Monday, July 28, 2014

FFToolbox - Vikings ink TE Kyle Rudolph to 5-year, $36.5 million extension plus 18 more

FFToolbox - Vikings ink TE Kyle Rudolph to 5-year, $36.5 million extension plus 18 more

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Vikings ink TE Kyle Rudolph to 5-year, $36.5 million extension

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 09:39 PM PDT

The Vikings' quarterback of the future may become their quarterback of the present. If he does, one should expect a lot of connections between Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Rudolph this year and over the next five years. The Vikings signed the 24-year-old tight end on Sunday to a five-year contract extension through 2019. The extension is worth $36.5 million. Rudolph was limited to eight games last season because of a broken foot, but he is not feeling any effects from it in camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The case for Rudolph in fantasy is easy: Huge target with good-enough athleticism; touchdown maven; coached by Norv Turner, who has turned a handful of tight ends of different pedigrees into stars; likely catching passes from a rookie quarterback who will need a safety blanket to stay afloat in the league right away; lots of room for upside with an eighth-round ADP. Like Dennis Pitta, Rudolph is a TE I'm aiming for in drafts and one reason why I don't like chasing TE early on ... unless I can land Jimmy Graham.

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta fully healthy after 2013 hip injury

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 09:16 PM PDT

One year ago today, Dennis Pitta's season was considered over. He fractured and dislocated his right hip during a camp practice and required surgery. The Ravens' tight end returned from surgery in time to play in the season's final four games but admitted that he was still gaining strength, trust, and flexibility in his hip. Today, Pitta is ready for the 2014 season. quot;I feel good," Pitta said. "I'm out here not thinking about it. It's not giving me an issue at all. I feel 100 percent. I'm encouraged with where I'm at." Pitta, who signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract in February, has been utilized out wide, in line and out of the backfield in offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's system. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Pitta caught 20 passes in those four games last season for 169 yards and a touchdown. In his last healthy season, 2012, Pitta caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. I expect all of those numbers to go up with Kubiak and the Ravens implementing more of a West Coast offense. Moving him around the field will help, too. And yet, Pitta is still on the board as many 12-team drafts enter the eighth round. He's a personal favorite of mine at that price.

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater already getting first-team reps

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 08:19 PM PDT

Teddy Bridgewater is making a quick ascent up the pecking order of quarterbacks in Minnesota. According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, the rookie is already splitting first-team reps in practice with Matt Cassel, and there is quot;hugeeee optimism" for his future. "May not be Week 1 starter but he's definitely been more impressive than [coaches] expected," Glazer tweeted about Bridgewater on Sunday FANTASY ANALYSIS: That last sentence echoes a sentiment Bridgewater's own offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, expressed earlier this month. Bridgewater is a fine dynasty pick. Even with Turner's help, I'm not thinking about him much in re-draft leagues. But if he can keep defenses somewhat honest and get the ball to Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph consistently, he's cool with me.

Jets QB Geno Smith says he will be a top-5 quarterback by 2015 or 2016

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 08:03 PM PDT

Aaron Rodgers. Drew Brees. Peyton Manning. Tom Brady. Geno Smith? Smith was asked Saturday for his opinion about a recent ESPN survey that ranked him as the worst QB in the NFL, No. 32. He isn't worried about it and expects a much more desired ranking after this season. quot;The thing about it is, you have to climb up," Smith said. "If I'm No. 32, by this time next year or the year after, I expect to be in the top five." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Let's be overly optimistic about this. A lot of rookie quarterbacks struggle. As mentioned in the source article, Manning threw 28 interceptions as a rook. Smith threw "only" 21. Improvement comes with experience. It also comes with a strong work ethic, something teammates have noticed from Smith this offseason. He has the faith of Rex Ryan and other coaches who know full well that their jobs are riding on Smith's right arm. And maybe Smith transforms that list into a reason to prove everybody wrong. Maybe he uses it as a source of motivation as the great ones do. On the field, the acquisitions of Eric Decker and Chris Johnson give Smith a couple of targets who are far better than anyone he could throw to last year. OK, so I'm still not drafting Smith in any league this year, but that doesn't mean he won't ever be significantly better than his 2013 form. Top five? Get outta here.

Fantasy Football Weekly - July 27

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 07:27 PM PDT

A weekly recap of the big fantasy football headlines and must-know information.

