Lineup Prep: Week 12
Wed Nov 23 9:32am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Tua is setup for another big week
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. And my Thanksgiving Lineup Prep is my favorite column to write. I like to list all the things I’m thankful for fantasy wise. It is a fun column to write and I’m excited to get it started. So without further ado, here we go. . . .
I am thankful for rebound seasons. I have tons of stock in Saquon Barkley this year and thrilled to see him running like the Saquon of old. Sure, it was a little risk to put a ton of stock in him to get it going again, but sometimes you have to take some risks if you hope to hit it big. And right now, all those Barkley owners are feeling pretty good about taking him come draft day.
I am thankful for different draft strategies working for fantasy owners. There isn’t a set strategy that works every time come draft day, which I think makes this game that much more fun to play. You can use all different strategies and still have success. I think this year is a great example of this. The running back spot has been really frustrating this year, but the ones that have played well have played really well. So if you got a Austin Ekeler or Barkley, you are probably having a good season. But the teams that avoided running back early come draft day probably are having plenty of success as well with Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson having huge seasons. So going receiver early has worked as well, especially if you were able to nab a guy like Dameon Pierce or Josh Jacobs later in your drafts. And those owners that took Travis Kelce in the first or second round have enjoyed plenty of success as well as he is head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the tight ends this year. So as you can see, all sorts of different strategies have led to success this year. It seems the case every year, making this game so fun to play.
I am thankful that players and the NFL are embracing the fantasy community. You see so much more engagement from players when it comes to fantasy football, especially a guy like Austin Ekeler. This is great news for the fantasy industry and players. This game should continue to evolve and flourish with guys like Ekeler leading the way as a strong advocate for the game.
I am thankful the NFL trade market is a lot more exciting these days. I can’t remember a deadline that brought so much activity as this past year. It was great to see a guy like Christian McCaffrey get a fresh start in a much better offense. It is rare to see such a big-name player get traded in the NFL, but maybe this year will open the door for that to happen more often during the season. It sure made for an exciting deadline this year. Let’s hope that is the norm going forward.
I am thankful for all the up to the minute info you can find on Twitter when it comes to injuries, trades, and any other breaking news that can impact your fantasy lineup. It is amazing how quickly news travels these days. This makes things so much easier than it used to when it comes to setting your lineups and rankings for the week. Say what you want about Twitter, but it has been a huge blessing to the fantasy community. Just a great way to engage and get up to the minute information.
I am thankful for underdog stories. It is great to see players exceed expectations and help fantasy teams when no on thought that might be the case. The big one this year is Geno Smith. He is seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring and outplaying the player he replaced, Russell Wilson, by a wide margin. I don’t think anyone saw this one coming outside of Smith himself. It has been a great story.
I am thankful for rookies. Everyone loves a rookie, but especially a rookie that helps fantasy teams. And there are plenty of rookies that are making an impact this year. That seems to be the case every year, but rookie running backs have been especially good this year despite none of them being super hyped come draft day. Dameon Pierce, Kenneth Walker and Breece Hall look to be top fantasy players for years to come.
Lastly, I am thankful for you, the users of RealTime Fantasy Sports. This is a great community to be a part of and I am super thankful to be just a small part of that. Thank you so much for helping make RTSports the best fantasy football community on the web. Have a great Thanksgiving!
News and Notes: The Broncos released running back Melvin Gordon on Monday. This was a surprise, but fumbling issues and a lack of consistency likely ended his time in Denver. Latavius Murray should get first shot to start for Denver going forward. . . . .The Panthers named Sam Darnold the starting quarterback for Week 12. He takes over for Baker Mayfield, who has struggled much of the year. . . . .The Rams released running back Darrell Henderson on Tuesday. This was a bit of a surprise, leaving Cam Akers and Kyren Williams the likely players to split the carries at running back for the Rams going forward.
