August Risers and Fallers: The Gut Check No. 654

August has given fantasy football GMs a lot to consider. Matt Waldman shares his rankings revisions based on what he's seen.

Matt Waldman's August Risers and Fallers: The Gut Check No. 654 Matt Waldman Published 08/21/2025

© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images August risers and fallers

August Is A Noisy Fantasy Month. 

Finding the signal is difficult, and GMs are often forced to make vital team-building decisions amid the din. Last week, Scouting Academy Director Dan Hatman and I delivered a podcast on how to separate the signal from the noise in training camp and the preseason.

What You Didn't Know about NFL Training Camp and the Preseason is well worth a listen, even if we're more than halfway through August. The difficulty with training camp and the preseason is that what moves the fantasy needle aren't always the most popular or visible points in the media. 

This week, I'm sharing my biggest risers and fallers in my August redraft rankings, and how it may (or may not) change some of my fantasy strategies with drafts and team-building. 

Players are listed in alphabetical order by first name.

August Risers

WR Cooper Kupp, Seahawks

Kupp's rise up my rankings is notable, but he isn't back at a spot associated with his peak production in Los Angeles. Kupp's consensus ADP is 93, and I have him at a value commensurate with an ADP of 50 as WR29 on my board. 

I had a greater devaluation of Kupp when he arrived in Seattle for three reasons: 

  1. I thought Sean McVay regarded Kupp as aging and damaged goods.
  2. Seattle's offensive line is rebuilding, and I needed to see evidence of them getting it right.
  3. Sam Darnold may owe the Vikings' offensive line a massive tip for his late career emergence, and I'm not sold on him this year.

Now that we're in late August, I've had time to watch and learn. McVay and the Rams likely ditched Kupp because the Rams need a primary receiver who can stretch the field vertically and run great timing routes.

There are few with that combination of skills and athletic ability than Davante Adams, who is the same age as Kupp. Puka Nacua is an excellent producer and a good receiver, but he's not the route runner Kupp and Adams are.

Nacua wins on routes that benefit from being paired with top route runners who create matchups in man-to-man and great spacing against zone. Clearly, age wasn't the factor for parting ways with Kupp -- the Rams want more speed to let Nacua roam.

Seattle might be more like the last iteration of the Rams' offense we've recently seen. It will lean on Kupp and Jaxson Smith-Njigba to work underneath space that Tory Horton and Marquez Valdes-Scantling provide over the top, and a ground game that opens the field with play action. 

The Seahawks look like they've found some assets along the interior of their offensive line. Rookie Grey Zabel looks ready to step in at left guard. Right guard Anthony Bradford and center Jalen Sundell have had enough moments that I'm more optimistic in August than I have been this spring. 

I'm not ready to believe this unit will hold up as well in the passing game, but their shortcomings will likely hurt other receivers more than Kupp. It will still hurt Kupp because the Seahawks' line is not on the same level as the one that made life easier for Sam Darnold

Credit Darnold for some excellent production against base pressure and blitzes, but credit Minnesota's quintet more. We still need to see another year of proof that Darnold is a wiser player under pressure, and Seattle's developing line will test him enough for us to find out. 

This is why Kupp isn't in WR2/WR1 territory in my rankings. Still, the early signs of improvement along the line and Kupp's physical health being a non-issue in August have me optimistic that he'll offer weekly fantasy value in many leagues. 

Strategic Shift on Kupp: Instead of viewing Kupp as a potentially half-empty fantasy commodity at his ADP, I'm seeing him as more of a half-full option with a potential for more juice on its way. 

RB Damien Martinez, Seahawks

Kenny McIntosh's August injury paved the way for Martinez to have an easier time earning the No. 3 role. Still, George Holani has long been an underrated runner who could skill push for that spot.

If Martinez wins the job, and I think he will, he's a great fit for this wide zone scheme. Martinez's size, gliding burst, and ability to win dirty inside, where Seattle's line may prove its strongest, make Martinez an excellent redundancy plan for Zach Charbonnet or Ken Walker III. 

Holani offers a little more juice and stop-start movement in space, but Martinez could serve as the Seahawks' load carrier if needed. 

Strategic Shift on Martinez: None. He's higher on my board as of August, but still a priority player to monitor on waivers until there's a potential need to acquire him as a preemptive selection due to a nagging injury with a contributor ahead of him.

WR Dontayvion Wicks, Packers

Wicks benefits from the Packers likely parting ways with Romeo Doubs and Mecole Hardman while also waiting for Christian Watson to regain his health. At this time last August, Wicks was a favorite sleeper. 

Fast-forward to the present, and Wicks is seen as the player who dropped his chance to become a weekly contributor. Funny enough, Wicks still may have one more chance to become the player we hoped he could be last August. 

If he can show reliability with his mitts, Watson could see his opportunity to return to prominence placed on hold. Considering how much the Packers spread the ball around, Wicks could become a viable option. 

Strategic Shift on Wicks: He's now where I had Romeo Doubs. Without significant injuries to the passing game, I'm not going to be bullish on Wicks. Still, it's likely Wicks' ADP doesn't catch up to his value, and that makes him worthwhile in the second half of August drafts. 

TE Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks

A speedster at the tight end position, Arroyo's skills made Noah Fant's game redundant, expensive, and ultimately unnecessary -- even before August arrived. Arroyo has the potential to develop into a good fantasy TE1 if he can develop into an effective one-on-one receiver against man coverage. 

Don't expect this to happen this year. Arroyo will earn some schemed-up plays that feature him as the only option off misdirection at the line of scrimmage.

This will lead to chunk gains and some big weeks, but it's unlikely this translates to weekly fantasy value. A.J. Barner's blocking and stalwart work in the underneath zones will limit Arroyo's ceiling, especially in the red zone. 

Strategic Shift on Arroyo: Arroyo goes from a non-factor to a potential bye-week match-up play. Maybe even a sell-high to a newbie in your league who isn't experienced with which positions have true waiver/trade value.

WR Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers

I've been stubborn about elevating Egbuka this August, because I've seen the hyperbole about Jalen McMillan last year in Tampa. While I thought Egbuka was a better talent than McMillian, I believed Chris Godwin would be ready to begin the season. 

As of the third week of August, Godwin isn't showing any public activity that should lead us to believe he'll be ready to begin the year. We may be looking at Godwin missing the first month of the season. 

Godwin's lack of activity says more to me about Egbuka's fantasy value this year than what coaches and players are saying. After all, if we listened to players, recently signed journeyman WR Juwann Winfree would be a five-year starter at this point.  

Add McMillan's injury to factors with Egbuka, and I'm coming around on the idea that Egbuka will be one of the top two options in the Buccaneers' passing game in September. 

Strategic Shift on Egbuka: Whether Egbuka remains one of the top two options in the Buccaneers' passing game after September is a different story. Godwin was second only to Ja'Marr Chase in fantasy points per game last year. 

If Godwin continues hitting his milestones that coaches and trainers have set for him, I'm still optimistic that he'll return in time to regain his role in the offense. If anything, Egbuka takes a little off the top of Godwin's and Evans' fantasy ceilings and consolidates the mess of WR3-WR6 that Tampa has had in recent years. 

Egbuka is a better flanker than slot at this stage of his career. His August value may be skyrocketing, but I'm still more excited about Godwin's draft-day value sliding than I am about Ebuka becoming the next Puka Nacua of fantasy. 

It might happen, but I'm skeptical.

TE Evan Engram, Broncos

I projected Engram playing 8 games this year. I'm not sure why I arrived at that conclusion. 

Yes, Engram had difficulty staying healthy earlier in his career, but he addressed those concerns in Jacksonville. Maybe I thought a new system might lead to him playing a step slow and getting banged up. 

That could happen, but I'm not projecting that sort of thing. By the time August arrived, I came to my senses. Engram will be no worse than the No. 3 option in an emerging passing offense. 

Strategic Shift on Engram: He's one of the last safe tight ends you take inside the 10th round. Otherwise, I'm rolling with Colston Loveland and Pat Freiermuth as my second-half combo. 

TE Harold Fannin Jr., Browns

This August, Cleveland has been using its rookie with the versatility he offered at Bowling Green. Although the TE2 in the Cleveland offense, there's reason to believe Fannin is more like the team's third or fourth passing-down option. 

With a veteran like Joe Flacco in the starting lineup, we could see him feed Fannin more than we would with a young passer. If Fannin responds to the opportunities, it could be one of those rare times where a team has two viable fantasy tight ends. 

Strategic Shift on Fannin: I have Fannin as TE19 in my rankings. He's a priority free agent based on his talent, the potential to become Flacco's new favorite if David Njoku gets hurt, and there's a path for relevancy as the No. 2 TE in a 2-TE Offense. 

RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders

"Bill" (what he asks people to call him) moves into the range where  I had Brian Robinson Jr at the beginning of August. An Aaron Jones Starter Kit with some advanced features already loaded in the box with updates coming when you plug him into the offense, Croskey-Merritt is a home-run hitter with good cutback skills, contact balance against glancing shots, and promise as something more than a check-down receiver. 

Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are great fantasy options in Week 17 when your starters get rested and you're desperate for touches, but they aren't this year's Jordan Mason or 2023's Kyren Williams. Look for Croskey-Merritt to get fast-tracked into a committee role with August Ekeler, with McNichols and Rodriguez as the September training wheels. 

Strategic Shift on Croskey-Merritt: Now, my RB33 on my board, there are safer plays to consder. Jordan Mason is as easy one behind that Vikings' offensive line. Najee Harris and Zach Charbonnet are others. 

Of coruse, you can have those options and Croskey-Merritt who is currently RB59 but likely rising fast. It means you may be forced to consider him along side the likes of Mason, Jayden Reed, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams, Kahlil Shakir, and J.K. Dobbins

In this range, Croskey-Merritt poses the most risks with rewards that are marginally higher than the receivers and running backs, but not higher than most of these quarterbacks if you waited until now to draft a starting gunslinger. 

I love Croskey-Merritt in dynasty formats, but with the prospect of what I see this August in Washington -- opponents adjusting more to Jayden Daniels, an offensive line that still has much to prove, and Terry McLaurin's stalled negotiations -- I'd rather hope he's closer to RB45 than RB33 when drafting. 

WR Jalen Coker, Panthers

I've yo-yo'd on Coker. Before August, I had Coker as one of the top three receivers. In early August, I read the reports that Coker would be on the roster bubble. Now, I'm back in on Coker because I think he's better at football than Xavier Legette and will become a more reliable option for Bryce Young

The big question is whether the front office will allow it to happen, given the sunk costs already invested in Legette. I'm thinking we'll see the Panthers cut David Moore and try to keep Jimmy Horn Jr., Jr. as a player they can redshirt in some way. 

Strategic Shift on Coker: If I'm right, Coker will very much belong in the range of Wicks, Joshua Palmer, Alec Pierce, and Darius Slayton as viable match-up options with every-week upside. Coker is worth consideration at the end of August drafts because his ADP is unlikely to catch up to the news on him. 

While I'd rather have Calvin Austin III or Tyler Lockett at a similar price, Coker is worth your late-round consideration and a viable free agent to monitor. 

RB Jaydon Blue, Cowboys

Miles Sanders is a mistake-prone backup with starter athletic ability. Javonte Williams is a competent runner in the right system, which wasn't Sean Payton's.

Blue has excellent speed and promising hands. He could develop fast enough to become an aspiring Austin Ekeler clone. 

If Dallas' interior of its offensive line can remain intact, Blue could emerge as the Tony Pollard to Williams' Ezekiel Elliott

Strategic Shift on Blue: He moves up a little more on my list of late-round stabs in August, but the Cowboys' line gives me enough pause that I'd rather consider players I have equal to him who are playing on better teams/organizations. Blake CorumTahj Brooks, and Sean Tucker may not have as easy a time getting on the field as Blue, but they have more stability with their offenses. 

WR Keenan Allen, Chargers

He's home and in an offense that needs a more experienced route runner than Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and a steadier pass-catcher than Quentin JohnstonThere's a lot of talk this August that Allen will spend more time in the slot than Ladd McConkey, and this will "allow" the Chargers to bump McConkey outside. 

This is true to the extent of finding matchups that give McConkey a vertical advantage, but not as the rule of the offense. I'm betting Allen will spend more time at flanker than the slot because these rookies are inexperienced with deciphering coverage, and Allen can play "big" better than McConkey. Allen also wins well off the line, and he'll remain a challenge for better cornerbacks to press. 

Strategic Shift on Allen: The August ADP on Allen is WR55 and likely moving up. I had Allen as WR70, but I've swapped his production with Johnston's, which moves him to WR59. 

RB Nick Chubb, Texans

Beat writers, no matter how good they are at watching practice, have to watch 22 players at once. They have deadlines and rarely study the film of practice, if they even have access. 

