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ADELMAN FANTASY II PLAYOFFS Est. 2012
NFL Playoffs League - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Injury Status: Super Bowl

Thu Feb 8 10:35am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

There are just a handful of injuries we are dealing with for the Super Bowl, which is great news. Both teams head into the game pretty close to having a full compliment of players. Sure, guys are banged up at this time of the season, but there aren’t many key guys that are going to miss this big game. It is good to see these teams near full strength. Now let’s hope it makes for a great game.

Joe Thuney, OG, Chiefs. Thunk is trying to return from a pectoral injury. He has been out the last few weeks and head coach Andy Reid said Thuney is a long shot to play. But there is speculation that Thuney still has an outside chance to play in the Super Bowl. He has not been ruled out yet and would be a great addition to the Chiefs offensive line if he happens to play.

Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs. Moore was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. He has a chance to return from his knee injury this week. But even if he is active, it isn’t certain how much Moore plays after missing so much time. He will be a risk for fantasy teams to use.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers. Kittle has been limited in practice the last few weeks because of a toe injury. It is bothering him, but he will be ready for the Super Bowl. He probably won’t be too limited in the game despite the nagging toe injury. Expect him to get his usual amount of playing time.

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs.  McKinnon is trying to return from his groin injury. He remains on Injured Reserve and will need to be activated in the next day or two if he hopes to play this week. He is practicing on a limited basis, so things are trending the right way for him at the moment. He is another player that could be limited in the game if active after being out the last several weeks.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
Ricky Pearsall Jun 21 3:00pm ET
Ricky Pearsall

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday that they signed first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to his four-year rookie deal. The 49ers now have all eight of their 2024 draft picks under contract before the start of training camp at the end of July. San Fran surprisingly selected Pearsall at the tail end of this year's NFL draft despite not training Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk leading up to the draft. While the 23-year-old is an intriguing option for fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper formats in head coach Kyle Shanahan's system, his playing time in his rookie year in 2024 is probably going to be limited as long as Samuel and Aiyuk stay healthy. The Florida alum would immediately become fantasy relevant in redraft leagues if Samuel or Aiyuk are injured or traded this season.

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Geno Smith Jun 21 2:40pm ET
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said the offense won't be as pass-happy as his offense was with the University of Washington, and he also plans to use fewer pre-snap motions and shifts, but Grubb wants to put a lot of responsibility on quarterback Geno Smith. The 33-year-old veteran signal-caller has welcomed more responsibility, but the results have so far been mixed in offseason workouts. Head coach Mike Macdonald has been impressed with Smith's plan, and the offense will have an extra opportunity to test itself during the preseason in joint practices with the Tennessee Titans. Smith had a career year in 2022 and was the QB5 in fantasy, but he predictably fell to QB15 in 2023. Nobody is saying Smith is a QB1 in fantasy, but a bounce-back is entirely plausible in what could be a more dynamic offense. Target him as a low-end QB2 in superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Roman Wilson Jun 21 2:30pm ET
Roman Wilson

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly writes that the biggest surprise of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason is that they seem perfectly satisfied watching how the WR2 position plays out in training camp among middle-of-the-road receivers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Marquez Callaway and Dez Fitzpatrick behind George Pickens. Whether they address the position before the season could hinge on the play of rookie Roman Wilson, but the entire group has been underwhelming enough that a big swing seems imminent. Receiver depth is severely lacking in Pittsburgh after they traded away Diontae Johnson this offseason. Austin, a fourth-rounder in 2022, could be the most intriguing option for an increased role in deeper fantasy leagues if the Steelers don't make a splash addition at the position. Training camp will give us a better idea of how the receiver depth chart will shake out.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Jun 21 2:20pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Entering training camp this summer, The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes that quarterback Patrick Mahomes appears to have a lot more viable passing options than he did in 2023. Last year, the Chiefs started the season with Kadarius Toney as their No. 1. But this year, Toney will likely be fourth or fifth on the wideout depth chart. Mahomes showed promising chemistry with new pass-catcher Marquise Brown in OTAs and minicamp, and rookie Xavier Worthy should give the team a strong deep passing attack. Rookie tight end Jared Wiley has shown strong receiving skills behind Travis Kelce. Even if Rashee Rice is suspended as expected, Mahomes should have plenty of receivers that he trusts enter the regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. As the Chiefs seek an unprecedented third straight championship, Mahomes is an easy top-four fantasy QB.

