott player page




Saints | Michael Thomas tops in catch rate
New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas caught 80.5 percent of his 185 targets in 2019 to lead all wide receivers with at least 75 targets.

Footballguys view: Thomas doesn't let many passes get past him. He's one of the most focused receivers in the league and the centerpiece of what the Saints do on offense. He's got more help at the position this year with veteran Emmanuel Sanders added in free agency. That should take some attention away from the defense, but Thomas is a top-tier talent no matter if he's double-covered or not.

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Michael Thomas player page




Bears | Nick Foles quickly picking up Chicago system
Chicago Bears QB Nick Foles, who will compete for the starting quarterback job with the Bears, is quickly getting caught up on the team's offensive system. The system isn't new to Foles, as it is the same one he learned under Bears head coach Matt Nagy when the two were with the Kansas City Chiefs. 'It's like riding a bike,' Nagy said. 'Once you present somebody like Nick the playbook and they start looking at it, all of a sudden it just clicks.'

Footballguys view: Foles worked with Nagy before so picking up this system should be a breeze. We'll see if he can beat out 2017 first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky in training camp for the starting job.

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Nick Foles player page




Packers | Matt LaFleur reiterates support of Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reiterated that QB Aaron Rodgers is the leader of the Packers. 'This is Aaron's team. He's our leader. He's our captain,' LaFleur said.

Footballguys view: There has been rampant speculation about the relationship between the two since the team selected QB Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Sure, Love may be the quarterback of the future but he would be better off developing behind Rodgers for at least two years. This is Rodgers team, and it would've been nice to see the Packers add better receiving weapons around him as they try to make another run at a Super Bowl in 2020.

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Aaron Rodgers player page



Source: footballguys.com

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Good move by Oakland signing Witten to mentor Waller

[BarkingToad]

That's what I've been saying, Russell Wilson needs help!

[spippen]

Good move by Oakland signing Witten to mentor Waller

Bigtime Yes.

[cjwatsonfan32]

Good move by Oakland signing Witten to mentor Waller

Who’s Oakland? I don’t think there is a team there bud!