Stock Up: These players have moved up the Draft Sharks rankings over the past week.
Ronald Jones, RB, Bucs
ESPN’s Jenna Laine projects Jones to open the season as Tampa’s starter. His odds got a boost when rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn landed on the COVID reserve list on Monday. We also learned this week that Jones packed on another 7 pounds this offseason. And no, we’re not too concerned about the addition of LeSean McCoy.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers
Samuel was 1 of the most misutilized WRs in the NFL last year. It sounds like new HC Matt Rhule is ready to change that in 2020. He talked up Samuel’s versatility "at RB, slot, outside” and said he wants to use him “like he was at Ohio State.” Samuel started his college career at RB and carried 97 times with 74 receptions in his final season with the Buckeyes. Don’t bank on anywhere close to that much rushing volume this year. But even 20-25 carries would add a lot of fantasy value.
Allen Lazard, WR, Packers
His spot as Green Bay’s #2 WR is much safer after Devin Funchess opted out of the 2020 season. Lazard now only needs to hold off Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow and Equanimeous St. Brown.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
With Deebo Samuel looking like a long shot to be ready for the start of the season, Aiyuk has a real opportunity to open the year as San Francisco’s #1 WR. The rookie is an excellent later-round target.
Chandler Catanzaro, K, Giants
The Giants signed Catanzaro shortly after releasing K Aldrick Rosas. Catanzaro sports a career 83.8% FG conversion rate and was out of the league last year. We’ll see if he sticks as New York’s starter but would look elsewhere in fantasy drafts.
Joey Slye, K, Panthers
Carolina dumped K Graham Gano on Thursday, leaving Slye atop the depth chart. He connected on just 78% of FG attempts and 87% of XPs last year, though, so the Panthers might still bring in competition if Slye struggles in August.
Stock Down: These players have moved up the Draft Sharks rankings over the past week.
Sony Michel, RB, Patriots
Michel is reportedly iffy for the start of training camp after May foot surgery. He also lost his starting RT and FB, who both opted out of the 2020 season.
Damien Williams, RB, Chiefs
Williams opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Bucs
The rookie was placed on the COVID reserve list on Monday. That means he either tested positive for the virus or was in close contact with someone who did. We’ll see when he’s cleared to hit the field, but he can’t afford to miss much of August if he wants to push for a Week 1 role — especially after the Bucs added veteran LeSean McCoy on Thursday.
Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
GM John Lynch basically confirmed that Samuel will miss the start of the season after suffering a Jones fracture to his left foot in mid-June. It’s possible that he lands on the PUP list, which would cost him the first 6 games. He’s obviously a risky pick in fantasy drafts right now.
Devin Funchess, WR, Packers
Funchess opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns.
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