NFL Player News - Week of 5/18/20

[LT Profits]

Saturday Update

Seahawks | Carlos Hyde had surgery
Seattle Seahawks RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder) played much of the 2019 season with a torn labrum and underwent surgery in February.

Footballguys view: The truth comes out now about Hyde. He is coming off a 1,000-yard season with the Texans but couldn't find a new team until now. His shoulder must've checked out (or been a non-issue) for the Seahawks to sign him on Friday.

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Carlos Hyde player page




Steelers | James Washington to lose snaps?
Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington will likely lose the most snaps if WR Chase Claypool performs well as a rookie, according to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic.

Footballguys view: Something has to give and we won't see JuJu Smith-Schuster or Diontae Johnson lose snaps. Instead, it could be Washington who gets to run a fewer routes. Claypool is an exciting rookie because of his size/athleticism combination, but Washington is coming off a breakout year. It's a good problem for the Steelers to have but it's something that could be difficult to navigate for Fantasy GMs in deeper leagues.

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James Washington player page




Saints | Taysom Hill next in line?
New Orleans Saints QB Taysom Hill will 'be the guy' when QB Drew Brees retires, according to Jay Glazer of The Athletic.

Footballguys view: That's been 'the word' for some time, so nothing really new here. Hill may actually get more work behind Brees this year, not just as a gadget quarterback. Of course, Hill will have to beat out free agent addition Jameis Winston to win the primary backup job behind Brees in 2020.

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Taysom Hill player page




Broncos | Tim Patrick could make team
Denver Broncos WR Tim Patrick has a good chance to make the final roster because he is a strong special teams players but will need to earn the spot during training camp.

Footballguys view: Patrick is likely no.4 on the depth chart behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. He's big and fast in a straight line. Patrick will likely only be a special teams player for the Broncos once again in 2020.

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Redskins | Logan Thomas likely to make roster
Washington Redskins TE Logan Thomas likely will make the final roster in part because the team targeted him in free agency, in the opinion of NBC Sports Washington's JP Finlay.

Footballguys view: Thomas set career highs last year with 16 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown. The converted quarterback is a depth player with his new team. Washington's TE room is much different with Vernon Davis retiring and Jordan Reed moving on. Jeremy Sprinkle, a fifth-round pick in 2017, should be the team's starter.

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Logan Thomas player page




Redskins | Thaddeus Moss may start as rookie
Washington Redskins TE Thaddeus Moss has a chance to win the starting tight end job during training camp even though he was an undrafted free agent, in the opinion of NBC Sports Washington's JP Finlay.

Footballguys view: The competition is open since Washington has a new-look TE room. Moss, the son of NFL superstar Randy Moss, is more of a 'Y' tight end than he is a dynamic 'F' tight end. We think 2017 fifth-round pick Jeremy Sprinkle should win the starting job.

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NFL | Devonta Freeman willing to sit out?
Free-agent RB Devonta Freeman (Falcons) is believed to be willing to sit out the 2020 season if he does not receive the salary he is looking for this offseason.
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Devonta Freeman player page



Jets | Joe Flacco cleared to throw
New York Jets QB Joe Flacco (neck) has been cleared by doctors to start throwing a football, according to sources. The team expects Flacco to be cleared for contact in early September.
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Joe Flacco player page



Seahawks | Marshawn Lynch may not return
Free-agent RB Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) may not re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks because of the team's recent addition of RB Carlos Hyde.
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Marshawn Lynch player page



Seahawks | Carlos Hyde to join Seahawks
Free-agent RB Carlos Hyde (Texans) agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks Friday, May 22, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: Hyde fits the hard-hitting rushing attack the Seahawks have with starter Chris Carson. The team needed help in the backfield since former first-round pick Rashaad Penny is unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season. Hyde had over 1,000 yards rushing last year for the Texans but will serve as a backup to Carson in 2020.

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Carlos Hyde player page




Redskins | Steven Sims likely to be slot WR
Washington Redskins WR Steven Sims is the leading candidate for the slot receiver job this upcoming season but could be pushed by RB/WR Antonio Gibson for some snaps.

Footballguys view: Undrafted out of Kansas in 2019, Sims caught 34 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. Sims was used as a runner, receiver and return man last season and could be in for a larger role in 2020. In deeper PPR leagues, Sims might provide some 'what the heck' flex value if he wins the slot job.

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Redskins | Kelvin Harmon has good chance to start
Washington Redskins WR Kelvin Harmon likely will be the leading candidate to start opposite WR Terry McLaurin entering training camp but will not be guaranteed the job.