Watching a running back between the tackles on weekdays in August is like watching him run through car wash curtains. It's not legitimate tackling. The fronts and disguises are rarely legitimate, either. 

Watching Nick Chubb in practice is also a red herring because his strengths lie in power and subtlety when setting up defenders into blockers. I've had Chubb higher than most this offseason, so this hasn't been an issue for me. 

The real reason Chubb rises is that Joe Mixon's injury likely places him on the PUP list. Mixon likely misses a month, Chubb gets a shot to prove that he has returned to form, and if Chubb proves it, Mixon could be earning 6-8 touches per game as a reserve this year. 

Right now, Mixon isn't even running in public, if at all. This was my concern this spring, and why the addition of Chubb seemed like a strong hedge from the Texans. 

Strategic Shift on Chubb: I'm still waiting for Chubb within 1-2 rounds of his ADP, that is likely rising from RB47. If you can get Chubb in the range of RB26-RB35, I'd pull the trigger.

The Texans offensive line will be the big argument against Chubb, but that didn't stop Mixon from fantasy viability last year. Chubb is leaving boards late enough to take the shot. 

RB Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins

Big, strong, quick, and fast, Gordon looks the part, but only plays the part in a gap-heavy run scheme. It's no coincidence Miami runs this scheme a lot, and Mike McDaniel creates opportunities for backs to run through more open space than a country road in rural Montana. 

Jaylen Wright hasn't blown anyone away this August, but remember what Kyle Shanahan says about not knowing what they really have with runners until the games are real. The biggest reason Gordon has moved up is the injury to Alexander Mattison, who was having a strong offseason.

Strategic Shift on Gordon: The scheme fit makes Gordon worth late-round consideration in leagues with 20 rounds, but I'd still rather make him a preemptive target in free agency. 

WR Ricky Pearsall, 49ers

I've valued Pearsall as a dynasty buy. I've been wary of being too high on Pearsall early in his career due to the 49ers' system and Shanahan's tendency to be tough on young receivers. 

Brandon Aiyuk may be a year away from returning to true relevancy. Jauan Jennings wants to be "the guy," but he's more likely an excellent third receiver trying to get paid like he's something more. We need Jennings to win one-on-one more often against man-to-man coverage between the 20s before I'm buying what he's been selling this August. 

Pearsall has the athletic gifts to be on Aiyuk's level as a top-two option. Now that Brock Purdy is telling the media about their easy rapport, I'm buying in more often. 

There's a chance that before August is over, I'll have Pearsall projected for 900-1,000 yards, but I'm holding onto him at around 800 yards for now. 

Strategic Shift on Pearsall: As of the third week of August, I have Pearsall at the bottom of my fifth tier of WRs, which includes many promising producers who are likely the second or third options in their passing games. Pearsall, Jennings, and Matthew Golden are neck-and-neck. 

If I tweak Pearsall to that range of 900-1,000 yards and add 1-2 scores to his projected value, he could be at the top of the tier alongside Rome Odunze, Jordan Addison, George Pickens, D.J. Moore, and Travis Hunter.

WR Troy Franklin, Broncos

Cecil Lammey has been telling the staff and Broncos listeners that Franklin will be the No. 2 wide receiver in this offense. Lammey notes it means, as of August, Franklin will be the third or fourth option in the passing game behind Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram

Sean Payton told the media that "it's happening" for Franklin. Fantasy writers like to equate Payton's August reports to wild bedtime stories, and for good reason. 

While I cannot give specifics, Payton's description of "it's happening" encompasses more than what he has been seeing on the field. Franklin entered the league with legitimate starter talent. 

Consistency and a professional approach to work have been the bigger challenges. I'm not talking about Jermaine Burton's rookie brand of unprofessionalism, either.

Burton is a player we're rooting for his maturity to take root. In contrast, I'll just say that Franklin is a player we'd always be rooting for.

Strategic Shift on Franklin: Franklin is even with Christian Kirk in my rankings. With Devaugh Vele gone,  Franklin could be the big-play option in this offense via yards after the catch and the deep game. 

If there's an injury to Evan Engram or Courtland Sutton, Franklin could find himself well inside the top-48 receivers as a producer.  

RB Tank Bigsby, Jaguars

On paper, Bigsby looks like a sweet August deal. The Jaguars have a lot of emerging skill talent on a team with a head coach who has been successful as a coordinator with the Rams and Buccaneers. 

