Panthers Beat: Benching QB Sam Darnold could fix offense

Nov 08, 2021

It’s time for Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold to be benched -- permanently.

For the past five weeks, Darnold could fall back on the excuse of not having his security blanket, Christian McCaffrey, when making mistakes that cost Carolina chances to win.

But even with the running back’s return for Sunday’s 24-6 loss to the New England Patriots (5-4), Darnold continued to make the same mistakes that plagued him for three years with the New York Jets and five of the past six games with Carolina (4-5).

Related players: P.J. Walker

Fantasy Impact:

Darnold threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, when he missed a wide-open player. That gives him 10 interceptions in the past six games, five of them losses, the story said. While this is just one opinion, and despite the story's headline, the piece did point out Walker is prone to mistakes as well, and those mistakes have kept him from being more of a factor by now. Those in deeper superflex leagues maybe want to put a claim in for for Walker if he's on your wire.

Apr 17

Chargers to sign RB J.K. Dobbins on one-year deal

Tom Pelissero

Apr 17 · 7:45 PM EDT

Former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is planning to sign with the #Chargers on a one-year deal. Electric when healthy, Dobbins — who averages 5.8 yards per carry in his career — reunites with OC Greg Roman and can hit the market again in March.

Related Players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has had poor injury luck in his career, but has only managed 234 total rushes since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Chargers and might give them a runway to wait a little longer in the '24 Draft before they address the position.

Apr 16

Cowboys sign RB Royce Freeman

Todd Archer

Apr 16 · 8:15 PM EDT

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

Apr 15

Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year extension

Ian Rapoport

Apr 15 · 10:45 AM EDT

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Fantasy Impact:

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.