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Bryce Young Jun 21 2:10pm ET
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen said on The Rich Eisen Show that it's been an awesome offseason for the team, and second-year quarterback Bryce Young just looks "more comfortable." Thielen went on to explain that Young is just more immersed in the offense heading into his second season in the NFL and that the two have gained valuable chemistry on and off the field. It was a whirlwind for Young leading up to his first NFL campaign, which couldn't have gone much worse. The 22-year-old former Alabama product is already on his second head coach in two seasons, but there's nowhere for him to go but up in 2024. The Panthers added receiver Diontae Johnson to give Young some help in the passing game. Not many fantasy football managers are going to want anything to do with Young after what they saw in 2023, but he's not a bad low-end QB2 target in superflex leagues with upside.

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Adam Thielen Jun 21 12:23pm ET
Adam Thielen

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young is getting more comfortable entering his second NFL season, according to WR Adam Thielen. ''You can tell, Bryce's demeanor in the building -- he's just more comfortable, right? And you don't realize it when you start getting to be a veteran guy, just because you forget about those times,' said Thielen.

Fantasy Spin: Young is coming off a pretty rough rookie season, but the Panthers have done a solid job adding protection and weapons around him. Even so, he's a QB2 option until he proves he has more upside.

From TheHuddle

Greg Dortch Jun 20 11:30pm ET
Greg Dortch

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch is expected to have an expanded role in 2024, according to Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic. Dortch has been a steady, reliable contributor to Arizona's wide receiver corps over his two seasons with the team. Now, even though Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the focal point of the offense, Dortch is expected to get plenty of looks. He'll operate ahead of Zay Jones and Chris Moore, instead mixing in with the likes of Harrison, Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride. The now-26-year-old had 23 catches for 278 yards over his final seven games last season, and he figures to rank as a high-end WR5 heading into fantasy football drafts this year.

From RotoBaller

Malachi Corley Jun 20 11:10pm ET
Malachi Corley

New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley is still adjusting to NFL speed and the team's offense, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Specifically, Rosenblatt cautions against automatically viewing Corley as the Jets' No. 3 receiver over Xavier Gipson, who has made several players while taking a significant leap this offseason. As of now, it appears Gipson and Corley are the two candidates vying for the No. 3 receiver role, and it's possible that the former actually has a slight advantage. Of course, Rosenblatt also notes that Corley drew plenty of hype following the draft and "has a lot of talent and made some plays," even if his position on the depth chart is still in flux.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Gipson Jun 20 11:10pm ET
Xavier Gipson

New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson "made plays throughout OTAs and minicamp and seems to have taken a leap forward after a year of NFL experience," according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Rosenblatt even suggested that Gipson might have a leg up on the No. 3 receiver role over Malachi Corley, the fast-rising rookie who has turned some heads during camp but is still adjusting to NFL speed. If Gipson does open 2024 ahead of Corley on the depth chart, he'll still fall behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams in the pecking order. As a result, the second-year receiver is merely a bench option in deeper redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Jun 20 9:00pm ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has been impressive throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp. As expected, Harrison has emerged as the top option in the wide receiver room. This comes as no shock given his talent and the fact the Cardinals selected him as the 4th overall pick in this year's draft. The rookie wideout has reportedly had no issues with picking up the Cardinals playbook. The expectation is that he'll be the unquestioned top target for quarterback Kyler Murray. The hype is real as Harrison has risen to the early second round in many 2024 fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Adoree' Jackson Jun 20 8:43pm ET
Adoree' Jackson

Free-agent CB Adoree' Jackson (Giants) could be an option for the Carolina Panthers if they are looking to sign another cornerback, in the opinion of The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye.

From TheHuddle

Tre Tucker Jun 20 8:40pm ET
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker put together a fairly quiet rookie campaign, but could see a bigger role next season. Tucker is a bit undersized but Raiders' head coach Antonio Pierce doesn't care about his size and says everyone should watch Tucker play. Tucker finished with 19 receptions for 331 receiving yards and two touchdowns during his rookie season. It seems possible that the Raiders use Tucker in a dual-threat type of role because they like his athleticism. On paper, Tucker is a distant No. 3 option behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Jalin Hyatt Jun 20 8:30pm ET
Jalin Hyatt

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has reportedly put on weight this offseason. The second-year wideout is listed as 185 pounds heading into camp. Hyatt didn't provide the exact number, but he has added some bulk this offseason. The young wideout mentioned that he needed to get bigger in order to play more on the outside as a wide receiver. It'll be interesting to see how Hyatt is worked into the gameplan after a fairly quiet rookie campaign. The wide receiver room is only getting more crowded with Malik Nabers joining the team as their first-round draft pick. Hyatt could be a late-round flier on draft boards this fall.

