RADIO
Scott Engel grabs some fantasy football player news headlines that are creating a stir lately, and provides in-depth analysis of the hot topics.
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Many of the top fantasy headlines from recent days have spurred a lot of chatter on social media. I surfed through the RotoBaller NFL player news feed and plucked out some of the most interesting updates from the last few days. Here I provide my own in-depth views on some of the NFL topics that have generated some of the most fervent talk and debates among fantasy players lately.
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Fantasy Football Names Making NFL News
Julio Jones lands in Tampa Bay
Jones, who signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers, has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons, and he is now 33 years old and entering his 12th NFL campaign.
Many injuries over the years when he was in his prime have held him back at times, and he appears to have become more susceptible to missed action recently. Jones may still have much pure playmaking ability left, but the Tampa Bay WR picture is crowded. I would not count on him at all for any fantasy consistency.
Big cheers each time Julio Jones comes up in receiver rotation at Bucs practice. pic.twitter.com/WXO5aU4t4p
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2022
Jones may be a good best ball pick for depth and might show his classic form occasionally, but I don’t see him as anything more than a rotational fantasy starter when he’s available to play. Tom Brady does have quite an impressive receiving crew now, though, and could he be headed for another big fantasy season?
Miles Sanders runs with the second-team offense
Nick Sirianni confirmed that Sanders is still “our” guy, but he shouldn’t be “your guy” as a regular fantasy starter. By this point of his career, it has become evident that Sanders will never become a true feature back or a successful inside runner.
He doesn’t get many goal-line opportunities because he is a better runner in open space and does not move the pile or bang inside effectively. Heck, Ryan Tannehill ran for as many first downs as Sanders did last season (33).
Whether he starts or not, Sanders will be part of a committee this season and that is what he is cut out for. Kenneth Gainwell could see a rise in appeal as a goal-line option and pass-catcher out of the backfield, but Boston Scott will also likely be in the mix as well. Sanders will be an occasionally notable fantasy RB3 this season.
Aaron Rodgers Likes His Wide Receivers
Rodgers said he is optimistic about his current group of WRs after the Packers lost Davante Adams in the offseason. He has praised new projected No. 1 WR Allen Lazard and rookie Romeo Doubs.
If the Green Bay front office did not make any major moves to replace Adams with a big signing or top draft choice, then you can surmise Rodgers may indeed be believable here. That makes Lazard, Christian Watson, and Doubs potential value plays.
Lazard and Watson are being drafted as fantasy WR4 types, and Doubs is not even a top WR choice in dynasty leagues. One of those three guys could exceed expectations this year working with Rodgers, who is still in top form.
Evan Engram is hot on social media, not so hot in camp
Evan Engram has been a favorite topic of fantasy discussion on social media, as many fantasy analysts and players are saying they like his prospects now that he has left the Giants.
The pro-Engram narrative is that he was bogged down by bad coaching and a terrible offensive environment, and now will be a key target for an improving Trevor Lawrence with a Doug Pederson-led system that favors the tight end.
Evan Engram already in mid-season form pic.twitter.com/MpnOblCIJt
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) July 26, 2022
Engram has already been displaying discouraging form in training camp with drops and inconsistency. While the Engram backers do point out that has some potential value as a mid-range TE2 selection, we also have to remember that opportunity does not always lead to the desired production.
Engram is in a better situation for possible success, but he has also not done enough over the past four years to inspire confidence that he can recapture his rookie season form. It’s been a while since Engram has been an impactful fantasy option, and I can’t be excited about him based on talent and opportunity alone.
I’m not saying Engram can’t make a career comeback this season, and I would consider drafting him after the top 16 or so TEs are off the board, but many fantasy analysts who I respect are confidently predicting an Engram revival and I believe a decent, but not too impressive year is just as likely. Another disappointing season is very possible, too.
The Engram signing could be yet another swing and a miss by Jaguars GM Trent Baalke. Engram is a very unpredictable fantasy TE for 2022, as a new address and better coaching aren't quite enough to necessarily help him find his 2017 form again. He has to prove he can take advantage of his new opportunity.
Mixed reports from Giants camp
Peter King of NBC Sports indicated that the Giants were slowly adapting to Brian Daboll’s schemes in camp so far, but also shared some good news with fantasy players.
First, he reported that Saquon Barkley is looking healthy and ready to roll. Barkley will be the focal point of the Giants' offense again if he can stay healthy in 2022, and he may be the biggest risk/reward fantasy RB of the year outside of Christian McCaffrey. Barkley should be drafted as a high-end fantasy RB2.
King also noted that the Giants’ top WRs are healthy and that rookie Wan’Dale Robinson has impressed in camp so far. Toney reminds me of Percy Harvin, as he is versatile and explosive when available to play.
He is an upside WR4 fantasy target. Robinson also can add a needed spark to the Giants' offense and is very worthy of a late-round flier, but he is a smaller wideout, so consistency could also be a concern.
Russ’ WRs Are Ready To Cook in Denver
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that it will be up to Russell Wilson to set the offensive pace for the offense this year. So far in camp, reports are that he is speeding up the offense as expected. Wilson wanted to go to a team that would center its offense around him, and that is exactly what the Broncos will do.
Wilson has always been a top 10 fantasy QB and was No. 1 overall in 2017. He is capable of a wide range of QB1 outcomes, but could be headed to a top 5 finish in 2022.
The more interesting question that has been raised by many fantasy players and analysts, is which Denver WR is the better one to draft this year? I liken Courtland Sutton to Wilson’s new version of DK Metcalf, although the Seattle WR is bulkier and faster.
But Sutton, who is 6-4 like Metcalf, is also a big target with downfield playmaking abilities, and he already has delivered a 1,100-yard campaign. Sutton is more proven than Jerry Jeudy, and I slightly prefer him slightly outside the top 15 WR range, with a back-end fantasy WR1 ceiling.
Jeudy, however, could be Wilson’s Denver edition of Tyler Lockett as a highly productive 1A wide receiver. This should be the awaited breakout year for Jeudy. It’s hard to not see it coming with Wilson getting his chance to fully pilot a projected high-flying passing attack.
I would draft Jeudy soon after Sutton, just outside the top 20 WR range. Both Broncos WRs have a good chance to exceed their initial rankings. It’s just a matter of which one will outperform the other by a limited margin.
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