Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Will Levis (@ TB) – In a move that surprised nobody, the Titans officially named rookie Will Levis the starter going forward this week. Levis cooled off a bit in last week’s loss to Pittsburgh but has a plus matchup in week 10. The Buccaneers have given up 71.9 fantasy points in the last two games to opposing quarterbacks including 794 passing yards. Rookie C.J. Stroud shredded this Tampa Bay defense on Sunday and Levis will also have success against this secondary.

Sit ‘Em

Russell Wilson (@ Buf) – The last time we saw Wilson and the Broncos they upset the Chiefs at home. Wilson finished that game with 3 touchdowns on just 114 passing yards. It was an impressive day for Denver which has won two in a row. Up next they get to face the Bills in Buffalo coming off the bye. Buffalo is looking to put last week’s struggles behind them and I expect their defense to own this contest. Look for Buffalo to control the clock and run the ball taking the pressure off of Josh Allen.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Brian Robinson Jr. (@ Sea) – Robinson Jr. and the Commanders will be on the road again this time heading to Seattle. Washington squeaked by New England last Sunday and Robinson scored his 5th rushing touchdown of the season. The Seahawks were shredded on the ground last week by the Ravens for 298 total rushing yards. Expect the Commanders to feed Robinson early and often in this contest. Fellow running back Antonio Gibson is also worth considering as both could be in for big days.

Sit ‘Em

Jerome Ford (@ Bal) – Jerome Ford could be in for another tough day in Baltimore. The last time the Browns faced the Ravens, Ford was held to just 26 rushing yards on 9 carries. Baltimore’s defense has looked dominant, especially at home. Last week they held Kenneth Walker III to just 16 rushing yards and 1.7 total fantasy points. Sit Ford this week and most of the Browns offense.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

DJ Moore (vs. Car) – Since his week 5 explosion vs. the Washington Commanders, Moore has yet to break 10 fantasy points (Half PPR). Some of that has to do with the injury to Justin Fields and an inconsistent Bears offense. Up next Moore gets his revenge game as Chicago welcomes the Panthers on Thursday night. I see Moore finding the end zone this week vs. a surprisingly stingy Panthers secondary.

Sit ‘Em

Davante Adams (vs. NYJ) – Despite the coaching and quarterback change last week, Adams had another dud of a game. In fact Adams hasn’t broken double-digit fantasy points since week 4. Up next he gets to face the Jets defense who have locked down opposing wide receivers all year. Eventually, Adams’s numbers will pick up again just not this week.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Kyle Pitts (@ Ari) – It’s been another disappointing season for Kyle Pitts owners. Pitts has only found paydirt once this season and has struggled to produce much of anything. If you’re going to start Pitts this is the week to do it. The Falcons head west to take on the woeful Cardinals. I see Pitts finally get back in the end zone vs. an Arizona defense that has given up touchdowns in back-to-back games to opposing tight ends. The change at quarterback to Taylor Heinicke should help this offense overall which has been lackluster under Desmond Ridder.

Sit ‘Em

David Njoku (@ Bal) – As I stated earlier the entire Browns offense is due for a tough day vs. Baltimore. On top of that, Njoku is also dealing with a knee injury that is keeping him out of practice. Even if he were fully healthy I would still sit Njoku in this one. The Ravens are allowing an average of just 4.1 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Start of the Week

Tony Pollard (vs. NYG) – What happened to Tony Pollard this season? To say Pollard has been underwhelming is and understatement. He hasn’t found the end zone since week 1 and has only broken the 100-yard rushing mark once this year. Thankfully for Pollard and the Cowboys, they get to face the lowly Giants this week at home. The last time these two teams faced Pollard had 2 rushing touchdowns and Dallas hammered New York 40-0. Pollard will finally get back in the end zone this week as the Cowboys will look to control the clock. Dallas is a massive 16.5 favorite in this one and the point spread still may not be enough.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 10 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Jordan Love (@ Den) – The last time we saw Jordan Love he threw 3 interceptions against the Raiders. It was a rough outing for Love but up next he faces the lowly Broncos defense. The Broncos are allowing an average of 21.5 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the Packers are coming off a bye. For the most part, Love has had a solid debut season in Green Bay and he is a viable fantasy option with his rushing ability. I expect Love to finish with 2 passing touchdowns and over 30+ rushing yards in this one.