HOT PLAYS
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys. The return of Ezekiel Elliott didn’t slow down Pollard. He still played 54 percent of the snaps compared to 29 percent for Elliott. Pollard has 21-plus fantasy point three straight games. He has topped 100 total yards four straight games. And in Week 3 against the Giants, who he is playing this week, Pollard had a 100-yard rushing game. He is a must start for fantasy teams right now.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings. Hockenson didn’t have a great game his last time out, but the entire Vikings offense was a mess. The good new is he was still targeted nine times in the game. He has at least nine targets three straight games with the Vikings. He is getting a ton of weekly looks with his new team. He has double-digit fantasy points five times this season, showing he is capable of the big game. He can rebound this week against the Patriots, a team that struggles to stop the tight end. New England allows the ninth most fantasy points to tight ends.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins. Tagovailoa has become about a must start for fantasy teams on a weekly basis. He is playing his best football right now, being third overall in fantasy quarterback scoring his last three games. He has three straight games with three touchdown passes and hit the 300-yard mark two of those games. He has 26-plus fantasy points three consecutive games. He can reach those numbers again this week against the Texans, a team that allows 23 points per game.
Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks. Walker had one of his worst games of the season since becoming starter his last time out, rushing 10 times for just 17 yards. But the good news was he was still involved in the passing game, catching six passes for 55 yards on eight targets. This really helps his fantasy floor. He has at least 12 fantasy points six straight games. Look for him to get back to his big ways against a bad Raiders defense in Week 12. Las Vegas allows the fourth most fantasy points to running backs.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders. McLaurin isn’t having quite the season most hoped, but it hasn’t been all bad by any means, especially since Taylor Heinicke has become the starter. He has 100-yard games two of four and been targeted at least eight times five straight. He has 17-plus fantasy points three of five games. He remains capable of the huge game any given week. And a matchup against the Falcons this week is a great one for McLaurin. Atlanta allows the most fantasy points to receivers and are 29th overall against the pass.
COLD PLAYS
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants. Jones has played better football lately, but still hasn’t been great all year. He has six games with fewer than 20 fantasy points. And one of his favorite targets in the passing game, Wan’Dale Robinson, is now out for the season. This is not good news for Jones, especially this week against a very good Cowboys defense. Jones scored just 16.7 fantasy points in Week 3 against Dallas. He passed for just 196 yards and didn’t score a touchdown. Go with better options in Week 12.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. Kamara has been pretty quiet lately, especially on the ground. He has fewer than 50-rushing yard three straight games. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points two of those games. He isn’t even getting enough work in the passing game to make up for those poor rushing totals. It could be more of the same this week against a very good 49ers defense. San Francisco allows the second fewest fantasy points to running backs and rank first overall against the run, allowing just 81.1-rushing yards per game.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers. Johnson is super talented but just isn’t getting it done for fantasy teams right now. He is not stretching the field at all, leading to poor fantasy numbers. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points four of five games. He has less than 50 yards four of those games. His season high in yards is just 84. He is a hard player to trust, especially this week against the Colts. Indy allows the fewest fantasy points to receivers and rank seventh overall against the pass.
Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals. Mixon had one of his worst games of the season last week, scoring just 9.2 fantasy points. He ran seven times for just 20 yards. He actually has fewer than 30-rushing yards two of three games. The Bengals are having some issues running the ball and it could be more of the same this week against the Titans. Tennessee allows the sixth most fantasy points to running backs and rank second against the run. Tennesse has not allowed 100-rushing yards since Week 2.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears. Mooney is finally starting to show some signs of life as the Bears offense is heating up. He has scores two of three games. The concern is he has fewer than 50 yards two of those games. He still isn’t getting a ton of yards or catches despite the Bears playing well. And now Justin Fields is hurt and iffy to play, which is a big concern for Mooney. He might be a player to avoid this week against the Jets, a team that allows the fifth fewest fantasy points to receivers and rank 10th overall against the pass.
SLEEPERS
Kalif Raymond, WR, Lions. Raymond has played at least 82% of the snaps six straight games. He is getting a lot of playing time in the Lions offense. And he has at least three receptions three straight games. His numbers aren’t off the charts but consistent. He has a chance for a lot of targets once again against the Bills. The Lions are likely going to be playing from behind this game, needing to throw often. Raymond could be a sneaky WR3 for fantasy teams in Week 12.
