Courtesy of Footballguys.com
DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott to see more work as receiver?
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Jon Machota
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott should be in line for even more touches - especially in the passing game - following the departures of Jason Witten and Dez Bryant, according to John Machota of The Dallas Morning News.
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The move to get Elliott more involved as a receiver makes a lot of sense. In two seasons as a pro (25 games), Elliott has 58 receptions for the Cowboys. It wouldn't be a shock to see him reach 50 receptions just this year with an extra emphasis on getting him the rock in any way possible. He's a top four pick in fantasy drafts of any format in 2018.
LAC - RB Melvin Gordon lacking efficiency
Source: ChargersWire - Will Reave Jr.
Los Angeles Chargers RB Melvin Gordon has never averaged more than 3.9 yards per rush in his first three NFL seasons.
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Gordon's 2.08 yards-before-first-contact-per-rush average ranked 31st in the NFL last year. The team gave him plenty of carries (284) but they need to create more room for him so he can get to top speed and gash defenses on a larger per-carry basis. He could do a little better after contact to boost that number as his 1.81 yards-after-first-contact average ranked 25th in the league in 2017. Gordon is still the centerpiece of the Chargers offense, and they should work to create more space and more big-play opportunities for him in 2018.
DAL - TE Rico Gathers added weight
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Jori Epstein
Dallas Cowboys TE Rico Gathers said he bulked up to 282 pounds in order to be more effective as a blocker. 'Now coming off, I'm delivering the blow,' Gathers said. 'I'm delivering the shot.'
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Gathers is a basketball convert who has never caught a pass in the regular season. He was tearing it up in the preseason last year before a severe concussion ended his 2017 season, and now Gathers is back with a larger opportunity after the retirement of Jason Witten. If you're in a deep enough draft, we'd nab Gathers as an upside play on the chance he hits. But understand there are major questions around him still. We're leaning towards none of the Dallas TEs being significant contributors this year. But again, it's just June.
PIT - RB James Conner shows well in OTAs
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Joe Rutter
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner caught the eye of QB Ben Roethlisberger during the team's recently completed OTAs, telling the Pittsburgh Tribune Live's Joe Rutter that Conner is 'looking really well right now' and that '(Conner) has gotten a lot better (since his rookie season).'
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That's good news for the second-year pro and for fantasy owners who have Conner in dynasty leagues. In deeper leagues where RB handcuffs are the rage, Conner is the one to attach to Le'Veon Bell in later rounds. He's not as versatile as Bell (few are), but Conner could be a thumper for the Steelers with a larger role.
NYG - WR Cody Latimer pushing to start
Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz
New York Giants WR Cody Latimer could emerge as the No. 3 receiver and the kick returner this year, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
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Latimer has always been a 'what if' player in the NFL. A second-round pick out of Indiana in 2014, Latimer failed to build strong chemistry with QB Peyton Manning early in his days with the Broncos. Injuries plagued his game along with inconsistency even after Manning retired. With a fresh start in 2018, Latimer is out to prove he can play up to the potential he displayed for the Hoosiers in college. We'll see if he can connect with Eli Manning to win the no.3 job for the Giants behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard.
HOU - QB Deshaun Watson won't be reeled in
Source: Houston Chronicle - Aaron Wilson
Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson's (knee) running ability won't be suffocated, according to quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan. 'You never want to take that away, his instincts, his ability to make plays,' Ryan said.
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Watson was setting the league on fire before a knee injury cut his rookie season short. This type of report has been coming out of Houston all offseason long. We get it -- the Texans (and Bill O'Brien) won't hold this potential superstar back in 2018. Fantasy owners certainly feel strongly about Watson as his current ADP of QB2 (4.11 in 12-team PPR leagues) is too rich for some out there.
CLE - Nick Chubb to open year as the backup?
Source: ESPNCleveland.com - Tony Grossi
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb will likely spell RB Carlos Hyde early in the year, in the opinion of Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
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This report is likely correct as Hyde is the seasoned veteran and Chubb is the talented rookie. However, Hyde is known to get a bit banged up and that could open the door for Chubb to start. He's got the type of natural running ability that can shine through if he only gets an opportunity. If he gets a shot, Hyde may not get the starting job back. We'll watch this competition unfold in training camp and the preseason.
CLE - RB Carlos Hyde to lead backfield?
Source: ESPNCleveland.com - Tony Grossi
Cleveland Browns RB Carlos Hyde will likely open the year as the starter, in the opinion of Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
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Hyde is going to be pushed in a big way this year by rookie Nick Chubb. We'll see if Hyde can hold the talented second-round pick off while getting enough work to be a RB3 for fantasy owners. The Browns won't have a lot of positive game scripts in 2018, so Hyde's early down work could be limited. They've got Duke Johnson Jr. to work as the primary receiving back.
Source: footballguys.com