While speaking with reporters Tuesday, Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel said “I know his expectations are to play week 1” while speaking about RB Raheem Mostert and his rehabilitation progress after knee surgery. (Source: NFL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Mostert, who has a long list of injuries in his NFL career, played in only part of one game last season before injuring cartilage in his knee. The injury forced Mostert to miss the remainder of the season and the 30-year-old RB has still not fully recovered. Mostert signed with the Dolphins earlier this offseason and he will share the backfield with fellow Miami newcomers Chase Edmonds and Sony Michel. McDaniel runs a fantasy-friendly offense for RBs, but the expectation is that the team will utilize a RB committee approach in 2022. Mostert has produced big fantasy performances in the past while working in a committee, but those games have been difficult to predict or see coming. Mostert isn’t likely going to be a player who is a consistent fantasy producer from week to week, but he does offer spike game potential, making him more valuable in best ball leagues than in other formats.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said Tuesday that WR Chris Godwin is “better than where he was but not where he needs to be” in regards to his ACL recovery. (Source: Pro Football Talk)
Fantasy Impact: Godwin tore his ACL in a week 15 matchup against the New Orleans Saints last season. Godwin has been a highly sought-after fantasy asset since his 2019 season when he finished as the WR2 in PPR formats. His fantasy value has taken a slight dip over the past two seasons, as he had been competing for targets with teammates Mike Evans and Antonio Brown, but he has still consistently functioned as a high-end WR2. Brown is out of the picture, but the Bucs signed former Atlanta Falcons WR Russell Gage earlier this offseason to help fortify the teams receiving corps. If Godwin does miss early season games, Evans and Gage will receive a boost in fantasy value with one less mouth to feed in the Bucs’ passing offense.
Tennessee Titans team reporter Jim Wyatt reports that rookie QB Malik Willis isn’t believed to be in a QB competition with veteran Ryan Tannehill in 2022. (Source: Jim Wyatt, Tennessee Titans team reporter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Wyatt, Tannehill is believed to be the unquestioned starting QB for the Titans despite offseason speculation that his job could be in jeopardy after a three-interception performance in the 2021 playoffs. Willis is a gifted athlete but he is raw as a quarterback prospect, so it makes sense that the Titans would want him to further develop before seeing game action. Barring an injury to Tannehill, Willis won’t have any fantasy value in redraft leagues, but he remains a high-risk, high-reward investment in dynasty leagues. Willis has the physical traits and playing style to become a fantasy superstar if he ever develops into a starter, but the hit rate on 3rd round QBs for fantasy purposes isn’t a promising one. Since 2010 there have been 14 QBs drafted in the 3rd round. Of those 14 QBs, only one has provided any kind of fantasy relevance (7.1% hit rate). That lone player was superstar QB Russell Wilson.
Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore stated that rookie WR Jalen Tolbert is “awesome” and that “he’s going to be a really good addition” to the team. (Source: Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Impact: Tolbert has received high praise from HC Mike McCarthy and OC Kellen Moore recently, and he may be a name that fantasy managers want to familiarize themselves with as we enter fantasy draft season. Tolbert, who was a 3rd-round pick in last month's NFL Draft, is a 6’3” wide out with high-end speed and he was dominant at Southern Alabama, producing 1,474 receiving yards and 8 TDs in 2021. Tolbert could be in line for a big role early on with Amari Cooper out of the picture and Michael Gallup still recovering from a torn ACL. Tolbert is the current favorite to be CeeDee Lamb’s sidekick in 2022, which can be a valuable role in Dallas’ high-powered offense.
Fri, May 13th 3:47pm EDT
By Sam Ryner
According to Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior writer Scott Smith, Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles says that RB Leonard Fournette is the starter in the team's backfield, while rookie RB Rachaad White will compete with Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Gio Bernard to “carve out” a complimentary role. (Source: Scott Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior writer)
Fantasy Impact: This is welcomed news for Fournette dynasty managers, as the addition of former Arizona State RB Rachaad White via last month's NFL Draft caused some speculation that Fournette may lose the true workhorse role that he had in 2021. Fournette finished as the RB6 in PPR formats last season largely due to the healthy volume of touches he received on the ground and through the air instead of through efficiency. White is a smooth pass-catching back who is tough to hit in space, and he offers upside as a rusher at the NFL level. If Bowles’ comments come to fruition, White isn’t likely to have a huge fantasy impact as a rookie in 2022, but he will be sought after in dynasty leagues with Fournette only being under contract for next season.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that WR Antonio Callaway has been invited to try out for the Colts at the team's minicamp. (Source: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
Fantasy Impact: Callaway, a 4th round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has spent time with the Browns, Dolphins, and most recently the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers. Callaway hasn’t been able to hold onto a starting WR spot during his NFL career, but he has been able to contribute as a return specialist. If the Colts were to sign him, he would join a WR room that includes Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Paris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, and Keke Coutee. Barring an unexpected change in career trajectory, Callaway doesn’t offer any fantasy relevance to fantasy managers.
Tue, May 10th 1:05pm EDT
By Mike Maher
On Tuesday morning, FOX Sports announced that Tom Brady will join the network as its lead analyst immediately following his playing career. Now, Andrew Marchand is reporting that Brady's deal is for a whopping 10 years and $375 million. (Source: Andrew Marchand, New York Post)
Fantasy Impact: Brady retired this offseason only to unretire a few weeks later, so it always seemed likely that 2022 would be his final season. Now that he has the most lucrative broadcasting deal in sports history waiting for him when he calls it quits, it would seem to be a near-lock that he's done playing after this season. Stranger things have happened, especially in the NFL, but Brady should only be considered in redraft leagues and by managers with win-now rosters in dynasty formats.
