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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 an excellent factor for fantasy managers.
Each Tuesday this preseason, Mike Triplett requested our NFL Nation reporters a collection of questions concerning the week’s greatest tales to assist along with your draft prep. This week’s roundup kicks off with a number of receivers who could possibly be laborious to belief due to harm points, overcrowded place teams or underwhelming summer season performances.
Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert are being drafted back-to-back in common ESPN drafts this summer season as late-round fliers who might repay later within the 12 months. With final week’s information that Gallup could possibly be able to play within the first month of the season, do you suppose both one is a greater guess?
Of the 2, go together with Gallup over the course of the season as a result of as soon as he’s within the swing of issues, he’ll see extra snaps and due to this fact extra passes. It is only a query of when he’ll get within the swing of issues. The hope is he can play in September, however that is not a assure. Tolbert has an excellent relationship with Dak Prescott, however he confirmed some points within the preseason (drops, double catches, sideline consciousness) that did not present up in observe. Let me put it this fashion: In 2018, Gallup was a third-round choose, like Tolbert, and caught 33 passes for 507 yards and two touchdowns. If Tolbert can match that, then it will be an honest season for the rookie. — Todd Archer
Do you suppose any Colts pass-catchers aside from Michael Pittman Jr. might have fantasy relevance this season? How huge of a job might rookie Alec Pierce have, specifically?
I feel Pierce must be accounted for. First, he will get some favorable matchups as a result of Pittman is anticipated to attract important consideration from defenses. Additional, Pierce confirmed some actual chops within the crimson zone throughout coaching camp. Certainly one of his greatest performs was a contested acrobatic catch on a fade route at the back of the tip zone throughout joint practices with the Detroit Lions. Lastly, Pierce’s measurement and pace make him a big-play menace, as he is fairly snug in one-on-one conditions on the perimeter. — Stephen Holder
Did we get any readability this preseason on the brand new WR hierarchy in Kansas Metropolis? Will JuJu Smith-Schuster have probably the most fantasy worth? And the way lengthy would possibly it take rookie Skyy Moore to emerge in a big function?
We did not study a ton, partially as a result of Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman missed time due to accidents. However Patrick Mahomes was going lots to Smith-Schuster in coaching camp earlier than his harm. Mahomes accomplished 18 passes within the preseason to 10 completely different receivers and stated he thought this was how the offense would function this season. He additionally threw three landing passes, all to tight ends (however none to Travis Kelce). As for Moore, he’ll obtain a substantial quantity of enjoying time because the fourth large receiver, so there’s an opportunity he might contribute instantly. — Adam Teicher
Second-year receiver Joshua Palmer generated some buzz this summer season. Is there room for him to interrupt out alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams?
Sure. Quarterback Justin Herbert has a number of go-to pass-catching targets, together with Allen, Williams and working again Austin Ekeler. Nonetheless, if coaching camp was any indication, room will probably be made for Palmer. A 3rd-round choose in 2021, Palmer made a number of standout catches throughout camp and appeared to have an improved connection together with his quarterback. Allen stated Palmer is “much more polished” as he prepares for his second season. “His timing is getting higher, his endurance, and understanding of the progressions within the learn,” Allen stated. “When he isn’t the primary learn, he can take a number of time doing approach stuff. You’ll be able to promote them slightly bit extra.” In a preseason sport, Palmer caught a 41-yard contested cross over his shoulder, then took a brief cross and went 18 yards for a landing. — Lindsey Thiry
Thus far, the Patriots are the ultimate staff to have a WR picked in common ESPN drafts, with Jakobi Meyers at No. 50. Do you suppose Meyers or DeVante Parker could possibly be productive sufficient to exceed these expectations?
I do not. The way in which the Patriots’ offense is structured, the ball ought to be unfold round and thus manufacturing from receivers figures to fluctuate week to week relying on how opponents game-plan. Meyers nonetheless initiatives to guide the staff in receptions — nobody caught extra passes from Mac Jones in coaching camp — however it will be a shock if he out of the blue has a excessive landing whole. A run of accidents might all the time change this, however as of now, it is powerful to pound the desk for both receiver as a worthy fantasy choose. — Mike Reiss
Michael Thomas was producing as a lot buzz as any NFL participant in his first few weeks again after an ankle harm sustained in 2020, however now he has missed greater than per week with a hamstring situation. Is he protected sufficient to draft among the many prime 25-30 fantasy receivers?
