Footballguys #109 - 8/6 - Clear Your Calendar - Footballguys Training Camp Update #1 Is Here
Volume 21, #109 -- Tuesday Night, August 6th, 2019
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Howdy Folks,
Good Wednesday to you.
Today's the day. The Week One edition of our world-beating Training Camp Updates is ready. It's pages and pages of the info you need to know about every player that matters from every team. Dive in.
We've got Team Defense tiers and Dynasty Value plus the News and Notes you need.
And a quick note and an apology. Yesterday, we reported the news from Mike Florio of NBC's ProFootballTalk that Michael Crabtree had signed with the Cardinals. That was cool. Until it wasn't.
Turns out Crabtree was offered a deal but didn't sign. And Florio apologized Tuesday morning. And I'll do the same. You trust us and we got the story wrong. We'll always listen when a guy like Florio reports but the fact is Crabtree didn't sign. Our mistake and I apologize.
Now let's get to this. And fingers crossed that none of these change overnight... ;)
J
SITE NEWS
A.
FREE CONTENT - Training Camp Update #1
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B.
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C.
Footballguys Video Special Part 3 - DRAFT.com Best Ball Strategy
Our Austin Lee, David Dodds, James Brimacombe and Dan Hindery with Part Three of their three-part video series on crushing the Best Ball contests at DRAFT.com. Dive in with us as they get into favorite Draft Positions, picks by rounds and parting thoughts.
D.
FREE CONTENT - Team Defense Tiers
Our Clayton Gray with a look at team defense rankings using tiers.
E.
Dynasty Trade Value Chart: August
Our Dan Hindery looks at quantifying long-term player values for dynasty leagues.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. OAK - WR Antonio Brown dealing with frostbite?
2. SEA - WR D.K. Metcalf back up to speed
3. DAL - Dallas has made generous offers to Big Three
4. DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott threatens to sit out season
5. DAL - WR Amari Cooper sits due to heel issue
6. SF - RB Jerick McKinnon activated from PUP list
7. CHI - WR Anthony Miller listed as starter
8. MIA - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick working with ones
9. ARI - WR Michael Crabtree doesn't sign with Cards
10. DEN - RB Theo Riddick works with first team
11. DEN - TE Jake Butt knows he has to prove himself
12. CAR - QB Cam Newton may play Thursday
13. CLE - WR Odell Beckham out with illness
14. CIN - RB Giovani Bernard held out Monday
15. SEA - Seattle RBs to be more involved in passing game
16. WAS - WR Terry McLaurin continues drawing praise
17. NYJ - WR Quincy Enunwa hurt in practice Tuesday
18. ARI - WR Andy Isabella back to work
19. DET - TE T.J. Hockenson a first-team fixture
20. ATL - Kurt Benkert lands on injured reserve
21. OAK - TE Darren Waller dealing with sprained AC joint
22. OAK - TE Darren Waller likely to sit preseason opener
23. BUF - RB LeSean McCoy expects to remain the main man
24. BUF - CB E.J. Gaines out indefinitely
25. PHI - Joe Ostman placed on IR
26. NYJ - S Marcus Maye still on mend
27. NYJ - WR Quincy Enunwa dealing with injury
28. BUF - WR Andre Roberts working with first team
29. PIT - RB Jaylen Samuels seeing significant role
30. PIT - WR Diontae Johnson battling injury
1. OAK - WR Antonio Brown dealing with frostbite?
Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio
Oakland Raiders WR Antonio Brown (feet) is reportedly dealing with frostbite on both of his feet as a result of entering a cryotherapy machine without the proper footwear, according to a source with knowledge of the situation via Pro Football Talk's Chris Simms.
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This is an incredibly odd situation and a serious one as frostbite is nothing to mess around with. Brown's status for the rest of training camp is up in the air due to this injury and the Raiders are still 'gathering information' according to head coach Jon Gruden. It's also worth noting there are other sources saying they don't buy the frostbite story. Stay tuned.
2. SEA - WR D.K. Metcalf back up to speed
Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
Seattle Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf (oblique) was full-go at practice Tuesday, Aug. 6, making two long catches on passes from QB Russell Wilson, including one sideline grab where he hung onto the ball after crashing to the ground.
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Metcalf is big, fast and physical...but he's also banged up a lot dating back to his days in college. He's an intriguing rookie to watch and add this year for your fantasy team. Metcalf has a current ADP of WR45 (10.02) in 12-team PPR leagues.
