Training camp is coming to a close for all 32 teams, and even though roster cuts are close, the camp hype remains real. The NFL news cycle continues to be hot and heavy, packed with injuries, incredible catches, Bill Crosky chatter, and muscular quads all over your social media timeline. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds with every “news” blurb that’s being reported. What’s real? What’s fake? What matters? What doesn’t?
Join Matthew Betz and me in reacting to the biggest news of training camp and the final preseason slate of games, giving our thoughts on how to adjust in the fantasy football market and discussing who truly is in the best shape of their life.
Without further ado, here are the biggest storylines we are currently monitoring from Week 4 of training camp and Week 3 of the preseason.
Editor’s Note: For continuously updated Rankings and Projections from Andy, Mike, and Jason, with context around those rankings, be sure to check out the 2025 Ultimate Draft Kit.
1. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is moving up the depth chart.
Croskey-Merritt’s impressive summer contributed to Washington’s decision to trade Brian Robinson to the 49ers on Friday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
Julia – News. Bill Crosky doesn’t move up the depth chart; the depth chart moves up him! All the Bill hype aside, this is news, albeit news we pretty much already heard. We knew the team had hopes of moving B.Rob last season, due to injury concerns and inability to fit their scheme, and now they were able to seal the deal, sending Robinson to San Francisco. The drumbeat has been getting louder all preseason for Bill, so couple that with the trade, and we know that Washington values the rookie. But pump the brakes, the team is listing Chris Rodriguez higher on the depth chart, and pass-catching RB Austin Ekeler is still there. Sure, he is worth much more than a fleeting glance at this point than he was weeks ago, but don’t fit Bill for that gold jacket just yet.
Betz – News. B Rob is officially in San Fran, which means the “Bill Bill Bill!” movement is on…to some degree. Obviously, the team likes him enough to move on from Robinson as their early down back and it’s possible JCM fills that role, but we do need to pump the brakes a bit here and remain price sensitive. I’ve seen him go in the 40s, 50s and 60s in best ball drafts recently…to quote the great Randy Jackson, “That’s gonna be a no from me, dawg.” However, in the 10th round or later in managed leagues, he’s worth a dart. My concern with chasing him up boards is that Ekeler is still going to have a role, Rodriguez could see some touches at the goal line, and of course, Jayden Daniels is going to steal a lot of production with his legs.
2. The Vikings are interested in a reunion with Adam Thielen.
The Panthers have engaged with Minnesota on trade conversations surrounding Thielen, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Julia – Noise. As much as I love an Adam Thielen tidbit in the news, this doesn’t really move the needle on Thielen’s value or where I am drafting him. Thielen is many years removed from the late teens, where he had three out of four consecutive years where he finished as the WR10 or better. He isn’t the WR1 if he stays in Carolina, and he will not be the WR1 if he heads back to Minnesota. He is, however, a decent roster piece for depth, especially in bigger leagues, in case of an injury ahead of him. But shh, don’t tell him that.
Betz – Noisy News. It’s news to me that the Vikings/Thielen trade rumors are out there…it’s noise to me that it will turn into a fantasy difference making situation. The Vikings are desperate for some help at WR to support J.J. McCarthy. JJetts missed most of camp with the hamstring injury, Addison is going to miss the first three games of the season because of suspension, Rondale Moore is on IR with another knee injury, and Jalen Nailor is battling a hand issue that threatens his availability for Week 1. If it makes sense for both CAR & MIN, I do think we see Thielen get moved as it provides some depth for a WR room that’s pretty barren as things stand today. For fantasy, if he does end up in Minnesota, it’s going to be tough to be relevant on a consistent basis with Jefferson, Addison and Hockenson likely to lead the team in targets. But for old times’ sake, it sure would be fun! #SKOL
3. Raiders RB Zamir White was impressive in the final preseason game.
White rushed nine times for 42 yards and brought in his only target for three yards in the Raiders’ 20-10 preseason loss to the Cardinals on Saturday night.
Julia – Newsish. Remember when we all thought Zamir White could be a thing? What a magical time. Anywho, he is still on the Raiders’ roster, sitting behind Rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty with elder stateman Raheem Mostert and Sincere McCormick. The team has yet to announce Jeanty’s backup, but on a team that will have a strong rushing identity, you have to keep your eye on the RB2 selection. White still needs to make the team, and I am not telling you to run out and make him a must-draft, but you must keep him on your radar at the end of drafts. It’s backup RB season, baby.
Betz – Noise. The RB2 battle behind Jeanty could be valable if Jeanty misses time, but even if that would happen and White in theory gets that RB2 role, he would still likely lose receiving work to another back in what would be a committee.
4. Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley believes “the Jaguars will look to unload” either Travis Etienne Jr. or Tank Bigsby.
Shipley adds that if the Jaguars’ trade efforts are unsuccessful, he thinks they will carry four RBs.
Julia – Newsy Noise. The complicated RB room in Jacksonville has been one I have been trying to avoid the entire draft season. There have been moments where Bigsby looked like the guy, and then it was back to Etienne. And then Draft Twitter has been on fire with the Tuten praisers and those reminding us about LeQuint Allen Jr. Even if the team moves Etienne or Bigsby before the start of the season and gives us a little more clarification to a muddy room, is it still anything you want to have a piece of? For me it still comes down to value, and the main value I see if with Etienne, who is still going in the early to mid-8th round. If they go into the season with four RBs, count me O U T.
Betz – Newsy Noise. I’m with Julia here. I do think the Jags would love to find a trade partner for Etienne or Tank, but what are those guys going to get in a trade? A 5th? A 6th? It’s possible those backs are more valuable to Cohen and the Jags in 2025 than a future Day 3 dart throw. I will say, the fact that these rumors are out there does keep Tuten alive as a really interesting dart at the end of your draft. Stash him on your bench and see what happens!
5. Kyle Shanahan said he expects Jauan Jennings (calf) to be available for Week 1.
Julia – News. Question mark? I have a hard time believing Kyle after what we went through last season with CMC, but either way, it is important to hear how the head coach talks about the WR. Jennings has been dealing with a calf/contract issue, and the way that San Francisco WRs have been dropping like flies to the injury bug, if the main issue is truly the contract (and cough, it probably is), it might be wise for the Niners to swallow their pride and sign the man. However, there was chatter from a beat reporter on Monday that “there is growing frustration on both sides as Jennings continues to miss practice with a calf injury and 49ers management continues to show little interest in restructuring his contract and giving him a big pay raise for the second time in a little over a year.” The team looks to be delighted with Ricky Pearsall and his progression into their potential WR1, but with Brandon Aiyuk looking to start on the PUP, this is just messy. Jennings ADP has not dropped enough for me to take the gamble, and the main passcatcher I still target the most in San Francisco is George Kittle.
Betz – Noise. I hope I’m wrong and I hope he’s back soon, but here’s the full quote from Shanny: ““I expect him to be back, I think he should be back from it, but you never know with calves. I’m not a doctor, so like I said, calves take time. You never know with calves.” Jennings hasn’t practiced in just over three weeks. I’ll believe he’s available for Week 1 when we see him back out there. It’s also very difficult to know how much of this is truly injury related versus contract related. For what it’s worth, he was not on the field on Monday, August. 25. To Jennings’ credit from a negotiation standpoint, the Niners desperately need him and he knows it…
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/QDYEvan
No comments: