X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Early NFL Preseason Overreactions and Noise for Fantasy Football Drafts - Melvin Gordon, Najee Harris, Nyheim Hines

Najee Harris - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Andersen reviews top NFL preseason headlines about top RB, WR, and TE options for fantasy football to determine what matters for fantasy drafts.

The month of July has been a busy one. Most NFL free agents have signed contracts, the draft has come and gone, and OTAs are underway.

As always, waves upon waves of NFL news will surface as teams continue to practice. Sometimes, digging into these storylines can uncover valuable knowledge that leads to fantasy football glory. On the other hand, some headlines and pieces of coachspeak can be utterly misleading.

Let's dive into some NFL news stories that have led to mass overreaction and must be ignored for fantasy football drafts.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Coach Reich Tips Off Managers About Nyheim Hines

Whenever an NFL coach mentions fantasy football, it's always worth exploring further. On May 26, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich told Pro Football Talk, "If I was a fantasy owner, if I was going to be in a fantasy league, I think I’d pick Nyheim [Hines] this year." Specifically, Reich alluded to the fact that he wanted to get Jonathan Taylor's backup more involved in the passing game.

From 2020 to 2021, Hines's receptions dropped from 63 to 40 while his scrimmage yards decreased from 862 to 586. His step backward in production stemmed from the breakout campaign that allowed Taylor to finish as the No. 1 running back in the NFL.

Reich, although impressed by Taylor's big season, thought that the Colts were too run-heavy and reliant on the Wisconsin product in 2021. “It's incumbent upon us to spread the ball around, number one,” Reich said. “But also, hey, would we like to have Nyheim be up there as far as at the end of the season when you tally up who has the catches, do we want Nyheim to kind of be one of those top three guys? Probably, yeah.”

We have established that the Colts want to lean a little less on Taylor and a little more on Hines, specifically in the passing game, but are Reich's comments enough to justify viewing Hines any differently? The answer is no. Yet, Hines's ADP went from 140 on May 23 to 127 on May 30.

That difference of 13 slots in the draft represents more than an entire round in most leagues. There's nothing wrong with being high on Hines, but letting this small piece of coachspeak change his draft stock is overzealous behavior.

Hines should be drafted in mid-to-late rounds because he's a solid handcuff with receiving upside, not because his coach praised him for 30 seconds during a podcast interview in May. Let this be a lesson: you're going to hear a whole lot of coachspeak in the coming months. Don't let it dictate your draft.

 

Fantasy Stars Express Contract Frustration

This offseason (like many others) has seen a handful of NFL players show frustration with the state of their contract negotiations. In some cases, these sagas should be paid a significant deal of attention. A few years ago, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell conducted a holdout that ultimately sparked the steep downward trajectory of his career.

Meanwhile, just this year, wide receivers Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill forced their way out of expiring contracts by helping to formulate trades that saw them switch teams and land big paydays. Players have plenty of leverage, and they can change the shape of the league with one holdout or demand.

However, not every contract dispute leads to the dismantlement of the NFL as we know it. This offseason, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel have all made it clear that they are unhappy with their current situation.

These situations aren't resolved, but the latest updates indicate that all four players will suit up in 2022. Which contract will they be playing under? That's unclear, but all four should be wearing the same jerseys that they have sported in seasons past. Don't expect fantasy football to be impacted by any holdouts in 2022.

 

Najee Harris Weighs In At 244 Pounds

Twitter went wild when Najee Harris announced that he opened OTAs at 244 pounds. Considering he was listed at 232 pounds as a rookie last year, fantasy managers were buzzing about the idea that the Alabama product added an additional 12 pounds to a body that was already on the larger side for running backs.

As a result, in the last month, his ADP has dropped two spots from 1.04 to 1.06. That would be an unnoticeable change in the later rounds, but in the first round, that's very significant.

However, bulking up isn't necessarily bad for the running back's outlook. Teammate Zach Gentry proclaimed Bell looks like an action figure and is much more explosive this summer. Do what you please with information, but that certainly sounds more positive than negative.

The most important part of this storyline is actually what Harris said in response to the outcry on social media. Pittsburgh's bell-cow explained that last season's measurement of 232 pounds was inaccurate; he actually weighed 240. Assuming this is true, it further smolders the fire of perplexion that ignited earlier this month.

To recap, not only did Harris not gain as much weight as people feared but even if he had, what matters are the results he posts on the field. Based on what we've heard out of Pittsburgh, Harris is still the top-tier running back that he was last season, if not better.

Although it's no secret that the Steelers are going to look to ease his workload back slightly this coming season, he is still Pittsburgh's clear-cut No. 1 running back, offers value as a dual-threat weapon in an offense that will focus on more running plays and shorter passes, and provides rookie Kenny Pickett with a spectacular safety valve in the backfield. You should still feel comfortable drafting him at his old ADP of 1.04, and if you're looking to go younger, he is even in play at No. 3 overall. The Najee Harris show is just beginning.

 

Melvin Gordon Returns To Broncos

People fell in love with Javonte Williams last season for good reason. He finished the year with 1,219 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns despite backing up Melvin Gordon for the whole season. Sure, the rookie wasn't your traditional backup running back, but he still started just one game.

Furthermore, Williams's snap count was relatively low for someone of his caliber. On the field for just 51 percent of offensive snaps, Williams ranked behind players like Mike Davis, Miles Sanders, and Chase Edmonds in snap share. He also finished just one percent higher than Devontae Booker, Myles Gaskin, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Translation: for the amount of time that Williams was on the field, he was dominant. Gordon missed just one game last season, so Williams's success alongside the veteran proves that he can still thrive in a shared backfield.

Heading into 2022, the state of the Broncos' offense is trending upward. Denver's 26:41 time of possession over the final three weeks of last season ranked as the sixth-worst in football, but that number should increase significantly with Russell Wilson taking the reins of the offense.

Not only will Wilson keep the team on the field and help to get Williams more production, but the North Carolina product will help his own case as well. He has a valuable year of NFL experience under his belt and has earned much more playing time.

Between his success and Gordon's increasing age, Williams should be the Broncos' lead back in 2022. The bottom line is that Williams, who posted RB7 numbers from Week 12 to Week 18, has proven that he can succeed in a shared backfield and deserves more touches.

The Broncos are going to let him show off this coming season, and there's no reason to believe that the re-signing of Gordon drops Williams out of top-12 running back territory.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nolan Arenado

Ready for Second Half
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Back in Action to Begin Second Half
Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF