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Colts Beat: TE Eric Ebron turning heads
Monday, June 18, 2018, 8:15pm
Colts tight end Eric Ebron was a draft bust in Detroit, but he might be ready to make his mark in Indianapolis.
That’s the word after the Colts wrapped up their offseason workouts, and coach Frank Reich said he loved what he saw of Ebron.
“He’s really smart,” Reich said of Ebron, via the Indianapolis Star. “I knew that because we did our homework before he got here. We knew he was a smart player. But he’s like really a highly intelligent football player. And that’s really good because you want to use a guy with the versatility that he has and move him around and call all kinds of things with him. That helps. And he’s an explosive athlete.”
Reich comes from the Eagles, who loved to use the tight end last year, especially with Zach Ertz and Trey Burton. With a successful return of QB Andrew Luck, Ebron, the former 10th-overall draft pick (2014) may turn fantasy heads at some point this year.
Browns Beat: QB Baker Mayfield does not look ready
Monday, June 18, 2018, 4:48pm
A year after the Browns thrust then-rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer into a Week One starting role, the Browns appear intent to do the opposite with their latest rookie QB, keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield on ice for as long as possible.
If that’s the plan, Mayfield is making it easy for the decision makers to implement their strategy. Here’s an assessment of the competition, if there is one, between Mayfield and Tyrod Taylor, from Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “This is where I tell you that, based on the six practices of OTAs and minicamp that were open to the media, Mayfield did not look ready to compete with Taylor for the No. 1 quarterback job.”
Keep in mind it's only been six practices and things can change quickly, but as of now, it seems as if the deck is stacked in Taylor's favor, as the story put it.
McCarthy: Packers to use committee at RB
Monday, June 18, 2018, 1:36pm
Don’t expect any one running back to carry the load in Green Bay this season.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the demands of the position are such that running backs Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery, and Aaron Jones will all be better off if none of them get too many carries.
“The fact of the matter is we’re going to go running back by committee,” McCarthy told ESPN. “But if one of them would emerge as that full-time guy then you have to have that ability to...adjust to that."
Things can change quickly in the NFL. Just because the Packers are planning to do this now, in June, it doesn't mean that's how things will end up come September. However, it doesn't make fantasy life easy for those drafting sooner than later. In PPR leagues, we currently have Williams ranked as our No. 45 RB, Montgomery is our No. 51 ranked RB, and Jones comes in as our No. 54 ranked RB. Williams and Jones sport 10th-round ADPs, while Montgomery is being drafted, on average, in the 14th round.
Lions Beat: WR Kenny Golladay could break out this year
Monday, June 18, 2018, 12:36pm
Kenny Golladay is 6-foot-4. He's listed at 218 pounds. He has 4.5 speed and can jump through the building.
In other words, he looks like a No. 1 receiver. But in this offense, he doesn't have to be a No. 1 receiver. With Marvin Jones and Golden Tate back, he's probably a WR3.
And that's part of what makes him an excellent candidate to become the offense's breakout player of the year.
Golladay showed flashes last year when he caught 28 passes for 477 yards and 3 touchdowns. But if the offseason program is any indication, he's headed for even bigger things in 2018. He consistently chewed up the first-team defense, especially in the red zone, where he so deftly uses that rangy frame to go up and get passes even the likes of Darius Slay can't get to, according to the story. But fantasy expectations probably still need to be tempered for now because Tate and Jones still have a presence.
Colts plan to limit QB Andrew Luck's work in summer
Monday, June 18, 2018, 10:48am
According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Colts plan to limit Andrew Luck’s work throughout the summer to make sure there are no setbacks, including days off during training camp. They also plan to monitor his practice reps, to try to mirror his workload during the regular season.
Seems like Luck is still very much recovering from his shoulder injury. However, it seems like it's going to continue to put him behind in terms of repetitions and learning the new system.
Texans unsure when RB D'Onta Foreman (Achilles) will return
Sunday, June 17, 2018, 5:57pm
Texans General Manager Brian Gaine said in May that the team hoped to have running back Donta Foreman on the field when training camp starts this summer, but it doesn’t sound like that’s how things will play out.
The story went on to say that Foreman will continue rehabbing his torn Achilles in Houston until camp and says he’s “not trying to rush anything” as he works with the medical staff to figure out the best plan for getting him back to the player he was before the injury. Hitting that mark is “looking really good right now,” but Foreman isn’t sure he’ll get there before the start of the regular season.
Seahawks expect WR Brandon Marshall (hamstring) to be ready for camp
Sunday, June 17, 2018, 5:53pm
The Seahawks signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall late in May, but he never participated in any team drills before the team ended their offseason program with last week’s minicamp.
Coach Pete Carroll said that Marshall was being cautious due to a hamstring issue and that the team expects he’ll be ready to start a fuller workload once camp opens this summer.
Carroll was quoted as saying they are just making sure Marshall doesn't have a setback, but as the story pointed out, Marshall missed most of last season with an ankle injury and had toe surgery to repair a lingering problem during his ankle recovery.
Bills WR Zay Jones has to 'earn his way'
Sunday, June 17, 2018, 2:02pm
The Bills wide receiver corps is one of the league’s thinner ones heading into training camp, which would seem to bode well for 2017 second-round pick Zay Jones‘ chances of seeing a lot of playing time once September rolls around.
While that may be the case, General Manager Brandon Beane made it clear last week that Jones won’t be guaranteed anything this season.