Sit ‘Em

Trevor Lawrence (@ NO) – As of now it looks like Lawrence will suit up tonight against the Saints. He is dealing with a minor knee injury but it’s not expected to be serious. Even if completely healthy the Saints have mostly shut down opposing quarterbacks allowing an average of 14.1 fantasy points per game to them. If Lawrence does play I expect the Jaguars to lean heavily on Travis Etienne in this one. I would also be hesitant to start any Jaguars pass catchers tonight.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Brian Robinson Jr. (@ NYG) – Robinson has yet to break the 100+ rushing mark in a game but that could change on Sunday. Robinson will go up against a Giants defense that as a team is giving up 147.5 rushing yards per game. Really the only thing holding Robinson back is the pass-heavy play calling by Eric Bieniemy. This is the week to lean in on the run as wind could be a factor in this game.

Sit ‘Em

Raheem Mostert (@ Phi) – Sit a skill player on the Dolphins offense? It sounds crazy but Miami is set to face the Eagles defense that has been stout against the run. The Eagles are allowing an average of just 9.4 fantasy points to opposing running backs thus far. It will also be a chilly Sunday night game in Philly which favors the Eagles at home. This will be a good measuring stick game for the Dolphins on the road. I will be watching closely to see how well their offense performs in these conditions.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Drake London (@ TB) – Drake London started the season slowly but is starting to heat up. He had 9 receptions on 12 targets for 125 receiving yards last week vs. the Commanders. London has had 21 targets in the last two games as the Falcons are looking to get him more involved in the passing game. Up next is Tampa Bay who have struggled to contain #1 receivers this season. I see London getting his 3rd touchdown of the season in this one.

Sit ‘Em

George Pickens (@ LAR) – Last time we saw him Pickens scored the go-ahead touchdown in week 5 vs. the Ravens. He finished with 130 receiving yards in that game and 23.6 fantasy points. Up next is the Rams defense who have been solid against opposing wide receivers so far this season. On top of that, it looks like Diontae Johnson is set to return from IR which will take some of the targets away from Pickens.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Michael Mayer (@ Chi) – It took some time but Michael Mayer finally showed off his potential in week 6. Mayer finished with 6 catches and 75 receiving yards on 6 targets against the Patriots. Up next he gets the Bears defense who have struggled stopping opposing tight ends this season. If you are thin at tight end, Mayer is worth starting and he is still just 12.8% rostered in leagues.

Sit ‘Em

Hunter Henry (vs. Buf) – Henry had a strong start to the season but has been non-existent in his last two games. He is also dealing with an ankle injury that will limit his mobility. The matchup isn’t great either as the Patriots will face the Bills at home on Sunday. Sit Henry until he regains his early-season form.

Start of the Week

Aaron Jones (@ Den) – Despite dealing with a hamstring injury that has him limited in practice, Jones is set for a big day on Sunday. The Packers are coming off a bye which should help in Jones’s recovery. He is also facing the Broncos rush defense whom have been abysmal at stopping opposing running backs. As usual, be sure to monitor his injury but if he is good to go Jones should go off in week 7.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 7 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Brock Purdy (vs. NYG) – Purdy has yet to break the 20+ fantasy point mark but I see that changing on Thursday night. The visiting New York Giants are struggling defensively and just gave 28 points to a tanking Cardinals team. Even if Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t play Purdy should still be able to move the ball with ease. This one has all the makings of a blowout.

Sit ‘Em

Jordan Love (vs. NO) – Love has been impressive in his first two starts for Green Bay but he is in for a tough afternoon against the Saints defense. Even at home, the Packers will find it hard to move the ball against New Orleans who have yet to give up 20 points in a game. Green Bay may also be missing Aaron Jones and Christian Watson who has yet to make his 2023 debut.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Buf) – There are no longer questions about who the lead-back in Washington is. Robinson Jr. has solidified his role as the main man for the Commanders thus far. He has also looked impressive in the passing game which is driving up his value. Robinson Jr. has averaged 20 touches per game through the first 2 weeks and I expect him to get around that this week against Buffalo. Washington will look to be more balanced on offense to limit the pressures on Sam Howell.