3. DAL - Dallas has made generous offers to Big Three
Source: NFL Network - Jane Slater
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR Amari Cooper have each reportedly received a contract offer from the team that would put each one in the top five highest-paid players at their position in the league, according to NFL Network's Jane Slater.
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Top five at running back and quarterback isn't really that generous considering the lack of big contracts at running back and caliber of players who have the top five contracts at quarterback, so this is probably being put out there by the team to get the players to the negotiating table in the battle of public perception.
4. DAL - RB Ezekiel Elliott threatens to sit out season
Source: ESPN.com
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott's agents have told the team he will not play in 2019 without a new contract, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
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There is still a general tone of optimism that something will get done before the open of the season, but it's time to start considering a pass on Elliott at ADP. We'll be monitoring this closely, but for now it is really just a guess into Elliott and Jerry Jones' mindsets and who is willing to blink first.
5. DAL - WR Amari Cooper sits due to heel issue
Source: ESPNDallas.com - Todd Archer
Dallas Cowboys WR Amari Cooper (heel) sat out practice Tuesday, Aug. 6, due to a bruised heel.
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Cooper doesn't need to push it in practice, he just needs to stay healthy and produce at a high level as expected. The Cowboys need to pay the man. According to reports from those around the building, the Cowboys do have a 'generous offer for Cooper at this time.
6. SF - RB Jerick McKinnon activated from PUP list
Source: Around The NFL
San Francisco 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon (knee) was activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, Aug. 6.
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McKinnon might not be ready to play or practice at full speed right away and has to be considered the #3 back right now and a possible healthy scratch on game days to begin the season, which might make his 3.7 million dollar salary too much to carry into the season.
7. CHI - WR Anthony Miller listed as starter
Source: ChicagoBears.com
Chicago Bears WR Anthony Miller was listed as a starting receiver, alongside WRs Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, on the first unofficial depth chart.
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Miller is healthier this year, and the game is slowing down for him in his second year. Consider him a priority bench wide receiver pick in the late rounds.
8. MIA - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick working with ones
Source: The Miami Herald - Adam H. Beasley
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely play with the first-team offense Thursday, Aug. 8, in the first preseason game, according to head coach Brian Flores. QB Josh Rosen is slated for the second-team, but Flores said that could change.
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This quarterback battle is wide open and trending towards Rosen, but preseason games will decide it. Just as important as the identity of the winner is noting which receiver have the best chemistry with the winner.
9. ARI - WR Michael Crabtree doesn't sign with Cards
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Updating a previous report, free-agent WR Michael Crabtree (Ravens) was unable to agree to terms with the Arizona Cardinals and left without signing.
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Crabtree might be overplaying his hand as the two sides were unable to agree about money. If another team has a key injury at wide receiver or otherwise sours on their current group, he'll have more leverage, but this could also be the only offer he gets this month.
10. DEN - RB Theo Riddick works with first team
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Denver Broncos RB Theo Riddick worked with the first-team offense during practice on Monday, Aug. 5.
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Riddick caught a 40-yard touchdown from Joe Flacco in practice on Monday. He's the team's best receiving back and could catch 50 passes this year.
11. DEN - TE Jake Butt knows he has to prove himself
Source: 9News.com - Mike Klis
Denver Broncos TE Jake Butt (knee) said Monday, Aug. 5, that he appreciates the team's patience, but he knows he has to prove himself. 'I still have to go out there and prove it,' Butt said. 'I can't just sit in the trainer's room all day. I'm not naive. I know how the business works, but it does mean a lot that the coaches still believe in me.'
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Butt has a ton of talent but he's also had three major knee injuries during his football career dating back to high school. He's only played in three games as a pro and has missed most of training camp this year due to knee soreness. Butt needs to get healthy and stay healthy if he wants to make the 53-man roster. Right now, he's on the outside looking in.
12. CAR - QB Cam Newton may play Thursday
Source: ESPN.com - David Newton
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton may play in the preseason game Thursday, Aug. 8, according to head coach Ron Rivera.
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If Newton does play it won't be for very long. He's changed his throwing motion and is working to keep his troublesome shoulder from acting up.
13. CLE - WR Odell Beckham out with illness
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. (illness) did not participate in practice Monday, Aug. 5, because of an illness.
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Beckham may need a day or two to get right. He'll be back out there soon enough.
