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Jay Cutler retires from the NFL

Friday, May 5, 2017, 9:44am

Jeff Darlington - [Full Article]

Jay Cutler has decided to transition from the field to the broadcast booth, and will now work for Fox Sports.

According to Adam Schefter: "Before deciding to go to FOX, Jay Cutler had real discussions with Jets, and less-promising ones with Texans. Cutler opted for analyst role."

Cardinals WR John Brown 'back to normal' after having a cyst removed

Thursday, May 4, 2017, 4:39pm

AZ Cardinals - [Full Article]

John Brown’s health issues in 2016 plagued him beyond the football field. That’s where it was noticeable to the world, with his yardage falling in half from his breakout 2015 campaign and eight games where he had one or zero catches. But his problems wouldn’t even let him take walks with his daughter, which drove him crazy, and he wasn’t the happy guy his family knew him to be.

It wasn’t just exhaustion but pain that was bothering him. The long-talked about sickle cell issues figured into the equation. But then, Brown said, they found a cyst on his spine after the final game of the season. Once the cyst was taken care of, “I was back to normal,” he said.

“I most definitely feel confident,” Brown said of the upcoming season. “Since they found out the situation, my body has been feeling better. I am doing the usual, which I couldn’t do when I was going through this process.”

Fantasy Impact:

Heading into the 2016 season, Brown was one of the best up-and-coming receivers in the league. He was 25 years old and coming off of a 65-1003-7 season. If he’s fully healthy again, he’s going to be a great value in the middle rounds. He’s currently going in the 9th round after having an ADP in the 5th round this time last year.

Broncos sign RB Jamaal Charles

Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 6:03pm

Adam Schefter - [Full Article]

Broncos and Jamaal Charles now have agreed to terms, per source.

Fantasy Impact:

Charles wasn’t too efficient in 2016 (40 yards on 12 carries in three games), but he was coming off of a torn ACL, and eventually had to undergo another operation to get the meniscus trimmed in the same knee. He also had a “clean-up” procedure on his right knee. In his previous 20 games from 2014-15, he averaged 93.6 total yards on 16.9 touches en route to 18.1 FP per game. That’s more than what Devonta Freeman averaged as last year’s #6 RB. Charles turned 30 last December. If he's reasonably healthy, he'll serve as C.J. Anderson's backup. If he's fully healthy, he could easily win the job outright.

Giants HC Ben McAdoo confirms Paul Perkins is the team's starter

Monday, May 1, 2017, 4:08pm

Paul Schwartz - [Full Article]

Giants Ben McAdoo said, surprisingly, that Paul Perkins is the starting running back. That is not a surprise, but McAdoo saying it is a surprise.

Fantasy Impact:

Perkins averaged 15.4 touches for 67 total yards over the final five games of the year, and with Rashad Jennings out of the way, Perkins will have the chance to be the starter heading into 2017.

Lions GM confirms Ameer Abdullah is the team's starter

Sunday, April 30, 2017, 1:55pm

ESPN - [Full Article]

The Detroit Lions didn’t select a running back this weekend in the annual NFL draft, and after it was over, general manager Bob Quinn said third-year pro Ameer Abdullah will be the team’s starting running back this fall.

Abdullah missed all but one-and-a-half games in 2016 with a foot injury that required surgery. He won the starting job last season and gained 101 yards on 18 carries before hurting his foot against Tennessee.

“He is,” Quinn said, when asked directly if Abdullah was his starter.

Abdullah was fully cleared to return this past winter and believes he still has the capability to be a premier running back in the league, something he said at the end of the season. Quinn called Abdullah’s injury “a fluke thing,” and said he thinks Theo Riddick will be ready to go as well.

“I feel pretty good about the position,” Quinn said. “There were a couple running backs we looked at in the middle part of the draft but just no one we felt was going to come in and really unseat any of the guys that we have on our roster.

“So we feel good about that spot.”

Fantasy Impact:

Both Abdullah and Riddick are going in the 7th round of early MFL10 drafts, and they both represent good values at that point in the draft. Riddick's per game average of 16.2 fantasy points (PPR) was the 8th-highest at his position. Riddick may not see as many carries with Abdullah back, but he should continue to play a big role in the passing game. In the one game that Abdullah played, Riddick turned 12 touches into 108 yards and two touchdowns, so he'll be involved even with Abdullah back in the lead role.