Texans WR Andre Johnson looking forward to moving around formation

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 07:25 PM PDT

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson is trying to make up for lost time after skipping OTAs and minicamp. He has about six weeks to grasp new head coach Bill O'Brien's offense and all that it will ask of him. Johnson does have a lot to learn, and that excites him. quot;I think it's just gonna be fun for me, me picking up the things I need to pick up, [O'Brien] telling me that he's gonna move me around a lot and stuff like that," Johnson said Saturday. "So it's going to be interesting to see because I really wasn't moved a whole lot before, so I just got to, day-by-day, just progressively get better and make sure that I'm on top of everything .... " FANTASY ANALYSIS: Holdout drama dominated the news around Johnson this spring, but he's back to work and getting ready to play. I understand fantasy owners being skittish of Johnson's prospects with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his quarterback. But Johnson has been one of the NFL's most consistent receivers for years now, and I seem to remember his productivity being just fine with Matt Schaub and Case Keenum last season. Fitzpatrick can't be any worse. Johnson is a low-end WR1 currently being drafted in the fourth round.

Browns 'shocked' by RB Terrance West's receiving skills

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 06:56 PM PDT

Although Browns running back Terrance West touched the ball 838 times in three season at Towson University, only 36 of those touches arrived through the air. It sounds like West has put a lot of work into shoring up that area of weakness. According to Tom Reed of Cleveland.com, West quot;made a pair of dazzling one-handed catches" on Saturday that drew some audible surprise from the fans in attendance. They weren't the only people surprised by West's nifty display. "I was a little shocked with Terrance today," head coach Mike Pettine said. "I had to double check my roster card to make sure I was looking at the right number. He did some nice things in the one-on-one period. That's always a bonus, when you have a guy that's not just one dimensional." Pettine added that Ben Tate is ahead in this competition because he is stronger in pass protection, "but Terrance isn't far behind." FANTASY ANALYSIS: The Tate-West battle is already exciting. I hope both stay healthy and truly let the best man win. Pass protection is tough for most rookies. If West can hold his ground in that area, it will dramatically increase his chances of seeing consistent work right away. As I've said many times this summer, the Browns' backfield will likely be a timeshare no matter who wins in training camp, but West is the much better value pick with an ADP late in the seventh round.

Dolphins envision RB Lamar Miller as their version of LeSean McCoy

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 06:30 PM PDT

Bill Lazor, the Eagles' quarterbacks coach last season, left Philadelphia for Miami in January to become the Dolphins' offensive coordinator. He obviously couldn't bring LeSean McCoy with him, but the Dolphins think they have a player able to mimic what quot;Shady" has done. Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald wrote Sunday "there's a hope in Dolphins camp" that Lamar Miller can be the McCoy in Lazor's scheme. Miller has been preparing for such a role by watching game film on McCoy from last season and talking to him about what to expect. "[McCoy] told me that the opportunity is great," Miller said. "They always keep the defense on their toes. Once you get the ball, you've got to take advantage of the opportunity." So far, Miller has been taking advantage in camp. Miller, who put on muscle during the offseason, has been saluted for his renewed focus. Miller's main motivation is free-agent signee Knowshon Moreno. But with Moreno sidelined by arthroscopic knee surgery for the time being, Miller is clearly ahead of Moreno on the depth chart and "might even be pulling away," according to Beasley. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Miller was the recipient of a lot of preseason buzz in 2013. All of that went unfulfilled because of the Dolphins' horrible offensive line, and Mike Sherman's pass-heavy play-calling. With Moreno already banged up and Lazor bringing in more of a run-focused system, this could be the year. Miller has a lot of natural talent; hopefully the people in front of him can give him somewhere to run this season. His ADP currently sits in the seventh round, behind the likes of Steven Jackson and Stevan Ridley. There's a lot of room for profit with Miller.

UPDATE: 49ers RB LaMichael James has dislocated left elbow

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 06:10 PM PDT

The 49ers backfield has not caught any breaks lately. It has been reported that LaMichael James was carted off the practice field earlier today with an apparent arm injury. The injury was later to be confirmed as a dislocated elbow. It is expected that the 49ers running back will miss at least a month. FANTASY ANALYSIS: A few days ago the 49ers backfield was looking crowded, but since then everything has changed for them. With the injury of Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James would have subsequently seen more repetitions during practice. Now, the 49ers backfield is looking thin from a fantasy perspective. Frank Gore has a huge question mark regarding his age and Carlos Hyde is not necessarily a proven starter. Some would say this is perfect for the rookie and his ADP of 101 may make him a good sleeper pick. As of now, I would be weary of the 49ers backfield and expect Frank Gore to shoulder another load this season.

Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson nursing foot injury

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 05:56 PM PDT

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has a foot injury that has kept him from practicing with the team during the first few days of camp so far. However, he isn't expected to be out much longer, according to head coach Mike Zimmer. quot;He's improving every day," Zimmer said of Patterson on Friday. Patterson injured his foot last week, but the chatty wideout offered up no comment when asked how he injured it or what is exactly wrong. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Unless this lingers for more than another handful of days, there is no reason to lower Patterson on your cheat sheet. He has crazy athleticism and is being groomed to be the Vikings' No. 1 wideout this season. He is a fourth-round pick on average and holds top-10 WR upside. Maybe top 10 is even too conservative given Patterson's skills.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael leaves practice with shoulder injury

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 05:39 PM PDT

Michael left Seahawks practice with an injured shoulder on Sunday, according to ProFootballTalk. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll downplayed the severity of the injury, telling reporters quot;[Michael] just banged his shoulder a little bit," and saying he believes Michael will return to practice on Tuesday. With Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch holding out over a contract dispute, Michael has been taking reps with the offensive starters. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is definitely a scare for the Seahawks, but it sounds as though Michael is going to be ok. His presence on the team is likely a big bargaining chip in Lynch's on-going holdout, and the Seahawks will want him fresh and ready for the season even if Lynch returns to the team. Many analysts are predicting that this will be the year that Michael overtakes Lynch as the dominant back in Seattle. Lynch is currently being drafted 12th among running backs, and Michael is being taken 28th. Any serious injury to Michael would solidify Lynch's value, assuming he's reported to the team when the season starts.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski takes part in full-team practice

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 05:39 PM PDT

On Sunday, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski continued to make progress in his rehab from major knee surgery. NFL.com's Albert Breer reports that Gronkowski took part in an 11-on-11 practice for the first time during training camp. Breer added that the drills were run at about three-quarters speed. Gronkowski tore his right ACL and MCL in December. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Gronk's average draft position rises with each positive word about his recovery that emerges. Last month, he was a fourth-round pick. Now he's being drafted early in the third round. He will move into the second round in a couple of weeks at this pace. His injury history and high price make him a very, very risky pick, but Gronkowski can be fantasy's top tight end if he plays 16 games.

Saints RB Mark Ingram opens camp as starter

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 05:28 PM PDT

The New Orleans Saints are giving running back Mark Ingram one more shot. The former first-round pick is entering a contract season. He has never surpassed more than 700 yards from scrimmage or five touchdowns in a season, but right now, he is on top of the team's running back depth chart. Ingram ran with the first-team offense during Saturday's practice while Pierre Thomas worked with the second team. Head coach Sean Payton referred to Ingram as quot;one of our starters" later in the day. "He's a guy that we felt played very well in the last half of the season," Payton said of Ingram. "It's a position where we obviously carry depth, because it's a position that gets nicked up in our game. (Ingram) is smart. He's tough. He runs with good pad level. So far, he's doing well." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Ingram had a big game against Dallas in Week 10, but which running back didn't slice and dice that defense last season? Past that, he averaged 3.7 yards per carry and has never averaged four yards per carry in a season. There might be a few more carries to go around with Darren Sproles now in Philadelphia, but that work could be taken up by Khiry Robinson or Travaris Cadet instead of Ingram. Thomas remains the most valuable Saints running back for fantasy purposes because his proficiency as a runner and receiver. Ingram is an RB4 at best. I stopped waiting for a breakout some time ago.

49ers RB LaMichael James injured

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 05:20 PM PDT

James was carted off the field during the 49ers practice Sunday, with an apparent left arm injury, according to CSNBayArea.com. James is in line with 49ers RB Marcus Lattimore and 49ers RB Carlos Hyde to serve as Frank Gore's backup and potential successor. The injury is being evaluated further, and details will be forthcoming. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This news follows word last week that 49ers RB Kendall Hunter had sustained a season-ending ACL tear. Suddenly, what looked like a crowded backfield a few weeks ago has become a lot easier to analyze. Gore is the starter, and will remain so as long as he's able to run effectively. RB Carlos Hyde is the top backup candidate, and will likely challenge Gore for carries as the season develops. Lattimore has been held out of organized practice, instead doing individual rehabiitation on the sidelines during camp. Out of the remaining healthy 49ers RBs, Hyde has the greatest upside.

