The Browns are leaving RB Nick Chubb on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the season, according to multiple reports. Leaving Chubb on PUP means he is ineligible to play the first four games of the season. If he's healthy and ready, Chubb will be able to play in Week 5 against the Commanders. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)
Fantasy Impact: With Chubb recovering from an injury he suffered in Week 2 of last season that included his ACL, MCL and meniscus, so beginning the year on the PUP list was always a possibility, if not a likelihood. All reports indicate that his recovery is going well, so this move is more precautionary than any setback. Given his upside, Chubb is still an intriguing late-round target in fantasy drafts, especially if you're able to stash him in an IR slot for the first month of the season. While Chubb is out, Jerome Ford is expected to receive the bulk of the work in the Cleveland backfield.
Jahan Dotson has been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks. (Source: NFL on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Dotson has struggled to find his footing with the Commanders in training camp this year after a disappointing 2023 season, and now Washington is trading him to Philadelphia along with a fifth-round pick in exchange for draft compensation. He seems primed to be the WR3 for the Eagles behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, so his path to fantasy success this year isn't very clear. His departure leaves the WR2 spot vacant in Washington, and it seems like the leading candidate to fill that role is Dyami Brown, who has been impressive this preseason and could have sneaky week-to-week streaming value.
Bo Nix has been named the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos according to Tom Pelissero. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Nix was named the starter by head coach Sean Payton after an impressive training camp and preseason performance behind center. His first test comes against the Seattle Seahawks to open the regular season.
The Commanders have officially named Jayden Daniels as their starting quarterback. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Considering the Commanders took Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, this news is not much of a surprise. The 23-year-old rookie has played well in the preseason and has showed Dan Quinn and the coaching staff enough to lead the team into a Week 1 matchup with Tampa Bay.
Gardner Minshew II has been named the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders according to Tom Pelissero. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Raider head coach Antonio Pierce informed Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell of his decision Sunday. The veteran signal-caller will look to find more consistent success through the air for a passing attack that struggled to do so in 2023. The Raiders begin the season with a divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers September 8.
Wed, Aug 14th 3:19pm EDT
By Jesse Garcia
Vikings WR Jordan Addison was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an apparent leg injury. (Source: Matthew Coller on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Addison went down on the sideline and had to be helped off the field by the training staff. It appears to be a leg injury for Addison, but the Vikings will not know the severity until he undergoes further testing.
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss his entire rookie season after getting a meniscus repair after his injury in his NFL preseason debut last weekend. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McCarthy and his team have opted for the full repair for his meniscus, which will knock him out for the entire season but is likely better long-term for his health. Veteran QB Sam Darnold will officially be Minnesota’s QB1 entering 2024, as the first-rounder McCarthy will take a medical redshirt and prepare for 2025. It is likely the Vikings will pick up at least one more veteran QB to contest for QB2 duties alongside QB Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens before the regular season begins.
Wed, Aug 14th 12:27pm EDT
By Ari Koslow
The hamstring injury Jahmyr Gibbs suffered is not considered significant, but the team will be very cautious with rest and rehab to make sure he’s 100 percent healthy. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Gibbs remains on track to be fully healthy for the start of the season, but he'll likely miss some practice time and could sit out the remainder of the preseason.
DJ Moore and the Bears have agreed to terms on a four-year, $110 million contract extension. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: After having a career year with the Bears in 2023, Moore has agreed to terms on a four-year extension that includes $82.6M in guarantees. He finished last season with over 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Chicago obviously feels like he's a crucial piece of their offensive identity. He should be a big help for rookie Caleb Williams' development, and Moore now holds a lot more security in dynasty leagues with his new deal.
Thu, May 30th 10:09am EDT
By Garrett Ball
Jaylen Waddle has signed a three-year, $84.75 million contract with $76 million in guarantees with the Miami Dolphins. (Source: Adam Schefter via X)
Fantasy Impact: This ties the young receiver to the explosive Miami offense for the long run. With Tyreek Hill contemplating retirement in the next several years, the Dolphins needed to secure their future and did so with this deal. Waddle is a hyper productive reciever when on the field, but struggled with injuries in 2023 and had his fewest targets and receptions since entering the league in 2021. He’s a high end WR2 with upside behind Hill in Miami’s offense and is a great redraft and dynasty asset for both contending and rebuilding teams.
Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed on a two-year contract extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid tight end. (Source: Ian Rapoport)
Fantasy Impact: Kelce remains one of the league's top tight ends, and is absolutely in play to retake his spot as TE1 for fantasy after a slight down year impacted by injury.
Tank Dell was shot on Saturday night while caught in the crossfire of a mass shooting in Sanford, Florida. He has been released from the hospital after sustaining minor injuries. (Source: Ari Meirov on X)
Fantasy Impact: The Houston Texans made a statement confirming Dell only suffered minor wounds and has been released from the hospital. Dell was one of ten innocent bystanders hurt during the shooting, and is expected to make a full recovery.
The New York Jets have selected RB Isaiah Davis with the No. 173 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Davis led the FCS in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season. He is regarded as a running back that is patient and one that is able to break through tackles. Davis will likely slot in behind Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda on the Jets’ roster.
The New York Jets have selected QB Jordan Travis with the No. 171 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Travis was a leader for the Florida State Seminoles, who made a push for a CFP berth before his injury. However, he will have time to heal from his injury behind QBs Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. Travis has some accuracy concerns, and time will tell if he is in the Jets' long-term plans, but he threw for 8,644 yards and 65 TDs at FSU.
The New Orleans Saints have selected WR Bub Means with the No. 170 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Means has the physical profile to play on the outside in the NFL but he didn't display the consistency to be a top-tier WR prospect. He was a solid athletic tester too, but he did not show up well in the shuttle drill. He'll serve as a depth option in New Orleans, who already has a rotation of WRs in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, A.T. Perry, and Cedrick Wilson Jr.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected RB Keilan Robinson with the No. 167 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Robinson saw his primary role as a returner at Texas. He could have an immediate impact in special teams with the Jaguars, while it's also possible he holds some role behind Travis Etienne as a rusher.
The Baltimore Ravens have selected RB Rasheen Ali with the No. 165 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Ali was the most productive in 2021 when he had 1,734 scrimmage yards and 24 TDs, but after an injury-riddled 2022 season, he returned with a strong 2023. He has notable fumbling problems, but with a chance to further develop as an athletic RB (and get healthy), he can be a solid rotational back for Baltimore.
The New York Giants selected RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with the No. 166 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Tracy changed positions last season, moving from wide receiver to running back where he displayed flashes of his potential. He'll have the opportunity to earn a role in the Giants backfield behind Devin Singletary with lots of touches opened up following the departure of Saquon Barkley.
The Cleveland Browns have selected WR Jamari Thrash with the No. 156 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fantasy Impact: Thrash can help provide the vertical threat that Cleveland has been searching for the last few years. A transfer from Georgia State to Louisville, Thrash had 1,980 yards and 13 TDs in his last two seasons., though he is already 23 and spent five seasons in college.
The Philadelphia Eagles have selected Ainias Smith with the 152nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. (Source: Jordan Schultz on X)
Fantasy Impact: Smith was listed as a wide receiver at his draft announcement by the Eagles. He has played both wide receiver and running back in college, so he could be a versatile offensive weapon in many ways. We don't yet know the capacity the Eagles plan to use him, but we will know more once training camp starts.
