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No one has a extra stacked lineup of fantasy football analysts and NFL staff reporters than ESPN. It is the uncommon “backfield by committee” that’s truly a very good factor for fantasy managers.
All through the preseason, our NFL Nation reporters have answered the most pressing fantasy questions. This column is designed to shut the loop on issues as you make last preparations on your fantasy draft.
If you’re a little bit late getting began in your draft prep or just did not have time to sift by way of each coaching camp report and evaluate the all-22 movie from each preseason sport this summer time, don’t fret. We have got you coated with probably the most fantasy-relevant developments across the NFL over the previous 5 weeks to get you caught up.
Table of Contents
Return of the backs
Notable accidents
Rookie Brian Robinson appeared prone to emerge because the lead operating again within the Washington Commanders‘ committee earlier than he was shot twice in an armed theft try Sunday. Thankfully, Robinson averted severe damage and was launched from the hospital Monday, although it remains unclear when he’ll return to the field.
Probably the most vital fantasy-related accidents of the preseason may need been suffered by a participant who is not even fantasy-eligible: Dallas Cowboys left deal with Tyron Smith‘s torn left hamstring. Statistics present that the Cowboys’ fantasy standouts, like operating again Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott, haven’t been nearly as effective when Smith is out of the lineup.
The reigning Tremendous Bowl champions have a number of main gamers coping with hopefully minor illnesses. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been nursing a sore elbow since final season, whereas operating backs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson simply returned from smooth tissue accidents this week. All three look like on monitor to play in Week 1, although.
Different gamers on the Week 1 bubble due to accidents suffered in the course of the previous month embody New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (knee), Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (unspecified), Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London (knee), Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hamstring), San Francisco 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (hernia). None of them are anticipated to be sidelined for lengthy, although. Waddle and Mitchell have already returned to observe in restricted trend.
Quiet summer time for rookie receivers
If there may be going to be one other Ja’Marr Chase or Waddle on this 12 months’s rookie receiver class, we have not recognized him but. The 2 rookies who’ve arguably drawn probably the most buzz this summer time are Pittsburgh Steelers second-round choose George Pickens and Green Bay Packers fourth-rounder Romeo Doubs.
First-rounders Garrett Wilson (Jets), Chris Olave (Saints), Jahan Dotson (Commanders) and Treylon Burks (Titans); second-rounders Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants), Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) and Skyy Moore (Kansas City Chiefs); and third-rounder Jalen Tolbert (Cowboys) have additionally proven promise to various levels. However none has flashed consistently enough but to be projected as his staff’s prime receiver.
In the meantime, London has one of the best probability of being a WR1, however he missed a lot of the preseason. So did the Packers’ Christian Watson (knee). The Detroit Lions‘ Jameson Williams (knee) and New England Patriots‘ Tyquan Thornton (clavicle) have longer-term accidents that can sideline them for not less than the primary month. And the Houston Texans‘ John Metchie III is anticipating to overlook your entire season whereas recovering from a summer time leukemia analysis.
In fact there may be nonetheless loads of time for the WR class of 2022 to alter the narrative. Who can neglect that one 12 months in the past right now, Chase himself was thought of a query mark after battling dropped passes within the preseason?
Top off
No one soared up ESPN’s fantasy rankings over the previous month greater than Texans rookie operating again Dameon Pierce. The fourth-round draft alternative has moved up greater than 70 spots in ESPN’s rankings since June, securing the starting job whereas veteran Marlon Mack was relegated to the observe squad.
Dolphins operating again Chase Edmonds is one other riser after emerging as the leading man in one of many NFL’s most overcrowded backfields. Raheem Mostert additionally seems to have secured a key function in Miami, whereas fellow veteran Sony Michel was launched.
Saints operating again Alvin Kamara made a minor however notable soar within the ESPN rankings (from 14th to tenth total) when he had one other preliminary court docket look delayed from Aug. 1 to Sept. 29 in his looming battery case (with no trial on the horizon but). It is nonetheless doable Kamara might be suspended in the course of the 2022 season — particularly if he reaches a plea settlement with a lesser cost sooner or later. However the probability of a 2022 suspension lessens with every delay within the case.
Baker Mayfield, Marcus Mariota and Geno Smith have been all declared beginning quarterbacks for the Panthers, Falcons and Seahawks, respectively — and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mitch Trubisky is the front-runner within the last undecided QB competitors. However none of these selections ought to transfer the fantasy needle an excessive amount of.
Others who improved their inventory previously month to various levels embody TE Cole Kmet; RBs Rhamondre Stevenson, Isiah Pacheco and Zamir White; and WRs Gabe Davis, Allen Robinson II, Adam Thielen, Christian Kirk, Brandon Aiyuk, Joshua Palmer and Nico Collins. Plus WR Julio Jones, technically, as a result of he landed a brand new job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Inventory down
No one had a extra surprising fantasy plummet this summer time than Dolphins tight finish Mike Gesicki, who went from receiving the franchise tag to being dangled in commerce talks whereas being relegated to extra of a blocking function. “Gesicki may be the No. 2 tight finish on his personal staff proper now, so it does not make a lot sense to make him the No. 1 tight finish on yours,” Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques cautioned.
Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs and Commanders RB Antonio Gibson each appeared to lose their grip on the leading-man roles that they had final season, as these two groups turned to extra of a committee strategy this summer time (although Gibson’s function might improve whereas Robinson is sidelined). Akers might additionally wind up splitting time with Henderson — however we can’t have an important really feel for the Rams’ plans till each backs are wholesome on the similar time. Veteran Ronald Jones appeared to fall behind the trio of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon in Kansas Metropolis’s crowded backfield. In the meantime, rookie Isaiah Spiller wasn’t in a position to emerge because the Chargers’ RB2 — partly due to an ankle sprain. And that backfield turned much more crowded behind starter Austin Ekeler when the Chargers signed Michel.
Giants receiver Kenny Golladay was one other rankings faller after a sluggish summer time efficiency that makes him particularly hard to forecast. Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was one other apparent rankings faller after agreeing to an 11-game suspension. Consequently, Browns receiver Amari Cooper‘s worth additionally took a slight dip.
“1A and 1A”
Final however not least, Packers coach Matt LaFleur took the backfield-by-committee pattern to a brand new stage when he coined the term “1A and 1A” to explain operating backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. However not less than in Inexperienced Bay’s case, there should be enough work for both of them in the passing game to earn that title.
We took a deeper dive into among the NFL’s most convoluted backfield committees in our NFL Nation reporters’ Q&A two weeks in the past. Even Colts coach Frank Reich joined in on the murkiness by vowing to scale back Jonathan Taylor‘s workload a bit this season and getting Nyheim Hines extra concerned. However don’t fret. It’s best to nonetheless really feel snug taking Taylor No. 1 total in any format.
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