With teams cutting down their rosters, some interesting moves in recent days. For example, Colt McCoy is out in Arizona. The acquisition of Joshua Dobbs suggested McCoy was on thin ice, and Clayton Tune's solid preseason play further contributed to the move. I went on record in July projecting McCoy as the team's early-season starter. I was wrong, plain and simple.
If Tune starts over Dobbs and plays well (known as "Purdying up the league"), then the fifth-rounder might actually acquire dynasty value. the Cards are stuck with Kyler Murray for at least two more years (due to a gigantic dead cap). But a trade is always in the cards (pun intended) for a frequently injured-yet-talented quarterback. While Murray's early-career luster has warn off, he's still good when healthy. It'll be interesting to see what the going-nowhere Cardinals due when their "franchise" QB is ready to return to the field.
In New York, the Jets have parted ways with Zonovan Knight. Not entirely surprising, given the draft capital they spent on Michael Carter, the actual money they spent on Dalvin Cook, and the rookie status of Israel Abanikanda. They were never going to keep five RBs on the active roster.
While Breece Hall remains a fade on my draft board, I moved him up a few spots on the news, as it bodes well for his early-season involvement (i.e. no apparent setbacks). That said, I expect the Jets to handle their star RB delicately in the early going, which is why he's still a fade compared to his ADP.
Meanwhile, with Terry McLaurin iffy for Week 1, Jahan Dotson gets another bump. I began this season believing a somewhat conservative Sam Howell would heavily target after-the-catch monster Curtis Samuel. But the preseason has played out differently, and I now view Dotson as a legit bargain. This franchise is a longshot to reach the playoffs. But their new offensive coordinator should help enliven the passing attack. If McLaurin misses three or more weeks, we might see Dotson wrap up September in the top 18.
Elsewhere, all eyes are (or should be) on Jonathan Taylor. Today's the day. If the Colts pay him anywhere close to what he wants, his stock could skyrocket. I'm tentatively optimistic, which is why I've been advising folks to target him in the fourth round, and preferably the fifth. But if he signs and is declared good to go for Week 1, then he'll be a first-rounder, at least for me.
And with Pierre Strong traded to Cleveland, we now have a real dilemma in that backfield. Who's Nick Chubb's handcuff? Does this signal that Jerome Ford won't be 100% to start the season? Is Demetric Felton out of the picture?
Chubb is coming off his first 300+ carry campaign. I don't trust him at his ADP, and I want clarity re: his handcuff. But there is no clarity. This could prove to be a frustrating backfield to roster.
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