Courtesy of Footballguys.com
DEN - Window closed for RB Montee Ball?
Source: Troy E. Renck - Denver Post
Troy E. Renck, from the Denver Post, believes that the "window has closed" for Montee Ball to prove himself as the team's starter. “If C.J Anderson stays healthy, his commitment is at a new level,” Renck said. “I don’t see Ball getting the chance to prove that anymore. I think the window closed on him last year.” “It’s a bellcow offense, the back doesn’t rotate in and out.”
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Strong statements here from one of the best Broncos beat writers. Note how he also includes that Kubiak is looking for one back to be the bellcow. Ball had hoped he could end up in a 1A/1B situation this year, but that may not be the case. Anderson is the starter, he's the frontrunner and he's the better back. We'll see if he can cement the job in training camp.
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STL - Only first 2 years of Gurley's contract guaranteed
Source: Ben Volin - Boston Globe
Ben Volin, from the Boston Globe, reports that only the first two years of St. Louis Rams rookie RB Todd Gurley's contract are guaranteed. If the Rams cut him because of his preexisting knee injury, then the final two years of his contract are void. That's an unusually structured deal given that Gurley was a premium pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
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The Rams had to protect themselves due to Gurley's knee injury, and that's what they did with this contract. Gurley has superstar potential if healthy, and he's betting on himself by signing this deal. He could start the season on the PUP list, and the Rams may have to start Tre Mason at the beginning of the year. When healthy, Gurley could be eased into the starting role. His ADP of RB24 (5.05) in 12-team PPR leagues seems a bit optimistic for a player who has yet to practice this offseason. We LOVE Gurley, but proceed with caution until we know more about his injury status.
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BUF - QB Taylor a sleeper in Buffalo?
Source: Ben Volin - Boston Globe
Ben Volin, from the Boston Globe, reports that Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is a player to watch out for in training camp. According to the report, Taylor received almost the same number of reps in OTAs and minicamp as both Matt Cassel and E.J. Manuel.
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Fantasy owners in deeper leagues take note. Does anyone have faith in Manuel or Cassel? Taylor has spent his entire career as Joe Flacco's backup, but he accepted an deal smaller than the Broncos offered him so he could compete for a starting job and get out of the shadow of a star quarterback. Taylor is super fast, quick and has a rocket arm but his accuracy and decision making need improvement. Yes, the Bills are going to have a run-heavy offense but remember that scrambling starting quarterbacks can be valuable assets in fantasy football.
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TB - WR Vincent Jackson may see time in slot
Source: The Tampa Tribune - Roy Cummings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson could line up in the slot at times this season.
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We're all for Jackson being used in creative and different ways this season. Out of the slot, Jackson can be put in motion to get a clean release off the line of scrimmage. He should quickly become a favorite target for rookie QB Jameis Winston. His current ADP is WR29 (6.06) in 12-team PPR leagues. That's pretty good value for a player who ranked as the 14th-best fantasy WR the last time he was catching passes from a rookie (2013, Mike Glennon).
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PHI - Tebow to make the final roster?
Source: Eliot Shorr-Parks - NJ.com
Eliot Shorr-Parks, from NJ.com, believes that quarterback Tim Tebow is going to make the 53-man roster for the Eagles. It's Tebow's experience as a starter, scrambling ability and lack of turnovers that would give him the edge over Matt Barkley according to the Eagles beat writer.
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We could see Tebow making the squad, and fantasy owners need to realize that he's not THAT far away from the starting job--mainly because Sam Bradford is such an injury risk. If Bradford is too banged up to play and Mark Sanchez struggles as the starter, then Tebow might actually get another shot at starting in the NFL. Yes, his passes will be ugly and you can time his throwing motion with a sun dial....but remember when he was starting for the Broncos he was a top-10 fantasy QB and an every week starter because of his scrambling ability. Stay tuned.
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NO - RBs Spiller/Ingram very close in yards?
Source: Mike Triplett - ESPN.com
Mike Triplett, from ESPN.com, believes that running backs C.J. Spiller and Mark Ingram could both be close in yards from scrimmage this year. Ingram would pick up his yards mostly as a runner while Spiller would get his yardage as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
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The more and more we read reports out of New Orleans, the more it becomes clear that Spiller is going to be more than a change-of-pace back for the Saints. If he caught 75 passes this year, we wouldn't be surprised. Spiller's going off the board at RB17 (4.02) in 12-team PPR leagues.
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WAS- Rookie Jones the third-down RB
Source: John Keim - ESPN.com
John Keim, from ESPN.com, believes that rookie running back Matt Jones will carve out a role as the team's third-down back. He reports that Alfred Morris could have about the same percentage of the carries (65 percent) as he always has had with Washington. He projects Jones to only get a few carries a game provided that Morris is running well.
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The Matt Jones hype train was out of control earlier this year. The guy is a poor man's version of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, yet some in the fantasy community felt he could be the next John Riggins. When Jones was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft, some speculated that Morris was on shaky ground. That doesn't seem to be the case now. Jones is the backup, Morris is the starter--and his role could be pretty much what it always has been with Washington.
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Source: footballguys.com