Gruden: 'Rob Kelley is our first string running back.'

Nov 10, 2016

"Rob Kelley is our first string running back." - Jay Gruden

Fantasy Impact:

This confirms Gruden's comments earlier in the week. Kelley will handle the “bulk” of the team’s early down carries, which means we can probably assume that he’ll get most of Matt Jones’s workload (an average of 16.1 touches through the first six games).

yesterday

Bears Beat: Already a make-or-break season for RB David Montgomery

NBC Sports Chicago

yesterday · 4:19 PM EDT

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery is entering just his second season in the league, and after a rookie year that included the usual ups and downs from a first-year player, the expectations are much higher for Year 2.

Montgomery ended last season with 889 yards and six touchdowns, but his 3.7 yards per carry left a bit to be desired. He ran hard; he ran determined. But in today's NFL, sub-900 yards just isn't good enough.

Fantasy Impact:

Montgomery will run behind an improved offensive line in 2020 with the addition of Germain Ifedi and the coaching upgrade through Juan Castillo. The quarterback play should be improved, too, even if Mitch Trubisky wins the job over Nick Foles. Those two factors will create bigger running lanes and a greater likelihood Montgomery will find his way to the second level of opposing defenses, the story all said. The piece also pointed out a big 2021 free agent class at RB that could potentially replace Montgomery if he doesn't bust out in 2020.

Eagles Beat: WR Alshon Jeffery likely to start on PUP list

Philly Voice

yesterday · 4:13 PM EDT

Alshon Jeffery is almost certain to start training camp on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list. He can come off of PUP at any time during training camp, but must remain on PUP for at least six weeks if he is still on it at the start of the regular season.

If some GM called up Roseman and said, "Hey give us your fifth rounder next year and we’ll eat $10 million in cash for you," Roseman would have Jeffery on the first flight out of Philly. But that call probably isn't coming.

Fantasy Impact:

It seems like the Eagles would be fine to part ways with Jeffery, who many think was an unnamed source who bashed teammate and quarterback Carson Wentz over the last two years. According to the story, trading Jeffery is still possible, but unlikely. Any team trading for Jeffery would be acquiring a slow, recently injured receiver in each of the last two seasons. He would count for $9,910,000 on any acquiring team's cap, but more importantly, he would deplete $9,910,000 of that team's cash, the story said.

Patriots Beat: QB Cam Newton could open up offense

CBS Sports

yesterday · 11:38 AM EDT

Came Newton will certainly open up new aspects to the Patriots offense that the team wasn't able to really deploy with Tom Brady, especially in the running game. With Newton, OC Josh McDaniels, if he so chooses, will have the option to unleash a different style offense than the "death by a million paper cuts" passing game that they ran with Brady. Thanks to Newton's mobility along with his arm, the Patriots offense could utilize more bootlegs and RPOs to further give depth to the unit.

Fantasy Impact:

The author feels change is something the Pats seemingly will embrace. HC Bill Belichick noted earlier this offseason the Patriots would cater the offense around whoever ultimately earns the job under center, the story said. Newton also referred to himself as a "ticked off dog." We rank Newton 15th on our QB list with an ADP of the 12th round in 12-team leagues.