Studs and Duds: Week 2

Mon Sep 20 8:42am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Henry scores three touchdowns


Fantasy scores weren’t nearly as high this week. There were some big performances in fantasy land, but for the most part, teams had a few struggles to score some points. The huge games were a lot more hit or miss. Hopefully, things turned out well for you in Week 2, taking advantage of the players that did score big this week.

Washington 30, Giants 29

Fantasy Stud: Terry McLaurin. McLaurin was the favorite target of new quarterback Taylor Heinicke. He had 11 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown, posting his best numbers of the young season. McLaurin continues to prove he can produce no matter who is starting at quarterback for him. He has a chance to be a legit WR1 for fantasy teams this year. 

Fantasy Dud: Saquon Barkley. The good news is Barkley played more and produced some in a tough matchup. Unfortunately, he did not top double-digit fantasy points for the second straight game. He ran 13 times for 57 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He also caught two passes for 12 yards. Barkley seems to be rounding into form, though, and might be ready to go off sometime in the near future.

Game Notes: Daniel Jones had a great game, leading the Giants in passing and rushing. He was 22-of-32 for 249 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran nine times for 95 yards and a score. Jones has at least 26 fantasy points each of his two games.

Taylor Heinicke was pretty sharp in his first start of the season. He was 34-of-46 for 336 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He moved the offense well and led the team to 30 points.

Bears 20, Bengals 17

Fantasy Stud: Tee Higgins. There was not a ton of offense in this one but Higgins was a bright spot. He had six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. Higgins has touchdowns each of his first two games and at least four receptions in each of those games. Higgins is going to have a big season in what is looking like a very good Bengals pass attack. 

Fantasy Dud: Joe Mixon. Mixon got the work in this one but didn’t do much with all his touches. He ran 20 times for just 69 yards and caught just a pass for two yards. It was a very disappointing showing after a huge start to his season. The good news is he got a lot of touches once again.

Game Notes: Andy Dalton left the game early with a knee injury. He was 9-of-10 for 56 yards and a touchdown without an interception before leaving. Justin Fields played in relief and had some struggles. He was 6-of-13 for 60 yards with an interception. The job might be Fields going forward, though. Stay tuned.

Joe Burrow was intercepted three times in the game. He was 19-of-30 for 207 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. Burrow does have multiple touchdowns each of his first two games, though.

Browns 31, Texans 21

Fantasy Stud: Brandin Cooks. Cooks continued his hot ways to start the season, catching nine passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.  Cooks has at least 18 fantasy points each of his first two games and at least five catches both those games. Cooks might have a career season in an offense that he is the clear No. 1 receiver.

Fantasy Dud: Jarvis Landry. Landry left the game early because of a knee injury but did nothing before the injury, catching just a pass for nine yards. This was a disappointing showing, considering Landry was expected to be the top option in the passing game with Odell Beckham injured once again. Landry was heavily involved in the offense in Week 1, so don’t get too down on him over a game. Plus, he was hurt. He should get his chances when on the field.

Game Notes: Tyrod Taylor was forced from the game because of a hamstring injury. It was unfortunate because he was off to a great start once again. Taylor was 10-of-11 for 125 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 15-yard touchdown run. Davis Mills was up and down in relief, going 8-of-18 for 105 yards and a touchdowns with an interception.

Nick Chubb averaged an impressive 8.6 yards per carry but had just 11 carries in the game. He finished with 95-rushing yards and a touchdown. Hopefully, he gets a few more chances going forward. Kareem Hunt actually had more carries, rushing 13 times for 51 yards.

Rams 27, Colts 24

Fantasy Stud: Cooper Kupp. Kupp is quickly gaining a great rapport with Matthew Stafford. He had nine receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Kupp has 100-yard games each of his first two and been targeted 10 times in each of those games. Kupp is clearly a big fan of Stafford right now.

Fantasy Dud: Jonathan Taylor. This wasn’t a huge surprise, considering the matchup, but it was still disappointing for fantasy owners. He ran 15 times for 52 yards and caught just a pass for two yards. Taylor was much more involved in the passing game last week, having seven targets compared to one in this game.