Bigsby has redeeming qualities as a runner and receiver who can carry enough of a load to deliver fantasy value as an RB2. He also has Travis Etienne Jr., Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr., and Kevin Harris on the depth chart. 

Tuten is the most talented, but Bigsby moved up my board because I think I could run through a pack of pitbulls with a greased watermelon with better ball security than Tuten at the moment.

The rest of the options are components of one good back: Etienne excels in space, Allen excels as an outlet receiver, and Harris is a competent all-around running back whose talent in his prime was along the lines of Bigsby's skill level. 

The Jaguars' offensive line is a legitimate question mark in August. So is the defense and the game scripts that won't favor Bigsby.

Then there is Liam Coen's experience level in handling the duties of a head coach. Look for a hot start and a significant dip in play at midseason. Let's hope they can pull out of the tailspin.

Strategic shift for Bigsby: If I'm stuck with Bigsby, I'm satisfied that I'll get some competent production from him early, but I'll be looking for replacements. At Bigsby's current range, I'd rather be looking at a receiver or a second quarterback. Maybe even a second tight end with a legitimate top-five ceiling. 

RB Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

You've probably noticed that I've revised a number of Seattle players in August. The Seahawks offense is the unit that had the most question marks heading into the preseason. 

While I don't have satisfactory answers for many of the players, Charbonnet has become an RB target I like because he has legitimate top-15 positional value if Ken Walker III can't stay healthy and a top-48 positional floor if Walker remains the starter. 

Strategic Shift for Charbonnet: None. Although Charbonnet has moved up my board, he was a priority pick as a backup with starter upside, and I ranked him above some committee backs who may have had more perceived value.

August Fallers

WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers

Godwin is among the most underrated total packages at wide receiver of the past 15-20 years. After delivering elite points-per-game prowess last year, my enthusiasm for 2025 was sky-high despite his dislocated ankle. 

Now that we're three weeks into August and Godwin isn't doing any physical work during practice, and there's legitimate speculation Godwin will miss the first month of the season, I can't keep him in my rankings as a high-end outlier. 

I'm still optimistic that Godwin will return to action and play at a high level, because the staff has been telling the media that Godwin has been hitting his recovery milestones on time. Once Godwin returns, he'll be in the slot, and Emeka Egbuka will spend more time at flanker. 

Strategic Shift for Godwin: I have Godwin and Egbuka almost even as the second/third receivers in the offense when projecting their production. Godwin's August ADP is currently WR41, and I have Godwin at WR42. 

If Godwin performs to my expectation, his WR42 ranking will likely translate to top-24 fantasy production for the games he plays. 

WR Jauan Jennings 49ers

Jennings is a physical player who wins contested targets against tight coverage at the catch point and finds openings with routes against zone coverage. Think of him as a junior Brandon Marshall with one vital factor that's missing: Jennings doesn't beat man-to-man coverage between the 20s. 

Tight coverage at the catch point and tight coverage throughout the span of the route are different things. Jennings isn't that type of receiver. He wants to prove that he is, but the 49ers aren't buying -- at least not with August contract negotiations.  

Ricky Pearsall is that type of receiver. So is a healthy Brandon Aiyuk. So is George Kittle

It doesn't render Jennings to the back of the depth chart in 2025, but Jennings' 975-yard campaign in 2024 is likely closer to his career ceiling than his floor. Expect production around that figure from 2024 unless Pearsall and/or Kittle can't stay healthy.

Strategic Shift for Jennings: Jennings is the third or fourth option in a prolific 49ers passing game at this point in August. Is that better than Calvin Austin IIIDeMario Douglas, or Christian Kirk as potential No. 2 options in their offenses?

Possibly, and that's how I've projected it if you're viewing them at face value. If you're seeking similar production with greater ceilings, I think Austin and Kirk have significantly higher ceilings. 

RB Joe Mixon, Texans

When Mixon was still in a boot in May for what was initially described as a straightforward recovery for a December ankle injury, I got suspicious. When Nick Chubb turned down more lucrative offers to join Houston, I jumped on board. 

Now that we're in August and little has changed with Mixon -- he's not even running -- I'm glad I did. 

I'm a huge fan of Chubb's game, but my reaction has more to do with what Chubb's decision tells us about Mixon. Chubb could have taken more money as a backup elsewhere behind an entrenched starter. 

Chubb wants to prove he's back. That's his mentality.

