It's "all positive" for Saints QB Jameis Winston heading to training camp off last October's torn ACL, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "In the pocket, he should look like Jameis Winston of old," Rapoport adds. "Now maybe early on, bootlegs might look a little different. Maybe a little slower than we're used to as he settles in. But the expectation is that full health is coming." We'll keep an eye on further reports on Winston's health in training camp -- and see if he gets any live reps in preseason games.
"I think he's gonna finally thrive, really thrive, in a system and a coach that actually respects him." Those were the recent words from ex-Vikings LB Ben Leber, who now works the sideline for team radio broadcasts. Leber added: "Mike Zimmer did not like Kirk Cousins. And I think that showed in the way that Kirk behaved and the way that he carried himself. The team was never given to him." It's quite possible that this is entirely true ... and that the change doesn't impact Cousins' fantasy production. He ranked 5th among QBs in passing-TD rate and yards per attempt over the past 3 years, under Zimmer. (We talked further about Cousins and our expectations for the 2022 Vikings offense in Tuesday's podcast.) If it's true that Zimmer negatively impacted Cousins' day-to-day, then the switch certainly can't hurt his effectiveness.
ESPN's Mike Reiss reports that Patriots RB James White was "walking with what appeared to be an uncomfortable gait" at a recent community appearance. White is coming off a hip injury that ended his 2021 season in Week 3. It would obviously not be a good sign for his 2022 readiness if he's not yet able to walk normally. We'll see about his official status as training camp gets going, but we're not expecting much this season from White. Don't be shocked if the veteran doesn't even make the regular-season roster.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that 49ers (still) QB Jimmy Garoppolo recently had a checkup with Dr. Neal ElAttrache and is "progressing well." Rapport added that the Niners are "thrilled with where he is physically." Garoppolo has reportedly been throwing for about 4 weeks and is expected to gain full clearance to return from his right-shoulder injury in mid-August. We'll see whether this is enough to jumpstart the QB's trade market.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, WR Stefon Diggs said he wants to finish his career in Buffalo. The 28-year-old mentioned how it would be a “dream” to team up with his brother, Cowboys DB Trevon Diggs, but that’s unlikely in the short-term. Stefon, of course, signed an extension in April that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season, so his words match his actions. (Trevon is signed for 2 more seasons.) If the Bill plays out his entire contract, he'll be a 35-year-old free agent.
Per Browns insider Scott Petrak, “the front office and coaching staff are big believers” in WR Donovan Peoples-Jones. Petrak writes that DJP will get “every chance” to start alongside Amari Cooper. The 3rd-year man was always a likely starter, but it’s nice to get confirmation ahead of training camp. DPJ’s fantasy value remains tied to the suspension status of Deshaun Watson.
Per Lions beat writer Kyle Meinke, “the table is set for [Jared] Goff to improve dramatically this season.” As Meinke points out, Goff improved down the stretch last year when OC Ben Johnson took over the offense. This unit is suddenly deep at pass catcher, too, although the health of Jameson Williams (ACL) will be key. Goff might enter the spot-start radar for fantasy, but a lack of rushing upside makes him a clear QB2 for season-long projecting.
Citing a source close to the situation, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that Deshaun Watson’s “currently expected range" of suspension is 2-8 games. Florio adds that it “remains to be seen” if the league would file an appeal in that situation. Fortunately, we should get a ruling from Judge Sue L. Robinson soon -- possibly around the start of training camp. Stay tuned.
Jeff Wilson will head to training camp as the 49ers' #2 RB, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Wilson "looked significantly better in the spring than he did late last season when he was still dealing with the aftereffects of an offseason knee injury," Barrows writes. RB Ty Davis-Price, meanwhile, missed some time this spring with an injury. There's still plenty of time for the rookie to climb the depth chart, but don't assume that TDP will begin the season as RB Elijah Mitchell's backup.
Raiders RB Kenyan Drake said he'll be ready for the start of training camp. He missed June minicamp as he continued to rehab a December broken ankle that required surgery. "I'm definitely going to be ready for camp," Drake said. "It's not going to be full speed ahead once I get into camp, but for the regular season, I'm going to be definitely ready to go." Drake averaged just 4.1 carries and 2.9 targets in 8 games alongside a healthy Josh Jacobs last season. We'll see if his role changes under new HC Josh McDaniels, but we're not expecting Drake to be a standalone fantasy option this season. And he'll need to fend off rookie RB Zamir White for the right to be Jacobs' handcuff.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that there's "certainly a chance" that Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is not ready for Week 1 of the regular season and that he might even need "a couple weeks" after that. There reportedly has been no setback with Dobbins' recovery from the ACL tear, but the team plans to not rush him back. Gus Edwards -- recovering from his own ACL tear -- "seems like he should be on track" for the opener. We'll certainly watch the status of each player through training camp and preseason. We haven't been close to drafting Dobbins at cost so far this year, though. Rookie Tyler Badie and ex-Falcons RB Mike Davis could factor in early as well, if Dobbins can't go.