Game Notes: Carson Wentz left the game late with an apparent ankle injury. He played well against a good defense before getting hurt. He was 20-of-31 for 245 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

Sony Michel was a lot more involved in the offense this week, mainly late in the game with the team trying to close it out. Michel had 10 carries for 46 yards. Darrell Henderson was the starter and rushed 13 times for 53 yards and a score.

Patriots 25, Jets 6

Fantasy Stud: Patriots defense. New England really dominated this game defensively. The Patriots had four interceptions and three sacks. New England also allowed just six points in the game. The Patriots have a chance to be one of the better fantasy defenses on a weekly basis this season.

Fantasy Dud: Zach Wilson. Wilson was a complete disaster, looking like a rookie. He threw four interceptions. Wilson was 19-of-33 for 210 yards without a touchdown and four interceptions. Wilson has a fairly high ceiling but is only worth using for fantasy teams in the right matchup. He is going to have struggles like this at times throughout the season.

Game Notes: Braxton Berrios was one bright spot for the Jets. He ended up leading the team in receiving. Berrios had seven receptions for 73 yards.

Damien Harris scored his first running touchdown of the year. He had 16 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a pass for two yards. Harris has 13-plus fantasy points each of his first two games.

Bills 35, Dolphins 0

Fantasy Stud: Zack Moss. Moss didn’t play a ton but got work late with the team up big and ended up scoring two touchdowns. He had eight carries for 26 yards and two scores. Moss also caught two passes for eight yards. Devin Singletary played well in a starting role, rushing 13 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. He still looks like the back to use in the Bills backfield.

Fantasy Dud: Myles Gaskin. Gaskin did not do much after a strong showing in Week 1. He had five carries for 25 yards and caught four passes for 21 yards. Gaskin has weekly potential but could be erratic in an offense that might struggle at times.

Game Notes: Tua Tagovailoa did not last very long, leaving early with a rib injury. He was 1-of-4 for 13 yards before the injury. Jacoby Brissett played the rest of the way and struggled to do much with the offense. He was 24-of-40 for 170 yards with an interception. Keep an eye on the player notes for the latest in Tagovailoa.

Josh Allen was not great but better than his opening game. He is showing signs of heating up, fishing the game 17-of-33 for 179 yards with two touchdowns an interception. He also ran for 35 yards and had a rushing touchdown called back at the one-yard line.

49ers 17, Eagles 11

Fantasy Stud: Deebo Samuel. Samuel has emerged as the No. 1 receiver for the 49ers. He followed his great first week with another big showing. He had six receptions for 93 yards. Samuel has 15 receptions on 20 targets his first two games. Health is always a concern for Samuel but as long as he is on the field, he can post big things in this offense. 

Fantasy Dud: Eli Mitchell. Mitchell was the clear lead back for the 49ers but didn’t have a big game with all his work. He ran 17 times for just 42 yards, averaging only 2.5 yards per carry. He also had two catches for 11 yards. JaMycal Hasty had five carries for 38 yards and could be in the mix for more carries in the weeks to come after his impressive showing.

Game Notes: Jalen Hurts had some struggles throwing the ball, failing to hit 200-passing yards. He was a bigger factor as a rusher, leading the team in that category. Hurts ran 10 times for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Jimmy Garoppolo keeps winning and playing mistake-free football, so he will continue to start over rookie Trey Lance. Garoppolo was 22-of-30 for 187 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran 11 times for 20 yards and another score.

Raiders 26, Steelers 17

Fantasy Stud: Derek Carr. Carr was really impressive on the road against a very good Steelers defense. He was 28-of-37 for 382 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He carried the offense with the Raiders being unable to do much on the ground offensively. Carr has at least 28 fantasy points each of his first two games.

Fantasy Dud: Kenyan Drake. Drake was the starter but didn’t even lead the game in carries or have double-digit rush yards. He was bottled up on the ground, rushing seven times for nine yards. He did do a little damage in the passing game, catching five passes for 46 yards. His poor showing in the running game really hurt his chances of having a favorable fantasy showing, though.

Game Notes: Najee Harris had more success in Week 2, rushing 10 times for 38 yards while catching five passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. He had 81 total yards and a score. Harris has 15-plus touches each of his first two games.

Henry Ruggs hit the 100-yard mark. He had five receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. Ruggs has a high weekly ceiling as the top big-play threat in this offense.

