Discussing the Chiefs' backfield, ESPN's Adam Teicher writes, "one thing is clear: [Clyde] Edwards-Helaire is atop the depth chart." That's been the feeling out of Chiefs camp and in the preseason, with Edwards-Helaire starting both games. But Teicher adds that, "It certainly seems as if [Jerick] McKinnon and [Isaiah] Pacheco can carve out significant roles, McKinnon as a third-down back and Pacheco more generally." Based on preseason usage, it looks like McKinnon will open the season as the primary pass-catching back. That'd obviously hurt Edwards-Helaire's upside -- although he can still pay off his 6th- or 7th-round price tag.
Giants WR Sterling Shepard has been activated from the PUP list and will practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. Shepard tore his left Achilles a little over 8 months ago. "Have heard only positives about Shepard's rehab," Raanan tweeted. "He's looked good running and cutting on the side in recent weeks." It's still uncertain when Shepard will be ready for game action -- and whether he can rediscover pre-injury form. We'll keep a close eye on him but aren't ready to consider him a fantasy-draft target.
If you've been getting excited over the upside of Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins in the wake of Gus Edwards landing on the regular-season PUP list, then you might want to pump the brakes. "Even if Dobbins suits up for the season opener, he won't get a full workload," ESPN's Jamison Hensley says. "It's too early to predict when Dobbins will get back to receiving double-digit touches in games." Hensley adds that Mike Davis "could get the most carries early in the season and remain part of Baltimore's game plan throughout the season." We still wouldn't select Davis before the late rounds of fantasy football drafts. But this potential role is certainly worth noting -- if for nothing else other than helping to set realistic expectations for Dobbins.
Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed reports a league source told him the Dolphins have "brought up" TE Mike Gesicki in trade talks with other teams. Such a move would make sense for Miami, with Gesicki set to play on the franchise tag and seemingly about to play out of position as an in-line TE. Gesicki has operated much more as a slot receiver thus far in his career and looks much better suited for that type of role. Given the reports this preseason on his deployment as a blocker, a trade would probably be good for Gesicki's 2022 fantasy outlook. We'll see if something materializes.
Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed reports that "multiple league sources" identified Cardinals RB Darrel Williams as a potential surprise candidate to be cut or traded. Williams' usage through 2 preseason games has seemed to indicate he might be ahead of Eno Benjamin and others on the RB depth chart, but that has also accompanied persistently positive reports on Benjamin's performance. We'll see how this one plays out over the next week plus, with roster cutdowns progressing. For now, there's at least risk to adding Williams late in fantasy football drafts. We'd hold off on selecting him to best-ball rosters with no in-season management.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle writes: "The first three completions in Tuesday’s practice went to the same player: Brandon Aiyuk. In other words, the still-sizzling wide receiver finished camp the way he started, and he appears poised for a breakout third NFL season.” The buzz has followed Aiyuk for weeks and pushed his ADP up some. He still resides well into WR3 territory in most cases, though, a level that allows for plenty of upside room. Aiyuk's potential ascension could lower the ceiling for WR Deebo Samuel by siphoning target share in what we expect to be 1 of the league's most run-leaning offenses. We've been much more interested in Aiyuk than Samuel at their relative draft costs.
Insider Jordan Schultz hears that the Chargers are "ecstatic" with WR Josh Palmer's progress and expects an "expanded role with more targets" for the 2nd-year wideout. “He’s got the complete route-tree and he’s hyper-competitive attacking balls," a team source told Schultz "Major worker: One of the best players in camp." Palmer appears locked into the Chargers' #3 WR job. He faces stiff target competition from WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams and RB Austin Ekeler. But QB Justin Herbert should elevate Palmer's per-target production. He's a nice bench stash on fantasy rosters.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid didn't sound concerned about WR JuJu Smith-Schuster's sore knee and expects him to be ready for the start of the season, according to insider Herbie Teope. Smith-Schuster has been sidelined since the day after Kansas City's preseason opener but recently "turned the corner" in his recovery, Reid said. We'll keep an eye on JuJu but haven't adjusted his 2022 projections.