Bills fire GM Doug Whaley

Sunday, April 30, 2017, 1:27pm

Albert Breeer - [Full Article]

The Bills have fired general manager Doug Whaley.

Fantasy Impact:

New head coach Sean McDermott is calling the shots for now.

Browns plan to release TE Gary Barnidge

Friday, April 28, 2017, 3:28pm

Ian Rapoport - [Full Article]

After trading up for Miami TE David Njoku, the Browns have informed veteran TE Gary Barnidge he’ll be cut, source said.

Fantasy Impact:

Barnidge apparently became expendable after the Browns drafted TE David Njoku. Rookie tight ends rarely make a fantasy impact, but the Browns appear to be planning to play Njoku extensively if they were willing to part ways with Barnidge. Barnidge is entering his age 32 season, but shouldn't have a problem finding a new team.

Raiders, Seahawks agree to Marshawn Lynch trade

Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 1:30pm

Jay Glazer - [Full Article]

Marshawn Lynch trade swap of 2018 picks, Seahawks get Oakland's 5th, Oakland gets Seattle's 6th. Part of thinking is while Raiders still in Oakland, bring in a very popular Oakland-area dude.

Fantasy Impact:

In his final season with the Seahawks, Lynch gained 497 total yards and scored three touchdowns in seven games (3.76 YPC). That equates to 11.5 PPG (PPR), which are high-end RB3 numbers. The Oakland offensive line is very good, but Seattle’s offensive line seemed to block just fine for Thomas Rawls (5.65 YPC) and Christine Michael (4.92 YPC) while Lynch struggled mightily in 2015. The soon-to-be 31-year-old would be back on the radar as a fantasy RB2 if he is traded to the Raiders, but a return to RB1 production is not a slam dunk.

Schefter: Raiders sign Marshawn Lynch to a two-year deal

Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 9:59am

Adam Schefter - [Full Article]

Marshawn Lynch is getting a two-year deal from the Raiders, per source.

Fantasy Impact:

For real this time? There was a similar report from Mike Silver 12 days ago that was shot down by Lynch, but this report is from Schefter and it appears to be the real deal. In his final season with the Seahawks, Lynch gained 497 total yards and scored three touchdowns in seven games (3.76 YPC). That equates to 11.5 PPG (PPR), which are high-end RB3 numbers. The Oakland offensive line is very good, but Seattle’s offensive line seemed to block just fine for Thomas Rawls (5.65 YPC) and Christine Michael (4.92 YPC) while Lynch struggled mightily in 2015. The soon-to-be 31-year-old would be back on the radar as a fantasy RB2 if he is traded to the Raiders, but a return to RB1 production is not a slam dunk.

Steelers WR Martavis Bryant has been conditionally reinstated by NFL

Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 4:06pm

Steelers.com - [Full Article]

The NFL notified Martavis Bryant of the Pittsburgh Steelers today that he has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis.

Bryant may join the Steelers at the training facility and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities. Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Bryant’s clinical resources in Pittsburgh, he will be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.

Prior to the start of the regular season, the NFL will review Bryant’s progress. Based on his compliance and engagement with his program and resources, he will be permitted to participate in all regular season activities beginning in Week 1. He will be evaluated later in the season for full reinstatement.

Bryant had been suspended since March 2016 without pay following multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Fantasy Impact:

This is great news for Bryant and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. For an in-depth look at Bryant's outlook for 2017, read John Paulsen's recent article: Just a Friendly Reminder That Martavis Bryant Is Really Good.

Saints to sign RB Adrian Peterson

Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 10:11am

Josina Anderson - [Full Article]

Adrian Peterson tells me he plans to sign with the Saints on a 2-yr deal, effectively a (1 + 1 year option) term worth a base value of $7M.

Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate: "(Mark Ingram) would be the lead back. Peterson would be his backup. The Saints ran the ball 404 times last year."

Fantasy Impact:

After a 1,485-yard season in 2015, Peterson gained just 72 yards on 37 carries (1.9 YPC) in 2016 while his season was interrupted by meniscus surgery. He’s 32 years old and doesn’t run well out of the shotgun, which has become the norm in today’s NFL. We don't believe he'll usurp Ingram as the starter, though he should see a significant role a la Tim Hightower. Ingram may become a draft day value if his ADP takes a hit after this signing.