Jason La Canfora: Bills could trade RB C.J. Spiller before season

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Most training camps are only a few days old, and a couple of backup running backs are already down for the count. Teams such as the Colts and 49ers are looking to replace their losses and will probably come calling to teams with some running back depth. The Bills are one such team, and CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora thinks Buffalo might listen to offers for C.J. Spiller. quot;Buffalo has more backs than it needs, probably, and C.J. Spiller, in the final year of his deal and with no extension in sight, could be the odd man out," La Canfora wrote Saturday. "I anticipate Fred Jackson being a Bill for life, and he could end up with a few new years on his deal, and the speed of Bryce Brown is impressive. Anthony Dixon supplies depth. A trade market for Spiller could well develop over the next month." FANTASY ANALYSIS: It must be pointed out that this is only La Canfora's opinion. There's no reporting here, and there's no indication that Bills coaches or executives don't like Spiller and are looking to deal him. Spiller would certainly bring in the biggest haul for the Bills, but such a move seems foolish. Brown has the physical abilities to be a good running back in this league, but he needs a lot of polish and work on his fundamentals. If those don't improve, he may never be more than just a backup. And someone please tell me why the Bills would want to extend the 33-year-old Jackson for a few more years. That seems like a good idea only for writers who enjoy sentimental storylines. With the youthful and athletic Spiller and Brown playing for cheap, there should be no room for F-Jax on this team after 2014. The Bills have already talked about how often they want Spiller to get involved this season. There's a reason for that: He's their best offensive player. A trade offer for him better be one Buffalo can't refuse. Otherwise, this opinion seems a bit batty.

Steelers WR Markus Wheaton to see 'greatly increased' role

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 04:57 PM PDT

According to CBS Sports, quot;several Steelers people" say that Wheaton is having a "strong start to camp" and that "his role will increase greatly" in the coming year. The Steelers drafted Wheaton in the third round of the 2013 draft, but he didn't see the field much in his rookie year. The depth chart at WR has thinned out in 2014, however, and Wheaton is set to see a starting role alongside Steelers WR Antonio Brown. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Wheaton's a legitimate sleeper candidate for 2014, meaning he is a guy with a lot of potential value who isn't being talked up or over-drafted. If he does indeed end up with the No. 2 WR role in Pittsburgh, a breakout season isn't unlikely. Brown has the ability to stretch defenses and draw the bulk of coverage, which will free up opportunity for Wheaton. Wheaton's currently going 55th among WRs in drafts, and is potentially a very good value at that position. Take him as a WR4/5 and hope for more.

Falcons WR Julio Jones looks 'explosive'

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 04:37 PM PDT

Jones is showing no lingering issues with his surgically repaired foot, according to ESPN's Vaughn McClure. Jones is moving well, accelerating and stopping with ease. While the Falcons are limiting his reps in camp, that is reportedly a cautionary measure, and not because of any setbacks in Jones' recovery. Jones missed 11 games in 2013 with a broken foot. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This is excellent news for would-be Jones owners, and also for those interested in Falcons WR Roddy White. While Jones' health will continue to be a concern, the fact that he looks 100% is extremely encouraging. White, for his part, does much better statistically when Jones is present in the lineup to distract defenses. These two make up one of the best one-two punches in the NFL, and after a down-year for the Falcons in 2013, they should get back to top-level production. Draft Jones as a WR1 and White as a WR2 with upside.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will get contract extension after season

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 08:47 AM PDT

Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney spoke about QB Ben Roethlisberger's contract situation saying "we intend on addressing Ben's contract situation after the season, so that we could address a number of players who were going into their last year in 2014. I think Ben understands that's our intention and the way we'd like to proceed. I think we had a good conversation." There were talks of extension when the Steelers signed center Maurkrice Pouncey back in June. Roethlisberger signed an eight-year, $102 million contract back in 2008, is scheduled to make $12 million this year and be a free agent after next season. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's a nice confidence boost by Rooney to show signs of locking Big Ben into a long-term contract. The Steelers offense is starting to come into form with RB Le'Veon Bell, WRs Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton and a healthy Heath Miller returning. Roethlisberger can be viewed as a shaky QB1 option.

Mock Draft World Championship: Foley's Breakdown

Posted: 27 Jul 2014 06:40 AM PDT

Our fantasy football expert completes his own team entry into the Mock Draft World Championship!
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