Speaking on “The Rich Eisen Show”, New Orleans Saints HC Dennis Allen stated that the team plans to have QB Jameis Winston under center and ready to play for the season opener and that they “like where he’s at right now” in terms of his recovery from a torn ACL. (Source: NFL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Winston tore his ACL last season in a Week 8 matchup against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before the injury, Winston was having the most efficient year of his career having thrown 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions in less than 6 1/2 games. Winston has struggled with decision-making throughout his career which has resulted in huge interception totals. He sat behind Drew Brees during the 2020 season and appeared to learn quite a bit from the future Hall of Famer. Winston stated in 2020 that the Saints QB room was “like Harvard education in quarterback school.” Winston should have an improved supporting cast of skill position players next season with Michael Thomas returning from injury and the Saints investing a 1st round pick in former Ohio State WR Chris Olave. If Winston can continue to limit mistakes he should be a safe bet to produce QB2 numbers during the 2022 season.
The Chiefs and first-round draft pick DE George Karlaftis have agreed to terms on a four-year, fully-guaranteed deal. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Karlaftis is a pressure-first defensive end who struggles against the run but is prolific at attacking quarterbacks. He is projected to start immediately for the Chiefs, a team that finished eighth in overall defense last season.
The Chargers are meeting with LB Kyle Van Noy today, and sources say that if all goes well, he will most likely sign with them. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The 31-year-old outside linebacker has played nine years in the NFL for New England, Detroit, and Miami. In that time, he has collected three interceptions, 10 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 28.5 sacks.
Zach Berman of The Athletic writes that Philadelphia Eagles WR Jalen Reagor remains a potential trade candidate after the team has added multiple WRs this offseason. (Source: Zach Berman, The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Eagles GM Howie Roseman has stated that the team plans to keep Reagor on the roster, but recent additions via the draft and free agency have buried Reagor on the Eagles depth chart. Reagor was a 1st round pick for the Eagles in the 2020 NFL draft and he has struggled to find any type of consistency on the field during the first two years of his career. As the current depth chart stands, Reagor would likely enter training camp in competition for the last WR spot on the roster with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and Zach Pascal ahead of him on the depth chart. If the Eagles can find another team that is intrigued by Reagor’s potential upside then it appears he could be another WR who’s on the move this offseason.
The New Orleans Saints are expected to resume talks with free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Saints are now thin at the safety position, having Marcus Williams leave in free agency and Malcom Jenkins retire this offseason. They failed to land a safety in the draft, and it appears they are now setting their sights back on Mathieu and will make an aggressive push to sign him. The veteran safety would help fill the gap in the Saints' defense and bring good veteran leadership.
Steelers first-round QB Kenny Pickett will have a chance to compete and earn the starter job for Week 1. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin added that they think he 'came ready made' and is a polished prospect. The team brought in Mitch Trubisky on a two-year deal this offseason, but he by no means is guaranteed the starter spot. The fantasy values of players like Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool will be heavily dependent on who wins the starting job in Pittsburgh.
The Indianapolis Colts have selected WR Alec Pierce with the No. 53 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. (Source: ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Pierce was an early producer at Cincinnati, contributing as a three-year starter who brought great size, speed, and ball skills to the Cincinnati’s passing attack. Pierce is a downfield threat who tracks the ball well and has excelled in contested catch situations. Pierce contributed 884 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns to Cincinnati’s College Football Playoff run in 2021. Pierce will pair up with Matt Ryan and Michael Pittman in the new-look Colts’ passing offense.
Browns QB Baker Mayfield could possibly be traded to the Carolina Panthers as soon as Friday or the weekend. (Source: Kimberley Martin on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: There have been rumors circulating this offseason that the Panthers want to trade for Mayfield, and those rumors have been amplified since the Panthers didn't use their top pick in the draft on a quarterback. It's possible that he is traded in the very near future, and that would have a pretty notable impact on guys like DJ Moore and Christian McCaffrey.
Sam Darnold was informed by Scott Fitterer, the GM of the Panthers, that the team could add a quarterback, according to Adam Schefter. (Source: Adam Schefter of ESPN on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Darnold is currently the top-listed quarterback on the depth chart, but the team has been rumored to be interested in adding a quarterback all offseason. What the team does at quarterback will be worth monitoring during the draft.
Aaron Nagler of CheeseheadTV, citing multiple league sources, reported Monday that Las Vegas and Green Bay have engaged in trade talks that could potentially send star TE Darren Waller to the Packers. (Source: Aaron Nagler, CheeseheadTV)
Fantasy Impact: Waller, who has been viewed as a top-3 fantasy TE for the past three seasons, has seen his fantasy value drop to the mid-TE1 range after an injury riddled 2021 season and the Raiders blockbuster trade to acquire superstar WR Davante Adams earlier this off-season. The Davante Adams trade had a massive fantasy football ripple effect, which ultimately only helped Derek Carr’s fantasy stock while hurting the stock of Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Darren Waller. The Raiders and Packers agreeing on a deal that would ship Waller off to Green Bay would again have a massive fantasy impact. Rodgers is known for hyper-targeting his best receiving options and ignoring his secondary targets, so if Waller could gain his trust, he could see an enormous target share at the TE position. In Las Vegas, Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow would get a stock bump with one less mouth to feed in the Raiders passing offense.
