Givens working with 1st team

Eagles WR Chris Givens ran with the 1st-team offense on Monday. He and Nelson Agholor worked as the outside WRs, with Jordan Matthews in the slot. Beat writer Eliot Shorr-Parks writes that "it's becoming more and more clear that Givens is going to start" this season. We'll see if he can hold off Rueben Randle and Josh Huff for snaps. Matthews remains the only Eagles WR we're particularly interested in drafting right now.

The Eagles have released WR Chris Givens. He was bandied about as a potential starter earlier this offseason but disappointed in training camp and the preseason. Philadelphia figures to open the season with Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Dorial Green-Beckham and Josh Huff as its top 4 WRs. Givens' release improves Rueben Randle's odds of making the team.

The Eagles have announced that they reached a 1-year deal with former Ravens WR Chris Givens. The onetime Ram visited Philly Wednesday, a day after Baltimore added WR Mike Wallace in free agency. Givens takes similar downfield speed with him to the Eagles but has yet to match the 42 passes he caught as a promising 2012 rookie in St. Louis. Still just 26, Givens joins what might be an open competition for targets behind WR Jordan Matthews and TE Zach Ertz under new HC Doug Pederson and his staff. He'll face 2015 first-round pick Nelson Agholor as primary competition for volume.

The Ravens traded a conditional draft pick to the Rams on Saturday for WR Chris Givens. Baltimore already lacked depth -- and talent -- at the position after losing rookie Breshad Perriman for more time following knee surgery. And then WR Steve Smith suffered a back injury Thursday night that will keep him out for at least Week 5, and WR Michael Campanero landed on IR with a herniated disc. Givens could face immediate opportunity, and his speed makes for an interesting fit with big-armed QB Joe Flacco. But Givens could never find consistency across 3+ seasons with the Rams. He has yet to match his rookie-year totals of 42 catches, 698 yards or 3 TDs. You can stash Givens in deep fantasy football formats and see what happens, but don't expect him to become a fantasy difference-maker.

Rams WR Chris Givens has already established himself as a big-time deep threat.  He set a rookie record last year with a reception of 50+ yards in 5 straight games.  He hauled in a 59-yarder in this year's preseason opener.  Givens spent this offseason working on his route running to become a more well-rounded receiver.  “He’s done a really good job with his routes, cleaning up his routes,” former Ram Torry Holt said.  The Rams coaching staff has noticed the improvement, too.  They're using Givens in all 3 WR spots.  The talk all offseason has been about rookie Tavon Austin and free-agent addition Jared Cook.  But Givens could lead this team in catches.  He's a value pick at his current 12th-round ADP.

Rams WR Chris Givens has had a productive offseason, according to HC Jeff Fisher.  "He was here and he was very, very motivated and focused," Fisher said. "You can see he’s much more familiar with our offense now... I think you see much more consistency out of him early in the season, but I’m pleased with his production so far.”  Givens has gotten lost in the shuffle in St. Louis this offseason.  And fantasy owners are essentially ignoring him.  His ADP sits in the 12th-round.  Givens has plenty of competition for targets, but he's also locked into a starting spot on what should be a pass-heavy offense.  He's capable of serving as an explosive bye-week option for your fantasy squad.