Sit ‘Em

Najee Harris (@ LV) – Unfortunately It’s now time to sit Harris. Harris has been a huge disappointment, to say the least through the first 2 weeks of the season. He has yet to eclipse the 5-point mark in half-ppr and only has 19 total touches thus far. Jaylen Warren has been the more explosive back and I like his upside better against the weak Raiders run defense.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Deebo Samuel (vs. NYG) – Samuel looks to be in line for more targets as Brandon Aiyuk’s status is in doubt for Thursday night. Samuel has had 16 targets through the first 2 games but has yet to have a breakout performance. I could see that happening tonight against the Giants. Lock in Samuel as a must-start if Aiyuk is out.

Sit ‘Em

Chris Godwin (vs. Phi) – Godwin has a tough matchup this week at home versus the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. The Eagles secondary will be missing Avonte Maddox but don’t expect Godwin to benefit. It could be a tough day for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense as they deal with the Eagles stout front seven. I am fading Godwin this week until I see better production.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Jake Ferguson (@ Ari) – Ferguson has a great matchup this week against the Arizona Cardinals as he will look to find the end zone in back-to-back weeks. Ferguson leads the league with 7 red zone targets which is encouraging going forward. Don’t expect gaudy numbers for Ferguson but I see him grabbing another touchdown on Sunday.

Sit ‘Em

Pat Freiermuth (@ LV) – Freiermuth has been one of the big disappointments in 2023 thus far. It’s hard to put the blame on him though as Kenny Pickett has struggled mightily. Even with a decent matchup ahead, it’s hard to trust Freiermuth to produce. Sit him until the Steelers passing game starts to show some life.

Start of the Week

Raheem Mostert (vs. Den) – There were questions before the season on how big of a role Mostert would get in the Miami Dolphins offense. It’s still early but Mostert has been lead-back for Miami and is showing no signs of slowing down. Mostert is averaging 15.5% touches per game and is currently the RB9 on the season. Coming to town are the Denver Broncos who were gashed by Brian Robinson last week. Robinson had big-time success in the screen-game and I expect Miami to do the same.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 3 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

QB Derek Carr $5300
Derek Carr plays against the Titans today whom were 29th in the league in fantasy points to opposing QBs last year. Allowing 274.8 YPG through the air, ranking dead last at 32nd this Titans team didn’t do a whole lot to improve their secondary. They are great up front as they were the number 1 defense against the run last year. Carr is my favorite stack play of the day.

QB Justin Herbert $6900
This game has the highest over under of any game on the slate today. Two high powered offenses with a whole lot of talent, and two defenses while boasting many talented players, do give up a lot of points. Dolphins gave up 23.2 PPG while the Chargers gave up 22.7. Herbert could be in line for a QB1 performance as the Dolphins were 30th in the league last year in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs.

Dart Throws at QB
Desmond Ridder/Baker Mayfield $4900
If you’re looking to play a lot of high priced studs, I can see either of these guys throwing for 2 TDs today.

Running Backs

RB JK Dobbins $6600
Finally healthy with a lot more weapons on the outside will mean that Dobbins will be in an excellent position to succeed. He should see less men in the box as there is more attention paid to the pass catchers in this offense. Dobbins also gets a juicy opportunity against the team that allowed the most rushing yards(170.2) and fantasy points(28.5) to RB per game last year in the Houston Texans.

RB Raheem Mostert $5400
The Chargers allowed 144.2 YPG on the ground last year as they were one of three teams to give up over 2000 yards last year. With Jeff Wilson Jr going on IR the only competition he will really have in the backfield will be rookie Devin Achane. He could be in line for a 100 yard game with a TD.

RB Brian Robinson Jr $5100
The Cardinals are going to be bad this year, and not in the good way. They ranked 29th in fantasy points against RBs as they gave up a lot of over 100 receptions to RBs last year. I expect a huge day in check downs on top of his work on the ground.

Dart Throws at RB
Devin Achane $4900
AJ Dillon $5200
Gus Edwards $4500

Wide Receivers

WR Chris Olave $6500
If Derek Carr is going to dice up this defense, I want to stack him with Olave. As bad as the Titans were against the QB last year, they were the worst against the WR in fantasy, ranking 32nd. I expect multiple Saints receivers to be celebrating in the end zone today, Olave has the best chance at topping 100 yards as well.

