Vikings Beat: Jerick McKinnon should have larger role

Aug 15, 2016

In light of what he did in the Minnesota Vikings' offense during their final four games of the 2015 season -- gaining 260 of his 473 yards from scrimmage in three regular-season wins and the team's playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks -- it seemed inevitable the team would use Jerick McKinnon in a larger role throughout the 2016 season.

Fantasy Impact:

The article said don't expect a split backfield with Adrian Peterson, but the team is trying to find ways to get McKinnon the ball. They moved him into formations as a receiver in camp and OC Norv Turner also mentioned using Peterson and McKinnon in the same backfield. McKinnon could have deeper PPR value on top of being Peterson's likely handcuff.

Jul 03

Josh Reynolds is "clear-cut" leader for Jets WR2 job

Rich Cimini

Jul 03 · 11:49 AM EDT

After a strong offseason, Reynolds is the clear-cut leader for the WR2 job. He arrived with little fanfare as a free agent (one year, $2.8 million), mainly because of a down 2024 with the Broncos and Jaguars. It also was a turbulent year; he suffered arm and head wounds in a shooting.

New Jets coach Aaron Glenn knows Reynolds from their time in Detroit, where the 30-year-old receiver was a solid complementary option. Beyond Garrett Wilson, the Jets lack big-play ability after cutting Davante Adams. Reynolds has separated from Allen Lazard and others.

Related Players: Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, Malachi Corley

Fantasy Impact:

This seems a little surprising, until you look at the rest of the depth chart, that is. With Justin Fields at the helm, we should expect a very run-heavy offense in New York, and even if he loses the job, we would expect more of the same from Tyrod Taylor. Reynolds makes for an interesting stacking partner with Fields, though he's much closer to a fantasy WR5 than a WR2.

Jul 01

Dolphins trade for un-retired TE Darren Waller

Tom Pelissero

Jul 01 · 11:53 AM EDT

The Giants get a 2026 sixth-round pick from Miami for Darren Waller and a conditional 2027 seventh-rounder, per source.

Essentially a free pick for New York for a player who was retired, and a low-risk flier for Miami on a player who, at his peak, was one of the NFL’s best.

Related Players: Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill

Fantasy Impact:

Waller was a favorite of some as a cheap, late-round dart throw with the Giants last season before he unexpectedly retired. If the veteran were going to come out of retirement, this is about the best place you could land, but we'll see whether the time away from the game will make an impact on his effectiveness.

He certainly doesn't offer the type of upside we would have seen out of Jonnu Smith, but he should be on the radar as a low-end TE2 until we start to see how he looks/integrates during training camp.

Jun 30

TE Jonnu Smith heads to Steelers in trade with Dolphins

Adam Schefter

Jun 30 · 11:21 AM EDT

Steelers-Dolphins trade, Part II: Dolphins are trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap, per ESPN sources.

Smith will get a one-year contract extension for $12 million.

Related Players: Pat Freiermuth, Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill

Fantasy Impact:

What's good for the Steelers offense isn't necessarily a good thing for fantasy. Freiermuth is coming off a career-high 65 receptions, but even with a lack of a bona fide WR2 in Pittsburgh, it's doubtful he hits that number with Smith in town. This obviously means Smith will have to fight for targets as well, and puts both of their TE1 outcomes in question. Jonnu, at least, has familiarity with Arthur Smith, so we can envision usable weeks, just not nearly as many as he would have had in Miami.

The TE options leftover in Miami can be safely avoided, unless they make a move for another guy. Malik Washington becomes slightly more palatable as a (very) late-round dart throw.