Fantasy football daily notes: Packers running backs, Tom Brady and Mike Evans practice, Baker Mayfield starting
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The news: Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur refers to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon as running backs “1A and 1A.”
What it means in fantasy: Dillon and Jones are becoming interchangeable in the Packers’ eyes, so Jones’ fantasy potential is being inflated in our live draft trends, where Jones is the RB11, while Dillon is a much better value at RB32. After the 2022 season, Jones is very likely to be cut by the Packers because of his contract situation. Fantasy managers in keeper leagues need to be aware of this.
Going deeper: Last season, Jones did not lead the Packers in rushing yards for the first time in three years. Because Jones missed two games, Dillon surpassed him statistically, rushing for 803 yards to Jones’ 799. Jones does maintain the edge in the receiving game for now.
The news: The Carolina Panthers named Baker Mayfield the starting quarterback for Week 1.
What it means in fantasy: After all the drama in the offseason, Mayfield got what he wanted. Even though he’s a low-end QB2 in fantasy, having Mayfield under center benefits DJ Moore and the other receivers in Carolina.
The news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady returns and WR Mike Evans practices for the first time since Aug. 5 because of a hamstring injury.
What it means in fantasy: In the past week and a half, Brady vacationed with his family at an exclusive Bahamas resort, according to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson. Following the injury over two weeks ago, Evans was considered “day-to-day,” but his absence was likely just precautionary. Brady can be viewed as a low-end QB1 in fantasy, while Evans is a low-end WR1.
Going deeper: Throughout his career, Evans has averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game while surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in every season. In two years with Brady under center, Evans is averaging 72 receptions, 1,020 receiving yards and 13.5 touchdowns.
The news: Kenyan Drake says the Las Vegas Raiders plan to release him.
What it means in fantasy: Josh Jacobs, Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden were inactive for Saturday’s preseason game against the Dolphins. Drake, however, played. It’s not good news for the 28-year-old running back’s future with the Raiders. Rookie Zamir White has the most potential to benefit from Drake’s departure and could become Jacobs’ backup.
Going deeper: A fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia, White averaged 5.3 yards per carry for his career and scored 11 touchdowns in consecutive seasons. Jacobs is on the last year of his contract, so White could become the new starter in 2023. He should be prioritized late in the draft in keeper leagues.
The news: Los Angeles Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller left Saturday’s preseason game against the Cowboys with an ankle injury and could miss Week 1.
What it means in fantasy: The injury solidifies Joshua Kelley’s role as Austin Ekeler‘s backup. In a Monday update, Chargers coach Brandon Staley said Spiller was considered week-to-week and is expected to miss the preseason finale against the Saints this Friday. Spiller had been competing with Kelley and Larry Rountree III for the second running back spot before suffering the injury. Los Angeles is likely to have four backs on its 53-man roster with Spiller likely unavailable for Week 1.
The news: WR Joshua Palmer is in concussion protocol coming out of the preseason game against the Cowboys.
What it means in fantasy: With three receptions on four targets for 75 yards and a touchdown, Palmer had an impressive performance. Palmer is the favorite to win the No. 3 receiver role for a Chargers offense that ranked fourth in total yards per game last season (390.2). He’s worth drafting in the late rounds.
The news: WR Mecole Hardman returned to practice on Monday following a groin injury last week.
What it means in fantasy: After watching Hardman leave Kansas City Chiefs practice on a cart, fantasy football managers thought the worst. Hardman’s return confirms that the injury wasn’t serious. He is expected to open the season as the Chiefs No. 3 receiver. Hardman is the WR60 in our live draft trends. He’s projected to see only 62 targets. I still consider JuJu Smith-Schuster to be the best Chiefs wide receiver to draft for fantasy football.
The news: Packers rookie receiver Romeo Doubs is “expected to play,” according to Aaron Rodgers.
What it means in fantasy: Rodgers expects wide receiver Doubs to be on the field with him when the regular season begins, based on his performances during training camp and the preseason. Here’s what fantasy managers should take away: Doubs has put himself in a position to take advantage of an opportunity that often doesn’t come up for young receivers in Green Bay. Although Allen Lazard remains the Packers’ top fantasy option, it is possible that someone else will lead the team in targets by the end of the season.
The news: WR KJ Hamler could play in the Broncos’ final preseason game.
What it means in fantasy: This is great news for the Broncos since the team is without wide receiver Tim Patrick. Hamler should start the season as the No. 3 receiver if he is healthy. With Russell Wilson at the helm, a speedy receiver with playmaking ability is a perfect fit for the Broncos’ offense. Hamler is projected to receive 78 targets.
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• Eric Moody’s IDP sleepers and breakouts
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