WR Justin Jefferson $8800
He was the number 1 player drafted in fantasy for a reason, he’s the highest salaried player for a reason. If you’re playing him, you’re going to need a lot of value plays to match him up. Not much else to say here, he’s amazing.

WR Keenan Allen $7300
I’m expecting a huge bounce back season from Allen as he and Herbert continue to grow their connection. Great matchup to start as Allen should see somewhere near 12 targets today, and a few of those in the red zone.

Dart Throws at WR
Drake London $5400
Michael Thomas $5100
Could see either of these guys in the end zone today.

Tight Ends

TE TJ Hockenson $5900
After trading for Hockenson last year, he quickly became one of Kirk Cousin’s favorite targets. The number two to JJ, in a very solid matchup, Buccaneers ranked 29th against TEs last year. I could see a double digit target number with a TD for Hock today.

TE Greg Dulcich $4000
Sean Payton loves his TE in the red zone, but Dulcich is a solid route runner with above average athleticism. He should have a great year in this system and I would look for him to have a solid return on a low price point today.

TE Logan Thomas $3200
These are the kind of values you need to play other than the higher priced studs. The cliche is a young QB needs a good TE to get the ball out quickly, and I believe the cliche will ring true today. I expect a 8 target day for Logan Thomas and wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.

Dart Throw at TE
Taysom Hill $3700
He could throw a pass, run the ball, and catch the ball. Taysom Hill is the Ultimate Dart Throw.

Defense/ST

D/ST Washington $2800
The Commanders are a better defense than they get credit for. They can pressure the QB and create turnovers. Big upside play.

D/ST Baltimore $4000
Highest defense on the slate, if you have the money left over, don’t be afraid to spend it on the Ravens.

D/ST Eagles $3700
Sacks, sacks, sacks, and of course sacks.

Optimal lineup
QB Derek Carr
RB Brian Robinson Jr
RB JK Dobbins
WR Chris Olave
WR Michael Thomas
WR Keenan Allen
Flex Raheem Mostert
TE TJ Hockenson
D/ST Washington Commanders

Good Luck everyone, I’ll see you out there. Let’s make that money.

The post DFS Plays for Week 1 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Antonio Gibson took a step back in the Commanders offense last season. With rookie Brian Robinson Jr. taking touches away from him, Gibson had to settle for a backup type of role. Gibson was involved more in the passing game but never had a breakout type of moment. He finished the season with 142.9 fantasy points (Half PPR) and never was able to crack the top 10 in weekly finishes. Despite the down year, there is a buzz coming out of Washington for next season. With that said let’s take a closer look at what do if you’re a Antonio Gibson dynasty manager or interested in him.

2022

When the 2022 season started Antonio Gibson had the backfield to himself. Brian Robinson Jr. was recovering from 2 gunshot wounds to his leg and wouldn’t be available until week 5. Despite the majority of the touches, Gibson wasn’t able to produce much of anything in the running game. He was however able to offer some value in the passing game. In the season opener against Jaguars, Gibson had 7 receptions for 72 yards on 8 targets. Unfortunately, this was his highest output of the season as his targets dropped as the year went on.

As we’ve stated before Gibson, didn’t really offer many highlight reel plays throughout the 2022 season. His best play came in the week 7 win against the Green Bay Packers. Gibson caught a dart from Taylor Heinicke and toe tapped for the touchdown. This was Gibson once again showing off his receiving skills.

2023

As we now look ahead to the 2023-2024 NFL season there is some hope for Gibson. Eric Bieniemy’s offensive system in Washington will look to get Gibson more involved. It has been a talking point this offseason and it has caused Gibson’s value to steadily rise. How much more involved will Gibson be? We can only predict as it stands now and will have to wait and see heading into the Fall. One key factor to keep an eye on is if the Commanders sign Kareem Hunt. If that happens Gibson’s value will obviously take a hit.

Antonio Gibson’s Dynasty Value

What should be done with Anotonio Gibson dynasty shares going forward? Right now Gibson is a RB32 at KeepTradeCut, this has him higher than the likes of Dalvin Cook and AJ Dillon. The hype is building thanks to his potential in this new Commanders offense. My advice at this time is to SELL Antonio Gibson at this current value. His value may take a hit if Washington does indeed pull the trigger on Hunt.

