Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.
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Sam Darnold to be in camp battle with Baker Mayfield
The Carolina Panthers do not plan on trading QB Sam Darnold, but instead envision him being a part of a training camp battle for the starting position with newly acquired QB Baker Mayfield, says The Athletic’s Joe Person. (Source: Joe Person on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: For the most part, Sam Darnold was off the radar for fantasy football managers. The former first-round pick is currently being drafted as the QB35 according to FantasyPros average draft position after the Panthers’ reclamation project failed last season. Darnold had four touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his final seven starts last year, and the Panthers showed that they were ready to move on, moving a conditional fifth-rounder for another top-pick-turned-castaway. Despite this, the Panthers intend on keeping Darnold on the roster to compete alongside Mayfield, according to Person. Darnold was already a risky option in fantasy, but barring any desperation caused by injuries, he likely won’t be relevant in any fantasy formats this season.
Geno Smith will fight Drew Lock for QB1
The Seattle Seahawks are prepared to ride with QBs Geno Smith and Drew Lock for the 2022 season, focusing on the future at the position, according to Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. (Source: Gregg Bell, The News Tribune)
Fantasy Impact: Smith has not been a long-term starter in the NFL since 2014 when he started 13 games for the New York Jets in his sophomore season. But with QB Russell Wilson in Denver and QB Baker Mayfield in Charlotte, the runway is open for Smith. In four games last season, the former second-round pick completed over 68% of his passes for 702 yards and scored six total touchdowns with two turnovers in relief for Wilson. At age 31, though, Smith is well removed from his rookie season that saw him finish as a low-end QB2 with six rushing touchdowns. He practiced with the first-team offense during OTAs, and coach Pete Carrol said he was “ahead” of Lock, giving Smith an early lead in the QB1 race, but a weak offensive line mixed with a sack-prone quarterback on a team that might start watching Alabama and Ohio State tape a little early is not a recipe for success, even if he wins the starting job. Smith likely won’t be relevant in any non-superflex formats.
Baker Mayfield traded to Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are acquiring former QB Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick, according to multiple reports. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Mayfield has been the subject of trade rumors for several months, and the Panthers were always one of the landing spots that made the most sense. Matt Rhule is coaching for his job in Carolina, and a quarterback room that consisted of Sam Darnold, rookie third-round pick Matt Corral, and P.J. Walker does not inspire confidence. Mayfield is coming off a disappointing 2021 season himself, but he was also playing through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder for much of the year. He’ll step in as the immediate starter for the Panthers, while Jacoby Brissett is the presumed starter for the Browns if Deshaun Watson is suspended before the beginning of the season. Oh, and the Browns play the Panthers in Carolina in Week 1 to kick off the 2022 season.
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