Wednesday, July 22, 2015

FFToolbox - Texans WR Jaelen Strong drops 20 pounds plus 26 more

FFToolbox - Texans WR Jaelen Strong drops 20 pounds plus 26 more

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Texans WR Jaelen Strong drops 20 pounds

Posted: 22 Jul 2015 02:32 AM PDT

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien was very critical of rookie Jaelen Strong for showing up to rookie minicamp out of shape. He weighed in at 231 pounds after weighing just 217 pounds at the NFL Rookie Combine. Now Strong says he is down to 211 pounds. Strong, Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington are expected to compete for snaps and targets this season. This could help him work his way out of the coach's doghouse. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Strong slipped in the draft this year and issues like this may have contributed to his fall. He is currently being drafted as the WR59. As late as that sounds, it's still too early. He is sandwiched between Rueben Randle and Terrance Williams. Both wideouts have way more value than Strong this season. The Texans don't exactly have a stable quarterback situation and Strong may very well end up being the WR4. Washington and Shorts aren't superstars but they aren't scrubs either. Pass on Strong, he's a year or two away.

Titans WR Justin Hunter will participate at training camp

Posted: 22 Jul 2015 02:12 AM PDT

When Titans training camp opens up next week Justin Hunter will be on the field. Despite pending felonious assault charges, the team is standing by him. Their plan is to "let legal process play out". Prior to the arrest, Hunter was the favorite to start on the outside opposite of Kendall Hunter. He is not scheduled to appear in court until September 3, which is the same day as the Titans' preseason finale. FANTASY ANALYSIS: The Titans are doing the right thing here. If you're going to cut Hunter it should be because he's not a capable NFL receiver not because a first incident in which he punched a man in the face. Especially since we don't know what started the altercation. Teams should let the legal process play out more often. Ever since Roger Goodell decided he was more powerful than our justice system, there has been an obligation to immediately suspend players for anything they do. A 26-year-old man does not deserve to lose a job he worked his whole life for because he got in a fight at the bar on July 4th weekend. I'm not sure I've ever been in a bar that weekend and a fight didn't break out. With all that said, I still don't want Hunter anywhere near my fantasy team.

Titans QB Marcus Mariota finally inks his rookie deal

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 10:48 PM PDT

Titans second-overall pick Marcus Mariota finally signed his rookie contract. He was the last first-round pick left without a deal done. It is a four-year $24.2 million deal with a fifth-year team option. As we reported the major hold up was with the offset language. The two sides compromised and went with "partial offsets". Now Mariota is eligible to suit up when the Titans open up training camp. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Of course it's a very positive sign for the Titans that they managed to sign their franchise QB and he'll be ready for the start of training camp. With that said, it's going to be a long year for the Tennessee offense. Mariota is not an NFL ready quarterback and his weapons are subpar at best. The Titans also lack any semblance of a rushing attack. Any value Mariota has will likely come from his ability to run. He's being drafted as a QB2. The QB2 upside may be there but his ceiling is low in that offense.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson's new three-year deal worth $44 million

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 10:30 PM PDT

Adrian Peterson's new three-year contract has a base value of $44 million. He was previously set to make $44.75 million, however, with the new deal he's much more likely to actually earn the majority of his money. He was set to make $12.75 million this season, instead he will be given $11 million guaranteed and will receive a $2 million roster bonus on July 28. While it adds up to less money, there is more guaranteed early and the Vikings will be forced to make a decision early each season. So if they want to cut him, it has to be before free agency starts and all the money is used up. FANTASY ANALYSIS: All's well that ends well in Minnesota I guess. It took a long roundabout way to get here, yet here we are. Peterson is reinstated, signed and in camp. He has a new contract and now it's like he never left. He is being drafted as an elite RB1 and whether you like him or not, it's deserved. He's a rare elite talent that comes around once in a generation. Turning 30 doesn't scare you as much with AP as it does with other backs. He should not fall out of the top five picks.