The post Antonio Gibson Dynasty Outlook Right Now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

According to a recent report from Josina Anderson, Kareem Hunt is on the Washington Commanders radar. The free agent running back has yet to sign on with a team this offseason. In Cleveland, Hunt’s primary role was 3rd down back but his production dropped last year for the Browns. Hunt’s YPC (yards per carry) in 2022 was only 3.8 and despite being healthy all season he could only muster 678 all-purpose yards. At age 27, Hunt can still make an impact on the field if he goes to the right situation.

Familiar System in Washington

When Eric Bieniemy became the Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator, I expected some ex-Chiefs to follow him. Washington did sign former Chiefs OL Andrew Wylie in free agency but no other former Kansas City players of note. It doesn’t shock me that Bieniemy would be interested in his former running back but is there room for him in DC?

The Commanders already have Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson in the running back room and they drafted Chris Rodriguez Jr. from Kentucky. Robinson and Gibson should carry a majority of the load and Rodriguez Jr. is a wild card. The Commanders likely want a veteran presence that knows Bieniemy’s system to mentor the young players. While the role would likely be minimal, adding Hunt as an additional weapon is not a bad idea. The key will be if they can get him at a reasonable price.

Fantasy Angle

In terms of fantasy, this would not be an ideal scenario. Robinson and Gibson’s overall value would take a hit if the Commanders signed Hunt. More so Gibson, as Robinson has carved out his role as the goal-line back. Gibson’s ADP has been steadily rising as his potential in this offense is exciting. The addition of Hunt would tamper that hype and he would take away some touches from Gibson. There are still unknowns with this offense and how these roles will be defined.

The post Is Kareem Hunt a Fit for the Commanders? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

There was a time when we didn’t know if Brian Robinson Jr. would be able to play football again. He was a victim of a carjacking attempt in Washington D.C. and was shot multiple times in the leg. In a miraculous turn of events, Robinson was able to return to football and make his NFL debut in week 5. A true testament to his physical and mental strength.

When the Washington Commanders drafted Brian Robinson in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft it was a bit of a surprise. Antonio Gibson was already on the roster and developing nicely yet the Commanders were looking for a true bruiser/red zone running back. The rookie out of Alabama showed he could handle a full-time role but would need to adjust in the NFL to complement Gibson. In the end, Robinson showed flashes but didn’t produce enough to be a top-tier running back.

Brian Robinson finished the season with 108.2 FP (Half PPR). He had 3 total touchdowns on the season, 2 rushing and 1 receiving. On top of that, he had 205 rushing attempts which was good for #19 amongst running backs. Keep in mind, that is with missing 4 games along with sharing the load with Gibson. The Commanders looked to give him the majority of the workload but he didn’t produce as much as we liked. Let’s now dive deeper into his 2022 season and forecast his value.

2022

As you can expect it was an emotional day when Brian Robinson made his debut in week 5. Robinson was eased into the game plan and rightfully so, he just had surgery on his leg and was getting used to the pro game. The following week against the Chicago Bears, Robinson scored his first NFL touchdown. We also saw his volume go up as he finished with 60 yards on 17 carries.

In week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, Robinson had his best output of the season. He rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries including his first receiving touchdown. It was exactly what owners were looking for as Robinson finished in the top 5 with 19.5 fantasy points. One thing is for certain, Robinson did not lack touches, especially in the red zone. He just didn’t hit paydirt as much as we would’ve liked.

In the chart below were his projected vs actual fantasy points in Half PPR for 2022. As you can see, he exceeded his projections 5 times but the projections were mostly in the single digits.

2023

As we look ahead to the upcoming season and start to project Brian Robinson’s value there are some key factors to consider. Washington fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner and brought in Eric Bieniemy. This has me excited for the Commanders offense as a whole but we don’t know yet how all the pieces will fit. Head Coach Ron Rivera has had an old-school mentality and prefers to control the clock with the run game. If Bieniemy has his way, we will see exotic packages and a more up tempo offense. It will be fascinating to watch how this plays out.

Brian Robinson’s Dynasty Value

Where do I rank Brian Robinson’s dynasty value right now? He is currently RB29 in my recently updated dynasty football rankings. This is +6 in terms of the FantasyPros ECR. It’s also right around his current position on KeepTradeCut which is RB35. There is a lot of hype surrounding Antonio Gibson in the new-look Washington offense. Although Gibson has the better upside, I still have him below Robinson. You can expect more rushing touchdowns in year 2 for Robinson and at this current value, he is a BUY for me.

