Packers QB Aaron Rodgers reported for the start of training camp on Tuesday. It's still unclear if he and the team have officially agreed to whatever deal they're reportedly working on. But it sure looks like he's committed to play in Green Bay for at least 1 more season. We've bumped Rodgers, WR Davante Adams and RB Aaron Jones up the rankings.
Washington has agreed to a 3-year extension with TE Logan Thomas, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. We haven't seen the terms yet, but this development obviously points to the team wanting Thomas as a key piece beyond this season. That enhances the dynasty outlook for a player who just turned 30 coming off his 1st year with more than 16 receptions. It also gives at least a slight boost to Thomas' 2021 outlook, solidifying his standing with the team.
The Saints signed WR Chris Hogan. He has 216 NFL catches under his belt -- but just 22 have come over the past 2 seasons. Hogan turns 33 in October. He's not the answer to New Orleans' Michael Thomas-sized hole at WR.
Giants HC Joe Judge refused to commit to RB Saquon Barkley (knee) being ready for Week 1 when asked on Monday. “Look, ideally we’d love to have him back as soon as possible,” Judge said. "But ultimately we’ve got to make sure when he comes back he can play 100 percent; he can play aggressive and confident; and that we have him back. So that’s the approach we’re taking. We’re really just watching day by day and evaluating where he’s at and affording him the ability to come back when he’s fully ready to go, because the plan is when we get him back to keep him back. We don’t want to rush him back and do something that’s not best for him individually or best for the team, and we’re really taking a big picture and a long-term view of this.” The "long-term view" has been the theme for Barkley's return from last September's torn ACL all offseason. It's clear the Giants will have no issue holding him out of games -- or perhaps limiting his touches -- if he's not ready to go. We'll continue to keep a close eye on his progress.
The Rams placed rookie WR Tutu Atwell on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If he’s unvaccinated, Atwell must quarantine for 10 days. If he is vaccinated, he can rejoin his teammates after testing negative twice 24 hours apart. Atwell was already a long-shot for year 1 value, and this only further keeps him off the redraft radar.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has earned rave reviews for his work through the first 3 days of training camp. "Prescott has shown no signs of ever having suffered a severe ankle injury," The Athletic's Jon Machota writes "His mobility looks as good as ever and he’s been accurate in individual and team drills." At this point, we can put any concerns about that ankle to bed. Prescott -- with a loaded group of pass catchers -- has upside to lead all QBs in fantasy points this season.
Jets WR Corey Davis (shoulder) is ready for the start of training camp on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Connor Hughes. Davis hurt his shoulder at a May OTA session and didn't do much in minicamp. But it looks like a non-issue now. Davis is coming off a strong 2020 season and got paid like a #1 WR by the Jets in free agency. He's a value at his WR54 ADP.
Following up on NFL Network's Ian Rapoport's story this morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers are "close" to working on a deal that would bring Rodgers back to Green Bay for the 2021 season. Per Schefter, the agreement would void the 2023 year in Rodgers' contract and ensure that the team reviews Rodgers' situation after this year. It essentially sounds like this would be his final season with the Packers. We'll continue to track this situation, but Rodgers and Green Bay's skill-position players look much safer to draft now than they did 12 hours ago.
Rams HC Sean McVay said Monday that RB Darrell Henderson won’t play in any preseason games. Per a tweet from beat writer Cameron DaSilva, McVay said it’s never been an ability question for Henderson; it’s about availability and staying healthy. Indeed. Through 2 pro seasons, Henderson’s sustained a pair of ankle sprains and a hamstring strain. So the team is wise to save its new lead back for the games that count. Barring a legit backfield addition, Henderson projects as a top-20 RB across formats.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has indicated to people close to him that he does plan to play for GB this season." We're still waiting for Rodgers to officially report to the team, but this is at least a positive sign. There will be risk to drafting Rodgers until he actually shows up, but his depressed ADP has also presented upside. He's QB11 in current FFPC best-ball drafting, coming off a QB3 fantasy finish.
Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports that the Colts say RB Marlon Mack is back to 100% health for the start of camp. That's noteworthy, given Mack missed last year with a torn Achilles' tendon. Of course, being 100% healthy does not necessarily equal being back to your original performance level. But this is a big step for the veteran back. Mack still can't hope to be more than the #3 RB on this year's Indy roster, but his return could leave Jordan Wilkins without a spot. A near full-strength Mack could also stress the workload for Jonathan Taylor.
Colts GM Chris Ballard says LB Darius Leonard has had an ankle "procedure" in early June, according to Mike Chappell of FOX59. Ballard said the team will monitor him but that there's "no reason for concern," despite conceding that the LB will miss some early practices. Leonard missed 2 games last season, but a groin injury was the culprit. We'll keep an eye out for anything further on this situation. For now, though, we'll take Ballard at his word and not adjust our outlook for Leonard.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn't expect WR Amari Cooper (ankle) to practice until training camp breaks in mid-August. Cooper remains on the active PUP list after January ankle surgery. The team continues to express little concern about his status, but it sure seems like his recovery has taken longer than expected. Cooper comes with elevated risk until we see him back on the field.
Andy Vasquez of NorthJersey.com projects RB Ty Johnson as a cut in his admittedly "far too early" 53-player roster projection. "[Tevin] Coleman will likely get the majority of the snaps, but there will be plenty of opportunities for [Michael] Carter and another young back," Vasquez writes. "[Josh] Adams, [La'Mical] Perine and Johnson will battle for the final two spots at this position." We're not particularly excited about any player in what figures to line up as a committee but will be tracking the competition through summer.
The Browns have placed rookie LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the COVID list. That, of course, could mean a positive test or a high-risk exposure. We'll see how long the designation keeps the 2nd-rounder out and whether we should expect any lingering impact.
The Bears have placed RB Tarik Cohen on the active PUP list to start training camp. Cohen is still working back from last September's torn ACL and was reportedly hobbled during spring workouts. We're guessing he'll be available for the start of this season -- but it's certainly not a lock. We'll continue to monitor his progress. Cohen's absence would free up targets for RB David Montgomery. Chicago also added RB Damien Williams this offseason.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow (knee) will participate on day 1 of training camp. He’s avoided the PUP or NFI list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. If his knee continues to cooperate, there’s no question Burrow could pay off his QB13 FFPC ADP. See where he sits in our 2021 QB rankings.
Colts WR Parris Campbell has been limited to 9 games over his first 2 NFL seasons due to a plethora of injuries. But, according to The Athletic's Zak Keefer, the team still believes he'll "become a vital player in their offense." The Colts made Campbell the 59th overall pick of the 2019 draft after he caught an Ohio State-record 90 balls as a senior and then blazed a 4.31-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. Campbell has flashed in those 9 games he's played so far, catching 5+ balls 3 times and also carrying 6 times for 50 yards. "If Campbell exits camp without any setbacks, he’ll have a big role in 2021," Keefer adds. Campbell remains super cheap in drafts, with an ADP sitting outside the first 12 rounds.
Texans QB Deshaun Watson will report for the start of training camp on Sunday, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. ESPN's Ed Werder reports that Watson is only showing up to avoid the daily $50,000 fine for missing camp. Watson, of course, has had issues with Houston management and requested a trade earlier this offseason. "Sense around league is Texans have moved on from Watson in their football plans, unless Watson’s arrival to camp somehow changes the dynamic," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler tweeted on Sunday. We'll see where that goes -- along with Watson's legal situation and standing with the NFL after the sexual assault allegations. He remains just a late-round flier in fantasy drafts right now.
Bucs TE Cameron Brate has been placed on the active PUP list to begin training camp. No word on his injury or how long he'll be out. Brate figures to be Tampa's #3 TE this season behind Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard, so he's off the fantasy radar.
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