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Studs and Duds: Week 4

Mon Oct 3 10:17am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Ekeler has huge Week 4 game


It was good to see the running back position have a bit of a resurgence, having several players post some huge games. This hasn’t been the case many weeks for the position, but Week 4 had some big performance. The quarterback spot continues to be a bit of a strange one, though, with Jared Goff and Geno Smith leading all fantasy quarterbacks in scoring this week. Who would have thought? This has been the theme of the season for nearly all the positions out side of receiver, though, seeing players that weren’t drafted very high leading the way. Will this continue all season? That is the big question. 

Bengals 27, Dolphins 15

Fantasy Stud: Tyreek Hill. Hill had a great rebound game after a down showing, carrying the passing game much of the night. He had 10 receptions for 160 yards. He scored 26 fantasy points, giving him 18-plus fantasy points three of four games. Hill is on his way to another huge season, posting just as good of numbers with his new team.

Fantasy Dud: Jaylen Waddle. Waddle lost out on targets with Hill getting so much attention in the passing game. Waddle had just two receptions for 39 yards on five targets. It was his first game all season without at least 15 fantasy points. Waddle will be just fine. He had a down game. It happens.

Game Notes: Tua Tagolvailoa took a scary hit in the game and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. He was 8-of-14 for 110 yards with an interception before the injury. This one could knock him out for some games, so stay tuned

Tee Higgins had his first 100-yard game of the season, catching seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. Higgins has at least 70 yards three straight games. 

Vikings 28, Saints 25

Fantasy Stud: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson did a great job of rebounding from two poor performances for his standards. He had 10 receptions for 147 yards and ran once for a 13-yard touchdown. Jefferson showed why many consider him the best fantasy receiver in the game right now. 

Fantasy Dud: Dalvin Cook. The good news is the shoulder didn't seem to be an issue for Cook. The bad news is he didn’t do much with all his work. He ran 20 times for just 76 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards. Cook scored just 10.6 fantasy points. He has been a bit of a bust to date, having failed to stop 15 fantasy points in any game. Cook still has time to get it going but things haven’t been as expected to date. 

Game Notes: Alvin Kamara was a late scratch, missing the game because of his rib injury. Latavius Murray and Mark Ingram pretty much split the work for the Saints. Ingram had 10 carries for 30 yards while Murray ran 11 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. 

Chris Olave scored his first NFL touchdown. He had four receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. Olave has at least 12 fantasy points three straight games. 

Falcons 23, Browns 20

Fantasy Stud: Nick Chubb. Chubb just keeps getting it done on a weekly basis. He hit the 100-yard mark, rushing 19 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for nine yards. Chubb has hit the 100-yard mark three of four games. He is producing as well as any fantasy back in the game through four games.

Fantasy Dud: Kyle Pitts. Pitts was back to his ways from earlier in the season. He had just a catch for 25 yards, really disappointing his fantasy owners once again. He has fewer than 30 yards three of four games and fewer than four fantasy points those three games. Just when you think he can get it going, he reverts back to his bad ways. 

Game Notes: Tyler Allgeier had his best game as a pro, rushing 10 times for 84 yards. Caleb Huntley also got work and played well, coming out of nowhere. Huntley ran 10 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. 

David Njoku had five receptions for 73 yards. He has 14 receptions his last two games and 70-plus yards each of those games. 

Cowboys 25, Commanders 10

Fantasy Stud: CeeDee Lamb. Lamb had six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Lamb has really started to heat up, having 15-plus fantasy points three straight. He has 20-plus points his last two games. Lamb is having a fine season despite being without Dak Prescott for most of it. He just keeps getting it done for fantasy teams. 

Fantasy Dud: Curtis Samuel. Samuel had his first poor showing of the season. He caught just four passes for 38 yards and didn’t have a rush attempt. Samuel had at least seven receptions three straight games before this showing. He still was targeted seven times in the game, which was encouraging for Samuel. He will be just fine. 

Game Notes: Michael Gallup played his first game since tearing his ACL and found the end zone. He had two receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown. 

Cooper Rush keeps playing well in a starting role for the Cowboys. He led the team to another win and was 15-of-27 for 223 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Rush is yet to throw an interceptions in four games. 

