Tennessee Titans Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Cowboys used RB Tony Pollard in a multitude of ways on the 1st day of training camp and are "committed to making Pollard a viable weapon in the offense," insider Clarence Hill writes. "Pollard opened 11-on-11 drills with the first-team offense as slot receiver. He ended practice as the primary third-down back in the 2-minute drill with [Ezekiel] Elliott on the sidelines." Hill adds that he expects Dallas to use Elliott and Pollard on the field together this season. We hear that a lot this time of year, but it certainly makes sense in this situation considering how good Pollard is and the fact that the Cowboys lost WR Amari Cooper and will likely be without WR Michael Gallup early on. We know Pollard is at least an elite fantasy handcuff, but he's also capable of providing standalone value this season.

It was a tough spring for Titans WR Treylon Burks, who missed a bunch of time in OTAs and minicamp with asthma and/or conditioning issues. But ESPN's Dianna Russini hears that the rookie has turned things around recently. "Everything I've heard since [the spring] has been awesome," Russini said on The Athletic Football Show podcast. "I've heard he's in shape, I've heard he's lost weight, I've heard there's been so much growth already." We'll keep a close eye on Burks in training camp and preseason action, but it sounds like we can start to put these conditioning concerns to rest. The rookie still boasts plenty of fantasy upside -- and his ADP has sunk into the 9th round.

Titans rookie WR Treylon Burks missed a bunch of practice time this spring with conditioning issues that were supposedly related to asthma. But Burks college HC, Sam Pittman, said in a Wednesday radio appearance that he wasn't aware that Burks had asthma but that he did have conditioning problems while at Arkansas. "I’m assuming he didn’t go in there (to Titans minicamp) in great shape," Pittman said. "It was the same way when he was a sophomore — he wasn’t in good shape. It’s not that he quit, he just couldn’t do anymore. He just was out of shape." Burks can put all of this behind him if he's ready to go for the start of training camp. He'll be worth monitoring closely throughout August.

Titans WR coach Rob Moore gave his assessment of Round 5 rookie WR Kyle Philips. "He's starting to understand some of the fundamentals he has to develop and how he's going to have to play in this league, in regards to being able to create separation and to be effective on a consistent basis. And those are things he is figuring out right now," Moore said. "But the kid has really good short area quickness and he has a lot of tools to build on.” QB Ryan Tannehill complimented Philips’ route running, quickness and agility. The UCLA product isn't going to overwhelm DBs at 5’11, 191 pounds, so his ability to grasp the nuances of route running will be key. Despite a thin WR corps, Philips must compete to secure a spot on the regular season roster.

The Cardinals plan to limit WR DeAndre Hopkins' reps in training camp. Hopkins underwent surgery to repair a torn MCL in December and is suspended for the first 6 games of this season. "We're trying to come up with a great plan that rolls right up to Week 7 of the season and make sure we're smart about it," HC Kliff Kingsbury said. "But, the main thing I don't want him to do is ramp up, make a bunch of plays in training camp, do this, practice really hard and then six weeks he's not doing anything." Hopkins still boasts WR1 upside for the final two-thirds of the season. His recent FFPC ADP is sitting in early Round 9.

Titans RB coach Tony Dews gave his assessment of rookie RB Hassan Haskins. “Hassan has been a pleasure to work with,” Dews said of the Michigan product. "In the classroom portion, he puts in work. He works hard, he studies the game. And out here on the field, obviously we're in shorts and a big part of his game is his power, the way he runs with the ball. But I am excited to see him as we get going and we get into camp and get pads on and those kinds of things…at this point I am just looking for him to continue to get better each day as he we come out here and work on his skillset.” Haskins will battle veteran Dontrell Hilliard for the #2 job behind Derrick Henry. If Henry misses games, Haskins would project to share the early-down carries with Hilliard handling passing downs.

ESPN’s Turron Davenport believes there’s a 75% chance that QB Malik Willis remains on the bench all season. Ryan Tannehill has started every game since taking over for Marcus Mariota in Week 6 of 2019. And despite some positive words on Willis this offseason, he’s still considered a project. Davenport actually guesses that the rookie’s first start won’t come until late in the 2023 season -- and that's only if Tennessee's been eliminated from the postseason. Of course, a lot can change between now and then. But for 2022, unless you’re playing in a deep superflex format, Willis should go undrafted in fantasy.

Titans WR Treylon Burks has missed the first 2 days of minicamp after also being sidelined for last week's OTAs. HC Mike Vrabel said Burks is "unavailable" but didn't give any other details. We're guessing this is the same asthma-related issue that cost Burks some reps in rookie minicamp. It's become a situation to monitor closely over the next few months.