Rachaad White, RB, Bucs. White played more snaps than Leonard Fournette his last time out for the first time all season. White played 64 percent of the snaps compared to 29 percent for Fournette. There could be a changing of the guard going on in Tampa. And White is playing well with his chances, hitting the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career his last game. If he gets that workload again this week against the Browns, White can produce big once again. Cleveland allows the second most fantasy points to running backs.
Parris Campbell, WR, Colts. Campbell is a different receiver with Matt Ryan at the helm at quarterback. He has 12 receptions his last two games and had 17 receptions during a two-game stretch with Ryan starting earlier this season. Ryan targeted him 23 times during those two games. He has real fantasy value with Ryan starting in Indy. He should do well again this week against the Steelers, a team playing better defensively but still allow the second most fantasy points to receivers. Pittsburgh is dead last against the pass, allowing 272.1-passing yards per game.
Foster Moreau, TE, Raiders. Moreau hasn’t done a whole lot in a starting role for the Raiders, but does have a double-digit game two weeks ago against the Colts. He has at least four targets four of five games. He is getting some weekly chances and producing decent number. He could hit that double-digit fantasy point total this week against the Seahawks. Seattle is not good against the tight end, allowing the second most fantasy points to tight ends. Moreau could be a good streaming option for fantasy teams.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers. Hubbard actually played the most snaps for the Panthers last week, playing 40 percent compared to 39 percent for D’Onta Foreman. Hubbard had just six touches in the game, but two were receptions, which helps his fantasy floor. He is the better pass catcher of the two, which helps him get on the field. The Panthers could struggle to run the ball against a good Broncos defense, so Hubbard could be on the field more once again as the Panthers might throw the ball more often. He could be worth a look in deeper formats for fantasy teams.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Bills/Lions, Chargers/Cardinals, Raiders/Seahawks, Packers/Eagles.
Low Scoring Games: Bears/Jets, Broncos/Panthers, Steelers/Colts.
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.
- NFL to release 2024 schedule on May 15
- Broncos release QB Ben DiNucci
- Chiefs' Rashee Rice suspect in alleged assault in Dallas
- Broncos' 'Orange Crush' DC Joe Collier dies at 91
- Giants add QB Nathan Rourke
- Reinstated S C.J. Moore agrees to deal with Lions
- WR Tyler Boyd to sign 1-year deal with Titans
- Ex-Jags WR Zay Jones visits Cardinals
- Bengals QB Joe Burrow resumes throwing at offseason workouts
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling visiting Chargers
- Raiders sign free agent WR Jalen Guyton
- Panthers to sign RB Rashaad Penny
- Pats waive Nathan Rourke, down to four QBs
- RB Duke Johnson retires from NFL after 8 seasons
- Former Bears QB Bob Avellini dies at age 70
- J.J. Watt leaves door open (slightly) for potential return to Texans
- Seahawks sign first-round pick Byron Murphy II
- Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: 'No restrictions' at OTAs
- Former Giants TE Aaron Thomas dies at 86
- Michael Irvin out at NFL Network
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings | Post-NFL Draft Update
The Paur Report
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold could be named the team's Week 1 starter over first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. As Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com writes, "It's only a matter of time before McCarthy becomes the Vikings' starting quarterback [...] but it is not likely to happen as quickly as some fans might hope, and if anything, the Vikings are poised to err on the side of methodical caution." Such a scenario could see Minnesota let Darnold, whom they signed this past offseason when Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta, start a few games before transitioning to McCarthy. Darnold has struggled to support major fantasy production from his playmakers at previous stops, including the Jets and Panthers, so fantasy managers might want to temper expectations with players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson to start the year. Darnold himself falls to the low-end QB3 tier in fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can elevate the offense to the next level, according to tight ends coach John Dunn. "I think in terms of the creativity, it's limitless," Dunn told the media on Wednesday. Musgrave and Kraft were both members of the 2023 draft class and impressed in their own roles throughout last season. Musgrave was the Packers' top tight end for their first 10 games before a lacerated kidney caused him to miss six weeks. With Musgrave sidelined, Kraft emerged as one of Jordan Love's favorite targets, averaging four catches and 47 yards per game. When Musgrave returned in Week 18, he caught one pass for 11 yards while Kraft tallied three receptions for 31 yards. Long story short, Green Bay feels confident that it has two talented, young, impactful playmakers at the tight end position and is prepared to utilize them both in creative ways throughout the 2024 season. Until we get more clarity on their respective roles, they both rank as fringe top-24 options at the tight end position in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs believes he has a chip on his shoulder, according to running backs coach Ben Sirmans. "I think