Seahawks 48, Lions 45

Fantasy Stud: T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson took advantage of injures at receiver and led the way in the passing game for the Lions. He had eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. This was his first game all season with more than 40 yards. He had been a non-factor most weeks for the Lions. Hockenson does have touchdowns two straight games, though. 

Fantasy Dud: Craig Reynolds. Reynolds did not get much work despite serving as the top backup for the Lions this week. He ran two times for 30 yards and caught a pass for 12 yards. He did produce good numbers with his chances but had  just three chances. Reynolds is not a player fantasy teams can trust - even if he keeps serving as the No. 2 back the next few weeks. 

Game Notes: Rashaad Penny finally got it going and in a big way, rushing 17 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 8.9 yards per carry. 

Jared Goff produced a great game despite being down his top two receivers and starting running back. Goff was 26-of-39 for 378 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. 

Titans 24, Colts 17

Fantasy Stud: Mo Alie-Cox. Alie-Cox came out of nowhere to lead the Colts in receiving. He had just a catch each of the last two games and failed to top 30 yards all season, but had a monster showing in this one. He had six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. He should remain up and down going forward, but this game showed his potential if getting the chances. 

Fantasy Dud: Jonathan Taylor. Taylor got 20 carries but left the game before it was over because of an ankle sprain. He ran 20 times for just 42 yards. He also caught just a pass for a yard. Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse for Taylor, they might be now with the injury. He has been a real disappointment for fantasy owners. 

Game Notes: Derrick Henry had his first 100-yard game of the season. He ran 22 times for 114 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 33 yards, giving him eight catches his last two games. 

Giants 20, Bears 12

Fantasy Stud: Saquon Barkley. Barkley keeps churning out the big fantasy numbers. He had 31 rushes for 146 yards. He also caught two passes for 16 yards, giving him 162 total yards. Barkley has 100-yard rushing games two of three and is just 37 yards shy of 500-rushing yards. 

Fantasy Dud: Richie James. James got some play because many thought he would lead the way in targets for the Giants with all the injuries at receiver. That didn’t happen with James getting just a catch for nine yards. He had at least four receptions his first three games, so this game was a surprise, especially with the Giants down so many options in the passing game. 

Game Notes: Daniel Jones was banged up in the game, hurting his ankle, but was able to return. He was 8-of-13 for 71 yards. He scored two rushing touchdowns, running six times for 68 yards and two scores. 

Darnell Mooney had four receptions for 94 yards. This was his first game all season with more than 25 yards. Mooney finally got some chances to make some big plays and produced well. 

Eagles 29, Jaguars 21

Fantasy Stud: Miles Sanders. Sanders had his best game of the season, getting 27 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 22 yards, giving him 156 total yards. This was his first 100-yard rushing game, but Sanders has at least 80-rushing yards three of four games. Sanders is off to the best season of his career. 

Fantasy Dud: James Robinson. Robinson had his first dud game of the season, which wasn’t a huge surprise against a good Eagles defense. Robinson ran eight times of 29 yards and didn’t catch a pass. This was his first game all season being held out of the end zone. This also was his first game without a reception. 

Game Notes: Trevor Lawrence had a game to forget, struggling to hold onto the ball in wet conditions. He lost four fumbles in the game. Lawrence also threw an intesrcpeoitn, giving him five total turnovers. Lawrence was 11-of-23 for 174 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. 

A.J. Brown had five receptions for 95 yards. Brown has at least five receptions all four gams and 85 or more yards three of those games. 

Jets 24, Steelers 20

Fantasy Stud: Corey Davis. Davis led the way at receiver for the Jets this week, catching five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. Davis has 70-plus yards three of four games. He also has touchdowns two of his last three. Davis has been a very pleasant surprise for fantasy owners, having at least 13 fantasy points three of four games. 

Fantasy Dud: Diontae Johnson. Johnson had a rare down showing, having just two receptions for 11 yards. Johnson had least six receptions every game before this game. Johnson remains a steady presence in this offense, so don't get too down on him over a game. He’ll get it going. 

Game Notes: Zach Wilson played pretty well in his first start of the season. He led his team to a win, going 18-of-36 for 252 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. He ran twice for 15 yards and caught a touchdown pass. 