“He’s not just going to necessarily go right to the top of the line,” Beane said during an appearance on WGR 550, via NewYorkUpstate.com. “He’ll have to earn his way. Part of that will just be just getting his feel. He’s only played with Nathan Peterman. He has not got to play with Josh Allen or AJ McCarron yet. So that bond there will just have to form.”
Related players: Kelvin Benjamin, Andre Holmes, Jeremy Kerley
Jones had a quiet rookie season dealing with a shoulder injury. As the story pointed out, it's not an overwhelming list of WRs, so Jones certainly has a chance to make his mark and earn a key role in the offense.
Seahawks RB Chris Carson 'most impressive' in OTAs
Saturday, June 16, 2018, 2:18pm
Chris Carson has been the most impressive of any running back this summer, and general manager John Schneider has said that at times, Carson looks like the best player on the field. After adding 10 pounds of muscle, Carson was the first name head coach Pete Carroll mentioned when asked which player impressed him the most in terms of the shape he was in when he reported back for offseason work. It'll make for an interesting battle for the starting job.
Seattle spent a first-round pick on RB Rashaad Penny, and it's universally accepted that you cannot truly evaluate RBs until they are in full pads in training camp and the preseason. It's hard to imagine Penny doesn't get a sizable portion of the backfield touches in this offense, given the draft capital spent on him. Carroll has also praised Penny's pass protection, crucial given how bad the offensive line has been. However, this at least puts Carson on our radar as a late-round flier in drafts if Penny struggles. He's a name to monitor this preseason.
Titans Beat: 60-40 split between RBs Henry and Lewis
Saturday, June 16, 2018, 2:05pm
Dion Lewis saw a career-high 36 percent of the offensive reps in New England last season. With injury concerns and size limitations, there will likely be a cap on Lewis' workload. But he still could match or even surpass his workload from last season and still leave plenty on the bone for Henry.
Last season, DeMarco Murray claimed 63 percent of offensive snaps to Derrick Henry's 40. A reasonable June estimate for 2018 would be a similar workflow, with Henry getting about 60 percent and Lewis 40 percent.
Our projections currently have Lewis at 180 carries and 44 receptions, 51 percent of the touches projected between Henry and him. Last season, Henry saw 187 touches. So even though our projection for him is only 49 percent of the touches between Lewis and him, it is still a total of 209 touches, an increase from last season. We expect Lewis to get the bulk of the receptions out of this backfield, making him more valuable in PPR formats. Also working in the Titans' backfield's favor, the entire starting offensive line returns from last season.
Giants WR Odell Beckham: 'No holdout.'
Saturday, June 16, 2018, 1:54pm
Ralph Vacchiano got in two questions to Odell Beckham as he left the practice field Saturday: "Will we see you at camp?" “Yes sir. Yes you will,” he said.
"So no holdout?" Beckham replied: “No. No holdout.”
His plan is indeed to be at camp on time, a source familiar with his plans told SNY. But the source said it remains a fluid situation because so far his contract talks are going nowhere. So yes, his feelings could change.
Nothing like a good "source familiar with his plans" to cloudy up Beckham's clear-cut statement. Regardless, Beckham remains an elite fantasy WR option, who is a big-time value when he slips into the top of the second round.
Packers favor RB Ty Montgomery in key packages
Friday, June 15, 2018, 7:16pm
ESPN's Rob Demovsky reports that Packers running back Ty Montgomery "has been a mainstay on the field in certain key packages— including the no-huddle and two-minute drills—during offseason practices".
It was once thought that the converted wide receiver would return to his original position with Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones both impressing as rookies in 2017. That does not appear to be the case, as the veteran Montgomery is in line for a significant role for 2018.
Playing with Aaron Rodgers in the no-huddle and two-minute offenses would net Montgomery plenty of receptions, and therefore, PPR value. He is currently the No. 46 running back off the board in fantasy drafts.
Jets WR Terrelle Pryor in a walking boot
Friday, June 15, 2018, 10:27am
Jets wideout Terrelle Pryor was in a walking boot during minicamp as he recovers from an injured ankle. He hopes to be ready by training camp.
"I believe so," said Pryor, adding that the decision will be that of Bowles and head athletic trainer John Mellody. "But, for now, in my mind, I'll be there the first day."
Pryor enjoyed a breakout season in 2016 with over 1,000 yards and a top-24 PPR finish, but he was unproductive in 2017 in Washington before suffering an ankle injury. If he can get healthy and back in form, he would be a welcomed addition to a lackluster Jets receiving corps. Pryor is currently the No. 71 wide receiver off the board.
Raiders awaiting final word on potential suspension for WR Martavis Bryant
Friday, June 15, 2018, 5:31am
Michael Gehlken reports that the Raiders "fear potential NFL discipline might be imminent" for Martavis Bryant. It is believed to be substance abuse related.
After missing all of 2016 for his second infraction of the substance-abuse policy, this would likely be another lengthy suspension for the mercurial wideout. It would be wise to avoid Bryant in fantasy drafts until we receive more information on his situation.
Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett is "healthier than he's ever been"
Thursday, June 14, 2018, 6:06pm
Seattle wideout Tyler Lockett stated that he was somewhere between 75 and 80 percent last season after coming off of a leg injury, but is now fully healthy.
This would explain why Seattle was okay with letting Paul Richardson go in free agency, and bringing in only the aged Brandon Marshall to replace him. Lockett was a force to be reckoned with to start his career as a receiver and returner, but took a step back in 2017. If he is truly fully healthy, he should be a steal as the No. 59 wide receiver off the board in fantasy drafts.
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