NFL Rumors & News: Ja’Marr Chase, Tank Dell, Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Fantasy Football)

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, injury updates, and rumors, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.

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Fantasy Football News & Rumors

Check out the latest news and notes around the NFL.

Tank Dell primed for 2024 after preseason flash play
Tank Dell appears primed for a bounce-back in 2024 with star quarterback CJ Stroud at the helm. He didn’t do much in the preseason, but he made a statement in his limited play; a 34-yard touchdown reception.

Fantasy Impact

While a single catch is not much to go off of, both Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins have only a single reception to their name as well. It might be preseason, but seeing Dell get open on a deep route and showing off his explosiveness would indicate he’s ready to pick up where he left off. That combined with the fact the Texans have not run him out for additional playing time suggests even further that they are comfortable with where he is at.

Garrett Ball

Jaxon Smith-Njigba to see more downfield work in 2024
Jaxon Smith-Njigba should see more downfield work in year two, according to CBS analyst Charles Davis. The SI article also notes that despite his short 6.4 ADOT, when he was targeted deep in 2023, he made the most of it, including a spectacular game-winning touchdown grab against Philadelphia.

Fantasy Impact

It wasn’t a bad rookie season by NFL standards. However, for a first-round wide receiver, it’s reasonable to expect more. His usage so close to the line of scrimmage was puzzling, but now with a new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in town, that figures to change. Tyler Lockett is another year older as well, and that could open up more work for JSN.

Garrett Ball

Ja’Marr Chase: HC confident WR will play Week 1
Bengals’ HC Zac Taylor is confident that Ja’Marr Chase will play in Week 1 of the season.

Fantasy Impact

Chase’s status for Week 1 has been in question all offseason as he held out for a new contract, but he has been practicing lately and seems likely to play in Week 1. In fact, HC Zac Taylor told reporters on Tuesday that he is confident that the star wide receiver will be ready for the season opener against New England. For fantasy purposes, he remains a must-draft and a must-start player, regardless of how much practice time he has had this offseason.

Leo Sells