The Jets on Tuesday released K Eddy Pineiro, leaving Greg Zuerlein as the team's kicker. Set your rankings.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that WR Michael Gallup is doing “really well” and has avoided any setbacks in his rehab from a torn ACL. Gallup suffered the injury in Week 17 of last season, but he’s had a relatively smooth recovery since then. Already out for Week 1, we're still not counting on the 26-year-old as an early-season fantasy contributor.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that kicker Brett Maher has won the team’s starting job. McCarthy pointed out Maher’s leg strength and recent confidence as reasons for choosing him over Lirim Hajrullahu. Maher figures to be a viable streaming option this season.
ESPN reports that Jets QB Zach Wilson is still likely to miss at least the regular-season opener. But Dianna Russini says the team feels "really good" about his chances of getting back onto the field soon, perhaps even ahead of Week 1. It's certainly possible that Wilson is technically cleared to play in the opener but the Jets opt for Joe Flacco and led the 2nd-year QB ease back in. We'll keep an eye on the situation. Don't expect it to alter our projections for other in the Jets' offense, though.
Chargers CB J.C. Jackson had ankle surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks, according to multiple reports. Sounds like a relatively minor procedure, but this timeline obviously could spill over into missed regular-season games.
The Falcons cut WRs Auden Tate and Geronimo Allison -- among others -- Tuesday. Each guy has had moments where he stirred minor fantasy interest with previous teams, but neither generated buzz this summer.
The Ravens have placed RB Gus Edwards (ACL) on the Reserve/PUP list. That means he'll miss at least the 1st 4 games of the regular season. His absence leaves room for J.K. Dobbins to operate as likely the clear backfield leader at least early in the season. We wouldn't be surprised, though, if Baltimore avoids overworking Dobbins off his own ACL tear. Mike Davis currently appears headed for the #2 RB role early in the year, though we'll see how that sorts out over the next couple of weeks.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday that RB Elijah Mitchell is "on schedule” to play Week 1. He’s missed time with a hamstring injury, but it’s not expected to be a long-term issue. He remains a fringe RB2.
We haven't heard much about Saints RB Alvin Kamara's camp performance, which is generally a good thing for an established veteran. But HC Dennis Allen assured us recently that Kamara looks as good as ever. "I think he's had as good a camp as I've seen, you know, since I've been here," Allen said. "I think he's in a good place mentally. I think he looks exceptionally explosive. He's in great shape. Great condition." There's still some suspension risk hanging over Kamara. But he remains a good bet for RB1 production when he's on the field this season.
The Lions have moved WR Jameson Williams (knee) to the Reserve Non-Football-Injury list. That knocks the rookie out for at least the first 4 games of the season -- but it'll likely be longer than that before he makes his NFL debut. "The hope is he’ll be ready to play around midseason," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted. We currently project Williams to play 11 games this season.
Chad Graff of The Athletic writes that RB Pierre Strong “has a ways to go” to earn the team’s 3rd-down role. “[Ty] Montgomery is the better receiver and Rhamondre Stevenson is the better runner, making it tough to supplant either of them on third downs,” Graff writes of the rookie. Strong might open the season as the kickoff returner, but he’ll need a lot to break right to gain fantasy relevance in 2022.
Washington has moved DE Chase Young to the Reserve/PUP list, knocking him out for at least the 1st 4 games of the regular season. It's not a surprising development, given that he has yet to get back to the practice field and that HC Ron Rivera had intimated the PUP was a possibility. You should not have Young prominent in the 2022 plans for your IDP fantasy football league. We'll see if he has a shot at getting back to full strength later this season. James Smith-Williams looks poised to start in Young's place, opposite Montez Sweat.
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