Update: Dobbins responded to the Rapoport report on Twitter by saying, "I might not even go on PUP because that's how good my rehab is going and I'm damn sure going to be ready for week 1." We'll see what's true as we get closer to September.
We're not done hearing about RB Leonard Fournette's offseason weight gain. Here's what Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times had to say on the subject this week, via the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast: “Coaches were not happy, and that’s an understatement, when (Fournette) didn’t participate in the OTAs, but then he shows up at the mandatory minicamp weighing damn near 260 [pounds]. And that’s not a good sign for a guy that you’ve just spent a three-year contract on.” There's certainly still time for Fournette to get into shape ahead of the regular season. This is a red flag worth keeping in mind, though, given Fournette's history of lower-body injuries and his Round 2 ADP.
Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic says Rams TE Tyler Higbee will be "fully cleared" from his winter knee surgery ahead of the coming season. That confirms what we expected. It's not yet clear, though, just how far ahead of Week 1 he'll be at full strength. Don't be surprised if Higbee starts training camp with limited (or no) participation. His ADP near the bottom of TE2 range, however, leaves little risk to a guy who finished 14th in PPR scoring in 2021.
The Bengals and S Jessie Bates reportedly didn't come close to reaching a longer-term deal before Friday's deadline for franchise-tagged players. That leaves Bates to play out 2022 on the tag, and likely means he'll be finding a new team after the season. Bates struggled early last year and admitted that the lack of a new contract had distracted him. We'd bet on him not getting caught up in the same cycle this time around. Bates has spent most of his career as a strong IDP performer at an inconsistent position. We'd feel comfy drafting him in 2022.
Titans beat writer Ben Arthur writes that it’s “fair to wonder how dominant” RB Derrick Henry will remain in 2022. Henry, 28, suffered a broken foot around mid-season last year and missed 9 games. He’s back to 100%, but the potential for decline is clear. Tennessee can save $12.5 million against the cap by releasing Henry in 2023. Per Arthur, rookie 4th-round RB Hassan Haskins is the likely successor.
Broncos insider Mike Klis expects TE Albert Okwuegbunam to open the season as Denver's starter but TE Greg Dulcich to potentially overtake him by the 2nd half of the season. Klis notes that Dulcich has been getting 1st-team reps from the very first day of OTAs -- rare for a rookie. "I think Dulcich will have a few more catches than Albert O when it's said and done [this season], but you might have to be patient to get there. The first 4 or 5 games I think might be Albert O," Klis told us. That prediction surely comes as a surprise for fantasy drafters, who are taking Okwuegbunam as a top-16 TE and largely letting Dulcich go undrafted. The rookie could turn out to be a gem of a late-round pick if Klis is right. We'll keep a close eye on the situation in training camp and preseason action. Check out our entire conversation with Klis, which also hit on Denver's backfield and WR corps.
The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta believes Rashaad Penny will be the Seahawks' "starter and the primary back." Condotta goes on to throw out a (ridiculous) 20-carry-per-game projection for Penny, adding that RB Kenneth Walker will get "most of the rest" of the carries. It's much more opinion than report, so we're not adjusting our projections for Seattle's backfield just yet. But it'll be a situation worth watching closely in training camp and preseason action.
ESPN's Jeff Darlington reports that contract talks between the Cardinals and QB Kyler Murray are "going smooth and getting a deal before camp remains a very reasonable likelihood." It looked like the 2 sides might be heading for a divorce early this offseason, but cooler heads have prevailed. "The drama of February feels long in the rear view," Darlington adds. Expect Murray to be under center for Arizona in 2022 and likely beyond. He remains 1 of the highest-upside QBs in fantasy football.
The Dolphins and TE Mike Gesicki let Friday's deadline pass without a longer-term extension. That means the franchise-tagged TE will play out 2022 on his 1-year tender. We're not changing our fantasy football outlook for Gesicki, barring a training-camp holdout. The biggest issue facing Gesicki in 2022 is the challenge of drawing target share with WR Tyreek Hill and WR Cedrick Wilson joining WR Jaylen Waddle in a crowded passing offense. Concerns on that front, however, have pushed his ADP below where he sits in our 2022 fantasy football rankings.
The Cowboys and TE Dalton Schultz failed to agree on a longer-term extension before Friday's 4 p.m. deadline. That means Schultz will play out this season on the franchise tender. It shouldn't mean any alteration to Schultz's fantasy football outlook, though that could change if he holds out for any portion of training camp. Schultz has been going right at or a little ahead of where he belongs relative to other TEs in recent fantasy football drafts.
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