Sure. There are some causes to mood expectations for Thomas (the severity of the harm that stored him out all of final season; the truth that now we have by no means seen him play with new quarterback Jameis Winston; and the out of the blue crowded WR room in New Orleans together with Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry). So it is comprehensible for those who do not need to draft him among the many prime 20 receivers. However he has fallen to WR33 in present common ESPN drafts, which is simply too far for somebody together with his great upside. Thomas did certainly present his trademark physicality and ball expertise in Saints practices earlier than the hamstring harm. And whereas the staff has not specified a timetable for his return, coach Dennis Allen referred to it as a “little” hamstring harm, and Thomas has been noticed at team-related occasions in current days. — Mike Triplett
Talking of star receivers on the mend, previous to Saturday’s preseason sport, ESPN’s Jenna Laine shared a positive update on receiver Chris Godwin’s restoration from the torn ACL in his proper knee. Nonetheless, Laine cautioned that the Buccaneers haven’t but dedicated to Godwin enjoying in Week 1. Though that is still a risk, Laine stated they’ll wait till he is prepared.
Do now we have any readability in any way on the WR hierarchy with this staff with so many shifting components? Who’s more than likely to supply fantasy worth as soon as issues are sorted out?
It is laborious to make a pecking order for the Giants’ large receivers. Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson will all vulture snaps and targets. Toney, if wholesome, is the more than likely to be constantly fantasy related. He was eighth within the NFL final season in targets per route run (29.8%). So he is their pseudo No. 1, with everybody else on a good line behind him. — Jordan Raanan
What are your expectations for Treylon Burks in each the quick time period and long run this season after a preseason stuffed with so many highs and lows?
Burks is not prone to start the season as a starter, however he’ll finally be one. The Titans will use him totally on crossing routes in play-action to reap the benefits of his yards-after-the-catch capacity. Burks in all probability will not rack up a number of receptions, however he has the potential to strategy the 16.4 yards-per-catch mark he posted at Arkansas. — Turron Davenport
RB insurance coverage insurance policies
Final however not least, we reached out to a handful of NFL Nation reporters this week for some insurance coverage recommendation (for those who’re the kind of fantasy supervisor who likes to safe backups like Nyheim Hines and Alexander Mattison while you draft Jonathan Taylor and Dalvin Cook in Spherical 1). Sadly, that RB2 is much less clear in some backfields than others.
Arizona Cardinals: This function was truly muddied a bit through the preseason. All through camp, Eno Benjamin was hyped because the man who could possibly be James Conner’s backup, however then Jonathan Ward performed very nicely within the preseason till he sustained a shoulder harm in Week 2. Relying on when and the way Ward returns, it could possibly be a mixture of Benjamin and Darrel Williams who spell Conner. — Josh Weinfuss
Carolina Panthers: I’d say D’Onta Foreman. The Panthers signed him through the offseason as insurance coverage in case Christian McCaffrey went down once more — and as a change-of-pace again who would assist in goal-line and short-yardage conditions. — David Newton
Cincinnati Bengals: Traditionally, Samaje Perine has been Joe Mixon’s backup. Perine seems to be slotted for that function once more, with Chris Evans lurking as a possible possibility. — Ben Child
Los Angeles Chargers: Joshua Kelley flashed, however he didn’t set up himself because the without-a-doubt second working again in a bunch that additionally included rookie fourth-round choose Isaiah Spiller and second-year professional Larry Rountree III. Spiller, nevertheless, suffered an ankle harm late within the preseason, leaving an opportunity he will not be able to play in Week 1, so Kelley is prone to be the backup to start the season. — Thiry
New York Giants: Veteran Matt Breida initiatives because the RB2, however Raanan wrote in his 53-man roster projection that the depth chart is “an enormous query mark” behind Saquon Barkley: “Breida has been banged up throughout coaching camp, and Antonio Williams hasn’t achieved a lot but in his profession, even when he is a favourite of the brand new regime.”
Pittsburgh Steelers: It seems Jaylen Warren jumped Benny Snell Jr. on the depth chart to take the first backup job from the veteran. The rookie undrafted free agent has proven an excellent mixture of pace, burst and energy through the preseason. However as a result of Warren is unproven in lengthy stretches, it would not shock me if the Steelers initially took a committee strategy if Najee Harris received damage. — Brooke Pryor
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie Rachaad White could possibly be the most efficient companion to Leonard Fournette, however Fournette’s function is completely different than others’. If the Bucs needed to change him, they’d flip to a couple individuals, together with Ke’Shawn Vaughn. — Laine
Tennessee Titans: Dontrell Hilliard is the clear No. 2 behind Derrick Henry. Hilliard averaged 6.3 yards per carry final season, together with a 68-yard run towards the Patriots. The Titans belief him in cross safety and he runs routes like a large receiver. He is prone to be their major third-down again. — Davenport
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