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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Waivering: Week 6

Tue Oct 12 8:40am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Booker will get some starts


For the second straight week, we were really hit hard by injuries. Several backs went down, making for a busy waiver wire once again. This is the part of fantasy that isn’t too fun. Staying healthy is as important as anything when it comes to your fantasy season. Hopefully, you aren’t getting it too hard about the email. Either way, good luck in navigating the waiver wire in Week 6. Below are some options to consider for your team.

QUARTERBACK

Jameis Winston, Saints. Winston had his second four-touchdown game of the season last week. And he attempted a season-high 30 passes. This might be a trend going forward, giving Winston a few more chances to air it out. This would certainly help his fantasy value. Winston is available in 47 percent of leagues.

Matt Ryan, Falcons. We know the Falcons aren’t the best team out there, but Ryan still keeps producing decent numbers for his fantasy owners. He has 20-plus fantasy points four straight games. He has attempted 35-plus passes in every game. He gets the work on a weekly basis and produces consistent numbers. Surprisingly, Ryan is available in 31 percent of leagues.

RUNNING BACK

Devontae Booker, Giants. Saquon Barkley suffered an ankle injury in Week 5 and is expected to miss two to four weeks of action. This leaves Booker as the likely starter for the Giants. The Giants aren’t very good and the line is a bit of a mess, but any starter in the NFL has fantasy value. Booker could have a few decent games as the starter. He has produced in the past. 

Khalil Herbert, Bears. It was Herbert, not Damien Williams, that led the Bears in rushing last week with David Montgomery out of the lineup. Herbert ran well, rushing 18 times for 75 yards. Williams remains our favorite Bears back for now, but Herbert has some value. The only knock on him is he has yet to catch a pass this year, which hurts his floor. But he should get around double-digit touches per week while Montgomery sits.

Alex Collins, Seahawks. Chris Carson is dealing with a neck injury that could impact him the rest of the way. He might miss more games because of the injury. Collins is the next man up and worth owning in all formats. He has double-digit carries each of his last two games and 9-plus fantasy points each of those games. Collins is available in 39 percent of leagues.

Samaje Perine, Bengals. Perine split the work with Joe Mixon last week and actually outproduced him. Perine ran well, rushing 11 times for 59 yards. He also caught four passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. Perine could be a factor the next few weeks as Mixon gets healthy. Perine is on the COVID list right now, though, so that is something to watch. He might not be available to play this week. Perine has some potential when on the field, though, and is available in 54 percent of leagues.

Darrel Williams, Chiefs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a knee injury in Week 5 and could miss a lot of time. This leaves Williams as the likely next man up. Williams might split some work with other backs but as long as he starts, he has some value to fantasy teams. He is worth grabbing for fantasy teams, especially if you were a Edwards-Helaire owner.

RECEIVER

Kadarius Toney, Giants. With the Giants banged up at receiver, Toney is getting more chances and taking advantage. He had a career game last week, catching 10 passes for 189 yards. He has 16 receptions his last two games and should continue to rack up the chances going forward, especially with Kenny Golladay now hurting. Toney is available in 75 percent of leagues.

Chris Moore, Texans. Moore played his first game of the season last week and made the most of it, posting a huge game. He had five receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. He might have played his way into a much bigger role going forward for the Texans. He could be worth a speculative add in deeper formats. He has always been a big-play threat capable of the big games

Marquez Callaway, Saints. Callaway had a lot of hype going into the season but a slow start got him in fantasy doghouses. He is starting to makeup for his slow start, though. He had his best game of the season last week, catching four passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Callaway has 70-plus yards each of his last two games. He could be a factor going forward, especially if the Saints start throwing the ball a little more. Callaway remains available in 55 percent of leagues.

Tim Patrick, Broncos. It remains a little surprising to see Patrick still available in 37 percent of leagues but that is the case. He has been very productive, getting a chance to start for the Broncos. Patrick has at least 12 fantasy points four of five games. He caught a season-high seven passes last week for 89 yards.

James Washington, Steelers. Washington missed the game last week because of a groin injury. But as soon as he is back with the Steelers, he could play a big role offensively with JuJu Smith-Schuster done for the season. Washington had four receptions for 69 yards on five targets in Week 4, a game that the Steelers were missing receiver Chase Claypool. Washington is capable of the big game in this offense.

TIGHT END

David Njoku, Browns. Njoku had a breakout game, getting his most work of the season with the Browns still banged up at receiver. He had seven receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown in Week 5. Njoku is hit or miss but has 75-plus yards two of five games. He has a high ceiling but also could disappear some weeks. This performance might find him on the field a little more consistently going forward, though.