Titans WR Justin Hunter eligible to be released from jail on $25,000 bond

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 09:40 PM PDT

Justin Hunter was arraigned and released today on $25,000 bail. He must remain on good behavior and has a curfew. His curfew is from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and he is not allowed to have any alcohol. The preliminary hearings for his case are set for September 3. The alleged victim suffered a broken jaw and cracked tooth. The NFL is expected to do their own investigation. Hunter apparently only punched the man and there was no stabbing or knife involved. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This actually isn't as bad as it originally sounded. Hunter did not cut or stab anybody. Sure, he shouldn't be punching people in the face but this could have been much worse. Still, in today's NFL who knows what the punishment will be. Deflating footballs is the same as knocking out females and smoking weed is costing people seasons at a time. This could literally be anything from a two-game suspension to a full year. It will be interesting to see if he makes the Titans' 53-man roster.

Bills WR Marquise Goodwin qualifies for long-jump finals at Pan AM games in Toronto

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 08:49 PM PDT

It only took one jump for Bills wideout Marquise Goodwin to qualify for the long-jump finals at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. The two-time NCAA champion will participate for Team USA after jumping 8.05 meters. Goodwin has also participated in the Olympics as well for the USA. After his jump Goodwin tweeted out, "Told ya, Oneamp;Done !" FANTASY ANALYSIS: This kid is an amazing athlete. It would be great to see it translate to the football field. He showed some promise in the middle of 2013 but that's about the extent of his NFL production. He's still young and can turn things around. Also, there is nothing wrong with him participating in these games. No he shouldn't be just focusing on football and give this up. Let the kid do what he wants to do. Quite frankly he's probably much better at the long-jump than he is at football.

Daily Fantasy: MLB DFS Rundown by Tommy G (Tuesday, July 21)

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 07:53 PM PDT

Stay cashin with Senior Daily Fantasy Expert TOMMY G. This is a free preview of his PREMIUM MLB DFS Rundown!

Daily Dr. Roto: It is Witten, It is Done

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 07:52 PM PDT

Jason Witten may be one of Tony Romo's primary targets in the passing game, but Dr. Roto isn't high on the veteran tight end this season. Find out why.

2015 Fantasy Football: Flex Position Strategy

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 07:51 PM PDT

Shawn Childs examines what Fantasy owners need to do at the backend of their roster in order to win a championship! (PREMIUM)

Fantasy Football Tight End Strategy (PREVIEW)

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 07:51 PM PDT

Senior Fantasy Football Expert Shawn Childs will help you win your Fantasy league. This is a free preview of his PREMIUM article!

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell's suspension will not be heard by Commissioner Roger Goodell

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 06:34 PM PDT

The reigning Fantasy Football MVP is facing a three-game suspension this season for marijuana and DUI charges. Bell has been waiting on an appeal hearing for quite some time now and has been left in the dark on the matter. Commissioner Roger Goodell claims to have no knowledge of an appeal and wouldn't have any information on it because it's not his appeal to handle. "That appeal is not heard by me, I would have to get somebody else to get a timeline on that," Goodell said. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Bell would be the no-doubt consensus first-overall pick had he not been suspended. So this suspension is obviously a major deal. Somehow Goodell knows nothing about it. A reduction would send waves through the fantasy community. He still has the highest ADP in the league and rightfully so. He's an absolute beast and is very versatile. Bell puts up points in bunches. In his potential absence, DeAngelo Williams will be the starter.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson restructures the final three years of his contract