The post Brian Robinson Dynasty Outlook Right Now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Will Levis with the First Pick?

Thanks to an anonymous Reddit post, Will Levis to the Carolina Panthers is gaining steam. The post is claiming that Levis is telling friends and family that Carolina is taking him with the first overall pick. Take the post with a grain of salt but it’s important to note that his betting odds have changed dramatically over the past 24 hours. I am not yet buying it as it seems like the Panthers are set on selecting Bryce Young. If Levis doesn’t go number 1, I expect him to go to he Colts.

Jalen Carter to the Seahawks is a Perfect Match

By now we all know the drama surrounding Jalen Carter and his off the field incidents. This will cause him to fall slightly but he is still the best prospect in this year’s draft. Seattle is the perfect fit for Carter and I projected him there in my latest mock draft. Pete Carroll is just what Carter needs as he will motivate and challenge him in the right ways.

Bijan Robinson in the Top 10?

Say what you want about taking a running back in the first round but Bijan Robinson is a different animal. He is the best overall offensive talent in this year’s draft. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield along with his explosiveness sets him apart from the other running backs. Robinson to the Eagles at 10 makes too much sense. The Eagles said goodbye to Miles Sanders this offseason and picked up Rashaad Penny. Penny will be their bruiser but Robinson will be the playmaking RB they are looking for.

Titans Trade for a Quarterback

Tennessee looks like they want to move on from Ryan Tannehill and they have the ammo to make a big draft day trade. We have talked about it before as rumors have Derrick Henry on the trade block. Henry as part of a draft day package should be enough to get the Titans into the top 10 and allow them to select a QB.

Commanders Trade Back Again

In last year’s draft the Washington Commanders traded back in the first round and it was on of the best moves of the draft. They ended up using the draft capital to pick up Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell. These three are the young core the Commanders are now building on as they look to the future. I expect them to trade back again and focus on a CB or an OL. Both are big needs for the Commanders going into next year.

The post 5 Thoughts Before the 2023 NFL Draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

That time came in Week 5 when the Commanders hosted the Tennessee Titans at Fed Ex Field. Robinson Jr. made his rookie debut and you could see the glimpses of what the former Alabama running back had to offer. He has played in every game since then powering one of the league’s best rushing attacks during that time. He is a big bruiser that is tough to bring down on first contact. In interviews Robinson Jr. admits he hates negative yardage plays and you can see that each time he runs the ball. He is tough to bring down on first contact and has already been featured on GMFB’s angry runs segment.

Fast forward to Week 12 when the Commanders hosted the Atlanta Falcons. This was a big game for both teams as they are both aiming to grab a Wild Card spot in the NFC. Robinson Jr. delivered in a big way bulldozing his way into the end zone on a pass from Taylor Heinicke. He was constantly dragging defenders with him on his way to his first 100+ yard day on the ground. After the game it was all smiles in the locker room as Robinson Jr. debuted his Commanders big hat and broke the internet.

Robinson Jr. had a custom hat made from nogginsports.com which is a popular big hat company. Robinson Jr. says he was supporting a friend and boy did he ever. The big hat went viral and the company even disclosed sales boomed to over 2000% increase due to the buzz. It wasn’t long before other sports jumped on the craze. Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was seen sporting a custom Capitals big hat and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills was seen sporting a custom Thursday Night Football hat after their game this past week. One thing is for sure the big hat craze is not going away anytime soon and if you want in on the craze head over to Noggin Boss to grab yours.

The post How Brian Robinson Jr. Started the Big Hat Craze appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Chris Thomas

Now that the College Football season has started it won’t be long until Heisman candidates and storylines start to emerge. The Heisman is awarded to the best player in college football that season and cements a player’s legacy as one of the greatest college football players of all time. 

Last year was the first time in a couple of years that there wasn’t a clearcut favorite for the award. Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith became the first wide receiver to win the award since 1991 and the fourth wide receiver ever to do so. Smith also became the first non-quarterback to win the Heisman since former Alabama running back Derrick Henry won the award in 2015. 

