Team news: New York Giants | Page 9

“I mean, I feel like Daniel Jones [has] kind of been counted out the majority of his life,” Saquon Barkley told The Post this week. “He was a walk-on quarterback for Duke, and to get drafted to the New York Giants, everyone thinks he’s not going to be worth a thing, at all. I think he’s silenced all those critics.

“I don’t want to speak for DJ but he’s gonna come in every single day with the same mindset, be the leader that we need. You can see his swagger has grown a little bit more after being involved in the system, understanding the system even better.”

Barkley added everyone will see when the team is playing games. But he did mention a lack of consistency over the past several years going from Pat Shurmur to Joe Judge to Brian Daboll. Barkley added: “You get to be under a system for another year, have all the coaches basically come back, that just helps your confidence grow. When your confidence grows you get that swagger.” Meanwhile, you'll find Jones ranked 10th among our QBs this season. John Paulsen points out Jones was a top-10 fantasy quarterback in 2022 in his first season with Daboll, and that was with an injury-riddled (and suspect) receiving corps. Thus far, the Giants have added an impact tight end (Darren Waller) and re-signed both Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton.

Jonathan Taylor update: Talks continue and, as expected, this will go down to the wire.

Related players: Zack Moss, Evan Hull, Deon Jackson

The Dolphins have been heavily linked to Taylor and according to reports, have already made an offer that was declined. Holder added he believes there to be a second team involved beyond the Dolphins, which would certainly change the dynamics. It remains to be seen what would happen if the Colts don't get a deal done and Taylor remains in Indy to start the season.

A few injury updates I’ve gathered:

• WR Wan’Dale Robinson: ACL. Expecting him to be activated from PUP by the Tuesday deadline.

• WR Cole Beasley: Quad. He’s close to 100%. Ford-Wheaton injury boosts Beasley’s odds for a roster spot.

Related players: Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, Jamison Crowder

The Giants have a crowded receiving room, and Robinson will need some time to get up to speed, so it remains to be seen what kind of role he'll start with and eventually get to on the Giants. Robinson has played most of his time in the slot and that area of the room is especially crowded, and includes the rookie Hyatt. Robinson was having the best game of his young career last season in Week 10, catching nine balls for 100 yards on 13 targets before tearing his ACL.

Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson will be the Steelers’ starters, with Calvin Austin holding down punt return duties and Miles Boykin adding speed and special teams duties at the back of the rotation.

Related Players: Gunner Olszewski

A forgotten piece in Fantasyland, Robinson has the ability to make some noise in 11 personnel, which the team figures to use extensively. In typical redraft leagues, he figures to be a guy coming off and back on waiver wires throughout the season, but makes for a great pick deep in best ball leagues, particularly when you have Kenny Pickett on your roster.

Colts have given All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, per league sources. Other teams now are weighing whether to make an offer to the Colts and what would be fair value.

Related players: Zack Moss, Evan Hull, Deon Jackson, Kenyan Drake

It would be great news for Taylor and his owners for a deal to be made so he can get back on the field. It remains to be seen if Taylor would play again for Indy. If a trade is made, the Colts running back room becomes interesting. Many forget Moss was pretty good to end the season last year, running for lines of 24-81-0, 12-65-0, 15-74-0 and 18-114-1 over the final four weeks. But it terms of fantasy value, Moss isn't exciting, and the favorite seems to be the rookie Hull, especially being drafted by the new coaching staff. It would seem until Moss returns from his arm injury, a split of Jackson and Hull seems most likely.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce played every snap of the first two drives with starters, including all 3rd-downs. A change from last year, when Pierce only played on about 25% of 3rd-downs.

Devin Singletary then came on and played every snap of the third drive with starters.

Related players: Mike Boone, Dare Ogunbowale

It's tough to read into how much this will matter once the season starts. There are many in the fantasy world who are saying to stay away from Pierce, probably more when it comes to his dynasty value. Singletary is likely to have a big role in the offense as well, but if he takes away passing down value - that would obviously hurt Pierce. The good news is there isn't a whole lot to worry about fantasy value-wise behind Pierce and Singletary.

Colts’ WR Ashton Dulin suffered a season-ending torn ACL during last night’s practice.

Related Players: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Isaiah McKenzie

Another strain on a thin wide receiver depth chart, the 3WR set looks to be Pittman/Pierce/McKenzie, with Josh Downs still set to be a rotational deep-threat to begin the year.

Colts statement released a short while ago: “Jonathan Taylor returned to Indianapolis to continue his rehab, however he had a personal matter arise. He is not currently with the team and his absence is excused.”

Related players: Zack Moss, Evan Hull, Deon Jackson, Kenyan Drake

Despite the turmoil and repeated reports of Taylor wanting out of Indianapolis, this doesn't appear to be anything more than what it seems. Taylor will hopefully be able to return to the team later this week and we will see strides towards the answer of whether he will be taking Week 1 snaps with the team.

OC Mike Kafka said early in camp that it was “too early to tell” if Sauqon Barkley would be more of a receiver but “we’re practicing all kinds of things with people at every position.”

But it appears that the brain trust might be reconsidering because Barkley has been an early read on more passes — returning to a plan that was unveiled in May 2022 but scrapped before the season for reasons that Barkley declined to share on the podcast.

Related players: Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, James Robinson, Eric Gray

The story pointed out the irony in Barkley potentially getting his wish to show that he can be a Christian McCaffrey-type dual threat is that the contract he finally agreed to — one-year, $10.1 million with an additional $909,000 in incentives — pays extra for a would-be career-high 1,350 rushing yards and for 65 receptions. But increased receptions, the story said, likely means fewer carries — making it difficult to hit both markers — to manage Barkley’s workload and keep him healthy. For fantasy purposes, an increased workload in the passing game would give a bump to Barkley's value in PPR leagues. Barkley had 91 receptions his rookie season but then 52 in 2019, 41 in 2021 and last year he had 57. He was injured most of 2020.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, who has been away from the team getting additional rehab on his ankle, is back today, source said.

Related players: Zack Moss, Evan Hull, Deon Jackson, Kenyan Drake

Taylor remains on PUP and his stance has not changed, and he wants a trade out of Indy. But, he has returned to the team, according to the rest of Rapoport's post. With Taylor out and Moss dealing with an arm injury, Hull and Jackson look to be later-round targets, at least for now.