Recent Fantasy News: Josh Lambo, Phillip Dorsett, Sammie Coates, Carlos Henderson, Elijah Hood, and Jeremy McNichols
First, an apology for ranking kicker Josh Lambo so high on my Top 300 spreadsheet. As some of you know, I pushed the fantasy irrelevant Lambo hard last preseason, and thru the first 10 weeks, he was the #1 or #2 fantasy kicker. Then he pooped out along with the rest of the severely injury-depleted Chargers. This year I anticipated redemption: more opportunities thanks to a high-powered and healthy offense, along with a rebound from the inaccuracies that plagued him late last year. But yesterday he was cut in favor of rookie Younghoe Koo.
Lambo had been one of my must-draft kickers. Clearly I misread the situation in L.A., thinking the camp competition was merely a formality, and that Lambo would remain a potential near-elite kicking option. Instead, Koo is now draftable in all 14+ team leagues. The Chargers should be a top 8 scoring team this year.
In other news, the Patriots have acquired Phillip Dorsett from Indy. Dorsett jumps onto my top 300 on the assumption he'll play some modest role at some point this year if someone above him on the depth chart misses time. But he's worth ignoring on draft day, unless you're in an incredibly deep league.
Meanwhile, Sammie Coates has landed in Cleveland, where Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt are the starters. Coates has potential, but like Dorsett, his path to relevance is currently blocked. And unlike New England, Cleveland is starting a rookie QB who will be lucky to make one of his receivers--let alone three--a weekly fantasy starter.
The Broncos placed third rounder Carlos Henderson on injured reserve. The rookie wideout was expected to fill the #3 receiver hole, making him a name to watch this preseason. Now that role should fall to the lower-upside Bennie Fowler. For fantasy purposes, this remains a two-receiver team (Thomas and Sanders).
Oakland seventh rounder Elijah Hood couldn't make it through final cuts Saturday. I had liked him as a final-round flyer in 20+ team leagues. For now, the Raiders will roll with the painfully overrated Marshawn Lynch and the talented handcuff duo of DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. In case I haven't been clear enough before, this backfield is far more muddled than most people realize.
Finally, the Bucs have given up on fifth rounder Jeremy McNichols. This is great news for the completely under-the-radar Charles Sims, whose RB-76 and Overall-242 PPR ADP makes him a certifiable bargain. If you're weak at RB, you'll get a few games with the terrific pass-catcher earning potentially 8-10 touches while Doug Martin's sidelined.
Lambo had been one of my must-draft kickers. Clearly I misread the situation in L.A., thinking the camp competition was merely a formality, and that Lambo would remain a potential near-elite kicking option. Instead, Koo is now draftable in all 14+ team leagues. The Chargers should be a top 8 scoring team this year.
In other news, the Patriots have acquired Phillip Dorsett from Indy. Dorsett jumps onto my top 300 on the assumption he'll play some modest role at some point this year if someone above him on the depth chart misses time. But he's worth ignoring on draft day, unless you're in an incredibly deep league.
Meanwhile, Sammie Coates has landed in Cleveland, where Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt are the starters. Coates has potential, but like Dorsett, his path to relevance is currently blocked. And unlike New England, Cleveland is starting a rookie QB who will be lucky to make one of his receivers--let alone three--a weekly fantasy starter.
The Broncos placed third rounder Carlos Henderson on injured reserve. The rookie wideout was expected to fill the #3 receiver hole, making him a name to watch this preseason. Now that role should fall to the lower-upside Bennie Fowler. For fantasy purposes, this remains a two-receiver team (Thomas and Sanders).
Oakland seventh rounder Elijah Hood couldn't make it through final cuts Saturday. I had liked him as a final-round flyer in 20+ team leagues. For now, the Raiders will roll with the painfully overrated Marshawn Lynch and the talented handcuff duo of DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. In case I haven't been clear enough before, this backfield is far more muddled than most people realize.
Finally, the Bucs have given up on fifth rounder Jeremy McNichols. This is great news for the completely under-the-radar Charles Sims, whose RB-76 and Overall-242 PPR ADP makes him a certifiable bargain. If you're weak at RB, you'll get a few games with the terrific pass-catcher earning potentially 8-10 touches while Doug Martin's sidelined.