Hunter Henry, Patriots. Henry has touchdowns two straight games and topped 50 yards for the first time all season in Week 5. Henry wad dropped by some owners early in the year because of a slow start. He is picking it up now, though, and could be a little more consistent going forward. Henry is available in 35 percent of leagues.

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
Duke Johnson May 5 2:00pm ET
Duke Johnson

Running back Duke Johnson announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday. Johnson was originally taken in the third round (77th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 NFL draft out of Miami. He spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Browns before spending two years with the Houston Texans. Johnson played for the Miami Dolphins in 2021 and the Buffalo Bills in the final year of his career in 2022. The 30-year-old wraps up his career having recorded 2,265 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 532 carries, adding 311 catches on 405 targets for 2,870 yards and an additional 12 touchdowns in 97 games (21 starts) covering eight seasons. Johnson had a career-high 410 rushing yards on 83 attempts in his first year in Houston in 2019.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott May 5 1:50pm ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas police will not pursue sexual-assault charges against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, with a police spokesperson saying that detectives determined there was insufficient evidence an offense was committed. The case stemmed from an alleged incident that occurred in 2017 in which a woman said Prescott assaulted her in the back of an SUV in a strip club parking lot. In March, Prescott filed a suit seeking monetary relief in excess of $1 million after receiving a letter in January from attorneys on behalf of the woman that they would "forego pursuing criminal charges, along with disclosing this information to the public, in exchange for compensating her for the mental anguish she has suffered." It's unclear if the NFL is doing their separate investigation, but either way, it doesn't appear likely that Prescott will be in danger of facing a suspension from the league.

From RotoBaller

Denico Autry May 5 1:30pm ET
Denico Autry

Pass-rusher J.J. Watt isn't ruling out a return to professional football if the Houston Texans need him, but this if the final year that he'll say that. Watt retired after the 2022 season. "I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: 'Don't call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I'll be there.' And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I'll tell him that, because I'm not going to keep training [the way] I've been training," Watt said. The 35-year-old and Ryans played in Houston together in 2011, which was Watt's first NFL season and Ryans' last with the Texans. It's unlikely the Texans need Watt after signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry this offseason to pair with impressive second-year pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. Watt is currently an analyst for CBS Sports.

From RotoBaller

Carson Steele May 5 1:20pm ET
Carson Steele

The Kansas City Chiefs recently signed undrafted free-agent running back Emani Bailey, defensive back Miles Battle, linebacker Swayze Bozeman, wide receiver Phillip Brooks, wide receiver Reggie Brown, tight end Baylor Cupp, offensive lineman Ethan Driskell, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive lineman Fabien Lovett Sr., offensive lineman Griffin McDowell, offensive lineman McKade Mettauer, defensive back Derrick Miller, punter Ryan Rehkow, defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace, running back Carson Steele, offensive lineman Nick Torres and linebacker Luquay Washington on Saturday. All of these players will be fighting an uphill battle to make the Chiefs' final roster out of training camp this summer, but they could stick around on the team's practice squad if they impress the coaching staff.

From RotoBaller

Dorian Thompson-Robinson May 5 1:10pm ET
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) is set to have a follow-up MRI exam on his hip on Monday, and if all goes as planned, he's hoping to be back out on the field during the team's minicamp next weekend. The 24-year-old signal-caller suffered a subluxation of his hip on Christmas Eve last season and missed the rest of the year, which prompted the Browns to add veteran QB Joe Flacco. Thompson-Robinson has made good progress this offseason and is close to being cleared to throw during the team's offseason workouts. The Browns aren't going to rush him, though, and when healthy, he's going to be buried on the QB depth chart in Cleveland behind Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.

From RotoBaller

Rasheen Ali May 5 1:10pm ET
Rasheen Ali

Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali (biceps), who ruptured his biceps tendon at the Senior Bowl in late January, is taking part in some of the team's rookie minicamp after the Ravens took him in the fifth round of this year's NFL draft. Head coach John Harbaugh said he expects Ali to be fully ready for training camp at the end of July. If he's healthy and doesn't suffer a setback this summer, the 23-year-old will be competing for a spot on the team's regular-season roster as RB depth. As things stand now, the Ravens RB room consists of Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Owen Wright, Ali and fellow rookie Chris Collier.