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 06:05 PM PDT

The Vikings and Adrian Peterson have mutually agreed to restructure the final three years of his contract. They made it clear that the agreement was mutual so not to hurt AP's ego after his lengthy Twitter rant earlier this offseason. Both Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and Peterson commented on the matter with great admiration for each other. quot;This agreement is a win for both Adrian and the Vikings and is a positive step toward Adrian finishing his career as a Minnesota Viking," said Spielman. "As we have consistently said, Adrian is a valuable part of the Vikings organization and we look forward to his return to the field." "I appreciate the Vikings for working together on this restructured contract, which provides additional security for me but also allows opportunities for me to further prove my value to the team and within the NFL," said Peterson. "It was important for me to continue my career in Minnesota, and I cannot wait to get on the field in front of Vikings fans again." FANTASY ANALYSIS: It looks like Peterson may actually be staying put in Minnesota long-term. That may not be the case but is much more likely now than it would have been with his previous contract. AP's current ADP has him being drafted as the RB4. However, I have seen Peterson go first overall in multiple drafts and mock drafts. It is not often he falls out of the top five. The general consensus is that he is going to have a monster season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell says 'there is no timeline' for Patriots QB Tom Brady's appeal decision

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 05:43 PM PDT

As reigning Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady continues to wait for a decision on the appeal of his four-game suspension for possibly being aware of somebody deflating footballs, Commissioner Roger Goodell is still taking his time coming up with a decision. He plans to take his time and attempt to get it right. "We are focused on it," Goodell said. "We are obviously being very thorough and want to make sure we consider all aspects of his appeal. We will make a decision as quickly as possible hellip; There is no timeline. We want to make sure we have a fair and open process." FANTASY ANALYSIS: This situation will almost certainly end up blundered by Goodell as pretty much every situation does. Hopefully we as fantasy owners get an answer sooner rather than later for our own selfish reason, which the NFL rightfully does not care about. Brady can be suspended anywhere from zero to four games. Obviously a quarter of the season is a big deal. Since we do not know how long he will be suspended it's hard to judge his fantasy value. However, he will have a massive chip on his shoulder regardless of the result of the appeal and that could be scary for the rest of the league.

Lions RB Joique Bell's health is a bigger concern this season

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 05:25 PM PDT

Last year Joique Bell missed most of the offseason with a knee injury and went on to have the best fantasy season of his career. This season Bell has been sidelined while recovering from knee and Achilles' surgeries. The procedures were not major but surgeries nonetheless. According to ESPN's Michael Rothstein, "there seems to be more concern this time" when it comes to Bell's health. He is expected to make a full recovery, however, they are not in the clear until they see him on the field. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Bell is slipping in fantasy drafts. His current ADP has him being drafted as an RB4, he has great value that late. Ameer Abdullah is expected to play the Reggie Bush role, however, he shouldn't have a major impact on Bell. Abdullah can't do what Bell does. As dynamic as he is, Abdullah is an undersized back with fumbling issues. There is no chance the Lions are going to come out and start slamming him between the tackles. Due to injury concerns, Bell should be drafted as an RB3 with upside.

Rams RB Todd Gurley expected to open training camp on the NFI list

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 05:00 PM PDT

Rams first-round pick Todd Gurley is still recovering from ACL surgery. He is expected to open up training camp on the Non-Football Injury list. This was always the expectation and he can be removed from the list at any time. There is no concrete timetable for his return to the field in full pads. The earlier he returns, the more likely he is to avoid the PUP list when the regular season starts. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This should not be any more of a concern for Gurley owners than they already have. He was always expected to start camp on the NFI list. He tore his ACL in mid-November and the usual recovery is about nine months now. However, everybody's body is different. Some players return from an ACL injury and are never the same or take another full year to get back to form. Others rush for 2,000 yards or look like they haven't missed a beat. This is a situation worth monitoring extremely closely this preseason if you intend to invest in Gurley this fantasy season. His ADP currently has him being drafted as the RB13. You will be taking a major risk drafting him that high in redrafts. There is no denying the upside but you cannot ignore the risk either.

Alleged victim in Titans WR Justin Hunter's felonious assault case sustained 'serious' injuries

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 04:33 PM PDT

We learned yesterday that Titans wideout Justin Hunter was arrested and is being held without bond for felonious assault in an alleged stabbing in Virginia Beach. Now we are getting word on the condition of the alleged victim. According to Officer James Cason of the Virginia Beach Police Department, the victim sustained, quot;serious, but not life-threatening" injuries as a result of the confrontation that took place inside the Sandbar Raw Bar on July 3. FANTASY ANALYSIS: This whole situation is very bad for Hunter. His biggest issue is that he's not good enough to have teams tolerate this type of behavior. He has potential but has not realized it. Don't be surprised if the Titans cut Hunter. He will almost certainly face a suspension and may even face jail time. Take him off your draft board if he was on it.