Mixon's weird injury timeline is a likely indication that, no matter what the Texans are telling us, they were merely hoping Mixon would recover by summer. When there was little change for Mixon, it scared Houston enough to bring in a veteran with Chubb's ability as a hedge. 

Strategic Shift for Mixon: I'm banking on Mixon to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. I'm betting Mixon either misses more or it takes him another 6-8 weeks after returning to feel right. 

Chubb has told us in August that he feels better than he has in years. If that's still the case in mid-October, Mixon might only be earning 6-8 carries a week because Chubb is the superior runner -- and that's saying something because Mixon is a legit talent.  

I'd rather add Mixon from the waiver wire after a team drops him than clog up my roster with him for 4-6 weeks, hoping he returns to form and his starting role immediately. 

RB Ken Walker III Seahawks

I have zero doubts about Walker's talent or his fit in the Klint Kubiak scheme. I have doubts that the Seattle staff has faith in his physical reliability to remain healthy and handle a large workload. 

Zach Charbonnet doesn't carry these doubts with his resume, even if the reason he has no doubts has to do with him being bigger. It's not like he has proven he can withstand an NFL workload throughout the year. 

Still, the best solution is likely a committee, and I've given more of Walker's workload to Charbonnet after watching what's happening in August.  

Strategic Shift for Walker: He's one of the biggest risk-rewards in the early rounds of drafts because if he can stay healthy and the Seahawks' offensive front clicks, Walker could emerge as the big winner with volume and production. As of August, it's looking less and less likely it will happen.

The team seems resigned to using a committee, which makes Charbonnet the better draft-day value, even if he's not the superior talent. 

WR Romeo Doubs, Packers

Talk about case studies for why you don't allow beat writers and fantasy analysts to seduce you over training camp reports. Doubs hasn't been a fantasy starter his entire career, yet by August of his rookie year, the herd of analysts touting him was massive. 

At Nevada, Doubs had starter value as an athlete and technician with his routes. He looked like a reserve at the catch point and with conceptual feel for reading coverage. 

As of August, the Packers have had zero success with trading Doubs. Teams are waiting for Green Bay to cut Doubs.

Expect a desperate team to scoop up Dobbs and make him a starter within weeks of his addition. Also expect Doubs to generate disappointing returns if you're expecting fantasy starter production, because he won't have enough time to learn the offense and be on the same page as his quarterback -- a quarterback likely not as accomplished as Jordan Love

Strategic Shift on Doubs: You can get points from Doubs as a low-end match-up play with a high ceiling when he catches a deep shot or two. He's not worth clogging your roster in August and September for the likely results. 

August Doubts: Quick Hits on Players Where I Wonder If I'm Too Low

QB Michael Penix Jr., Falcons: I thought he was the second-best QB talent in last year's class. He has the best arm, excellent pocket movement, a good offensive line and ground game, and talent that wins when thrown open. Throwing receivers open is one of Penix's best traits. I want him as my QB2 in August drafts.

QB Caleb Williams, Bears: Williams has left the board 2-3 picks away from me in every draft I've done. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm underestimate the volume Williams will earn.

I have him at 565 attempts, which is in the sweet spot for the Lions' offense and 1 more than Williams had last year. If I gave him 20-30 more, another 180-220 yards, and 1-2 more scores, that's another 15-17 fantasy points that would place him in the QB9-QB11 range in August. I'll bet in December that I wish I did it. 

RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts: My RB10, if I were going simply off Taylor's talent, he'd be RB4. The cognitive dissonance of his skills and his surrounding talent bugs me. If the line plays better and stays healthy, Taylor is probably closer to RB7-RB8. It's not enough for me to change in August. 

RB Alvin Kamara, Saints: Kamara is maybe an even bigger case of cognitive dissonance between his talent and his surrounding talent. 

TE Mark Andrews, Ravens: Am I overstating the connection I believe will be there in the red zone with Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins? Or, am I underestimating what Jackson can do in his second year in Todd Monken's offense and giving Andrews short shift as TE10?

TE Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons: If the Falcons let Pitts be an outside receiver who wins targets that throw him open, which means they let Michael Penix Jr. do what he does well, this could finally be the match Pitts needed to reach his fantasy season. 

Final Thought

If the Bills don't let Dalton Kincaid's best assets out of jail, we need Atlanta and Penix to bust him out if Pitts doesn't work.  

Good luck. 

 

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