Titans rookie TE Chig Okonkwo has been a standout in minicamp, catching 4 TDs over the last 2 days, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's official website. Okonkwo is undersized at just 6'3, 238 pounds but led all TEs at the Combine with a 4.52-second 40 time. He projects as a catch-first TE with some intriguing fantasy upside. Austin Hooper remains the favorite to lead Titans TEs in fantasy points this season, but Okonkwo is worth keeping an eye on this summer.

Titans WR coach Rob Moore revealed Tuesday that WR Treylon Burks has asthma. That explains why he missed some reps at rookie minicamp with breathing issues. The asthma didn't prevent him from putting up big numbers at Arkansas, though, and shouldn't be a real problem going forward. But we'll keep an eye on him.

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury expects WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee) to be a "full go" for training camp. His 2021 season ended in Week 14 with a torn MCL that required surgery. That came with a 6-week timetable for return, so his status for the start of 2022 camp was never in question. Hopkins, of course, is suspended for the first 6 games of the upcoming season for violating the league's PED policy.

Titans WR Treylon Burks has "no limitations" at OTAs, HC Mike Vrabel said. Burks reportedly had "breathing issues" that had him on and off the field at the team's rookie minicamp a couple of weeks ago. We'll keep an eye on that but won't consider it a concern for now. Burks has every opportunity to capture a major 2022 role.

Cowboys beat writer Jon Machota believes RB Tony Pollard is in for his most productive season yet. Machota points to the departures of Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson and Blake Jarwin as reason for a boosted workload. Last year, Pollard totaled 169 touches in 15 games. The contract-year back currently holds a reasonable ADP of 8.04.

Titans QB Malik Willis "passed his first test" in rookie minicamp, Jim Wyatt of the team's official website writes. "I left the two-day camp impressed by Willis, from how he carries himself to his arm," Wyatt added. "For the second day in a row Willis was on the practice field way early. Before and during practices, I like the way he slaps hands with his teammates, encouraging them. He looks like a leader. And, he threw the ball well over the past two days despite throwing an interception on Saturday." Willis won't be a threat to take over as the starter this season unless QB Ryan Tannehill and the Titans really struggle. But Willis could be under center in 2023 and remains a nice dynasty stash.

Ben Arthur of The Tennessean believes rookie WR Kyle Philips “could have an immediate impact” with the Titans. A 5th-round pick, Philips isn’t a dynamic athlete, and he doesn’t bring ideal size. But he’s a quality route runner, as Arthur points out. The UCLA product could see day 1 slot snaps; just don’t expect much of a fantasy impact alongside Robert Woods, Treylon Burks and Derrick Henry.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the NFL is suspending Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins 6 games for violating the PED policy. Assuming he doesn't get it reduced on appeal, Hopkins' absence creates season-opening opportunity for Arizona WRs Marquise Brown, A.J. Green and Rondale Moore -- and it delivers a big blow to any best-ball drafters who combined Hopkins with QB Kyler Murray on their early rosters. We'll watch for any further developments with the situation, but Hopkins obviously tumbles down our WR rankings.

The Titans selected UCLA WR Kyle Philips in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Philips led the Bruins in catches in each of the past 3 seasons, finishing 4th in school history with 163 career grabs. The 5’11, 189-pounder played almost exclusively in the slot. He’s shifty and explosive in tight quarters, but he has a small catch radius and isn’t going to offer much downfield. Phillips looks like a low-upside fantasy prospect – and this is a low-upside landing spot.

The Titans added Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo with the final pick of Round 4. Okonkwo missed the 2020 season after being diagnosed with myocarditis but rebounded to post a career-best 52-447-5 line last year. The 6'3, 238-pounder led all TEs at the Combine with a 4.52-second 40 time. Okonkwo has drawn comparisons to former Titan Jonnu Smith and looks like an intriguing dynasty sleeper.

The Titans selected Michigan RB Hassan Haskins in the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. At 6'2, 228 pounds, he certainly fits Tennessee's smash-mouth running game. Haskins started for the past 3 years at Michigan but didn't break out until this past season, when he took 270 carries for 1,327 yards and 20 TDs. Haskins packs plenty of power but has below average speed and elusiveness. He'll compete this year to be RB Derrick Henry's backup.

The Titans stopped Liberty QB Malik Willis’ slide, taking him with the 86th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Willis began his college career at Auburn before transferring to Liberty and starting the past 2 years. Willis threw for 47 TDs vs. just 18 INTs over that span, but it’s the rushing that drives his fantasy outlook. Willis racked up 1,822 rushing yards over his 2 starting campaigns and profiles similar to Jalen Hurts. Willis will sit behind QB Ryan Tannehill this year, but Tannehill turns 34 in July and has a $36.6 million cap hit in 2023. Willis has a good chance to be Tennessee’s 2023 starter.