Panthers 26, Saints 7

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey had his usual big game. He did it all, running 24 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 65 yards, giving him 22.5 fantasy points. This was the reason he was the first overall pick in nearly all fantasy leagues. This is the type of performance he can do every week.

Fantasy Dud: Jameis Winston. Well, that was quick. Winston sure came back down to earth in a hurry after a monster game in Week 1 on the road against a good Packers defense. Winston was awful, going 11-of-22 for 111 yards with two interceptions. His only positive was a rushing touchdown, but that still didn’t save his fantasy performance. It will be interesting to see how Winston responds after this terrible game.

Game Notes: Sam Darnold had a much tougher matchup this week but looked good once again. He was 26-of-38 for 305 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Darnold has multiple touchdowns each of his first two games.

D.J. Moore had eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. Moore has 14 receptions in two games and is the top receiver in this offense.

Broncos 23, Jaguars 13

Fantasy Stud: Courtland Sutton. Sutton had his best game since his major injury of last year. He looked all the way back to health, catching nine passes for 159 yards. With Jerry Jeudy out, Sutton has a chance to pile up the targets in this offense. Sutton could end up being a bargain for all the fantasy teams that took him as a low-end WR2 this year.

Fantasy Dud: Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence had some issues in his second NFL game. He was just 14-of-33 for 118 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He really struggled to move the ball down the field. It is not a surprise to see the rookie struggle in this offense, though. He is likely to be up and down but his future remains bright.

Game Notes: Teddy Bridgewater looked great for the second straight week. He was 26-of-34 for 328 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He has four touchdowns without a turnover his first two games.

Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon had the exact same amount of carries, but Williams had much better numbers. He ran 13 times for 64 yards while Gordon had 13 carries for 31 yards. Williams averaged 4.9 yards per carry compared to 2.4 yards per carry for Gordon.

Bucs 48, Falcons 25

Fantasy Stud: Tom Brady. Brady just continues to defy all logic, playing at such a high level at age 44. He is unreal. Brady was 24-of-36 for 276 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Brady has nine touchdowns his first two games. We aren’t sure he can keep this current crazy pace, but you can never count out Brady.

Fantasy Dud: Ronald Jones. Jones might have started this one but he still was a bust. He still didn’t lead the team in carries, running six times for 27 yards while catching a pass for nine yards. Jones can’t be trusted for fantasy teams right now. He is just not getting enough work or the production. Leonard Fournette is the back to use right now.

Game Notes: Kyle Pitts had his best game as a pro, catching five passes for 73 yards. Pitts led the team in receiving yards.

Mike Evans had a nice rebound game after a fairly down showing for his standards in Week 1. He had five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Evans has been targeted 15 times in two games.

Cardinals 34, Vikings 33

Fantasy Stud: Kyler Murray. Murray continued his red hot start with another huge fantasy performance. He was 29-of-36 for 400 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran in a score, rushing five times for 31 yards and a score. He had four total touchdowns in the game. Murray has 37-plus fantasy points each of his first two games. It is early, but he is making a run at top fantasy quarterback this season.

Fantasy Dud: James Conner. There were not many fantasy duds in this game, but Conner was a disappointment. He ran eight times for 26 yards and didn’t catch a pass. Conner is getting some touches to start the year but not enough to be a dependable fantasy play in this pass-first offense.

Game Notes: Rondale Moore led the way at receiver for the Cardinal. He caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. It was an impressive showing from the rookie, who is quickly making a name for himself in this offense.

K.J. Osborn had five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Osborn has 12 receptions to start the year and been targeted 15 times.

Cowboys 20, Chargers 17

Fantasy Stud: Tony Pollard. Pollard was a surprise in this one, hitting the 100-yard rushing mark. He ran 13 times for 109 yards and a touchdown, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. He also had three receptions for 31 yards, giving him 140 total yards. Ezekiel Elliott remains the starter but Pollard might be earning more work going forward. He makes plays with his chances.

Fantasy Dud: Amari Cooper. Cooper didn’t have near the game as his previous one, finishing with three receptions for 24 yards. The Cowboys have a lot of mouths to feed in this offense, though, so it is not a big shock to see him disappear at times. This might happen again despite his big talent and ability to produce the huge game.

Game Notes: Austin Ekeler was a lot more involved in the passing game. He had nine receptions for 61 yards after finishing without a catch in Week 1. He also ran nine times for 54 yards, finishing with 115 total yards.