Footballguys view: A sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Harmon caught 30 passes for 365 yards as a rookie. He failed to score a touchdown in 2019, but Harmon did flash a bit towards the end of the regular season. We'll see who wins the job opposite of McLaurin in training camp.

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Kelvin Harmon player page




Seahawks | Russell Wilson wants to add Antonio Brown
Free-agent WR Antonio Brown (Patriots) is a player that Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson wants the Seahawks to sign this offseason, according to sources.

Footballguys view: Brown has the skill to be playing in the league but off field issues have caused him to burn multiple bridges. Seattle has Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf as the top two targets but things are a bit thin after that. Phillip Dorsett is currently set to be the no.3 receiver, and Brown (if motivated) would be a huge upgrade.

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Antonio Brown player page




Jets | Joe Flacco agrees to join NYJ
Updating a previous report, free-agent QB Joe Flacco (Broncos) agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Jets, his agency said Friday, May 22. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Footballguys view: About 10 days ago, there was buzz that the Jets were sniffing around Flacco and now the deal is done. Flacco underwent neck surgery in April and won't be ready until late August/early September. The Jets wanted some veteran depth to give them insurance behind Sam Darnold. Flacco was flat out bad with the Broncos last year as the starter, but now he's a clear backup and a clear upgrade (if healthy) to guys like David Fales or rookie James Morgan.

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Joe Flacco player page




Eagles | Miles Sanders should see uptick
Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders is likely to get '15-to-18' touches per game, NFL insider and Eagles follower Adam Caplan said on his recent Eagles podcast.

Footballguys view: That might even be a little light. Sanders is everything in the backfield and has a three-down skill set so he doesn't need to come off the field. The Eagles may add a veteran back to the mix (LeSean McCoy?) but Sanders is still the featured back who should get plenty of work in 2020. Sanders has a current ADP of RB12 (2.05) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Miles Sanders player page




Redskins | Terry McLaurin graded out high
Washington Redskins WR Terry McLaurin was Pro Football Focus' second-highest graded wide receiver in 2019 on vertical routes.

Footballguys view: McLaurin didn't have much to work with as a rookie in 2019. Washington churned through different quarterbacks due to injury and ineffectiveness yet McLaurin stayed productive. They lacked other weapons around him in the passing game yet McLaurin stayed productive. Washington made changes this year in terms of added weapons, and they should have a better idea at quarterback...so that should help McLaurin stay productive.

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Terry McLaurin player page




Packers | Davante Adams tops on verticals
Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams was Pro Football Focus' top-graded wide receiver on vertical routes in 2019.

Footballguys view: Adams and QB Aaron Rodgers are fun to watch. We'll see Adams stretch the field again this year, so he could be tops on these type of routes in 2020.

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Davante Adams player page



Source: footballguys.com

[cjwatsonfan32]

that flacco superbowl and immediate contract extension seems like it was 20 years ago.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Devonta Freeman thinking of sitting out season? Noone will miss him..

[BarkingToad]

Russell Wilson wants Antonio Brown, interesting. In spite of having a great Qb, Carroll will still run the ball all the time with the ton of running backs they have.

[LT Profits]

Sunday Update

Jets | Bilal Powell finished with Gang Green?
Free-agent RB Bilal Powell's (Jets) chances of re-signing with the New York Jets likely ended when RB Frank Gore was signed, according to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.
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Frank Gore player page
Bilal Powell player page



Rams | Lofty comparison for Cam Akers
Los Angeles Rams RB Cam Akers 'does everything well,' according to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, and Rosenthal compared Akers to retired RB Matt Forte.
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Lions | Big season cut short for Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford was on pace for 4,998 yards and 38 touchdowns when his 2019 season ended prematurely because of a back injury.
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Matthew Stafford player page



Cardinals | Heavy workload for Kenyan Drake?
Arizona Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake 'could pass 350 touches if he stays healthy' in 2020, in the opinion of Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.
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Kenyan Drake player page



Lions | Danny Amendola working out with NFL QBs
Detroit Lions WR Danny Amendola said he has been working out with New York Giants QB Colt McCoy and Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield this offseason since they all live in the same area.
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Danny Amendola player page



Seahawks | Travis Homer may be third down back
Seattle Seahawks RB Travis Homer's role in the offense is uncertain at this point, but he could be a candidate for the third down back role.
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Travis Homer player page



Lions | Jason Huntley to be mixed in
Detroit Lions RB Jason Huntley should contend for a rotational role in 2020, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. General manager Bob Quinn compared Huntley to the type of player of J.D. McKissic.

