Los Angeles Chargers RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are both expected to see action in 2024, and the team will ride with the "hot hand," says offensive coordinator Greg Roman. (Source: Alex Insdorf on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: With head coach Jim Harbaugh in town, as well as with Roman at OC, the Chargers are expected to be a run-oriented team. Dobbins and Edwards both signed with L.A. from Baltimore in the offseason, where they played under the other Harbaugh brother (John). With a new focus on rushing efficiency, both Dobbins and Edwards have a chance to outperform their ADPs (half-PPR RB43 and 38, respectively) and could have smash weeks (Week 1 half-PPR ECR RB39 and 33, respectively), though it may make for an unpredictable ride for fantasy managers.
CeeDee Lamb is still having his workload monitored at practice and is 'building up' ahead of Sunday's game against Cleveland. (Source: Jon Machota on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Cowboys have taken measures to make sure that Lamb's return to the field is gradual and healthy, and that involves them still monitoring his workload at practice. HC Mike McCarthy noted that he is 'building up to Sunday', so he hasn't quite seen full reps at practice yet. This news shouldn't scare off fantasy managers and the star receiver remains a must-start for Week 1 of the season.
Blake Corum is listed as Los Angeles' starting kick returner heading into the season. (Source: Cameron DaSilva)
Fantasy Impact: The Rams have listed the rookie as their starting kick returner on their official depth chart, which was an unforeseen development. The ADP of Kyren Williams has been dropping a lot lately following the news that he is going to return punts for the team, but the fact that both of Los Angeles' top-two backs are playing special teams may just be an indication that Sean McVay wants them to touch the ball as much as possible. Fantasy managers shouldn't overreact to this news for the time being.
Leonard Fournette is taking a visit with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Fournette saw action in only two games in 2023, but it looks like he is still trying to play NFL football despite being a free agent for an extended period of time. He is taking a visit with the Colts on Monday, and it is currently unclear if the team plans to sign him to a deal or not. Even if he signs, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to have much of an impact for fantasy purposes, especially if he only signs to the team's practice squad.
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk was not seen at the start of practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN NFL reporter Nick Wagoner, despite the team's expression that they hoped he would return. (Source: Nick Wagoner on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed the sentiment that he was hopeful Aiyuk would return to practice Wednesday, but it seems as though patience is running thin in San Francisco. Aiyuk is threatening to miss game time at this point, and Shanahan stated that the team is preparing for the possibility of playing Week 1 without him and Trent Williams. General Manager John Lynch also expressed frustration for the parties' communication. This situation may continue to get messier before it gets better, but a future with Aiyuk in S.F. seems more and more unlikely.
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. (Source: Sports Illustrated )
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.
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.
The Commanders are trying to trade TE Cole Turner. (Source: Nicki Jhabvala on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Turner caught 11 passes in limited playing time last season. He could land in a depth role with another team if he is traded.
Josh Reynolds will be expected to take on a larger role following Denver's release of Tim Patrick. (Source: DNVR Broncos on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Denver surprisingly cut veteran WR Tim Patrick on Tuesday after being unable to trade him prior to the roster-cut deadline. This leaves Denver with a bit of a hole at the wide receiver position, but it is being reported that Reynolds will be the guy to take on a larger role in the offense. Whether or not that will translate to fantasy success likely hinges on how well rookie QB Bo Nix plays this season.
Greg Joseph has earned a spot on Green Bay's 53-man roster. (Source: Wes Hodkiewicz)
Fantasy Impact: The Packers made a bunch of cuts to get down to just 53 players on their active roster, but the veteran wasn't one of them. He appears to have won the kicking job in Green Bay, which should prove to be valuable for fantasy purposes.
Clayton Tune has won the backup quarterback spot in Arizona. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Tune was in a battle with Desmond Ridder for the QB2 job this offseason, but it appears that he has won the role. The Cardinals are releasing Ridder prior to the roster-cut deadline, so Tune is the last man standing for the job. He won't be fantasy relevant unless Kyler Murray goes down with an injury in 2024.
The Cleveland Browns reportedly could trade QB Jameis Winston. (Source: ProFootballTalk on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This comes after it was reported that Dorian Thompson-Robinson has made the Browns 53-man roster. The veteran quarterback should draw some interest from teams in a trade.
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to part ways with RB/KR Kene Nwangwu by Tuesday's roster deadline, either via trade or cut. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Nwangwu is a one-time All-Pro out of Iowa State, and his departure comes as somewhat of a surprise. The Vikings have seen him start as their kick returner for the last three seasons, taking back 68 returns over that time in 37 games. Minnesota is only set to carry three RBs at this point (Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler and FB C.J. Ham), so another move is possible.
Second-year DT Jaquelin Roy has been granted permission to seek out a trade partner and will be cut at the deadline if no deal is found. (Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The 2023 fifth-rounder played in 12 games as a rookie, starting one and seeing a 12% defensive and 20% special teams snap share. The former LSU Tiger recorded eight tackles, one TFL and one pressure, according to Pro Football Reference. If any team is looking for nose depth (6'3", 305 pounds), Roy is a cheap and young option.
Tim Patrick is expected to be released by the Broncos if he is not traded. (Source: Zac Stevens on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The trade rumors around Patrick began on Monday. There is a good chance he is eventually traded.
John Metchie III has reportedly drawn trade interest as teams have reached out to the Texans. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It remains unclear if Houston is willing to trade Metchie who is down the depth chart in a deep Texans wide receiver room. He totaled 100 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions throughout the preseason.
Atlanta Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke, who is set to open the season as their QB3, is a potential trade candidate with the L.A. Rams and Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and more listed as possible suitors. (Source: Eric Edholm, nfl.com)
Fantasy Impact: The Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were also listed as potential destinations, as there are lots of teams who could be looking for a backup QB on the open market. Heinicke has starting experience (29 career starts) and could come in in a pinch and cause havoc with his off-script play style, helping give teams high variability if their starter is ever down.
Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman is set to have a "significant role" in their offense as a rookie, showing flashes as well as "things to work on." (Source: NFL Nation reporters, ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: This doesn't come as a surprise given Coleman's scouting report. While he wasn't raw as a prospect, he certainly wasn't refined and had room to grow in his all-around game. Buffalo's rookie receiver should have an early role as an outside receiver in a spot vacated by both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis' departures.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that rookie WR Jordan Whittington will "be a factor" in 2024. (Source: NFL Nation reporters, ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Whittington impressed in his preseason debut against Dallas and ended the preseason with 11 catches for 126 yards. He should have a role early in his career given his versatility, and McVay confirms this here, validating the hype from L.A. beat writers. He likely could fit into the role vacated by WR Ben Skowronek.
Darnell Mooney is unlikely to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Source: Terrin Waack)
Fantasy Impact: Mooney didn't play in Atlanta's last preseason game, and it seems unlikely that he will suit up for Friday's game as well. He is the clear-cut WR2 on this offense and comes with high upside at his current ADP.