he's coming in with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder because we all have something to prove," Sirmans told the media on Wednesday. "I think he wants to prove we made the right decision in investing in him." Jacobs doesn't necessarily have a whole lot more to prove after tallying 3,154 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns over his final two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, his signing with Green Bay did surprise many NFL fans, so perhaps he feels a little extra motivation to silence the critics and make sure he lives up to every penny of his four-year, $48 million deal. The Packers parted ways with fellow veteran Aaron Jones this offseason and (barring any unforeseen additions) will enter 2024 with a backfield headlined by Jacobs, AJ Dillon, and rookie MarShawn Lloyd. Given his track record as an every-down back in Vegas, Jacobs easily has the most fantasy appeal of the bunch, ranking as a low-end RB1 heading into drafts.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver Zay Jones will visit with the Kansas City Chiefs next, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Jones, who was cut loose by the Jacksonville Jaguars recently, has already visited with the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys. All of those teams have varying levels of need for a new wide receiver, but Kansas City could be the most appealing for Jones given that they are competitive year in and year out, offer the opportunity to catch passes from an elite quarterback, and currently have a significant void near the top of their depth chart. It's no secret that second-year receiver Rashee Rice could be facing a lengthy suspension for a pair of off-the-field issues this offseason. Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy would benefit from playing alongside someone like Jones, especially if Rice does end up missing time. Such a dynamic would give Brown, Worthy, and Jones plenty of opportunities to carve out meaningful volume, though Brown would likely have first dibs on the No. 1 receiver role. Therefore, any free-agent deal for Jones would likely keep him off the fantasy radar in a typical 12-team league, at least for the time being.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Nyheim Hines (knee) said that he expects to be ready to go for training camp in late July despite having surgery to fix a torn left ACL last August. As long as Hines doesn't have any setbacks with his surgically repaired knee, he will be in the mix for snaps on third downs, especially with Nick Chubb coming off a devastating knee injury of his own last year. The 27-year-old Hines will have a low floor and ceiling, though, in PPR fantasy leagues with Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman also competing for backfield touches in Cleveland. The former fourth-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 out of North Carolina State has a total of 240 receptions (309 targets) for 1,778 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his five NFL campaigns. Hines hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2022.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) has looked like a star at times through the first two seasons of his NFL career, but lingering hamstring issues caused the former second-round pick to miss eight games in 2023. The organization is focused on how to prevent flare-ups moving forward, and passing game coordinator Jason Vrable said Watson is "in a great place now" with his hamstring. The 24-year-old has plenty of big-play ability and has racked up 1,033 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns through his first 23 games, but he's become tough to trust in fantasy football due to his availability concerns. Hopefully, he really has turned a corner, because he could have at least WR2 upside catching passes from breakout quarterback Jordan Love. Green Bay is sure to be more careful in managing his reps in hopes of keeping him on the field.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints waived quarterback Kellen Mond on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Field Yates. He will now go through the waiver process, and it would not be a surprise if he goes unclaimed. The 2021 third-round pick enjoyed a strong college career at Texas A&M, racking up 9,661 passing yards, 93 total touchdowns, and just 27 interceptions in 46 games played. He has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and New Orleans Saints, but he's thrown just three regular-season passes in his young career. Teams in need of extra quarterbacks for training camp might be interested in the 24-year-old signal-caller, but he's unlikely to ever earn a starting job and could have a tough time making a 53-man roster.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver Zay Jones is on a visit with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The eight-year NFL veteran was recently let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars after the team added Gabe Davis as a free agent and Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Jones has caught just 287 passes for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns through his first 104 NFL games with the Bills, Raiders, and Jaguars, but his 2022 season performance (823 receiving yards) showed he can be a key contributor to an offense. CeeDee Lamb is the clear No. 1 target in Dallas, but Brandin Cooks looks to be slowing down, and Jalen Tolbert has under 300 receiving yards through his first two NFL seasons. If Jones lands in Dallas, he could become the No. 2 option for Dak Prescott, which would raise his fantasy value and ceiling in 2024.
From RotoBaller
According to a source, the New York Jets had been monitoring rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley as high as pick No. 40 for a potential trade in this year's draft. They ended up selecting him in the third round after trading up to pick No. 65, and general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh were both elated. A veteran scout described Corley as "rugged." Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been excited to work with Corley since watching tape on him last month. The 22-year-old had 29 touchdowns in his last three seasons at Western Kentucky and will give the Jets some solid depth at the position behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams in 2024 and beyond. Corley could play right away in the slot for the Jets, but it remains to be seen how his after-the-catch prowess will translate to the NFL.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys notified wide receiver Martavis Bryant on Wednesday that they are moving in a different direction and will release him, according to a person familiar with the situation. Dallas gave Bryant a chance to jump start his NFL career, but he will now need to seek employment elsewhere. The move to release him results in no dead money against the team's 2024 salary cap. The 32-year-old veteran hasn't played in the NFL since 2018 with the Raiders. He could latch on with another team now that he's available on the open market, but Bryant will be a long shot to carve out a substantial role again in his career. The former fourth-rounder in 2014 by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Clemson caught 145 passes for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns in his four NFL seasons.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Shorter is expected to compete for a depth role in training camp this summer behind wideouts Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman and veteran Curtis Samuel. Shorter, who was taken in the fifth round last year out of Florida, didn't play at all in his first season in the NFL due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old stands at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds and will be competing with the likes of Chase Claypool, Mack Hollins, KJ Hamler, Andy Isabella and Quintez Cephus for the No. 4 role in Buffalo. Shorter will most likely have to contribute on special teams to make that happen, but there's no denying that there is plenty of opportunity in Buffalo's receiver room in 2024 now that both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are out of town.
From RotoBaller
Former Atlanta Falcons free-agent wide receiver Scotty Miller is reuniting with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Smith was the head coach in Atlanta to begin last season before getting fired. In 17 games with the Falcons last year, Miller caught 11 of his 16 targets for 161 yards and two touchdowns. While he will reunite with Smith, the 26-year-old pass-catcher will merely operate as receiving depth in Pittsburgh behind George Pickens, Van Jefferson, rookie Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III. The 26-year-old speedster has a total of 85 catches on 144 targets for 1,085 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 67 games (eight starts) over his five seasons in the NFL. He was originally a sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 out of Bowling Green.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos released quarterback Ben DiNucci on Wednesday, according to a source. DiNucci was with the Broncos all of last year on the practice squad and was elevated to the team's game-day roster three times. He became expendable this offseason after the Broncos acquired Zach Wilson from the New York Jets and then took rookie QB Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the first round. With DiNucci released, Denver now has three QBs on the roster in Nix, Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. All three signal-callers will compete for the starting job in training camp this summer. Wilson and Stidham obviously have the most NFL experience, but Nix is fully expected to be Denver's starter of the future after they used a first-round pick on him last month.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is unlikely to be traded entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2024, and the 49ers' focus remains on keeping the star wideout for the long term. Both sides are hoping that they can work out a well-earned contract extension eventually. The recent extensions for DeVonta Smith Amon-Ra St. Brown also give the Niners a little bit more clarity in what Aiyuk's next contract should look like. Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were both available for trade before and during last month's NFL draft, but nobody came through with an offer good enough for the Niners to pull the trigger. With Aiyuk being the bigger long-term priority, the 2024 season is likely the last that they'll have both Samuel and Aiyuk around. The 26-year-old Aiyuk, a former first-rounder, finished tied as the WR12 in half-PPR formats in 2023 with Samuel.