14. CIN - RB Giovani Bernard held out Monday
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Cincinnati Bengals RB Giovani Bernard (hamstring) was held out of practice Monday, Aug. 5, because he is dealing with a slight hamstring injury, according to head coach Zac Taylor.
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Bernard is going to get some time to deal with this hamstring injury. He's going to work as the primary backup to Joe Mixon in 2019. In the final year of his contract, Bernard may get around 10 touches per game according to beat writers around the team.
15. SEA - Seattle RBs to be more involved in passing game
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson said Tuesday, Aug. 6, he and the other running backs have been more involved in the passing game at training camp in offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's second year with the team. 'He's doing a lot with the running backs. He's splitting them out wide, putting them in different spots around the field. He's using us more for pass-catching than what he did in the previous years. It's fun for us,' Carson said. Schottenheimer said the team needs to get Carson more involved in the passing game. 'He's got unbelievable hands and he's a problem for people coming out of the backfield.'
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Russell Wilson is adept at spreading the ball around, even if that means more passes for the running backs. We'll see Seattle use a RBBC with Carson and second-year pro Rashaad Penny in 2019. Projecting each back for 20-25 catches this season is fair.
16. WAS - WR Terry McLaurin continues drawing praise
Source: The Washington Post - Kareem Copeland
Washington Redskins WR Terry McLaurin has been 'showered with praise from coaches and teammates' at training camp, according to Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post Tuesday, Aug. 6.
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We love that McLaurin is going to be catching passes from his college quarterback Dwayne Haskins. McLaurin has tremendous speed and has shown good hands and special teams ability. We love him in dynasty formats.
17. NYJ - WR Quincy Enunwa hurt in practice Tuesday
Source: The Associated Press - Dennis Waszak Jr.
New York Jets WR Quincy Enunwa (groin) injured his groin in practice Tuesday, Aug. 6. While the team does not appear to be overly concerned about the injury, Enunwa's status for the preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 8, against the New York Giants is uncertain, according to Dennis Waszak Jr. of The Associated Press.
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The team will be careful with the veteran as he deals with this groin injury. New head coach Adam Gase says that he doesn't want to put Enunwa in the box, so we should see him get more downfield routes than he did in 2018. We could see him catching 45-50 passes this year for the Jets.
18. ARI - WR Andy Isabella back to work
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals WR Andy Isabella (knee) returned to practice Tuesday, Aug. 6.
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Isabella only missed a few days of camp with this knee injury. The rookie from UMASS has speed to burn and is an exciting downfield option for the Cardinals offense. The room is cramped further with the addition of Michael Crabtree on Monday. We'll see how the pecking order shapes up behind starters Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.
19. DET - TE T.J. Hockenson a first-team fixture
Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson has been a constant on the first-team offense since he arrived for the offseason training program, and little has changed in that regard through the first couple weeks of training camp as well, according to Tim Twentyman of the team's website.
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Hockenson is an exciting rookie tight end who can dominate as a blocker and thrive as a receiver in the seam. He's going to be the main man at the tight end position for the Lions with free agent addition Jesse James getting some work here and there. Hockenson has a current ADP of TE12 (11.05) in 12-team PPR leagues.
20. ATL - Kurt Benkert lands on injured reserve
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Atlanta Falcons QB Kurt Benkert (toe) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Aug. 6, ending his season. The Falcons agreed to terms with OL Tommy Doles to take his spot on the roster.
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Benkert looked good in the Hall of Fame Game against the Broncos last week. Now he's done for the 2019 season. The Falcons have Matt Schaub as the primary backup quarterback to Matt Ryan.
21. OAK - TE Darren Waller dealing with sprained AC joint
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal - Michael Gehlken
Updating a previous report, Oakland Raiders TE Darren Waller (shoulder) is getting eased back into practice after suffering a sprained AC joint in his shoulder recently.
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The initial expectation is that he will sit out the team's preseason opener against Los Angeles Rams and see his involvement in practice increase afterward.
22. OAK - TE Darren Waller likely to sit preseason opener
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur
Oakland Raiders TE Darren Waller (shoulder) participated in individual drills during practice Tuesday, Aug. 6, but will not take part in intrasquad scrimmages with the Los Angeles Rams. The Athletic's Ted Nguyen later reported that Waller is not expected to play in the preseason opener against the Rams.
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Waller is set to be the lead tight end for the Raiders in 2019. He's freakishly athletic and has worked his way to this opportunity. We like him as a late-round TE2 sleeper (with upside) for Fantasy GMs in 2019.
