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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Studs and Duds: Divisional Round

Mon Jan 22 9:38am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Kelce comes up big for Chiefs


Well, that was a lot better. The games were really good this weekend. Even the first one that ended up pretty lopsided. It was still good for the half. The rest of the games were really entertaining, though. Most of them were really back and forth, and could have gone to either team in the end. It made for some great entertainment. And the fantasy numbers weren’t too bad, either. There were some really big games this weekend. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of some of those big games on all your playoff fantasy teams.

Ravens 34, Texans 10

Fantasy Stud: Lamar Jackson. Jackson proved why he is the front runner for MVP this year. He had a great game, going 16-of-22 for 152 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also led the team in rushing, hitting the 100-yard mark. Jackson ran 11 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson scored 37.6 fantasy points. He has 35-plus fantasy points three of five games

Fantasy Dud: C.J. Stroud. The Ravens did a great job of holding the impressive rookie in check. He did not score a touchdown in the game and failed to hit 200-passing yards. Stroud was 19-of-33 for 175 yards without a score or turnover. He still had a monster rookie season and is going to be one of the best fantasy quarterbacks for years to come.

Game Notes: Justice Hill had 13 carries for 66 yards, leading the Ravens in rushing for ar running back. He also caught two passes for 11 yards, finishing with 77 total yards.

Dalvin Cook made his Ravens debut and ran eight times for 23 yards. He got nearly all his work with the Ravens up big late in the game.

49ers 24, Packers 21

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey had his usual huge fantasy game. He ran 17 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He also had seven receptions for 30 yards. McCaffrey had 31.8 fantasy points. This was his fourth game this season with 30-plus fantasy points. McCaffrey just keeps posting huge numbers on a weekly basis

Fantasy Dud: Brandon Aiyuk. With Deebo Samuel sidelined much of the game, you thought Aiyuk might get a little more work. Well, that didn’t happen. Aiyuk was a disappointment to fantasy teams, catching just three passes for 32 yards. It was a down game for the star receiver.

Game Notes: Deebo Samuel injured his shoulder early in the game and was unable to return. He had two receptions for 24 yards. This is an injury to watch going forward. Samuel is a huge part of the 49ers offense.

Aaron Jones hit the 100-yard rushing mark. He had 18 carries for 108 yards. Jones finishes the season with five straight 100-yard games.

Lions 31, Bucs 23

Fantasy Stud: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs had a big game rushing and receiving, showing his dual threat ability. He ran nine times for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for 40 yards, giving him 114 total yards and a score. Gibbs outproduced starter David Montgomery running the ball despite having one less carry.
  
Fantasy Dud: Chris Godwin. Godwin had one of his down games this week, catching four passes for 40 yards. He was up and down all season, so this shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Godwin still had a fine season but here is to hoping he can produce more consistent numbers next year.

Game Notes: Mike Evans had eight receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. This was his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Evans had a huge season and shows few signs of slowing down.

Jared Goff continued his great play in the playoffs, going 30-of-43 for 287 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He has 275-plus passing yards each of his two playoff games without a turnover.

Chiefs 27, Bills 24

Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. Kelce showed he can still play a big role in the playoffs. He had five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. This was his first two-touchdown game of the entire season. It was the fourth time he topped 20 fantasy points in a game, though. Kelce scored 24.5 fantasy points in this one.
  
Fantasy Dud: Stefon Diggs. Diggs was held in check once again, catching three passes for just 21 yards. It was kind of the theme of the second half of his season. Diggs really disappeared down the stretch, causing some concern for next season.

Game Notes: Josh Allen was huge in defeat, especially as a runner. He ran 12 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 26-of-39 for 186 yards and a touchdown.

Isiah Pacheco had a solid game, rushing 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. He had a catch for 14 yards, giving him 111 total yards.