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was viewed by many front offices as a backup-caliber player, according to NFL insider Todd McShay. As relayed by Scott Barrett of Fantasy Points, McShay spoke to roughly one dozen teams, and the Broncos were the only one that had a Round 1 grade on Nix. The other teams all had a backup-caliber grade on him. This doesn't necessarily mean that Nix will be a bust and the Broncos will be proven wrong, but it certainly suggests that Denver took a risk by selecting the Oregon product 12th overall in last month's draft. As spring turns to summer, Nix will embark on a competition for the starting quarterback job with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. He's an appealing dynasty option but can probably be avoided in most redraft leagues for now.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan drew the praise of wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon, according to PewterReport. McClendon told the media that he likes the rookie's flexibility to play outside or in the slot, and he also feels fortunate that McMillan fell to Tampa Bay in the third round. These comments suggest that not only did Tampa Bay grade McMillan higher than where he was picked, but they also intend to get him involved right away. He's currently projected to compete with Trey Palmer for the No. 3 wide receiver role, but he might have an early leg up on that competition given his versatility in the passing attack. He's a riser in most dynasty rookie drafts but isn't quite on the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) is progressing well and itching to get back to normal football activities, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "Richardson feels he's full go at this point," Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter. "He's been throwing for a while now. He's gradually grown to where he can throw full time with minimal restrictions. The Colts could be deliberate. They could hold him out for OTAs, 11-man work, minicamp, but the feeling is he wants to get started." These comments suggest that Richardson is pushing to return in a full capacity but Indianapolis may choose to take a more cautious approach in the final stage of his recovery and rehabilitation. Regardless, he should be back to 100 percent in time for the preseason and Week 1 of the regular season. He can be a QB1 in fantasy football as long as he stays healthy. That's easier said than done given that Richardson's physical playing style made him more susceptible to big hits and injuries as a rookie. However, Richardson reportedly might tone down his physicality in 2024, which could lead to him finishing more games (even if it equates to slightly fewer rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as more sacks). He should be treated as a fringe top-12 quarterback heading into fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker drew the praise of running backs coach Skip Peete this week, according to PewterReport. Peete told the media that Tucker "showed a lot of promise early" last season before the Buccaneers ultimately started to lean on Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds. Peete is "excited to see [Tucker] grow this offseason," suggesting the second-year back could carve out a real role in the Tampa Bay offense. Tucker will have to compete with White, Edmonds, and rookie Bucky Irving, but Peete implied that there is plenty of room for competition and he's not the type of coach to lean on just one player. The likelihood of Tucker entering Week 1 with fantasy relevance is low, but he's still a name to watch once training camp gets underway.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Brooks could be heavily involved in the passing game this season. According to head coach Dave Canales, the rookie running back's versatility is "probably the biggest thing that stood out" when the Panthers studied Brooks prior to last month's draft. Although he's recovering from a torn ACL, Brooks was still the first running back off the board, emphasizing Carolina's interest in deploying him as soon as he's healthy. Brooks will compete for touches in a backfield that consists of Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, and Rashaad Penny, but he might be the best pass-catching option of that group. Canales' glowing comments boost Brooks' fantasy value, and so does the new head coach's experience in Tampa Bay. As Buccaneers offensive coordinator, Canales helped funnel plenty of targets to emerging dual-threat back Rachaad White. White finished last season as the RB4 in PPR leagues, so it's safe to say that Brooks' upside is quite high if he can indeed get involved both on the ground and through the air. Perhaps the biggest obstacle will be the Panthers' offense, which may have to prioritize throwing deeper if they're playing from behind in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis "could have a sneaky-big impact" in 2024, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The Kentucky product was selected with the 128th overall pick in last month's draft and has impressive power behind his 5-foot-8, 211-pound frame. One NFL scout told Fowler that Davis is a "great complement to [James] Cook and should get a lot of goal-line and short-yardage work, which should result in some touchdowns." Cook is a fine runner, but he struggled in goal-line and short-yardage situations last year, delivering just two touchdowns. On the other hand, he emerged as a real receiving threat, catching 44 passes for 445 yards through the air. It's easy to envision a scenario where the Bills rely on Cook on early downs and in passing situations before turning to Davis when they need a physical back to secure a few yards. Such a backfield dynamic would drop Cook to the RB2 tier in fantasy football while Davis could sneak into RB3/FLEX territory.
From RotoBaller