From RotoBaller

Xavier McKinney May 4 1:20pm ET
Xavier McKinney

Green Bay Packers rookie safety Kitan Oladapo (toe) said he had surgery on his left big toe recently and is out for the team's offseason workouts. However, he expects to be ready for training camp this summer. Oladapo suffered a stress fracture doing drills on the turf at the NFL combine in February in Indianapolis and powered through more drills at his pro day despite being injured. Along with the 23-year-old, the Packers also took safeties Xavier McKinney and Anthony Johnson in this year's draft to help them shore up their secondary. Oladapo, who hails from Oregon State, will need to get healthy in a hurry if he wants to impress the coaching staff enough in training camp to secure a spot on the regular-season roster.

From RotoBaller

George Holani May 4 1:10pm ET
George Holani

The Seattle Seahawks signed undrafted free-agent linebackers Sunny Anderson, Nelson Ceaser, Easton Gibbs and Rason Williams II, quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, offensive tackle Garret Greenfield, wide receivers Hayden Hatten and Dee Williams, running backs George Holani, Kobe Lewis and TaMerik Williams, cornerbacks Carlton Johnson and Ro Torrence, defensive end DeVere Levelston, center Mike Novitsky and tight end Jack Westover on Friday. Cordeiro, who is out of San Jose State, was the Mountain West Conference's all-time leader in total touchdowns, total yards and completions. Ceaser, from Houston, was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and team captain who led his team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2023. Greenfield was a three-time first-team FCS All-American.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Travis May 3 8:20pm ET
Jordan Travis

New York Jets rookie quarterback Jordan Travis (ankle), who was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round last week, won't take part in offseason workouts but should be cleared for training camp at the end of July, according to head coach Robert Saleh. The Jets took the Florida State star as a developmental prospect who can learn behind Aaron Rodgers and veteran backup Tyrod Taylor. Travis suffered a gruesome, season-ending ankle injury on Nov. 18 and required surgery. He rode a stationary bike on Friday during part of practice. "He's a tremendously talented young man and extremely gifted, especially athletically. He's got a lot of work to do for sure, especially with tying his lower half to his arm and all that good stuff, but he's a gifted athlete," Saleh said. Travis threw for 8,643 yards and 65 touchdowns while finishing his career with 17 straight wins for the Seminoles.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill May 3 5:13pm ET
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty | The Miami Dolphins have signed wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. Dynasty Analysis: Beckham has been flirting with the Dolphins for weeks and now it's official. It's a one-year deal worth $3 million with incentives that can push its max value to $8.25 million. The incentives are likely going to be very tough for OBJ to meet with the likes of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle around. Still, it's another fresh start for Beckham, who hasn't had a 1,000-yard season 2019. He's still a hold in dynasty leagues but expecting a late-career renaissance seems to be asking a little too much at this point.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Malachi Corley May 3 4:50pm ET
Malachi Corley

The New York Jets traded up to the first pick of the third round (No. 65) in the 2024 NFL Draft to select former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. In a recent media availability, Jets general manager Joe Douglas touted the rookie's run-after-catch skills and believes he's a great fit alongside Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams. "He really excels with the ball in his hands. When guys are really good at running after catch in college, it usually translates well in the pros," Douglas said. "If a guy has the ability to make people miss it's because they're really an elusive high-level athlete and if they're wired to compete. Our coaches are going to use that skill to turn him into an elite route runner." Needless to say, the team has high expectations for the 22-year-old -- and for good reason. In his final two collegiate campaigns, he caught 180 passes for 2,277 yards and 22 touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Dawuane Smoot May 3 4:30pm ET
Dawuane Smoot

The Buffalo Bills signed linebacker Deion Jones and defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot on Friday, according to NFL.com. The team moved on from several veterans on both sides of the ball this offseason, so Jones and Smoot could compete for playing time in 2024. Jones, a former second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017, but he hasn't lived up to his breakout campaign. In 109 games with the Falcons, Browns, and Panthers, he has racked up 731 tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 13 interceptions. Smoot, a former Jaguars third-round pick, spent the first seven seasons of his career with Jacksonville and compiled 23.5 sacks through his first 99 games.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers May 3 3:10pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that there will be no restrictions for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) when Phase 3 of the offseason begins in two weeks, which consists of 10 organized team activity practices. "Once phase three hits, we're not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can't do with him," Saleh said. Meanwhile, rookie QB Jordan Travis (ankle), is expected to be ready for training camp after suffering a devastating injury in November. The 40-year-old Rodgers is coming off a torn left Achilles that he suffered on the first offensive series of the season in 2023. The odds are against him returning to his MVP form with the Jets, but he's not lacking for offensive weapons around him if he can stay healthy in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert May 3 3:00pm ET
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who worked as the team's No. 4 wideout in his second season in 2023, is expected to have a bigger role in 2024 alongside CeeDee Lamb and veteran Brandin Cooks. Tolbert essentially split offensive snaps with Michael Gallup last year, but Gallup is now in Las Vegas. In 17 regular-season games (six starts) last year, Tolbert caught 22 of his 36 targets for 268 yards and two touchdowns after recording just two receptions in his rookie campaign in 2022. The 25-year-old former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of South Alabama won't necessarily be worth drafting in standard-sized fantasy leagues this fall, but if Lamb or Cooks go down with an injury at any point, Tolbert would become a popular waiver-wire pickup.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Bellinger May 3 2:30pm ET
Daniel Bellinger