Mitchell Trubisky was benched for rookie Kenny Pickett. Trubisky was 7-of-13 for 84 yards with an interception. Pickett moved the offense but turned the ball over three times. He was 10-of-13 for 120 yards with three interceptions. He ran six times for 15 yards and two touchdowns. 

Bills 23, Ravens 20

Fantasy Stud: J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins had a multiple touchdown showing. He ran 13 times for 41 yards and a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. He had 63 total yards and two scores. Dobbins looks to be rounding into form, leading the Ravens backfield in carries. 

Fantasy Dud: Gabriel Davis. This looked like a good matchup for Davis against a bad Ravens secondary, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. He had just a catch for 13 yards, continuing to be a boom or bust play for fantasy owners. Davis has fewer than seven fantasy points two straight games. 

Game Notes: Lamar Jackson was held in check, going 20-of-29 for 144 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. His biggest positive was his rushing totals, running 11 times for 73 yards. 

Josh Allen had a similar showing to Jackson, but a rushing touchdown helped push his fantasy totals to a much better place. Allen was 19-of-36 for 213 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He ran 11 times for 70 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 26.6 fantasy points in a down game for his standards. 

Chargers 34, Texans 24

Fantasy Stud: Austin Ekeler. Ekeler carried many fantasy teams to victory this week with a three-touchdown performance. He had 13 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. Ekeler has at least 11 fantasy points all four games. Ekeler continues to get a bunch of work in the passing game, having at least six receptions three straight. 

Fantasy Dud: Josh Palmer. Palmer caught just a pass for 25 yards. He was coming off a game with six receptions for 99 yards, so you were hoping for better with Keenan Allen still out of the lineup. He had just a target, though. He had 17 targets his previous two games, so this was an outlier of a performance for Palmer. 

Game Notes: Mike Williams had seven receptions 120 yards. He has 100-yard games two of three. Williams has been up and down but a huge ceiling every week. 

Cardinals 26, Panthers 16

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey looked like the McCaffrey of old in this one, getting a ton of work in the passing game for the first time this season. He was held in cheek on the ground, rushing eight times for just 27 yards. But he had nine receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. It was great to see McCaffrey so involved in the passing game once again. And he looked healthy in the game despite being questionable because of a quad injury.

Fantasy Dud: Greg Dortch. Dortch caught just a pass for six yards. The rookie had at least 13 fantasy points three straight games before this dud of a game. He had 20 receptions in three games but was an afterthought in Week 4. Dortch had just a target. This was a worrisome performance from the rookie, especially with the Cardinals starting to get healthy at receiver. 

Game Notes: Marquise Brown found the end zone for the second time this season. He had six receptions for 88 yards and a score. Brown has at least six receptions three straight.

D.J. Moore finally got some work in the passing game, catching six passes for 50 yards. Moore did not have more than three receptions in a game before this one.

Packers 27, Patriots 24

Fantasy Stud: Romeo Doubs. Doubs continues to emerge in the Packers offense. He had five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Doubs had scores two straight games. He also has at least 14 fantasy points each of those games. He should continue to produce as a featured receiver in the Pacers passing game. 

Fantasy Dud: Hunter Henry. Henry continues to do next to nothing in the Patriots offense after having a big first season with the Patriots. He caught just two passes for 13 yards. Henry is not a usable fantasy option and could even be dropped in standard leagues. Henry has just five receptions for 41 yards on the season and has failed to score a touchdown. 

Game Notes: Brian Hoyer left the game early because of a head injury. He was just 5-of-6 for 37 yards before the injury. Third stringer Bailey Zappe actually played well in relief, finishing 10-of-15 for 99 yards and a touchdown. 

Allen Lazard had his first 100-yard game, catching six passes for 116 yards. Lazard has 14-plus fantasy points two straight games. 

Raiders 32, Broncos 23

Fantasy Stud: Josh Jacobs. Jacobs got a ton of work and produced great with all his chances. He rushed 28 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He also had five receptions for 31 yards. So Jacobs had 175 total yards and two scores. Hopefully, this game gets Jacobs going as a feature piece of this Raiders offense. 