Bills don't match offer sheet for RB Mike Gillislee

Monday, April 24, 2017, 4:40pm

Adam Schefter - [Full Article]

Bills declined to match two-year, $6.4 million offer sheet that RB Mike Gillislee signed with Patriots, per source. Gillislee now a Pat.

Related players: LeSean McCoy, Rex Burkhead

Fantasy Impact:

Over the past two seasons, he has gained 844 yards on 148 carries (5.7 YPC) and found the end zone 12 times (11 rush, 1 rec). In fact, among running backs with at least eight rush attempts inside the opponent's 5-yard line over the past two seasons, Gillislee is tied with LeVeon Bell for the highest touchdown conversion rate (70.0%) in the league. Gillislee's arrival takes a lot of the wind out of Rex Burkhead's sails. Burkhead was probably going to see most of the goal line work, but given Gillislee's talents in that are, he'll probably handle those duties. Double digit touchdowns are possible if Gillislee holds down that role for the entire year. It's going to be tough to predict the Patriots' backfield on a weekly basis. In Buffalo, this cements LeSean McCoy's status as a top 5 fantasy back since he's now likely to see an increase in goal line attempts. Jonathan Williams likely serves as his primary back up, though the Bills may address the position in the draft.

Patriots extend RB James White for three years

Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 8:53pm

Adam Schefter - [Full Article]

Super-Bowl hero James White and Patriots reached agreement on 3-year extension, tying him to New England for 4 years, per league source.

Fantasy Impact:

Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis are signed through 2017, so White gives the team some long-term stability at the position if one or both were to walk next spring. White is more of a receiver than a runner, so his value is enhanced in PPR formats. If the Patriots are able to wrestle Mike Gillislee away from the Bills, this is going to be a very tough backfield to predict on a weekly basis.

Patriots sign RFA RB Mike Gillislee to an offer sheet

Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 2:16pm

Ian Rapoport - [Full Article]

Patriots extended an RFA offer sheet to Bills RB Mike Gillislee. It’s for 2 years, $6.4M, source said. $4M in the 1st year.

Joel Corry: The Bills are lousy at giving RFAs tenders. A $1.797M tender instead of a 2nd tender round for Mike Gillislee was inviting an offer sheet.

Fantasy Impact:

The Bills have five days to match the offer or lose Gillislee for a 5th round pick. Over the past two seasons, he has gained 844 yards on 148 carries (5.7 YPC) and found the end zone 12 times (11 rush, 1 rec). In fact, among running backs with at least eight rush attempts inside the opponent's 5-yard line over the past two seasons, Gillislee is tied with LeVeon Bell for the highest touchdown conversion rate (70.0%) in the league. If the Bills decline to match the offer, it should free up red zone touches for LeSean McCoy. In New England, Gillislee's arrival would put a serious dent in Rex Burkhead's upside, since he's currently first in line for goal line duties. Gillislee could conceivably assume LeGarrette Blount's role in the offense.

Andy Reid is 'a big Spencer Ware fan'

Sunday, April 16, 2017, 12:02pm

Kansas City Star - [Full Article]

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said at the NFL’s annual meeting in March that Spencer Ware, 25, did a fine job in his first year as a starter.

“I’m a big Spencer Ware fan — I like him,” Reid said. “Well, the kid’s dirty tough. He’s going to give you an honest down every snap. He’s not real fancy — that’s not his deal, but he can block, he can catch and he can run. So, there’s a place for Spencer, and this was really his first year as a full-time halfback.”

Fantasy Impact:

In 17 games where he’s seen at least 10 carries -- 13 of those games occurred in 2016 -- Ware has averaged 17.9 touches for 99 yards and 0.59 touchdowns, or 15.5 PPG (PPR). Those numbers would have extrapolated to #8 RB numbers in 2016. Ware missed two games last year, but was on pace to finish as the #11 RB had he stayed healthy. The Chiefs may draft a running back, which is why Ware’s ADP sits in the 4th round. If he sits atop the depth chart after the draft, he’ll be worthy of a 3rd round pick.

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