Mike Williams proved his first week wasn’t a fluke, having seven receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Williams has scores each of his first two games and 80-plus yards each of those games.

Titans 33, Seahawks 30

Fantasy Stud: Derrick Henry. Henry had a monster game, carrying the Titans offense much of the game. He had 35 carries for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He also was a big factor in the passing game, catching six passes for 55 yards. Henry had 237 total yards, six receptions and three touchdowns. It was quite the performance from Henry.

Fantasy Dud: Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill continued to disappoint his fantasy owners, going 27-of-40 for 347 yards. He failed to score a touchdown, though. Tannehill has just two touchdowns to one interception to start his season. He has plenty of time to get it going but his start hasn’t been a great one for his fantasy teams.

Game Notes: Julio Jones hit the 100-yard mark. He had six receptions for 128 yards. Jones had fewer than 30 yards in Week 1, making up for that performance this week.

Tyler Lockett had his second straight 100-yard game. He had eight receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Ravens 36, Chiefs 35

Fantasy Stud: Lamar Jackson. Jackson had a huge game, hitting the 100-yard rushing mark while scoring three touchdowns. And two of those touchdowns were rushing scores, which meant more fantasy points in most formats. Jackson was 18-of-26 for 239 yards and a touchdowns with two interceptions. He ran 16 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 36.7 fantasy points. Jackson is off to a fine start this year, having 193-rushing yards and four touchdowns in two games.

Fantasy Dud: Tyreek Hill. Hill had a rare down performance, getting just three receptions for 14 yards. You just expect much more from Hill, especially in a game the team threw for 343 yards. Hill is just fine going forward, so don’t get too down on him over this game. He is going to have a huge year despite this showing. 

Game Notes: Ty’Son Williams got the most carries for the Ravens and played well. He ran 13 times for 77 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He was more impressive than Latavius Murray, who ran nine times for 36 yards and a score.

Marquise Brown had a 100-yard game, catching six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. He is off to a great start, having scores each of his first two games and six receptions in each of those games.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

2024 NFL Draft Recap

Player Notes
Will Levis May 10 8:20pm CT
Will Levis

The Tennessee Titans signed first-round offensive tackle JC Latham to his four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie deal on Friday worth $26.04 million. The deal was confirmed by his agents Drew Rosenhaus, Ryan Matha and Jason Rosenhaus. The contract also includes the standard fifth-year player option for first-round picks. The 21-year-old offensive lineman was taken by the Titans with the seventh overall pick out of Alabama. He will be a huge upgrade for an offensive line that was in need of serious help this offseason and should start from Day 1 in his rookie season, at least at right tackle. The addition of Latham in 2024 should have an immediate positive impact in fantasy for young quarterback Will Levis and the rest of Tennessee's option as they enter their first season without workhorse back Derrick Henry.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix May 10 8:10pm CT
Bo Nix

The Denver Broncos signed rookie quarterback Bo Nix to his rookie deal on Friday, according to a source. As is the case with all first-round selections, Nix will have a fifth-year team option attached to his first NFL contract. Needing to add more competition to their QB room this offseason after getting rid of Russell Wilson, the Broncos reached for Nix, the former Oregon signal-caller, with the 12th overall pick in last month's NFL draft. The Broncos have admitted that Nix could probably benefit from sitting and learning a year, but it's not like Denver already has a veteran starter in place. Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson will all compete for the starting gig in training camp and the preseason. At best, Nix would be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues if he's starting out of the gates in Week 1 in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell May 10 3:30pm CT
Aidan O'Connell