Fantasy Dud: Derek Carr. Carr was held out of the end zone and failed to hit 200-passing yards. He was 21-of-34 for 188 yards without a touchdown or interception. Carr had two touchdowns each of his first three games, so this game was a big disappointment for his fantasy owners. You expected better from the consistent fantasy quarterback. 

Game Notes: Javonte Williams suffered a possible major knee injury. He had 10 carries for 28 yards before the injury. Melvin Gordon should get first crack to start if Williams misses any time. Gordon had three carries for eight yards with a lost fumble in this game. 

Russell Wilson had his best game as a Bronco. He was 17-of-25 for 237 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also led the team in rushing, running four times for 29 yards and a touchdown. He had three total scores without a turnover.  

Chiefs 41, Bucs 31

Fantasy Stud: Mike Evans. Evans had a great return to the lineup after his one-game suspension. He had eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Evans has touchdowns two of three games. This was his first 100-yard game of the season. He has topped 60 yards in every game, though, so he has been pretty consistent in the Bucs top passing attack. 

Fantasy Dud: Russell Gage. The return of both Evans and Chris Godwin to the lineup made Gage almost invisible after his monster performance the previous week. He had just two receptions for 24 yards. Gage showed he could be very erratic going forward as long as Godwin and Evans are playing. 

Game Notes: Clyde Edwards-Helaire just keep producing. He ran 19 times for 92 yards and a touchdown against a very good Bucs rush defense. He also caught a pass for a two-yard score. He has five touchdowns on the season and scores three of four games. 

Chris Godwin looked healthy in his return from a hamstring injury. Godwin had seven receptions for 59 yards on 10 targets. 

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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2024 NFL Draft Recap

Player Notes
Kyren Williams May 9 5:10pm ET
Kyren Williams

The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Michigan running back Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft despite breakout star Kyren Williams racking up 1,350 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023. In a media availability, general manager Les Snead said that the decision to draft Corum was related to keeping Williams fresh. "It's a tough league. It's a 17-game season plus playoffs, so we always felt like we needed to have as many quality runners as possible... so we don't just totally run down Kyren," Snead said. "And we have one or two or even three guys that can contribute... keep everyone fresh." The organization implemented a workhorse backfield approach with 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley, and he ultimately had a short shelf life as a pro due to durability concerns. As most teams shift to a committee backfield, high-end fantasy running back producers are becoming more scarce. Williams missed five games last year on the Injured Reserve list, so the organization is being proactive and adding depth in the backfield. Williams remains an RB1 candidate, but his floor and ceiling take a hit with the addition of Corum.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff May 9 4:30pm ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has vastly exceeded expectations since being traded from the Los Angeles Rams to Detroit ahead of the 2021 season. The former No. 1 overall pick has thrown for 12,258 yards, 78 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions through his first 48 games with the organization. More importantly, he led the team to Detroit's first playoff win since 1991 last year, and he had the San Francisco 49ers on the ropes in the NFC Championship game. He did not sign a contract extension along with right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown two weeks ago, but general manager Brad Holmes said the two sides are working on a deal. "He's earned an extension. It's important, it's a high priority for us. Both sides are working really, really hard. These things just take time," Holmes said. "In a perfect world, we would've had all three of them done. Bang, bang, bang. But these things just kind of take a while, especially with the quarterback market, but I do have faith that it's gonna get done." Assuming Goff receives a high-dollar multi-year deal, his dynasty value with be secure over the next three or four years. While his ceiling is capped by a lack of rushing upside, he should remain a fringe QB1 as long as the Lions retain key offensive linemen and pass-catching weapons.

From RotoBaller

Treylon Burks May 9 4:20pm ET
Treylon Burks

Despite the Tennessee Titans signing veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd this week, head coach Brian Callahan and the organization still have hope for third-year wideout Treylon Burks. "We've made very clear to Treylon that the signing of Tyler is not about him. It's about helping our team get better, adding better players to our team, making us a competitive football team," Callahan said. "What he's done and how he's worked has been great, and I'm anticipating him still being able to play a good role for us." While the Boyd signing almost surely pushes Burks to the WR4 role and destroys any 2024 fantasy football value he had, it sounds like the team is not going to trade him this offseason as many have speculated. Burks was a promising prospect coming out of Arkansas, but he's totaled just 665 receiving yards and one touchdown through his first two NFL seasons. He might be worth holding in deep dynasty leagues, but it'd be surprising if he's on the fantasy radar in redraft formats.