Footballguys view: Huntley was a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of New Mexico State. He can make big plays as a runner, receiver or kick returner. Huntley has quickness and incredible burst with the ball. He's not a big back and won't have much success running between the tackles. However, he can be used on outside runs or screen passes...plus he could line up in the slot. Huntley should work into the mix with fellow rookie D'Andre Swift as likely the lead runner (if he beats out Kerryon Johnson).

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Raiders | Bryan Edwards expected to be No. 4 target
Las Vegas Raiders WR Bryan Edwards figures to be the team's No. 4 option at receiver in 2020, according to Matt Harmon of Yahoo! Sports.

Footballguys view: Raiders GM Mike Mayock loves Edwards but the fact of the matter is he's buried on the depth chart at this time. Fellow rookie Henry Ruggs III is the no.1 receiver with Tyrell Williams starting opposite of him on the outside. In the slot, the Raiders have a really good option in second-year pro Hunter Renfrow. That leaves Edwards as the no.4 on the depth chart. We'll monitor Edwards in dynasty formats.

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Redskins | Antonio Gandy-Golden specializes in jump balls
Washington Redskins WR Antonio Gandy-Golden has a knack for coming down with 50/50 balls, and it's something he feels he needs to do. 'During the game not every ball I get is going to be wide open, so just for the quarterback to be confident enough to throw it to me I feel like I have to come down with it,' Gandy-Golden said.

Footballguys view: Gandy-Golden has an incredibly large catch radius and that helps him snare passes away from his frame where defenders cannot reach. The 'my ball' mentality he displayed in college at Liberty was outstanding, plus he proved he can hang with tougher competition earlier this year at the Senior Bowl. We'll see how the rookie can mix into the WR depth chart in 2020. Terry McLaurin is Washington's top receiver but behind him they have to figure things out. Gandy-Golden is in that competition.

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Redskins | Terry McLaurin grades as top rookie
Washington Redskins WR Terry McLaurin was graded by Pro Football Focus as the top rookie receiver in 2019.
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Terry McLaurin player page



Patriots | More expectation for Brian Hoyer to start
Former New England Patriots DL Rob Ninkovich (retired) believes QB Brian Hoyer will be under center for Week 1 of the 2020 season, instead of QB Jarrett Stidham. 'Look, when you're a second-year player, you really don't realize what a season's like as a starter,' Ninkovich said. 'You don't understand what it's going to take, and not having an offseason does not help. So, Brian Hoyer will be the starter Week 1.' Ninkovich also touted Hoyer's experience both as an NFL starter and in the Patriots' offensive system as reasons he should get the Week 1 start.

Footballguys view: Hoyer has all the experience in the world, so he's a 'safe' option to put your chips on. However, Stidham looked good in the preseason last year and might just win the job outright with improved play this year in training camp and the preseason. Fantasy GMs have plenty of other options at quarterback no matter who is the new starting quarterback for New England.

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Brian Hoyer player page
Jarrett Stidham player page




Lions | Kenny Golladay continuing to improve
Detroit Lions WR Kenny Golladay has the potential to become one of the NFL's top receivers, according to veteran teammate Danny Amendola. 'What I love about Kenny is he's a dog,' Amendola said. 'He plays the game very physical and he's a great teammate. The sky is the limit for Kenny. It's just a matter of getting out there, getting years under his belt and getting experience under his belt.' Amendola also said he and Golladay have worked out together in Austin, Texas this offseason.

Footballguys view: Golladay has just shown us the tip of the iceberg in the pros. He was able to go for more than 1,000 yards receiving in 2019 even though he caught passes from three different quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford is now healthy and that could lead to even better numbers from Golladay in 2020.

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Kenny Golladay player page




Saints | Drew Brees tops when kept safe
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees is Pro Football Focus' highest-graded quarterback over the last two seasons when kept free from pressure.

Footballguys view: Brees is deadly when he has time to throw. He stays on time and on target better than any quarterback in the league. Brees may be playing his final season in 2020 and his game has not fallen off much if at all.

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Drew Brees player page




Chargers | Henry Henry among metric's elite
Los Angeles Chargers TE Hunter Henry ranked seventh among all pass-catchers in 2019 with a plus-8.4 percent catch rate above expectation.

Footballguys view: Henry is an outstanding tight end and can make plays others can't. Injuries are his only concern as a pro. If Henry is healthy, he can easily be a top-5 fantasy tight end. Henry has a current ADP of TE8 (7.06) in 12-team PPR leagues.