The Las Vegas Raiders signed veteran Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract this offseason, yet 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell is the early favorite to handle QB1 duties in 2024, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. "Aidan's earned the right to go out there and earn the first snap," Pierce said. "What he's done this offseason -- changing his body, his work ethic, being here every day, blocking out the outside noise. He's not worried about anything. I'm excited." O'Connell replaced Jimmy Garoppolo in the middle of last season and threw for 2,219 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The team went 5-5 during his 10 starts. Although the job sounds like it's his to lose, Minshew will also likely have the chance to battle for the starting role this offseason. The 27-year-old has thrown for 59 touchdowns and 24 interceptions during his five-year career and has looked like at least a mid-level starter at times. Whoever wins the job will get to throw to Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Brock Bowers this year, so either could be a solid QB2 in Superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins May 10 3:00pm CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is working his way back from a Week 8 Achilles tear from last season, and reports out of Atlanta suggest he is making great progress. "Kirk is every day improving," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "He's been doing all those things, he's been throwing, he's been out there pretty much full-go. Now, we got him in a limited basis, obviously 'cause he's still in his rehab and his treatment and all those types of things." The 35-year-old signal-caller has not been dropping back behind an offensive line or facing a rush, but he's evidently looked good on his dropbacks and reps with his new wide receiver group. Despite Atlanta selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cousins remains the clear starter in 2024 as long as he holds up. The four-time Pro Bowler has thrown for at least 4,000 yards seven times in his nine-year career as a starter, while the Falcons have not had a 4,000-yard passer since Matt Ryan in 2020. If Cousins isn't limited by his major injury, he'll remain a fringe QB1 option surrounded by Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney, and company.

From RotoBaller

Zay Jones May 10 2:50pm CT
Zay Jones

Free-agent wide receiver Zay Jones is signing with the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old went on visits with the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys this week, but he ultimately landed in a spot where he can compete for targets right away. Jones was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after they selected LSU wideout Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but there's a real chance his situation is better in Arizona. Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected to occupy the WR1 role right away, but Jones is almost certainly slated to start in three-wide sets, and he might even beat out Michael Wilson to start in two-wide sets. He and tight end Trey McBride could battle it out to be Kyler Murray's No. 2 option in the passing game. Pencil in Jones as at least a deep league flex option in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Tarik Cohen May 10 1:00pm CT
Tarik Cohen

The Carolina Panthers released veteran running back Tarik Cohen, who was attempting a comeback from a series of injuries that derailed his time as a Pro Bowl return man with the Chicago Bears. Cohen hasn't played in a regular-season game in the NFL since 2020, and it remains to be seen if he'll latch on with another club this offseason. The 28-year-old was a former fourth-round pick in 2017 by the Bears out of North Carolina A&T. He was never much of a ball-carrier at 5-foot-6, 181 pounds, but he excelled as a returner and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Cohen suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of 2020 and also tore his Achilles in May of 2022. He spent most of last year on Carolina's practice squad but missed two months with a hamstring injury.

From RotoBaller

Doug Pederson May 10 12:20pm CT
Doug Pederson

When asked who would be calling the team's offensive plays in 2024, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson remained non-committal. "Don't play a game until September. So, we've got some time," Pederson said. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor was responsible for calling most of the team's plays in a disappointing 2023 season, so Pederson is seriously considering taking back those duties in 2024. A lot of the team's offensive struggles in the second half of last year had to do with the fact that quarterback Trevor Lawrence was playing injured, and that they were missing one of their top receivers in Christian Kirk. The Jaguars finished with 339.5 total yards per game (13th in the league) and 22.2 points per game (tied for 13th).

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis May 10 12:20pm CT
Gabriel Davis

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) is working through an injury, so the team hasn't been able to see much from him yet after adding him in free agency this offseason. Davis missed the postseason last year with the Buffalo Bills due to a knee injury that he suffered in the Week 18 season finale against the Miami Dolphins, and apparently it's still an issue. While we don't expect the injury to keep him from participating in training camp or being ready for the start of the 2024 season, it's bad news for a player looking to learn a new offense in Jacksonville. The 25-year-old is another strong offensive situation in Jacksonville, but he'll face competition for targets from Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas and tight end Evan Engram, likely making him a boom/bust fantasy option yet again.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams May 10 12:10pm CT
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus officially named rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as the team's starting QB on Friday at rookie minicamp. Everyone already knew that Williams would be Chicago's starting signal-caller when they selected him first overall in last month's NFL draft out of USC. The path was cleared for the 22-year-old when they traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the offseason. There's always a learning curve for rookies that start right out of the gates in the NFL, but Williams may have the best chance for immediate success given all the weapons he has around him, especially in the passing attack. The trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie first-rounder Rome Odunze -- not to mention tight end Cole Kmet -- will help Williams immensely. As far as his fantasy value for Year 1 in the NFL, Williams will be on the QB2 map with upside.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers May 10 12:10pm CT
Malik Nabers