Saints WR Brandin Cooks will be the 'top target' in New Orleans

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 04:05 PM PDT

SCOUT Fantasy's official Breakout Player of the Year Brandin Cooks is fully expected to be the Saints' top target this season. With Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills shipped out of town, Cooks is far-and-away Drew Brees' best option. Marques Colston is aging and the rest of the WR corps is completely unproven. Josh Hill and C.J. Spiller are questionable at best and complete busts at worst. Cooks is expected to lead the Saints in targets as well as pretty much very other receiving category, perhaps with the exception of touchdowns. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Cooks is our breakout player and for good reason. He has rare speed, great route-running ability and excellent hands. He's currently being drafted as the WR14. He has great value there and his upside is even greater. Cooks will be a PPR monster. The majority of those short passes that have unjustly inflated C.J. Spillers ADP will in fact be going to Cooks. The opportunity is there, the talent is definitely there, and the only thing that can derail him now are injuries.

WATCH: Don't overdraft this second-year WR!

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:51 PM PDT

Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has talked several times about his love for WR Cody Latimer. Find out why Senior Fantasy Expert Dr. Roto isn't buying Latimer as a breakout candidate in 2015.

Daily Fantasy: Scouting the MLB (Tuesday, July 21)

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:50 PM PDT

Find some premium stacks and some excellent value options at SP in today's DFS Breakdown.

Evaluating Emmanuel Sanders' Fantasy Value

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:50 PM PDT

Fantasy Football High Stakes Winner Jack Delaney examines why Emmanuel Sanders is being drafted so late after producing a career-year with the Denver Broncos last season (PREMIUM)

Can Keenan Allen Rebound This Fantasy Season?

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:50 PM PDT

Fantasy Football High Stakes Winner Jack Delaney analyzes San Diego Chargers WR Keenan Allen's previous two seasons to determine how he will perform in 2015.

Giants hoping to finalize a contract extension with QB Eli Manning soon

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:36 PM PDT

According to NFL.com Insider Ian Rapoport the Giants "think and hope" they will get a contract extension done with Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning in the coming weeks. An extension would likely give Manning a slight raise but also help the cap number. The 34-year-old Manning is expected to command a similar contract to the five-year $99 million deal Ben Roethlisberger signed earlier this offseason. If a deal does not get done, which is unlikely, Manning would become a free agent next offseason. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Giants fans need not worry, there is about a 99 percent chance that Manning will remain in New York. He quietly emerged as a QB1 last season and only looks to improve this season. He threw for 4,410 yards and improved his TD-to-INT ratio from 18-to-27 in 2013 to 30-to-14 in 2014. This season he is expected to have Odell Beckham Jr for all 16 games, a returning Victor Cruz and an elite pass-catching back in Shane Vereen. Manning has a great shot to repeat his performance from last season with room to improve. His current ADP makes him the QB14, he's an absolute steal that late.

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta is expected to start the season on the PUP list