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Hunter Henry player page




Giants | New offense challenging Daniel Jones
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones has faced a challenge learning a new offense entering his second season during the league's offseason shutdown. 'I'm trying to adjust to what we're having to do, trying to learn this new system as well as I can pick it up as quick as I can and as efficient as I can,' Jones said, adding that new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's system is much different from the offense he ran as a rookie last season under Pat Shurmur and Mike Shula.

Footballguys view: For any young player, picking up a new offense is difficult. Things are made even more difficult with the 'virtual offseason' during the install portion of OTAs and minicamp we are usually going through right now. Without on-field workouts, players like Jones (or Drew Lock in Denver) are going to have to pick up things quickly when training camp gets here.

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Daniel Jones player page




Lions | Kenny Golladay a big-play wideout
Detroit Lions WR Kenny Golladay had 22 receptions of at least 20 yards in 2019, which ranked second among all pass-catchers.

Footballguys view: Golladay had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2019 and did it with three different quarterbacks (Matthew Stafford, Jeff Driskel, David Blough). This year with Stafford back at full strength, we should see more big plays and even more production from Golladay.

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Kenny Golladay player page




Seahawks | Chris Carson still lead back
Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson (hip) is still one of the team's 'primary offensive weapons' despite the Friday, May 22, signing of free agent RB Carlos Hyde, according to a team beat reporter. The reporter added that the Seahawks signed Hyde to 'complement' Carson rather than 'take (his) job.'

Footballguys view: This is not a question even with the Seahawks adding Carlos Hyde this week. Hyde is a power back who could get some short-yardage and goal-line work behind Carson. He's going off the board at RB18 (3.08) in 12-team PPR leagues. Hyde is mostly just a bench player for Fantasy GMs but if pressed into duty he could provide RB3/flex value.

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Chris Carson player page




Colts | Marlon Mack a big-play back
Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack tied for third in the league with nine rushes of 20 yards or more in the 2019 season.

Footballguys view: Mack is the big-play back and he's going to split time with another dangerous runner, rookie Jonathan Taylor, in 2020. With the addition of Taylor in the draft, the Colts should continue to emphasize the run. Nyheim Hines should still work as their pass-catching back.

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Marlon Mack player page




Bills | John Brown an elite deep threat
Buffalo Bills WR John Brown ranks third in the league since 2015 with an average depth of target of 15.9 yards.

Footballguys view: Brown aka 'Smoke' has always been a deep threat who takes the top off the defense. With the addition of Stefon Diggs, that should take some attention away from Brown. He'll continue to be a downfield field-stretching target for QB Josh Allen.

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John Brown player page




Eagles | DeSean Jackson top deep target
Philadelphia Eagles WR DeSean Jackson average depth of target is 17.6 yards since 2015 -- the highest figure in the league by 1.6 yards over that span.

Footballguys view: Jackson has the speed to get by defenders in a hurry. He basically teleports down the field and ends up behind the secondary before they can adjust. That's his game, always has been and always will be.

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DeSean Jackson player page




Redskins | Adrian Peterson could see reduced workload
Washington Redskins RB Adrian Peterson is likely to see a reduced workload in 2020, due to the offseason acquisitions of RBs Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic, the selection of RB/WR Antonio Gibson in the draft and the returns of RBs Derrius Guice and Bryce Love from knee injuries. However, there is a possibility that the Redskins could have multiple running backs on the field at the same time, based on early Zoom meetings Peterson has had with the coaching staff.

Footballguys view: Peterson brings plenty of power to the Washington backfield, something most of the other backs listed do not have. This is a talented group of running backs if they're all healthy, and it will be interesting to see who emerges from the cluster. From a fantasy perspective, this Washington RBBC is going to be problematic to predict.

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Adrian Peterson player page
Peyton Barber player page
Derrius Guice player page
Bryce Love player page



Source: footballguys.com

[Otters27]

Joe Flacco to Jets on a 1 year deal.

He had a pretty good career

[cjwatsonfan32]

I was thinking about taking marlon Mack as my 2nd running back in this years fantasy draft

[cjwatsonfan32]

Adrian Peterson could see reduced workload?

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I was thinking about taking marlon Mack as my 2nd running back in this years fantasy draft

Remember that the Colts drafted Jonathan Taylor and also have Nyheim Hines. Mack is a good player but don't draft him too high as he will be sharing carries with those 2.

[johnnyvegas13]

Remember that the Colts drafted Jonathan Taylor and also have Nyheim Hines. Mack is a good player but don't draft him too high as he will be sharing carries with those 2.

I think Taylor the back to own

ciupd b a mess tho