The New York Giants signed No. 6 overall pick, wide receiver Malik Nabers, to his rookie deal on Friday. The deal is a four-year, $29,207,750 fully guaranteed deal that includes an $18,062,000 signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. The Giants passed on adding competition for quarterback Daniel Jones in this year's NFL draft and instead gave Jones big-time receiving help with perhaps the most explosive and athletic wideout in this year's strong class of receivers. The 20-year-old from LSU will immediately slot in as New York's No. 1 pass-catcher in 2024. He was wildly productive for the Tigers and should be heavily targeted as he transitions to the NFL, but he won't turn 21 until later this summer and could struggle for consistency if Jones continues to struggle as a passer. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues shouldn't be relying too heavily on Nabers in his rookie season in a Giants offense that has had its share of problems with Jones leading them.

From RotoBaller

Alex McGough May 9 11:20pm CT
Alex McGough

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Alex McGough, a former USFL MVP who transitioned from quarterback this offseason, could use his pure athleticism to secure a roster spot prior to the 2024 campaign, head coach Matt LaFleur told the media. McGough spent all of 2023 operating as Green Bay's No. 3 quarterback. "He's a really athletic guy," LaFleur explained. "He spent a lot of time on the scout team running receiver routes, and he did such a great job. We feel like he's such a talented athlete, [so] why not give him a chance there? He's a smart guy, works his tail off. I think he can contribute [on special teams] as well. We felt like that might be his best chance here." These comments suggest that the Packers place great value on McGough's athleticism and don't want to risk losing someone like him, even if his impact is limited to special teams in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Stephon Gilmore May 9 11:10pm CT
Stephon Gilmore

Free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore still wants to play football but is waiting for the right opportunity, he told NFL insider Josina Anderson. "I know the value I still bring," Gilmore said. "If you watch the tape, I feel like I played well the last two years, and literally almost played every snap last year." Indeed, Gilmore was impactful in 2023. He started all 17 games for the Cowboys, registering two interceptions, 13 passes defended, 68 tackles, and one forced fumble. He's still a starting-caliber defender who could justify holding out for a specific opportunity, perhaps with a contender.

From RotoBaller

Evan Hull May 9 11:00pm CT
Evan Hull

Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull could still earn the backup role despite some speculation suggesting the job belonged to Trey Sermon. According to James Boyd of The Athletic, "it remains unclear" who will operate as the No. 2 option behind Jonathan Taylor in 2024. He notes that while Sermon may be the early favorite, the former 49ers draft pick has just 78 carries for 346 yards and one touchdown in his career. Whoever takes over as Taylor's backup will be filling big shoes. Last season, that role belonged to Zack Moss, who finished the year with 986 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns. Moss is now in Cincinnati, leaving a competition of sorts for Sermon and Hull. As a rookie last year, Hull mustered just one rushing yards and six receiving yards.

From RotoBaller

Jelani Woods May 9 10:50pm CT
Jelani Woods

The Athletic's James Boyd has Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods projected as the team's starting tight end in May because he remains bullish on his potential, despite the fact he was sidelined all of last year due to hamstring injuries. Woods should be healthy for organized team activities, and his next-level athleticism will mesh perfectly with head coach Shane Steichen's play-calling to create mismatches all over the field. He's also big enough to block when needed, and Kylen Granson can continue to use his speed and route-running to help move the chains. Mo Alie-Cox will remain in the mix as a seasoned veteran. While Woods should have a bigger pass-catching role if he can stay on the field, this could once again be a frustrating committee situation at TE for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Ryan Flournoy May 9 10:40pm CT
Ryan Flournoy

The Dallas Cowboys signed rookie offensive tackle Tyler Guyton to his rookie deal on Thursday. In addition to Guyton, Dallas locked up rookies Cooper Beebe, Maris Liufau, Caelen Carson, Ryan Flournoy, Nathan Thomas and Justin Rogers. The only rookie that remains unsigned now is second-rounder Marshawn Kneeland. Guyton was selected 29th overall in the first round after Troy Fautanu and Amarius Mims came off the board earlier in the first round. The 6-foot-8, 322-pounder has excellent physical traits and the potential to play tackle at the next level, but it remains to be seen if he'll eventually develop as a starting-caliber left tackle. When the 22-year-old did enter the starting lineup at Oklahoma, he only played on the right side.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers May 9 10:30pm CT
Brock Bowers