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 02:53 PM PDT

Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta has suffered serious hip injuries in each of the past two seasons. He has been progressing but he is still expected to start the season on the PUP list and be forced to miss the first six games. Orthopedic surgeon and hip specialist Dr. Derek Ochiai made it clear that another similar hip injury would likely end Pitta's career and a re-injury is a possibility. quot;Unfortunately, there's a reasonable chance it could happen again to Dennis with another fracture-dislocation of the hip," said Ochiai. "It's not a given, but it's definitely possible. It's also possible it's a lightning-struck-twice kind of thing and it doesn't happen again. That's the best-case scenario. Once you have recurrences of an injury, statistically, it's more likely you will continue to have issues going forward. It's football, you're not playing chess. There's a lot of twisting and cutting regardless of actually getting tackled that can put a lot of stress on your hip joint. Unfortunately, Dennis Pitta's hip joint isn't normal. It can't be normal after a fracture-dislocation, but it can be repaired." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Pitta was once a very promising prospect, however, now he's little more than an afterthought. The injuries have surely scared off fantasy owners. The Ravens made Maxx Williams the first TE selected in this year's draft. He will likely get the first shot at the starting job, nevertheless, there are clear deficiencies in his game. He could develop into a good NFL TE but he's not NFL ready. Williams is currently being drafted as the TE14, he's not worth that high of a selection.

NASCAR Picks for Crown Royal 400 at the Brickyard

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 02:52 PM PDT

Top 30 NASCAR Sprint Cup driver rankings for Crown Royal 400: 1. Jeff Gordon, 2. Kyle Busch, 3. Jimmie Johnson, 4. Kevin Harvick, 5. Matt Kenseth, 6. Kasey Kahne, 7. Joey Logano, ...

Titans RB Antonio Andrews 'will be given a good, long look'

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 01:38 PM PDT

Antonio Andrew is the darkest horse in a Titans' backfield full of dark horses. Bishop Sankey is the favorite to start Week 1, although, many believe David Cobb will take over the starting job sooner rather than later. Andrews has been a standout in practice and in preseason play. According to the Tennessean Andrews "will be given a good, long look" leading up to the season. He has a legitimate shot to win the RB2 job. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Andrews could emerge as sneaky good waiver wire add at some point this season. Sankey and Cobb are far from sure things. He's not worth a draft pick but is definitely worth monitoring. The Titans backfield is pretty much completely up in the air until someone proves themselves as a viable NFL running back. They should be ranked Cobb, Sankey then Andrews for now, however, don't be shocked if he makes a climb.

Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart showing 'burst and acceleration' this offseason

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 01:10 PM PDT

The Jaguars signed Toby Gerhart prior to last season with the intentions of making him their feature-back. Unfortunately he did not perform very well. He averaged only 3.2 yards per carry, which could be partly due to nagging injuries. This year rookie T.J. Yeldon is expected to take over as the starting back. Gerhart will likely be the primary backup and handcuff to Yeldon. Jags RBs coach Kelly Skipper has been impressed with Gerhart this offseason. quot;I saw improvement in his burst and acceleration and he made play after play in the spring so I'm excited to see what he can bring in the fall," Skipper said. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Gerhart is nothing more than a handcuff for Yeldon or potential replacement if he falls flat on his face. Still, I'm so sure Yeldon is worth handcuffing. If anything, Denard Robinson may be the second back to own in Jacksonville. He has PPR value and big play ability. Gerhart is still worth monitoring this preseason. If he performs well in the exhibition games, perhaps his value will increase. Especially if Yeldon looks bad.

Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon picking things up quickly

Posted: 21 Jul 2015 12:39 PM PDT

Jaguars' rookie running back T.J. Yeldon is fully expected to be the Week 1 starter in Jacksonville. The team believes he has all the tools to be an every-down back this season. Jags RBs coach Kelly Skipper has been very impressed with his ability to absorb information. "The impressive thing about T.J. is that he picked up the offense quickly," Skipper said. "For the most part, when he gets something, he has it [down] and we can move onto the next thing hellip; It will be, 'What gets him ready for the season opener?' He needs the experience. The NFL is a lot different and we want to make sure he makes the transition and makes it smoothly." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Yeldon is in a prime position to have a breakout season. He will be given every opportunity to have a massive fantasy impact. He is currently being selected as the No. 18 RB. He certainly has the upside to be an RB2, nevertheless, he's still an unproven rookie running behind a subpar offensive line. He is being drafted ahead of guys like Alfred Morris and Latavius Murray, which is a bit risky. Yeldon is a strong upside pick, just remember opportunity for touches and favorable situations are two different things.
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