Many great candidates could be nominated and win the award this upcoming season. Here are a few players to look out for who could take home the Heisman at the end of the 2021-22 College Football season. 

Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma

It is hard to start a Heisman candidates list without the face of college football Spencer Rattler. The redshirt sophomore is about to enter his second full season as the team’s starting quarterback. Rattler is already the favorite to go first overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and by many to win the Heisman. He would be Lincoln Riley’s third quarterback to accomplish both feats since he took over the program in 2017. Both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray won the Heisman and went first overall in the NFL Draft back to back in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. 

Last season Rattler threw for 3,031 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. He also rushed for 160 yards and six touchdowns on 81 attempts. That performance earned Rattler a spot on AP”˜s First Team All-Big 12 and made him a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien award. He finished the year with the third-highest PFF grade among quarterbacks in the FBS with a 92.5.

This upcoming season Rattler not only has the opportunity to build upon how he played last year but potentially take the Oklahoma Sooners to the College Football Playoffs and compete for a National Championship. If Oklahoma makes it to the College Football Playoffs it would be hard to imagine Rattler not at least being nominated for the Heisman after this season. 

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

It is not a ridiculous statement to say that Bryce Hall has the potential to be the most dynamic passer Nick Saban has had during his time at Alabama. That is not a shot at Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, or Mac Jones who are all NFL starting quarterbacks. In the small sample size that Young has shown, he displayed more of a playmaker skillset compared to a distributor/point guard type like Tagovailoa and Jones or athlete that relies on mobility like Hurts. 

Last season Young finished the season completing 13 of his 22 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. In high school, Young was considered the best dual-threat quarterback in the nation and a five-star prospect.

The sophomore quarterback has a fantastic opportunity to become one of the faces of college football now that he will be the starting quarterback of the reigning national champions. Young will be leading an extremely talented roster that is considered the favorite to repeat as champions. If Young shows why he was considered such a polarizing high school quarterback at the next level in a full-time starting role he could very well win the Heisman this year.

D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson

It cannot be an enviable position to follow up Trevor Lawerence as the starting quarterback of the Clemson Tigers. Lawerence was considered by many as one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time. The sophomore quarterback will join a line of prestigious quarterbacks to start for Clemson over the last decade including Lawerence and Deshaun Watson. Both quarterbacks have left big shoes for D.J. Uiagalelei to fill. There are a lot of expectations that come with being the quarterback for a Dabo Swinney-led Clemson team. Both Lawerence and Watson were catalysts for the Tigers winning National Championships when they were starters. 

Last season he played in ten games but started two against Boston College and Notre Dame. In his first start against Boston College, Uiagalelei completed 73.2% of his passes going 30 for 41 and passing for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He also had six rushes for 25 yards and a touchdown. Then the following week against #4 Notre Dame, Uiagalelei went 29 of 44 for 439 yards and two touchdowns. Uiagalelei rushed for two yards on 13 attempts and a touchdown in that game as well. He finished the year completing 66.7% of his passes completing 78 of 117 of them for 914 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Uiagalelei had 28 rushing attempts for 60 yards and four touchdowns. His 146.4 pass efficiency rating was fifth-best by an ACC freshman quarterback since 2002. Uiagalelei also became only the second FBS player since 2000 to throw at least 115 passes and record at least five passing touchdowns and no interceptions.

As long as Clemson makes the College Football playoffs Uiagalelei should be a Heisman contender. What he brings to the table that separates him from the rest is the combination of size and athleticism. At 6’4″ and 249 pounds he is a fantastic athlete and a threat as a ball carrier. His combination of size, mobility, and arm strength could draw comparisons to another former Heisman winner former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton who is 6’5″ and 245 pounds. If Uiagalelei plays similarly to how Newton did in his Heisman campaign in the 2010 season, he could very well win the award at the end of this season. 

J.T Daniels, QB, Georgia

One player that has been trending towards being considered one of the nation’s best quarterbacks is Georgia quarterback JT Daniels. He will start his second season as a Georgia Bulldog after two years at USC. Many believe a great season from him could catapult Georgia back into the National title picture. 

Daniels transferred to Georgia after redshirting his sophomore season due to a season-ending knee injury. Last season only started four games for Georgia at the end of the season. Daniels finished the year completing 80 of his 119 passes for 1,231 yards, ten touchdowns, and only two interceptions. That is an average of 307.8 passing yards, 2.5 touchdowns, and .5 interceptions a game. 