Darren Waller's expected retirement could open the door for Daniel Bellinger to become the New York Giants' No. 1 tight end in 2024 like he was as a rookie. Bellinger's receiving opportunities were limited by Waller's presence last year, but the addition of veteran blocking tight ends this offseason should allow Bellinger to be featured more as a receiver in his third season in the league. The 23-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of San Diego State has caught 55 of his 63 targets for 523 yards and two touchdowns in his two seasons with the G-Men. If Waller hangs up his cleats as things seem to be trending, Bellinger could be a decent under-the-radar TE2 target in deeper fantasy leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller

Mac Jones May 3 2:30pm ET
Mac Jones

Unsurprisingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't pick up the fifth-year option on new quarterback Mac Jones, who the team acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots this offseason. Jones was New England's first-round pick in 2021 but failed to make an impact as their starter under center. He went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021 but was merely a replacement player. Jones started all 42 games that he played for the Patriots, but the team went 4-13 in 2023 and Jones found himself on the bench for the final six games. The 25-year-old from Alabama regressed in each of his three seasons in Boston, but it didn't help that the Patriots were constantly bringing in new offensive coaches during his time there. Now in Jacksonville, Jones will operate as the clear backup to Trevor Lawrence in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels May 3 2:20pm ET
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was taken in this year's draft with the second overall pick, has the experience and ability to give him a chance to start immediately in his first season in 2024, according to multiple sources. "When that time comes, when he's ready, then that's when we'll do it. But there's no timeline on that," head coach Dan Quinn said. If Daniels doesn't start right away, the Commanders would go with Marcus Mariota. Both Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have said they want to rely on a strong defense and run game to reduce the burden on the rookie QB. The addition of veteran players like tight end Zach Ertz and running Austin Ekeler should lessen the need for Daniels to be the leader of the offense right away. Numerous NFL coaches think Kliff Kingsbury's offensive scheme will be good for Daniels, and while he has tons of long-term potential, Daniels will be a low-end QB2 with upside in fantasy in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Eric Gray May 3 2:20pm ET
Eric Gray

New York Giants running back Eric Gray has a clear path to a bigger role in New York's backfield in his second season in the league now that Saquon Barkley is no longer in town. The Giants signed Devin Singletary to be their No. 1 back, but he's never been the top dog and there will be room for carries for other backs now that Barkley is out of the picture. The Giants haven't signed any other veterans and didn't take a RB in the draft until selecting Purdue's Tyrone Tracy in the fifth round, which is the same spot Gray was taken in 2023. The 24-year-old had 23 touches for 70 yards in 13 games as a rookie last year, but his production should go up considerably in 2024 as long as he stays healthy. Gray won't necessarily be a draft target in standard 12-team leagues, but he'll surely be a waiver-wire target if Singletary misses time with an injury.

From RotoBaller

Chase Claypool May 3 2:10pm ET
Chase Claypool

The Buffalo Bills signed former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. Even with the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, Claypool could face an uphill battle to crack the top three in Buffalo after the addition of rookie Keon Coleman with the first pick of the second round of this year's draft. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the Steelers in 2020 out of Notre Dame had a career-low eight receptions on 21 targets for 77 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (two starts) with the Bears and Miami Dolphins in 2023. Claypool could connect on some deep plays down the field with quarterback Josh Allen in 2024, but unless injuries open up a starting spot for Claypool, he's a long shot for consistent fantasy production.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert May 3 1:13pm ET
Justin Herbert

Dynasty | The Chargers have signed wide receiver DJ Chark,. Dynasty Analysis: Chark brings a lot of experience to the Los Angeles receiving corps but we haven't seen much from him in terms of production since 2019. After stints in Jacksonville, Detroit, and Carolina, Chark will now join his fourth team in four years, still looking to rekindle that magic. While this is clearly a "wait and see" kind of moment for Chark, it should put him back on the map now that he's paired with Justin Herbert in a new-look Chargers offense.

From Dynasty League Fantasy