Fantasy football daily notes: Michael Thomas hurt again, a new lead back in D.C.
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The news: Michael Thomas missed Saints practice on Sunday due to a hamstring injury.
What it means in fantasy: Thomas participated in practice for the first time in nearly two years. Another injury forced him to return to the sidelines. Thomas, the WR26 in our live draft trends, has played just seven games over the last two seasons. It is expected that he will resume his role as the Saints’ No. 1 receiver in Week 1. Rookie Chris Olave may see more targets if Thomas is unavailable.
The news: Brian Robinson has replaced Antonio Gibson as the top back for the Washington Commanders.
What it means in fantasy: Antonio Gibson started the game on special teams as a kick returner against the Chiefs. Rookie Brian Robinson took the first few carries. It’s been tough for fantasy managers to watch Gibson’s fall from grace. He’s the RB23 in our draft trends while Robinson is the RB50. In the absence of J.D. McKissic, Gibson played all of the third-down snaps. This is his second consecutive week playing with the second-team offense. McKissic (RB43) and Robinson are the players fantasy managers should target in the backfield.
The news: Kenneth Walker III has no set return date to the Seahawks following his hernia surgery.
What it means in fantasy: With Walker out for an unspecified amount of time, Rashaad Penny, who is currently the RB35 by average draft position, would begin the season as the lead back in a committee for the Seahawks along with Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas. Penny can be viewed as a gameflow-dependent flex option.
Going deeper: The Seahawks have ranked within the top five in total rushing attempts In five of the last nine seasons.
The news: Jameis Winston returned to Saints practice on Sunday and participated in seven-on-seven drills.
What it means in fantasy: Winston’s foot injury suffered on August 9 was downplayed by the Saints. It took him 12 days to be ready to return. Winston is in his third season with the Saints. He became the starter in 2021 after backing up Drew Brees in 2020. Winston is the QB23 in our draft trends and can be viewed as a low-end QB2 due to the multiple offensive playmakers around him. He’s more of a target in superflex formats.
The news: Tom Brady will return to the Buccaneers this week.
What it means in fantasy: The future Hall of Fame quarterback and head coach Todd Bowles have not spoken publicly about why he’s away from the team. Nevertheless, fantasy managers should not hesitate to select Brady in drafts. For those who like to wait on quarterbacks, he’s still on the QB1 radar. Brady is the QB9 in our draft trends.
The news: Chase Edmonds started for the Dolphins and played the first 10 snaps a ran a high number of routes against the Raiders in Saturday’s preseason game.
What it means in fantasy: Edmonds’ two-year, $12.1 million contract with the Dolphins includes $6.1 million guaranteed. In our draft trends, Edmonds is the RB34, so fantasy managers should be aware of this news. Edmonds’ skill set fits well with head coach Mike McDaniel’s outsize zone scheme. He’s a great flex option with immense upside.
The news: George Pickens ran nearly as many routes as Diontae Johnson in the Steelers preseason game against the Jaguars on Saturday.
What it means in fantasy: Pickens’s draft stock continues to rise with each preseason game. In Saturday’s game, Pittsburgh used all of its starting wide receivers and had Pickens and Claypool sharing time in two wide receiver sets. It’s possible that he sees more targets than Claypool this season. Managers should prioritize Pickens as a sleeper in double-digit rounds.
The news: Christian Kirk led the Jaguars in routes run against the Steelers on Saturday.
What it means in fantasy: After watching this game, it was clear who was the Jaguars’ top receiving option. Kirk, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal with $37 million fully guaranteed, finished with a team-leading eight targets with the first-team offense was on the field. Our draft trends rank him as the WR43. There is significant upside to Kirk as a flex option.
The news: Ronald Jones remains a cut candidate following the Chiefs preseason game against the Commanders on Saturday.
What it means in fantasy: Jones did not play in the first half while four other running backs saw time. There appears to be a committee in the Chiefs’ backfield, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco handling early downs and Jerick McKinnon playing primarily third downs. Pacheco (RB52 in our draft trends is my preferred target in fantasy drafts.
The news: Samaje Perine was inactive for the Bengals preseason game against the Giants on Sunday.
What it means in fantasy: The Bengals starters were rested, including Perine. Another example of a team telling us something based on who plays: Perine is clearly backing up Joe Mixon. Since the Bengals improved their offensive line this offseason, fantasy managers should be aware of this.
Going deeper: Since 2018, Joe Mixon has averaged 20.5 touches per game.
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Eric Karabell’s preseason weekend wrap: thoughts on the Cowboys offense
Eric Karabell’s Do Draft List
• Fantasy Focus podcast: Preseason Week 2 takeaways Listen | Watch
Tomorrow:
Mike Clay’s definitive 12-team rankings: “The 192”
• NFL Nation fantasy football roundup
• Fantasy Focus podcast: Double Trouble with the Panthers and Falcons
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Tristan H. Cockcroft’s Super Deep Sleepers
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