He is entering his Junior year this season so Daniels is eligible for another year. However, he is gaining a lot of hype as a quarterback prospect to look out for that could potentially be a first-round pick. Daniels has a cannon for an arm which will get him on a light of highlight reels throughout the season. If Georgia makes a National title push and Daniels makes huge plays throughout the season he could have a legitimate case to win the Heisman at the end of the year. 

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Now that the Sam Ehlinger era is over at Texas the star Longhorn tasked with bringing them back to relevancy is running back Bijan Robinson. The Longhorns have needed a star on their roster who can bring them back to what they were over a decade ago. So far Robinson has shown that he has what it takes to be that guy. 

During his freshman year, Robinson played in nine games, but only started six of them. He had three games last season where he rushed for over 100 yards and averaged 10.3 carries in each of those games. His best game came at the end of the year against Colorado where he rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown off ten carries. In that game, Robinson also caught two passes for 37 yards and two more touchdowns. He finished last year with 703 rushing yards and four touchdowns on only 86 carries. 

Robinson has the size and strength to be a power back, but is shifty and has the athleticism to make him almost impossible to defend. He has shown that he is also a threat as a receiver. His style of play is similar to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. 

If Robinson thrives in a workhorse role for Texas gets them closer to being a national title threat he could become the first running back since 2015 to win the Heisman. 

Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

Last season Breece Hall was arguably the best running back in college football. He discretely had one of the greatest seasons for a running back in college football history. He could put up similar production in his junior year at Iowa State. 

After an outstanding freshman season Hall broke out in a major way his sophomore year. In the twelve games he played, Hall rushed for 1,572 yards on 279 attempts and 21 touchdowns. He led the entire country in rushing last season. He averaged 131 rushing yards per game. Hall became the first player in College Football to have 75+ yards and a rushing touchdown in all 12 games since NFL Hall of Famer and former TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson did it in 2000. He added multiple accolades to his resume including being the first unanimous All-American in Iowa State history, winning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-Big 12. This performance landed Hall sixth in the Heisman voting.

He came extremely close to winning the Heisman a year ago. If Hall were to repeat his performance or even break his records there would be slim to no chance that he does not get recognized as one of the greatest running backs to ever play in college football by winning the Heisman. 

Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama

Brian Robinson Jr. becomes the next running back to join the fraternity of Alabama starting running backs. The Crimson Tide have had an outstanding group of players at the position over the years including Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Derrick Henry, and Najee Harris. There have also been other talented running backs for the Crimson Tide that weren’t workhorse backs including Alvin Kamara, T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, Damien Harris, and Josh Jacobs. So expectations are high for a player like Robinson who will now control this backfield and have a major role for this offense. 

Over the last two seasons, Robinson Jr. has played a complementary role to Najee Harris. Last year he rushed for 483 yards and six touchdowns on 91 attempts. Robinson fits the bigger running back mold the Crimson Tide have been known for under Nick Saban. He has been used to run the ball outside of the tackles on outside zone runs. He has also returned kickoffs for Alabama on occasion. 

This year the redshirt senior finally gets his chance to lead this backfield. If Robinson has a breakout season and is as dominant as the Alabama running backs that have come before him he has a great of a chance as anyone to win the Heisman. There has not been a more dominant position group on a college football team over the last decade than Alabama running backs. Robinson could be the third to win the Heisman since 2009.

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

It is extremely unlikely that a wide receiver wins the Heisman in any given year. It is even more unlikely that a wide receiver wins the Heisman in back-to-back seasons. But after DeVonta Smith won last year it does open up the conversation to the position group and it is unlikely that a talent like Chris Olave isn’t considered for the award after the season.

Last year Olave broke out and established himself as one of the best receivers in college football. He almost matched his receiving yardage and touchdown total from the season prior despite having his season reduced to seven games. Olave caught 50 receptions for 729 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 104.1 yards per game. He was named First Team All-Big Ten after his performance. He was considered one of the best wide receivers in college football last season.

Coming into this season Olave is considered the best wide receiver in the nation. If he continues the pace that he set last season or exceeds it over a full college football season he could make it back-to-back seasons that a wide receiver wins the Heisman.

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