No one has more stacked lineups great ball game NFL team analysts and reporters rather than ESPN. That rare “committee backyard” is actually a good thing for imaginary managers.
During pre-season, our NFL Nation reporters answered most pressing imaginary questions. This column is designed to close the loop about everything as you finalize your imaginary draft.
If you’re a little late to start prepping your draft, or simply don’t have time to sift through every training camp report and review all 22 movies from every preseason game over the summer. hey, don’t worry. We’ve provided you with the most fantasy-related developments surrounding the NFL over the past five weeks to keep you in the loop.
The back of the back
Notable Injuries
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Rookies Brian Robinson seems likely to appear when the prospect returns Washington commanders‘committee before he was shot twice in an armed robbery on Sunday. Fortunately, Robinson avoided serious injury and was discharged from the hospital on Monday, though It is not clear when he will return to the field.
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One of the most important fantasy-related injuries in pre-season could have been suffered by a player who didn’t even qualify for fantasy: Dallas Cowboys left settlement Tyron Smithtorn left hamstring. Statistics show that Cowboys fantasy stands out, like running backwards Ezekiel Elliott and midfielder Dak Prescott, almost inefficient when Smith was out of the lineup.
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The reigning Super Bowl champions have some big players dealing with minor hopefully ills. Los Angeles Rams midfielder Matthew Stafford was nursing sore elbow since last season, while running backwards Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson just returned from a soft tissue injury this week. However, all three look set to be broadcast in Week 1.
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Other players on the Week 1 bubble because of injuries in the past month include New York Jets midfielder Zach Wilson (knee), Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (Unknown), Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London (knee), Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hamstring), San Francisco 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Seattle Seahawks football team RB Kenneth Walker III (herniation). However, none of them are expected to be sidelined for long. Waddle and Mitchell have returned to training in limited fashion.
Quiet summer for rookies
If there will be another one Ja’Marr Chase or Waddle in this year’s rookie class, we haven’t identified him yet. The two rookies that are said to have garnered the most buzz this summer are Pittsburgh Steelers second round selection George Pickens and Green Bay Packers fourth round Romeo Doubs.
The first Garrett Wilson (Jet plane), Chris Olave (Saints), Jahan Dotson (Commander) and Treylon Burks (Giant); Second round Wan’Dale Robinson (Giant), Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) and Skyy Moore (Chief of Kansas City); and the third round Jalen Tolbert (Cowboys) has also shown promise to varying degrees. But nothing has flashed continuously enough has not yet been predicted to be his group’s top receiver.
Meanwhile, London has the best chance of becoming WR1, but he missed out on most of last season. So are the packers Christian Watson (knee). The Detroit Lion‘ Jameson Williams (knee) and New England Patriots‘ Tyquan Thornton (clavicle) have more permanent injuries that will hurt them for at least the first month. And Houston Texas‘ John Metchie III is expected to miss the entire season while recovering from a summer leukemia diagnosis.
Of course there is still plenty of time for the WR 2022 class to change the story. Who could forget that a year ago at this point, Chase himself was seen as a question mark after battling dropped passes in pre-season?
Store
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No one has risen in ESPN’s fantasy rankings over the past month more than the Texan rookie running again Dameon Pierce. The 4th round draft pick has risen more than 70 places in ESPN’s rankings since June, Make sure the job starts while veterans Marlon Mack was relegated to the training team.
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Dolphins run back Chase Edmonds is someone who wakes up later emerge as the leading man in one of the NFL’s busiest backyards. Raheem Mostert also seems to have secured a key role in Miami, while fellow veteran Sony Michel has been released.
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Holy run again Alvin Kamara made a small but noticeable jump in the ESPN rankings (from 14 to 10 overall) as he had another preliminary trial delayed from August 1 to September 29 in the case. its dim battery (no trial yet). It’s still possible that Kamara could be suspended for the 2022 season – especially if he reaches a plea deal for a lower fee at some point. But the chances of a 2022 suspension decrease with each delay in the case.
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Baker Mayfield, Marcus Mariota and Geno Smith all claimed to be starting quarterbacks for the Panthers, Falcons and Seahawks, respectively – and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mitch Trubisky was the runner-up in the final undecided QB competition. But none of those decisions should move the imaginary needle too much.
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Others have improved their stock over the past month to varying degrees including TE Cole Kmet; RBs Rhamondre Stevenson, Isiah Pacheco and White Zamir; and WRs Gabe Davis, Allen Robinson II, Adam Thielen, Christian Kirk, Brandon Aiyuk, Joshua Palmer and Nico Collins. Plus WR Julio Jonestechnically, because he got a new job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Discounts
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No one has a more unexpected fantasy this summer than the tight-ended Dolphins Mike Gesicki, who went from getting franchise cards to being dangled in commercial negotiations while being relegated to a more blocking role. “Gesicki might be the #2 tight finisher on his team right now, so it doesn’t make sense to make him the #1 tight finisher for you,” Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis – Jacques warned.
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Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs and Commander RB Antonio Gibson both are unlikely to retain the leadership role they had last season, as those two teams transition to a more committee-based approach this summer (though Gibson’s role could increase in when Robinson was sidelined). Akers could also shorten his time with Henderson – but we won’t have a great feeling for the Rams’ plans until both defenders are fit at the same time. Veteran Ronald Jones seems to fall behind the trio Clyde Edwards-HelairePacheco and Jerick McKinnon in the crowded backyard of Kansas City. Meanwhile, rookie Isaiah Spiller failed to emerge as the Charger’s RB2 – partly due to an ankle sprain. And the yard then becomes even more crowded behind the starter Austin Ekeler when the Chargers signed Michel.
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Giant receiver Kenny Golladay falling again after a slow summer performance made him especially difficult to predict. Cleveland Browns midfielder Deshaun Watson was another obvious relegation after agreeing to an 11-match suspension. The result is a Browns . receiver Amari CooperThe value of is also slightly reduced.
“1A and 1A”
Last but not least, Packers coach Matt LaFleur took the backfield-by-board trend to the next level when he coined the term “1A and 1A” to describe running backwards Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. But at least in the case of Green Bay, yes will be enough work for both in the passing game to get that title.
We’ve gone deeper into some The NFL’s Most Complicated Behind-the-Scenes Committees in our NFL Nation reporters’ Q&A two weeks ago. Even Colts . coach Frank Reich participate in the murder by vowing to reduce Jonathan TaylorThe workload of this season is a little bit and get Nyheim Hines participate more. But don’t worry. You should still feel comfortable taking Taylor’s #1 overall in any format.
