Join the Footballguys Daily Update
Start your morning with our roundup of the most important stories in football - with the fantasy insight you need to make league-winning decisions. Delivered straight to your inbox, 100% free.
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.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to bring the third overall pick, Blake Bortles, along slowly. It was even reported that the team wants him to “redshirt” the entire season. To that point, Bortles has yet to take first-team snaps since being drafted. After a strong showing this past weekend, Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley said Bortles will get first-team reps this preseason, just not immediately. It appears as though Chad Henne will start the season under center. The question is not whether Bortles is better than Henne. It is why start Bortles until he is ready? Jacksonville has a middle-of-the-road offensive line and two rookie receivers. Why rush Bortles until the situation is right?
Even after the horrendous showing by quarterback Matt Schaub, Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen said the team has no plans to increase rookie Derek Carr's first-team reps in practice this week. It is only a matter of time. Carr was far from stellar, but Schaub was horrible. Allen said, "I was not displeased with Matt Schaub’s performance. We obviously need to play better. We need to be more consistent, but I thought there were some things we can build on." It is only a matter of time until we see the rookie start games. A few more games from Schaub and the coach's seat might be red hot.
The Patriots may have a player in rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He played the entire second half against the Redskins reserves, but looked very good. Garoppolo was a second round pick in May's NFL Draft, and is the next in line for New England to groom behind Tom Brady. The rookie looked much better than Ryan Mallett. Mallett is in the last year of his rookie contract so the Patriots want a strong contingency plan behind the franchise passer. Garoppolo looked so much better than Mallett that the trade rumors for Mallett's services began swirling again. It is even thought that New England is making sure the trade winds howl extra loudly in hopes of selling Mallett.
A sad end to a once-bright career, the New York Giants placed tailback David Wilson on injured reserve, ending his season … and his career. Wilson has battled neck injuries since early last season and many were hopeful this time would have a different ending. It was all for naught as Wilson took a hit and felt numbness in his extremities. The situation was enough that Wilson's surgeon advised against playing again. This is it for the Giants running back's playing career.
On Monday, Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis revealed that wide receiver Marvin Jones will be sidelined a "few weeks" with a broken left foot. Jones could miss up to the first half of the NFL season. Mohamed Sanu is a player to pick up off the waiver wire if available. He could provide WR3/flex production with Jones out of the lineup.
Troubled Jacksonville Jaguar receiver Justin Blackmon can apply for reinstatement after November 1, 2014. The organization brass has already came out and said “we are not counting on him” but this opportunity to be reinstated may give Blackmon enough reason to begin making better decisions. His July arrest for marijuana cannot be looked upon favorably by the commissioner's office.
It was not surprise last week when the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Packers rookie receiver Davante Adams "might turn out to be best in the slot." Adams is not a speedster, but very strong after the catch and possesses sure hands. Contrary to other systems, the slot receiver in Green Bay is actually a fantasy-plus position in the Packers offense. Adams will have a rough season adjusting to the offense, but has high upside. Dynasty owners are urged to exercise patience.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted last week that the Kenny Britt love coming from Rams training camp is "very real." Let's rewind the clock a little. Britt was an up-and-coming superstar wide receiver when now-St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher was in Tennessee. Britt was hurt and made some poor off-the-field decisions in Tennessee and was looking like a NFL bust. After his Titans contract was up, Britt joined Fisher in St. Louis. Rapoport even was told that Britt has been a leader for his new team. Britt is still just 25 years of age after being drafted at the age of 20. Jason La Canfora went as far to say that the receiver "seems like a changed man" after visiting the Rams camp last week. While many are still discounting Britt's ability on – and off – the field, this may be a good time to acquire the play-making receiver in dynasty leagues.
The Oakland Raiders wide receiving corps might be a potential value spot for fantasy owners, once Derek Carr gets under center. The team signed James Jones from Green Bay in free agency. He was added to the mix of Denarius Moore, Rod Streater, and Andre Holmes, among others. Even Greg Little was signed after getting released by the Cleveland Browns. Beat writer Paul Gutierrez stated he thinks Moore is on the roster bubble. This would be a surprise after the promise showed earlier in his career. But, keep in mind that the new regime has yet to get behind Moore. If this continues, a trade to Cleveland might be in order. It has been Holmes who has shined in camp. Many might remember him breaking out against the Dallas Cowboys last Thanksgiving. All of the buzz coming out of the camp is on the side of Holmes. This is a fluid situation with more to come.
Beat writer James Walker recently stated Miami Dolphins rookie receiver Jarvis Landry has been the "biggest rookie standout" at training camp. Walker said Landry has shown "strong hands, solid routes and toughness." While many discounted Landry for a slow 40-yard dash, he excels in other areas. Landry plays a little like Anquan Boldin, a player who runs good routes, reliably catches the ball, and is a strong blocker for the running game.
Buffalo Bills receiver Mike Williams has started over Robert Woods in Buffalo's first two preseason games. Williams was acquired via trade earlier in the offseason, and it is good to see him putting his career back on track. Tampa Bay had almost given up on Williams, so he received a new start in Buffalo. Woods is talented so this may be more of a temporary change, although something for dynasty owners to consider. Bills head coach Doug Marrone may have divulged the reason for Woods' demotion to the second team when he said Woods needs to play "more with a chip on his shoulder." If you are a believer in Woods, this situations may allow you to buy him on the cheap. The quarterback situation in Buffalo will inhibit either pass catcher from having a big season.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan disclosed rookie receiver Shaq Evans has a significant shoulder injury and could be placed on injury reserve very soon. Evans was raw enough coming out of UCLA that a season to work on his skills might be a good thing for his career.
The buzz out of Carolina Panthers training camp has been around receiver Tavarres King. For those unfamiliar with King, the Denver Broncos selected him in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but he could not crack the 53-man roster and found a job in Carolina. King is already playing as the team's fourth receiver. He adds a speed element that Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant cannot at this time in their respective careers. As long as King can continue to develop his wide receiver skills, his role will increase.
After David Ausberry went under the knife to remedy a knee injury, Mychal Rivera was thrust into the starting lineup. The coaching staff has raved about the progress Rivera has showed in training camp so Ausberry's knee injury opened the door. While undersized for a tight end, Rivera is fast and athletic.
Even after the great performance in week one of the preseason, beat reporter Adam Teicher said Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce is unlikely to surpass Anthony Fasano as the team's starting tight end. Coach Andy Reid likes Fasano's blocking and will keep him in the lineup for that reason alone. However, it is only a matter of time until the talent-deprived receiving corps needs Kelce on the field more often.
Many trumpeted the Baltimore signing of tight end Owen Daniels, following coach Kubiak. But, he should not be counted upon. Beat reporter Jamison Hensley reported Daniels "has no burst getting off the line" … a bad omen for a tight end known more for his receiving than blocking. Dynasty owners should take this tidbit of news as Dennis Pitta's job is very safe. Also, keep an eye on rookie Crockett Gillmore, a third round pick buried on the depth chart. If Daniels is not able to contribute, he may not make the team, leaving the TE2 job open for Gilmore.
Injuries to monitor this week:
Tony Romo: Back
Arian Foster: Hamstring
Montee Ball: Appendectomy
Ahmad Bradshaw: Neck
Marcus Lattimore: Knee, Hamstring
LaMichael James: Knee
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Andre Johnson: Hamstring
Michael Crabtree: Hamstring
Allen Robinson: Hamstring
Cecil Shorts: Hamstring
Aaron Dobson: Foot
Riley Cooper: Foot
Rob Gronkowski: Knee
Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
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.