A few thoughts heading into today's final meaningful (in all likelihood) preseason games. First, as of writing this last Saturday night, Matt Corral appears to be out for the year after a foot injury. Since Carolina is a longshot to make the playoffs, this would obviously simplify things for two-QB leaguers. I can't imagine the team wants to go back to Sam Darnold, who'll be a free agent after this season. Although I haven't moved up Baker Mayfield on my rankings (he's still my QB26), he's now officially a higher-floor option. Much will hinge on the Christian McCaffrey's health, since CMC makes even the most middling QBs look solid.
Tyquan Thornton hurt his collarbone and is expected to miss roughly the first five weeks of the regular season. He remains a deep-league stash in one of the league's weakest receiving corps, because he could be the best fantasy WR on this team from November onward. That said, this news probably impacts Nelson Agholor the most, as he could now push for No. 1 duties alongside the (almost) perennially underperforming DeVante Parker, and the painfully-low-ceiling'd Jakobi Meyers. Also, don't rule out Jonnu Smith as a TE streamer; he's too good on offense to consistently be a #6 or #7 option yet again.
It's beyond interesting that in the midst of Tom Brady's inexplicable absence, yesterday news broke that he and Gronk were nearly traded to the Raiders before the 2020 season. Brady mentioned it (without naming the team) a year ago. He was the reigning Super Bowl champ at the time, so yeah, he could laugh about it. But with so much uncertainty surrounding his reasons for taking an extended absence three weeks before the start of the season--and only a few months after retiring and then unretiring--it's all very . . . interesting.
Kenny Pickett has looked as good or better than Mitch Trubisky. In my Best Ball draft, I took Trubisky and then Mason Rudolph (after Pickett was taken) late. Thought I had about a 67% chance of locking down a third weekly starter. Instead, it's now looking more like 40%-50%. The Steelers open the season against the Bengals and Patriots. If they start 0-2 with Trubisky under center, advantage Pickett. Basically, Trubisky has to look like he can lead this team to another playoff berth. Otherwise, there's no reason for the Steelers to slow Pickett's development; he looks like he's ready to earn real starts.
I'm no longer comfortable drafting Bills RBs, or at least Devin Singletary. Very interested in your thoughts on what is once again a confusing backfield. Zack Moss pushing for a weekly role was not on my preseason fantasy Bingo card. James Cook will be involved almost no matter what. This could be early-season 2021 all over again, except even more crowded. I've dropped Singletary well below his ADP. With no assurance that he'll lead Bills RBs in receptions, and with the strong possibility that he won't be a top-2 option near the goal line, I can't rationalize investing in him at or near his RB29 ADP.
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Tyquan Thornton hurt his collarbone and is expected to miss roughly the first five weeks of the regular season. He remains a deep-league stash in one of the league's weakest receiving corps, because he could be the best fantasy WR on this team from November onward. That said, this news probably impacts Nelson Agholor the most, as he could now push for No. 1 duties alongside the (almost) perennially underperforming DeVante Parker, and the painfully-low-ceiling'd Jakobi Meyers. Also, don't rule out Jonnu Smith as a TE streamer; he's too good on offense to consistently be a #6 or #7 option yet again.
It's beyond interesting that in the midst of Tom Brady's inexplicable absence, yesterday news broke that he and Gronk were nearly traded to the Raiders before the 2020 season. Brady mentioned it (without naming the team) a year ago. He was the reigning Super Bowl champ at the time, so yeah, he could laugh about it. But with so much uncertainty surrounding his reasons for taking an extended absence three weeks before the start of the season--and only a few months after retiring and then unretiring--it's all very . . . interesting.
Kenny Pickett has looked as good or better than Mitch Trubisky. In my Best Ball draft, I took Trubisky and then Mason Rudolph (after Pickett was taken) late. Thought I had about a 67% chance of locking down a third weekly starter. Instead, it's now looking more like 40%-50%. The Steelers open the season against the Bengals and Patriots. If they start 0-2 with Trubisky under center, advantage Pickett. Basically, Trubisky has to look like he can lead this team to another playoff berth. Otherwise, there's no reason for the Steelers to slow Pickett's development; he looks like he's ready to earn real starts.
I'm no longer comfortable drafting Bills RBs, or at least Devin Singletary. Very interested in your thoughts on what is once again a confusing backfield. Zack Moss pushing for a weekly role was not on my preseason fantasy Bingo card. James Cook will be involved almost no matter what. This could be early-season 2021 all over again, except even more crowded. I've dropped Singletary well below his ADP. With no assurance that he'll lead Bills RBs in receptions, and with the strong possibility that he won't be a top-2 option near the goal line, I can't rationalize investing in him at or near his RB29 ADP.
---
Sign up for my 2022 Top 400 Fantasy Draft Rankings ("PFN Pass") or 1:1 Advisory Services ("Touchdown Pass"):
https://pass.profootballnetwork.com/