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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Fantasy Position SOS

Player Notes
Lucas Havrisik May 20 10:10pm ET
Lucas Havrisik

The Cleveland Browns re-signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to an undisclosed deal on Monday and waived quarterback Jacob Simon in a corresponding move. Havrisik returns to the team after recently being waived on May 14. The 24-year-old spent time on Cleveland's practice squad last year and also went 15-for-20 on his field-goal attempts and 19-for-22 on extra-point tries in nine games in his rookie season for the Los Angeles Rams. As things stand right now, Havrisik is third on the Browns' kicking depth chart behind Dustin Hopkins and Cade York, so he's clearly not a lock to make the team's final roster for the 2024 season out of training camp and the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Eddy Pineiro May 20 10:00pm ET
Eddy Pineiro

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro continues to skip the portion of the team's voluntary offseason program, which has allowed undrafted rookie Harrison Mevis to shine during organized team activities. Mevis made all five of his field-goal attempts on Monday, including a long of 47 yards. Pineiro is the league's 21st-highest-paid kicker and is in the final year of his two-year, $4.1 million deal. "I'm sure Eddy has a plan for this whole thing," head coach Dave Canales said. The 28-year-old veteran missed the final two games in 2023 for the Panthers with a hamstring injury, but he's likely healthy now and should report for mandatory minicamp next month. Carolina's offense should improve with more offensive weapons in quarterback Bryce Young's second season in 2024, but fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues can avoid Pineiro on draft day.

From RotoBaller

Jaycee Horn May 20 9:50pm ET
Jaycee Horn

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn did more weightlifting over the winter in hopes that it will keep him healthy after he missed more games than he played in his first three seasons in the NFL due to injuries. The 24-year-old is big and physical and has always had the talent to be elite if he can just stay on the field. His injury history includes soft-tissue problems, including a hamstring injury from Week 1 last year that required surgery and cost him 10 games. The former eighth overall pick in 2021 out of South Carolina has 85 tackles (60 solo), four interceptions and 13 passes defended in his three years in the league. The Panthers secondary will be much more effective if Horn can stay healthy for a full season. "Just trying different things. Obviously, what I did the years before didn't work with dealing with injury and it can be some unlucky-ness," Horn said.

From RotoBaller

Deuce Vaughn May 20 9:40pm ET
Deuce Vaughn

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn could see more playing time in the slot next season as a way to utilize his talents in space more often. The 5-foot-6, 176-pounder was taken in the sixth round last year, and he finished with just 23 carries for 40 yards while catching all seven of his targets for 40 yards through the air in seven regular-season games. But with Tony Pollard no longer in town, the Cowboys could look to get Vaughn more involved in the passing game to capitalize on Vaughn's burst, quickness and change-of-direction abilities in open space. It would make him intriguing as a sleeper in PPR leagues, but the fact remains that Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott will likely be ahead of Vaughn on the RB depth chart. For now, it's just something to watch for fantasy managers in deep PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young May 20 9:30pm ET
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who looked lost in his rookie campaign in 2023, has impressed head coach Dave Canales at offseason workouts. Canales loves the way Young has picked up an offense that has helped Baker Mayfield, Russell Wilson and Geno Smith to career-best seasons. "He's doing fantastic with it," Canales said Monday after the first full day of voluntary workouts. "So, for us the formations are pretty vanilla so we can just teach the concept we want out of each route, the depth, the footwork we want." Young said having just Canales' voice in his ear has been "super important" after a rough rookie season in which he ranked 29th out of 30 QBs in total QBR (33.4). It will be hard for Young to be much worse in his sophomore season in 2024, and the Panthers also added some playmakers around him via the draft and trade market, but he'll still merely be a low-end QB2 with upside in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones May 20 9:10pm ET
Daniel Jones

The New York Giants said that quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) took part in 7-on-7 drills during organized team activities on Monday. Jones and the team have said that the expectation is that he'll be fully cleared for the start of training camp this summer after he tore his ACL in November of last year. In addition to his season-ending knee injury last year, Jones also missed some time with a neck injury that is apparently a thing of the past. The 26-year-old former first-rounder didn't have much of a chance behind the team's atrocious offensive line in 2023, but he's going to need to show more in 2024 while coming off a major injury after signing a four-year, $160 million deal last offseason. In his six starts last year, Jones threw for 909 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions. His rushing upside keeps him relevant as a QB2 in fantasy, but that could be negatively affected by his knee injury.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford May 20 9:00pm ET
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is present at OTAs. The veteran signal-caller wants more money, so there were rumblings he wouldn't attend. He finished last season by throwing for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 62.6% of his passes. Stafford is due to make $31 million guaranteed this year. However, he is only guaranteed $10 million for the remaining two seasons after the 2024-25 campaign. At any rate, Stafford is predicted to be a semi-reliable fantasy option for at least a few more seasons. But his fantasy stock will fall if he doesn't report to training camp if a new deal isn't reached.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins May 20 8:50pm ET
Tee Higgins