From RotoBaller

Ben Skowronek May 9 3:00pm ET
Ben Skowronek

The Houston Texans acquired wide receiver Ben Skowronek from the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, according to sources. The Rams were set to waiver Skowronek, but the Texans swooped in before he hit waivers to get something done to add receiving depth behind Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, John Metchie III and others. The 26-year-old Skowronek was the Rams' seventh-round pick in 2021 and has mostly been limited to a role on special teams in his three years in the NFL. That will likely continue to be the case with his move to Houston, and he won't be on the fantasy radar at all. In his three years in the NFL in LA, Skowronek only had 58 receptions for 575 yards and one touchdown on 93 targets in 45 games (12 starts).

From RotoBaller

Keon Coleman May 9 2:40pm ET
Keon Coleman

In what is the weakest wide receiving corps the Buffalo Bills have had in several seasons, rookie second-round wideout Keon Coleman should start right away in his first NFL season alongside veteran Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir. Coleman has a lot of potential, but asking a 21-year-old to produce in a way he never has at a higher level of football seems like asking for too much, too soon, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Depth is also an issue for this unit, with journeyman veteran Mack Hollins as their top reserve. Coleman has good size at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, but his lack of production at Florida State made him a polarizing draft prospect. The good news is that he's going to have his opportunities right away, although that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a starting fantasy option on a weekly basis right away.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox May 9 2:40pm ET
Dawson Knox

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox likely knows a reduced role is on the way again for him in 2024, although he is a favorite of quarterback Josh Allen's in the locker room, so it remains to be seen how much he'll be on the sidelines in favor of second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid. Allen may need to rely on Kincaid more to pick up a big amount of slack to keep the offense moving with an unproven receiver unit this year. Buffalo moved away from heavy usage of 12 personnel early in 2023 and mostly settled into 11 personnel. If that's the plan again in 2024, it will be interesting to see how they divvy up the snaps between Kincaid and Knox. Either way, unless Kincaid misses time with an injury, it's going to be hard to justify starting Knox outside of two-TE leagues.

From RotoBaller

James Cook May 9 2:30pm ET
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook bounced back from being benched last year and enters his third season in the NFL in 2024 as the unquestioned lead back with a giant gap between him and either Ty Johnson or rookie Ray Davis. Cook should continue to push toward some of the heaviest involvement the Bills have seen in recent years out of their top back. Johnson's game is similar to Cook's, so he'll likely have a game-day role when Cook needs a breather. The Bills are hoping Davis can add power and short-yardage ability, something the team has been wanting to add for years to the backfield. The 24-year-old Cook had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2023 but added just two rushing TDs. What Cook lacks in scoring opportunities, he could make up for with his pass-catching abilities and sheer volume in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Cedric Tillman May 9 2:20pm ET
Cedric Tillman

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns believe wide receiver Cedric Tillman can make a second-year leap in 2024. Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore figure to start in most three-receiver sets this year, but Tillman should have an opportunity for a bigger role as the No. 4 as the season progresses. The 24-year-old third-round pick last year out of Tennessee caught 21 of his 44 targets for 224 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games (three starts) in 2023 in his rookie season. Behind Tillman, David Bell, rookie Jamari Thrash, James Proche II, Jaelon Darden and Michael Woods II will have to battle for playing time in training camp this summer. Tillman won't be worth drafting in standard-sized leagues this fall, but he could become intriguing as a waiver-wire pickup if one of the three starters goes down with injury at any point.

From RotoBaller

Ben Skowronek May 9 2:10pm ET
Ben Skowronek

The Los Angeles Rams released wide receiver Ben Skowronek on Thursday, according to a source. The former seventh-round pick in 2021 out of Notre Dame had emerged into a team captain last year but also had a career-low eight receptions on 12 targets for 66 yards and his first career touchdown in 17 regular-season games (zero starts). The 26-year-old has mostly contributed on special teams in his three-year NFL career and will likely continue to do so wherever he winds up next. In his three years in LA, Skowronek caught 58 of his 93 targets for 575 receiving yards and just one touchdown in 45 games played (12 starts). He'll be off the fantasy radar wherever he lands next.

