Dolphins WR Trent Sherfield started ahead of WR Cedrick Wilson in Saturday night's preseason finale against the Eagles. Sherfield opened the game opposite Tyreek Hill, with Jaylen Waddle inactive. Wilson didn't enter the game until after Hill left. That points to Sherfield -- who played under HC Mike McDaniel in San Francisco -- leading the race to be #3 WR, despite Wilson getting significant money in free agency. The role gains some importance as Waddle deals with an unspecified injury. We'll see about Waddle's status as Week 1 approaches. Neither Sherfield nor Wilson should factor into most fantasy football drafts. But Sherfield could be a sneaky late addition to best-ball tournament lineups.
One of the biggest fantasy football questions in Denver this year is who will lead the team in receiving, both in terms of targets and production. ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold says a trend has emerged: "[Russell] Wilson has shown in training camp he's going to move the ball around to find the matchups he likes. But he's also shown in practices and the joint workouts with the Dallas Cowboys that when he really needs a completion or has been moved off his spot by the pass rush, he's going to look for [Courtland] Sutton. There is always the question of whether those tendencies will hold up in games. [Jerry] Jeudy is too good a route-runner -- and Wilson has spent plenty of time working with him -- to not be a factor (Jeudy often attends the quarterback meetings)." Legwold goes on to compare the situation to when Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker both put up big numbers with Peyton Manning in 2012. Thomas beat Decker by 19 targets and 9 receptions that season, but both finished among the top 9 PPR wideouts. "If both are healthy all the way through the season, they're both going to likely have their best years," Legwold adds. If we get production like that, this question ultimately won't matter because both WRs will have paid off their ADPs. Nevertheless, it's a question we'll all keep trying to answer until fantasy-draft season ends.
Cardinals DE Zach Allen revealed recently that he needed post-season ankle surgery after shredding the ligaments in a December game. "I literally had no ligaments in my ankle," he said last week, according to the Arizona Republic. "My tibia was basically floating. So, the tape was the only thing kind of holding it together." Allen said doctors put "some hardware" into the ankle, which has kept him from participating in spring practices. The 4th-year lineman says he expects to be 100% for the start of training camp and that he feels better than he did entering last year's camp. Allen doesn't appear to have high-end sack potential but can be a quality contributor for us on the tackle and pressure fronts -- especially at low draft cost.
Saints K Wil Lutz was cleared early this week to return to action and hit the practice field Wednesday for the 1st time in 10 months, according to the team website. Lutz missed all of last season with a core-muscle injury that required surgery. We'll watch for setbacks, but he should be ready to reclaim the New Orleans kicking job.
The Broncos grabbed EDGE Nik Bonitto in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. He racked up 26.5 tackles for loss over the past 2 seasons at Oklahoma, including 16 sacks. Bonitto checks in a little small for the position – 6’3, 248 pounds – but ran fast at the Combine. His 4.54-second 40-yard dash registered a 92nd-percentile speed score. He figures to draw an LB designation at least early in Denver, where he might also be blocked early from big playing time.
CB Levi Wallace is joining the Steelers on a 2-year, $8 million deal, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. Wallace started 52 games over 4 seasons with the Bills, including all 17 last year. Wallace has been relevant for IDP leagues, especially those that require CBs. But he's not a special fantasy football option -- and likely won't be with the Steelers.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that TE Evan Engram "intends" to sign a 1-year, $9 million deal with the Jaguars. The money is reportedly guaranteed, with a chance to grow to $10 million via incentives. We'll see exactly how the receiving pieces fit in new HC Doug Pederson's offense. Engram brings a similar skill set to Jacksonville incumbent TE Dan Arnold, who played WR in college and was operating as a top target after arriving from Carolina in trade (before getting injured). Engram, a former 1st-round pick, should still beat Arnold on the talent front, though. The 2 of them plus free-agent addition Christian Kirk and Laviska Shenault sure seem to give Jacksonville a lot of slot-type pieces. We'll likely keep learning through training camp and the preseason just how to project this offense. The addition of passing-game pieces can only help QB Trevor Lawrence, though.
Cardinals DE Zach Allen (ankle) is active for today's game against the Seahawks. He arrived questionable after putting in just a single limited practice Friday.
Eagles LB Alex Singleton was among a sizable group of Philly players to test positive for COVID on Monday. We'll see whether he can return to the active roster in time to face the Cowboys on Saturday night.
Broncos CB Ronald Darby (shoulder) and LB Kenny Young (concussion) are inactive for today's game against the Chargers. With Baron Browning out on the COVID list, LB Jonas Griffith looks like an upside play vs. the Chargers. DE Dre'Mont Jones (foot), S Kareem Jackson (back, shoulder) and DE Shelby Harris (ankle) are active.
Dolphins S Brandon Jones (illness) is active for today's game against the Titans.
Broncos S Kareem Jackson (back, shoulder), DE Dre'Mont Jones (foot), LB Kenny Young (concussion), DE Shelby Harris (ankle) and CB Ronald Darby (shoulder) are all questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
The Broncos on Friday placed LB Baron Browning and EDGE players Bradley Chubb and Jonathon Cooper on the COVID list. They'll miss Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Saints TE Adam Trautman was activated from the COVID list on Wednesday. He'll be back for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers but would be a desperation fantasy play.
The Saints on Monday added LB Kwon Alexander to the COVID list. That leaves New Orleans' defense without its top 2 LBs, as Demario Davis landed on the list on Dec. 24. Rookie Pete Werner figures to be the playing time leader at the position against the Dolphins tonight in their absence.
Broncos LB Baron Browning (illness), DE Dre'Mont Jones (foot), S Kareem Jackson (back) and DE Shelby Harris (ankle) are active for today's game against the Raiders.
Broncos DE Dre'Mont Jones (foot), S Kareem Jackson (back) and DE Shelby Harris (ankle) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Harris and Jackson played through their issues last week. Jones sat out of the loss to Cincinnati. He managed a pair of limited practices to close out this week, though. We'll check the status for all 3 on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints on Wednesday placed TE Adam Trautman on the COVID list. If he misses Monday night's game against Miami, the Nick Vannett would be in position to lead New Orleans TEs. Juwan Johnson is also currently on the COVID list.
Broncos S Kareem Jackson (back) and DE Shelby Harris (ankle) are active for today’s game against the Bengals. DE Dre’Mont Jones is inactive, as expected, after entering the day doubtful. LB Kenny Young (concussion) is also inactive
Saints TE Adam Trautman (knee) has been activated from IR. He returned to practice this week and figures to play vs. the Bucs on Sunday night. Trautman averaged 6.8 targets and 4.0 catches in his last 4 games -- but none of those came with QB Taysom Hill. He's worth considering in 1-game DFS contests but isn't a viable Week 15 season-long play.
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