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NFL Player News - Week of 5/1/17
Courtesy of Footballguys.com
BUF - Doug Whaley fired
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Sal Maiorana
The Buffalo Bills have fired general manager Doug Whaley.
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You could see this move coming a mile away. Whaley wasn't very visible in the Bills draft process. The team probably wanted to avoid leaks of their draft plans, but it is clear that this is Sean McDermott's show. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport pegs Brandon Beane and Don Gregory from the Panthers organization as potential candidates to rejoin McDermott in Buffalo, and former exec Joe Banner brought up Brett Veach, who worked with McDermott in Philadelphia and is now in the Kansas City organization that has been a fertile ground for opportunities elsewhere.
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GB - RB Ty Montgomery still the starting RB
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
Green Bay Packers RB Ty Montgomery is still the starting running back, head coach Mike McCarthy said Saturday, April 29.
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Fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams and fifth-rounder Aaron Jones are both more natural than Montgomery between the tackles and they should have a chance to make Christine Michael expendable. While Montgomery dodged Joe Mixon joining the team, which was a strong rumor before the draft, he'll remain in a committee.
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CAR - WR Kelvin Benjamin's weight causing concern
Source: The Associated Press
Carolina Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin is overweight, according to head coach Ron Rivera, and it's a concern. Benjamin, listed at 6-5, 245 pounds, was rumored to weigh 280 pounds, but Rivera disputed the report. He did not offer a specific weight, but he said Benjamin is a 'little heavy' right now and is working hard to lose the weight.
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Benjamin's weight was a reported problem at Florida State, and he was also in and out of the doghouse last year. Devin Funchess's development has stalled out and the team didn't bring in very much help in free agency (Charles Johnson and Russell Shepard) after letting Ted Ginn go to New Orleans and Corey Brown to Buffalo. Second-round pick Curtis Samuel is one to watch with 2016 UDFA Keyarris Garrett also a talented and productive name to remember if Benjamin flames out.
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BUF - QB Tyrod Taylor will need to compete for job
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Rodak
Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor will not be handed the starting quarterback job and will need to earn it during offseason workouts and training camp, according to head coach Sean McDermott.
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Cardale Jones and rookie Nathan Peterman join journeyman TJ Yates as the competition. This is a good line for the team to take, but if Taylor struggles to separate from this group at all it will be a sign that the new regime made a bad decision to keep him at a slight discount instead of letting him walk when his option was up this spring. Taylor should be considered a matchup QBBC play as long as he wins the job.
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HOU - D'Onta Foreman could be No. 2 RB
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Houston Texans RB D'Onta Foreman could beat out RB Alfred Blue for the No. 2 running back job this upcoming season, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop.
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He should be the #2 with his vastly superior athleticism. Foreman wasn't as powerful as his mass indicates, and he's not a three-down back. He could have some relevance if Lamar Miller goes down this year, but he might be overrated in dynasty leagues because of his production and measureables.
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DET - RB Ameer Abdullah has hold of starting job
Source: ESPN.com - Michael Rothstein
Detroit Lions RB Ameer Abdullah will be the team’s starting running back this fall, according to general manager Bob Quinn.
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Theo Riddick will certainly play a big role in the passing game and Zach Zenner was strong enough at the end of the season to merit consideration as an inside runner, so Abdullah's upside is capped. Still, he was dynamic to open the season and the Lions line is arguably improved after the offseason. He's a mid-round consideration in PPR leagues.
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LA - WR Tavon Austin could move outside
Source: The Orange County Register - Rich Hammond
Los Angeles Rams WR Tavon Austin could move to the outside or be utilized more in the run game if WR Cooper Kupp is a better option as a slot receiver, according to beat writer Rich Hammond.
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Austin's deep speed isn't being used nearly enough, and he hasn't been the open field threat the Rams envisioned when they drafted him in the top 10 or signed him to a big extension. He's barely draftable in PPR leagues. Kupp could be a high volume target with so little at wide receiver for this team, but he still landed in a bad fantasy spot as long as Jared Goff is a work in progress.
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CIN - Quick transition for Joshua Malone?
Source: Bengals.com - Dan Hoard
Cincinnati Bengals WR Joshua Malone is 'well-coached' and knows how to play the receiver position, according to wide receivers coach James Urban. 'I think he's a guy that will flash plays on a daily basis because of his physical tool set, and then he'll just get better, and better, and better,' Urban said.
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Malone is a size/speed threat who can stick on the Bengals roster as a fifth receiver while he develops. He has starter upside and should be monitored in dynasty leagues just in case first-round pick John Ross can't stay healthy in the pros. Deep dynasty leaguers should look to stash Malone away.
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PHI - RB Ryan Mathews cleared to work out
Source: Delaware News Journal - Martin Frank
Philadelphia Eagles RB Ryan Mathews (back) has been cleared to work out, executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman said Saturday, April 29.
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Many covering the Eagles expect Mathews to be released once he is healthy, so this is a sign that he could be on the way out. Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood will play roles in the backfield regardless of Mathews' status, but if he is let go, then there will some carries free for the taking in Philadelphia.
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GB - QB Brett Hundley was close to being moved
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Green Bay Packers QB Brett Hundley was close to being traded during the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft but likely will be remain with the team for at least one more season.
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This is part of a growing trend of teams trying to profit from developing backup quarterback by trading them for a high price before they hit free agency and likely get overpaid elsewhere by a quarterback hungry team. Hundley has a great athleticism but was a long-term project when the Packers drafted him. At least they have shown enough faith in him to allow him to be the backup early in his career. We'd love to know the team and price that was being discussed.
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BAL - Two Ravens WRs could see more playing time
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Baltimore Ravens WRs Chris Moore and Michael Campanaro will be given the opportunity to compete for more playing time in 2017, according to general manager Ozzie Newsome.
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Moore is a 2016 fourth-round pick and he has some downfield game to suit Joe Flacco's style as a quarterback. Campanaro is a quicker than fast slot receiver who has had trouble staying healthy. The Ravens need help at wide receiver, so they will have a chance to get on the field this year.
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BAL - WR Anquan Boldin may be option for Ravens
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Free-agent WR Anquan Boldin (Lions) has received interest from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
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The Ravens are really only two deep at wide receiver with often injured Breshad Perriman being one and Mike Wallace the other. The rest of the depth chart inexperienced, so a return to Baltimore would make sense. He might be relevant in fantasy leagues if he signs with the Ravens and one of their top two receivers go down, and he could also play a lot in the slot even if they stay healthy.
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BUF - Nathan Peterman ready for the NFL?
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
Buffalo Bills QB Nathan Peterman's accuracy and timing of his throws and his 'ability to work under center' stood out, according to head coach Sean McDermott. 'It's not something you see often in the college game,' McDermott said.
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Peterman can be similar to Cody Kessler, mostly safe with the ball, but not threatening to a defense in most ways as a passer. He is alternative to Cardale Jones for the new regime if Tyrod Taylor isn't kept next year.
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Source: footballguys.com
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Originally Posted by Otters27