From RotoBaller

D'Onta Foreman May 9 2:10pm ET
D'Onta Foreman

There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Cleveland Browns' backfield heading into this summer with running back Nick Chubb (knee) months away from having a timetable to return. Nyheim Hines (knee) is also recovering from a torn ACL as well. D'Onta Foreman figures to operate as the team's short-yardage back, while Jerome Ford could go anywhere from first in line to a specialized role while mostly helping in the passing game. Pierre Strong Jr. and John Kelly Jr. round out the RB room. The Browns have nice depth at the position, but the pecking order and specific roles are to be determined based on Chubb's availability and effectiveness. Foreman's fantasy value will hinge on Chubb as well, but in a best-case scenario if Chubb isn't ready for the start of the season, he'll be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex.

From RotoBaller

Allen Robinson May 9 10:40am ET
Allen Robinson

The New York Giants signed free-agent wide receiver Allen Robinson on Thursday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The move to acquire a cheap veteran makes sense considering the weak group of pass-catchers on New York's roster, but Robinson has looked like a shell of his former self over the last three seasons. After two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, Robinson has totaled just 1,029 yards and four touchdowns over the last three campaigns. He tallied 280 yards and no touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. Although he could provide value as an experienced leader in the locker room, it'd be surprising if he made an impact in fantasy football. Rookie first-round pick Malik Nabers is expected to be the No. 1 wide receiver for Daniel Jones right away, while Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayon with compete for looks behind him.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Boyd May 9 10:35am ET
Tyler Boyd

Dynasty | The Titans have signed wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Dynasty Analysis: Amazingly, Boyd has already spend eight years in the league (all with the Bengals). Over the span of his career, he's posted 513 catches for exactly 6,000 yards with 31 touchdowns. The Titans were steadfast in their approach to improve their offense and have now added Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley and Boyd to a new-look team. The move will certainly have fantasy implications, most notably pushing Treylon Burks down one more spot in the pecking order. Boyd remains a low-ceiling player to have on a dynasty roster but he could have real short-term value should an injury (or a suspension) occur with Hopkins or Ridley.

Rashaad Penny May 9 10:35am ET
Rashaad Penny

Dynasty | The Carolina Panthers are signing running back Rashaad Penny. Dynasty Analysis: Penny is going to compete with rookie Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear for a roster spot this Summer as nothing here should be looked at as guaranteed. Penny has had his moments in the league, including a stretch in Seattle where he was the best fantasy football player in the world for about a month. Unfortunately, injuries have always held him back and he wasn't really even able to sniff the field last year in Philadelphia. Penny's value has dropped all the way down to "watch list," but he'd certainly be roster worthy should he make the team this Fall.

Allen Robinson May 9 9:33am ET
Allen Robinson

Free-agent WR Allen Robinson (Steelers) agreed to an undisclosed deal with the New York Giants Thursday, May 9.

From TheHuddle

Zay Jones May 9 1:33am ET
Zay Jones

Free-agent WR Zay Jones (Jaguars) is scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, May 9, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

From TheHuddle

Sam Darnold May 8 11:30pm ET
Sam Darnold

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

Luke Musgrave May 8 11:20pm ET
Luke Musgrave

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

Josh Jacobs May 8 11:10pm ET
Josh Jacobs

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

Zay Jones May 8 11:00pm ET
Zay Jones

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

Curtis Samuel May 8 9:33pm ET
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills WR Curtis Samuel could be used out of the backfield this season by offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who utilized Samuel as a runner while the two were with the Carolina Panthers.

Fantasy Spin: Samuel saw a career-high 41 carries and ran for 200 yards in 2020 with Brady running the offense in Carolina. Samuel should already have a chance to carve out a solid role in the passing game thanks to Buffalo's overhauled receiving corps, and a few carries a game would only boost his value. He has upside as a flex option.

From TheHuddle