23. BUF - RB LeSean McCoy expects to remain the main man
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy told the team's website Tuesday, Aug. 6, that he believes he's still 'the guy' and suggested he has had that opinion reinforced by the coaching staff.
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McCoy doesn't seem to be in danger of being released and his ADP is about as cheap as you'll ever see a lead back go for in fantasy drafts. Rushing scores were tough to come by with Josh Allen at quarterback, but McCoy still fits in a draft plan that foregoes running back in the early rounds.
24. BUF - CB E.J. Gaines out indefinitely
Source: NewYorkUpstate.com - Ryan Talbot
Buffalo Bills CB E.J. Gaines (groin) suffered a groin injury over the weekend that is expected to keep him out of action for 'weeks,' according to head coach Sean McDermott.
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Kevin Johnson and Levi Wallace will battle for the #2 job. Johnson is a former first round pick who is reunited with his old position coach, so the Bills hope he can stay healthy and regain form enough to win the job.
25. PHI - Joe Ostman placed on IR
Source: Philadelphia Daily News - Paul Domowitch
Philadelphia Eagles DE Joe Ostman (knee) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Aug. 6, with what a source says is a torn ACL in his left knee.
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Ostman was having a good camp and was coming on as a pass rusher. This isn't the last we've heard of him.
26. NYJ - S Marcus Maye still on mend
Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Josh Alper
New York Jets S Marcus Maye (shoulder) is dealing with a 'nerve injury' in his shoulder and still recovering on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, head coach Adam Gase said Tuesday, Aug. 6. Maye doesn't figure to play in the Jets' preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 8, and Gase said a return for Week 2 of the preseason is in question as well.
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Gase didn't sound optimistic about the injury. Maye hasn't been able to stay healthy recently and the formation of the dynamic duo with Jamal Adams has been slow to gel because of it. Doug Middleton or Rontez Miles would be the next man up at his position depending on their camp and preseason performances.
27. NYJ - WR Quincy Enunwa dealing with injury
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini
New York Jets WR Quincy Enunwa (groin) left practice early Tuesday, Aug. 6, with a groin injury. Head coach Adam Gase said Enunwa will have tests, but he didn't sound overly concerned about the situation, noting that Enunwa was seeking to return to practice.
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Enunwa got off to a hot start last year but never regained form after he got hurt. He's competing Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder for targets and fantasy relevance, so staying on the field is important for his value.
28. BUF - WR Andre Roberts working with first team
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
Buffalo Bills WR Andre Roberts has been consistently rotated in with the first-team offense along with WRs Cole Beasley, John Brown, Robert Foster and Zay Jones. 'He's done a good job,' head coach Sean McDermott said. 'We've had some injuries there so he is very willingly stepped up and shown what he has.'
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Roberts is a seasoned veteran who mostly stands out with his play on special teams. He's not much of a fantasy factor with that role, but it is interesting to see him get first-team work as a wide receiver.
29. PIT - RB Jaylen Samuels seeing significant role
Source: The Athletic - Mark Kaboly
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels has been filling a 'significant part of the offense' so far during training camp, as the team limits the workload of RB James Conner. Samuels has been lined up at various positions during practices.
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Message! Keep an eye on Samuels and his potentially expanded role during the preseason. He's incredibly versatile as a runner or receiver and is a handcuff for James Conner if you have the bench space. Fantasy GMs are taking Samuels off the board at RB43 (9.09) in 12-team PPR leagues.
30. PIT - WR Diontae Johnson battling injury
Source: Steelers.com - Missi Matthews
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (groin) is nursing a groin injury, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
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We'll see how long this injury bothers the talented rookie. Think of a young Emmanuel Sanders when you think of what Johnson could be in the pros. Johnson will compete with guys like Donte Moncrief and James Washington to establish a pecking order behind JuJu Smith-Schuster.
31. ARI - WR Chad Williams back on field
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals WR Chad Williams (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Aug. 5, after missing around a week because of his injury.
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Williams will be hard pressed to make the Cardinals 53-man roster this year. They added three interesting rookie wide receivers this year (Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, Keesean Johnson) and the Cardinals signed veteran Michael Crabtree on Monday.
32. MIN - TE Kyle Rudolph misses practice
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Chris Tomasson
Minnesota Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Monday, Aug. 5, because of a minor ailment, according to head coach Mike Zimmer.
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It's an unknown injury, so we'll just have to wait and see when the veteran tight end can return.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We take that seriously.
Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the Udpate.
Peace,
J