The Las Vegas Raiders signed first-round rookie tight end Brock Bowers to a fully guaranteed four-year deal on Thursday that is worth $18.1 million. He'll receive $10 million via a signing bonus and the standard fifth-year team option as a first-round pick. The Raiders held off on reaching for a quarterback in the first round in last month's draft and instead took one of the best players in the entire draft in Bowers at 13th overall. The 21-year-old was the highest-selected tight end since Kyle Pitts in 2021 and is athletic enough as a tight end to play pretty much anywhere on the field. Bowers set a school record at Georgia with 26 touchdowns in his time there and is the complete package. Even with Michael Mayer in town, Bowers should take over as the team's top pass-catching TE in his rookie year.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams May 9 4:10pm CT
Kyren Williams

The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Michigan running back Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft despite breakout star Kyren Williams racking up 1,350 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023. In a media availability, general manager Les Snead said that the decision to draft Corum was related to keeping Williams fresh. "It's a tough league. It's a 17-game season plus playoffs, so we always felt like we needed to have as many quality runners as possible... so we don't just totally run down Kyren," Snead said. "And we have one or two or even three guys that can contribute... keep everyone fresh." The organization implemented a workhorse backfield approach with 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley, and he ultimately had a short shelf life as a pro due to durability concerns. As most teams shift to a committee backfield, high-end fantasy running back producers are becoming more scarce. Williams missed five games last year on the Injured Reserve list, so the organization is being proactive and adding depth in the backfield. Williams remains an RB1 candidate, but his floor and ceiling take a hit with the addition of Corum.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff May 9 3:30pm CT
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has vastly exceeded expectations since being traded from the Los Angeles Rams to Detroit ahead of the 2021 season. The former No. 1 overall pick has thrown for 12,258 yards, 78 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions through his first 48 games with the organization. More importantly, he led the team to Detroit's first playoff win since 1991 last year, and he had the San Francisco 49ers on the ropes in the NFC Championship game. He did not sign a contract extension along with right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown two weeks ago, but general manager Brad Holmes said the two sides are working on a deal. "He's earned an extension. It's important, it's a high priority for us. Both sides are working really, really hard. These things just take time," Holmes said. "In a perfect world, we would've had all three of them done. Bang, bang, bang. But these things just kind of take a while, especially with the quarterback market, but I do have faith that it's gonna get done." Assuming Goff receives a high-dollar multi-year deal, his dynasty value with be secure over the next three or four years. While his ceiling is capped by a lack of rushing upside, he should remain a fringe QB1 as long as the Lions retain key offensive linemen and pass-catching weapons.

From RotoBaller

Treylon Burks May 9 3:20pm CT
Treylon Burks

Despite the Tennessee Titans signing veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd this week, head coach Brian Callahan and the organization still have hope for third-year wideout Treylon Burks. "We've made very clear to Treylon that the signing of Tyler is not about him. It's about helping our team get better, adding better players to our team, making us a competitive football team," Callahan said. "What he's done and how he's worked has been great, and I'm anticipating him still being able to play a good role for us." While the Boyd signing almost surely pushes Burks to the WR4 role and destroys any 2024 fantasy football value he had, it sounds like the team is not going to trade him this offseason as many have speculated. Burks was a promising prospect coming out of Arkansas, but he's totaled just 665 receiving yards and one touchdown through his first two NFL seasons. He might be worth holding in deep dynasty leagues, but it'd be surprising if he's on the fantasy radar in redraft formats.

From RotoBaller

Ben Skowronek May 9 2:00pm CT
Ben Skowronek

The Houston Texans acquired wide receiver Ben Skowronek from the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, according to sources. The Rams were set to waiver Skowronek, but the Texans swooped in before he hit waivers to get something done to add receiving depth behind Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, John Metchie III and others. The 26-year-old Skowronek was the Rams' seventh-round pick in 2021 and has mostly been limited to a role on special teams in his three years in the NFL. That will likely continue to be the case with his move to Houston, and he won't be on the fantasy radar at all. In his three years in the NFL in LA, Skowronek only had 58 receptions for 575 yards and one touchdown on 93 targets in 45 games (12 starts).

From RotoBaller