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Kyler Murray Jun 20 6:40pm ET
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The Athletic's Doug Haller writes that there is a lot of optimism from the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, with the biggest reason being that quarterback Kyler Murray is on the field. Murray was off to the side working with the team's conditioning staff at this time last year while trying to recover from ACL surgery. Murray's recovery affected Arizona's entire season in 2023 after he missed the first nine games. He spent the rest of the year learning a new offense and trying to find his way back, and it showed. An offseason built around Murray should make a difference in 2024. The 26-year-old put in extra work with his receivers on weekends, trying to perfect rhythm and timing. Murray probably isn't going to be an elite passer, especially given the lack of standout options at receiver in Arizona besides rookie first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr., but his elite rushing ability and upside should give him a solid fantasy floor as a top-10 quarterback heading into upcoming fantasy drafts.

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Rhamondre Stevenson Jun 20 6:13pm ET
Rhamondre Stevenson

Dynasty | The Patriots have signed running back Rhamondre Stevenson to a contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: New England is giving Stevenson $17 million in guaranteed money, which also includes an $8 million signing bonus and $12 million more possible with incentives. In other words, he's the starter moving forward. This is a hefty sum of money to give a running back, especially one who struggled at times last year. Regardless, this contract makes him the seventh highest paid running back in football and cements him in as a RB2 for the foreseeable future.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Russell Wilson Jun 20 6:13pm ET
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Dynasty | Numerous reports are indicating Russell Wilson is the clear starter in Pittsburgh. Dynasty Analysis: There were some silly rumors about Justin Fields returning kicks earlier this off-season but those proved false. However, it certainly does seem Wilson is taking charge at quarterback and has a clear lead over Fields at this point in the process. After spending most of the post-Roethlisberger era spinning their wheels, it seems Pittsburgh has two capable players to lead the team and the veteran Wilson looks poised to have the first crack at it. While no longer a viable QB1 in dynasty leagues, Wilson could provide QB2 value this season.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Denzel Mims Jun 20 6:13pm ET
Denzel Mims

Dynasty | The Jaguars have signed free agent wide receiver Denzel Mims. Dynasty Analysis: The former second round pick has been a bust thus far in his career but the Jags seem willing to give him one more shot. With just 42 career catches for 672 scoreless yards over four years, it's hard to get too excited about his prospects. Still, we know Mims has some talent and he's at least worthy of having on a watch list should he find his way on to the roster later this Summer.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

James Washington Jun 20 6:13pm ET
James Washington

Dynasty | Former Steelers wide receiver James Washington is attempting a comeback. Dynasty Analysis: Washington moved on from Pittsburgh and found little success in his time in Dallas. He also failed to impress in stops with the Giants, Saints, and Colts, failing to make their final rosters. It's a longshot to think he's going to emerge as a viable player in dynasty leagues but this is at least a fun story to watch during a summer of slow news.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Bucky Irving Jun 20 4:40pm ET
Bucky Irving

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected former Oregon running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, just months after Rachaad White finished his breakout campaign that consisted of 1,539 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 336 touches. White was a rare workhorse in today's NFL, so Irving is likely to get work behind him in 2024. When speaking about Irving, White said the two could be a great one-two punch. "Bucky does a great job of, first thing, competing, and two, learning," White said. "They're all brilliant and they all want to understand the game more, and things like that. We talk a lot. We've got a good relationship. It's huge. I think he brings a playmaker [ability] and in this offense, the more playmakers, the better. It'll be huge. The one-two punch would be nice." It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Liam Cohen distributes the backfield touches, but White should remain the clear starter in Tampa Bay. Irving is a Day 3 rookie who had a disappointing pre-draft process, so expectations should be tempered.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Jun 20 4:20pm ET
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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson agreed to a four-year, $36 million contract extension on Thursday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $17 million guaranteed. While the team can get out of the deal early and less than half of it is guaranteed, this is still a sign that the organization views him as the clear leadback. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, racking up over 1,400 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in 17 games. He was limited to just 12 games and 857 yards in 2023, but he should be healthy heading into his fourth pro season. While Antonio Gibson might get work behind him in the receiving game, both running backs could see plenty of targets given the weak group of pass-catchers Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett have to work with. Stevenson is likely an underpriced RB2 for 2024.

From RotoBaller