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins isn't expected to attend OTAs next week. This isn't surprising, considering the wideout wants a new contract. He also requested a trade in March, although it doesn't appear that the Bengals are looking to move him. The 25-year-old had a down season in 2023-24, amassing 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns, all the lowest marks of his career. He was also limited to just 12 games due to injury. With that said, there's still a chance things will get resolved heading into training camp. If that's the case, Higgins could turn things around in 2024-25, especially if Joe Burrow (wrist) stays healthy. Yet, if both parties can't reach an agreement, he'll play on a franchise tag.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb May 20 8:30pm ET
CeeDee Lamb

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to attend OTAs, which will commence on Tuesday. This isn't anything new, although the latest report indicates things seemingly haven't changed regarding Lamb's desire for a new deal. He's due to make nearly $18 million in 2024-25 on his fifth-year option. However, as expected, Lamb wants to be one of the league's highest-paid wideouts. The 25-year-old was a top contributor throughout the 2023-24 campaign, finishing with 135 receptions (181 targets) for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's anticipated to be one of the first fantasy options taken in drafts heading into the new season. But that could change if Lamb doesn't get what he wants, especially if it means he doesn't show up for training camp in July.

From RotoBaller

DeVante Parker May 20 8:20pm ET
DeVante Parker

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVante Parker announced his retirement on Monday evening. The 31-year-old, who signed with the Eagles in March, was once one of the NFL's most promising wideouts. He spent most of his career in Miami, where he had the best season of his career in 2019 by amassing 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns off 72 receptions. Parker spent a few more years in Miami before suiting up for the Patriots over the last two seasons. However, he was nowhere near as productive as he was in 2019, so New England released him. The 31-year-old will finish his NFL career by totaling 690 catches for 5,660 yards and 27 touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice May 20 5:13pm ET
Rashee Rice

Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will attend OTAs this week. Dynasty Analysis: It's never a good thing when we have a multitude of player updates for you in the off-season and virtually none of them revolve around football. Such has been the case with Rice, however, as he is currently facing what looks to be a potentially long suspension after a racing incident and most recently, a potential assault. Attending camp is good but he's nearly impossible to move in a dynasty league with a black cloud currently over his head. Rice will remain a hold as this whole thing unfolds over the next few weeks and months.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Parker Washington May 20 5:10pm ET
Parker Washington

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is battling for a roster spot after the team brought in Brian Thomas Jr. Gabe Davis, and Devin Duvernay this offseason. Along with Christian Kirk, those three players are locks to make the final 53-man roster. Jacksonville began organized team activities on Monday, and Washington was a standout performer, according to John Shipley on the Jaguar Report. "Washington made several impressive grabs throughout the day in both individual and team drills, and he also showed off the quickness and explosiveness that makes his game stand out," Shipley wrote. "After (Christian) Kirk, he was probably the best overall performer in the receiver room on Monday." The 2023 sixth-round pick posted 16 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign, and his special teams ability could help his chances to secure his spot on the active roster. Although he won't begin the 2024 season on the fantasy radar, he could be worth stashing in extra-deep formats.

From RotoBaller

Antonio Gibson May 20 5:00pm ET
Antonio Gibson

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson signed a three-year contract to join the organization this offseason, and early reviews from Patriots beat writer Brian Hines are encouraging. "Antonio Gibson's speed was evident in the no-contact setting, as well as his wide receiver background," Hines wrote for PatsPulpit.com. "Gibson should have a role for himself in this offense." It's the first day of organized team activities, and fantasy managers shouldn't be too high on the former Washington Commander yet, but he has a path to fantasy relevance as a pass-catcher behind or alongside Rhamondre Stevenson. The 25-year-old played wideout in his college career at Memphis and posted 172 receptions for 1,283 yards and seven receiving touchdowns through his first 61 NFL games. He's a solid late-round flyer in PPR leagues, as veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye could utilize him as a checkdown option often given the lack of high-end pass-catchers on the New England roster. Gibson's 13 fumbles since entering the league rank third-most since 2020, but if he can clean that part of his game up, he should be worthwhile on fantasy rosters.

From RotoBaller

Justin Jefferson May 20 4:40pm ET
Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was not spotted at the team's facility for the start of organized team activities on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jefferson and the Vikings have reportedly been in discussions regarding a new contract for the superstar pass-catcher, and it would not be a surprise if he does not report until he inks a new deal. The 2020 first-round pick has three seasons of at least 1,400 receiving yards on his resume already, and he posted 1,074 yards in just 10 games last season. The 24-year-old holds the NFL record for the most receiving yards per game (98.3), so a hefty payday should be coming soon. Stud wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown signed deals this offseason that include an average salary of at least $30 million, and Jefferson is expected to become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history when he reaches a new agreement. 2024 will mark the first season he won't be catching any passes from Kirk Cousins, but his 192-yard performance in Week 18 with Nick Mullens at the helm proves he is quarterback-proof.

