We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most for you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all of the recent happenings around the league.
Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor has played enough snaps (greater than 50% of his team's total) to trigger a clause in his contract to void the three-year deal after the 2016 season. The onus will be on the Bills to extend the contract before the end of next season. Considering this is Taylor's first extended stint as a NFL starter, he has played well … and improved over the season. We expect his maturation to continue with an offseason getting the starter's reps in practice. Sure, the team may want to make Taylor prove it with a strong 2016 season before giving him a new deal. But, there is a chance he would then walk in free agency or the team would be forced to use the dreaded – and expensive – franchise tag. General Manager Doug Whaley was given an opportunity to endorse his quarterback, in a recent Sports Illustrated article, but the general manager threw shade on the best quarterback Buffalo has had under center in several years. Whaley said, "Let’s put it this way … He’s shown us enough that we can obviously keep trying with him. But it won’t preclude us from going out and protecting ourselves [if] he’s not." Taylor has plenty of areas to improve, but he is better than at least ten other NFL starters. Whaley should remember that he was the decision-maker for the EJ Manuel draft pick and hope everyone else forgets. His seat is already warm after several missed drafted picks and free agency signings.
Bad news for fans and fantasy owners. The Washington Post had a report earlier in the week saying that the team will try to keep quarterback Kirk Cousins, even if it means applying the franchise tag this offseason. That would be a hefty cost for Washington since the tag will be somewhere around $19 million. What a pretty penny to pay for average quarterback play. Cousins does fit coach Jay Gruden's system. But, considering that even mediocre passers are commanding $15 million a season, Cousins has a great opportunity to cash in this coming offseason, especially if he wins a playoff game.
The Patriots are playing at a high level, even with all of the injuries. The running back position has been especially hit hard. First, it was the play-making Dion Lewis who was lost for the season. Then, last week, it was LeGarrette Blount who was placed on Injured Reserve with a hip injury. Blount served a vital role for New England, picking up tough yards between the tackles. On Monday, veteran Steven Jackson was signed off the street after being unrostered since last season. Now, he, Branden Bolden, and James White are left to try to give balance to the Patriots offense.
The tenure of Calvin Johnson in Detroit could be coming to a close after the 2015 season. Yes, many expected the superstar receiver to finish his career with the Lions. But, let's consider that Johnson is owed $24 million (roughly 1/6th of the salary cap) and will be 31 years of age at that time. Sure, the team could cut Johnson and save almost half of that amount, but that is not desirable, either. The high salary will prevent a trade as well. So, Johnson holds all of the cards. Will he re-negotiate his contract to stay in Detroit or force the Lions' hand? Should be interesting to watch the situation play out.
There was good news out of Cleveland that suspended receiver Josh Gordon is doing “outstanding” according to beat reporter May Kay Cabot. Further, Gordon is eligible to apply for reinstatement on February 3, 2016. He could have his dynasty value vault after being welcomed back into the NFL. Gordon will only be 24 years old at the time of his reinstatement. We are rooting for him to succeed in his comeback to the league and in life. Also, this news means that now is a great time to make a middling offer for Gordon in dynasty leagues.
Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson was having a rejuvenated season with Atlanta after failing in Washington. He was place on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury by the Falcons, and later released completely. Well, the savvy Patriots saw an opportunity and claimed Hankerson. Due to the worst-to-first claim order, this means than most – if not all – other NFL teams passed on Hankerson. This claim was a strong indication that Hankerson is almost recovered from the hamstring injury, and could provide depth to a depleted New England receiving corps. Ian Rapoport gave his Twitter take on the situation early Sunday morning, “How did Leonard Hankerson land on #Patriots? He told #Falcons he was healthy, asked to be cut off IR. They agreed to waive him & NE claimed.” Also, for Atlanta to be willing to part with Hankerson has to show how little the team thinks of the veteran. We do know the team likes rookie Justin Hardy.
With Josh Gordon trending up to get back on the football field, there is another suspended receiver trending in the opposite direction. Justin Blackmon, already on indefinite suspension, was arrested Saturday in his hometown of Ardmore, Oklahoma for DUI (Driving Under the Influence). There is little to no hope of the once studly Blackmon getting back on to a NFL roster.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.