From RotoBaller

Jerod Mayo May 20 4:30pm ET
Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (knee) is considered "month-to-month" with a knee injury, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. The 2022 first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga injured his left knee in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. Strange has made 27 starts in his first two seasons with the organization, and his recovery from the injury will be key as the team breaks in rookie quarterback Drake Maye. With the season set to kick off in roughly 15 weeks, there will be further updates on his status as Week 1 approaches.

From RotoBaller

Kyler Murray May 20 4:20pm ET
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. will start at left tackle in 2024 after spending his rookie season on the right side, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Johnson was selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2023 NFL Draft and started all 17 games in his debut campaign. Veteran D.J. Humphries occupied the left tackle spot in the desert for nine seasons, but he was released this offseason. Newly acquired veteran Jonah Williams will begin the season at right tackle. Protecting quarterback Kyler Murray and carving running lanes for James Conner and Trey Benson will be key priorities in 2024 for a potential ascending offense. Johnson Jr. will play a key part in that effort, and hopefully, he'll take a Year 2 leap after allowing eight sacks in 2023.

From RotoBaller

JuJu Smith-Schuster May 20 3:00pm ET
JuJu Smith-Schuster

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle, knee) said he was around 60 percent healthy this time last year from his knee injury and was never fully healthy in 2023. However, he said he's at 100 percent now after resting this offseason. It's nice to hear that the 27-year-old is feeling better this offseason, but his role is a bit up in the air in 2024 after the Patriots added Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round and Javon Baker in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft. New England also signed K.J. Osborn in free agency, giving Smith-Schuster much more competition in the first year without Bill Belichick in Boston. Smith-Schuster had only 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games in his first year with the team in 2023. With Kendrick Bourne (knee) coming back from a torn ACL this year, Smith-Schuster's role is in question.

From RotoBaller

Jacoby Brissett May 20 2:30pm ET
Jacoby Brissett

At the New England Patriots' first organized team activity practice on Monday, quarterback Jacoby Brissett took the first repetitions at the position, followed by Bailey Zappe, rookie first-rounder Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. The Patriots took Maye third overall out of North Carolina in last month's NFL draft, but Maye won't be guaranteed the starting gig from Day 1 in his first NFL season this fall. The expectation is that Brissett and Maye will compete for the job in training camp this summer and the preseason, but the Patriots aren't going to rush Maye into the starting role under new head coach Jerod Mayo right away, even though the team has been impressed with the work that Maye has put in so far in trying to learn a new offense. In the bigger picture in 2024, it would be a mild surprise if Maye doesn't at least get some playing time at some point if he opens the year as a backup to Brissett.

From RotoBaller

Kendrick Bourne May 20 2:20pm ET
Kendrick Bourne

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) will not be on the field this spring with the rest of the team, according to new head coach Jerod Mayo. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise after a torn right ACL forced Bourne to miss the final nine games of the 2023 season. The 28-year-old said that he expects to be full-go for the start of training camp this summer, though, but he's going to miss valuable time working with new quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and rookie first-rounder Drake Maye during organized team activities. As long as Bourne doesn't suffer a setback during training camp or the preseason, he should be ready for the Week 1 season opener. Bourne had a career-high 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his first year with the Pats in 2021 before regressing to 434 yards and one score in 16 games (two starts) in 2022.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa May 20 2:10pm ET
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in the team's building on Monday for the start of organized team activities, according to a source. Tagovailoa is slated to become the next signal-caller to receive a big payday, but the two sides remain in negotiations this offseason. Despite nothing being finalized, the former first-rounder said he was planning on attending the team's offseason workouts. The 26-year-old reportedly has not been with the team as much this offseason as he has been in previous years, but it's a good sign that he's now with the team for OTAs and remains committed to Miami. It should go a long way to both sides eventually working something out on a long-term extension. If no extension is reached, Tagovailoa would play the 2024 season on his fifth-year option. Contract issues aside, he's a rising midrange QB1 after a career year in 2023 with one of the best 1-2 punches at receiver in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

From RotoBaller