Kenneth Walker III (@ DET) – Walker was sidelined last week with an oblique injury. This was the second game in a row Walker missed due to this injury. Zach Charbonnet filled in quite well for Walker as he racked up 2 rushing touchdowns. There is some optimism by the Seahawks staff that Walker will play this week but this one will need to be watched closely.

Austin Ekeler (@ ARI) – Ekeler suffered a concussion in the Commanders big-time win at Cincinnati Monday night. Before his injury, Ekeler was rolling and picked up a 24-yard rushing score. He has been a big part of the Washington offense early on so this injury could impact the Commanders offense overall.

Sam Darnold (@ GB) – Has there been a bigger surprise this season than Darnold? He has been outstanding in this Vikings offense and is coming off back-to-back top 10 finishes. Darnold suffered an injury to his knee Sunday but as of now, it looks to just be a knee bruise. It looks like he will be good to go Sunday in Green Bay.

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Quarterbacks

Will Levis – (3.0% Owned)

How about that debut for Will Levis? Levis wasn’t expected to play much this season and was considered too raw of a prospect to produce this early. Not only did he show he is capable of playing at this level the former Kentucky standout was also poised and showed off his big arm. Levis finished the game with 4 passing touchdowns (3 of them went to DeAndre Hopkins) and more importantly zero turnovers. If you’re the Titans you have to play Levis the rest of the season to see if he can keep this up.

Running Backs

Zach Charbonnet – (36.1% Owned)

If you’re looking for a 2nd half breakout candidate, Zach Charbonnet may be that guy. Sure Charbonnet is still behind Kenneth Walker on the depth chart but he had his best output of the season on Sunday. He had 53 yards on just 5 carries good for 10.6 YPC and 11 receiving yards. Charbonnet is worth stashing and could end up paying off down the road.

Wide Receivers

Demario Douglas – (2.1% Owned)

Demario Douglas is set up for a big role in the Patriots offense with Kendrick Bourne now out for the season. Douglas led the New England offense with 7 targets on Sunday and that usage will only increase. Fellow wide receiver DeVante Parker also left the game with a concussion and his status this week could be in jeopardy. Douglas is an explosive receiver with upside that will also be used in the running game.

Tight Ends

Trey McBride – (14.4% Owned)

McBride exploded on Sunday for 20.5 fantasy points (Half PPR) and is the priority pickup this week. With Zach Ertz now on IR McBride will continue to get targets in the Cardinals offense. He had a massive 14 targets versus Baltimore and 10 receptions. Arizona also looks to be getting Kyler Murray back which should only help this offense going forward.

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Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks-RB) | ADP-39 | RB-17

Kenneth Walker was one of the draft day steals in 2022 as he finished with 189 fantasy points (Half-PPR). Walker stepped in for the injured Rashaad Penny and never looked back. He was the clear lead back in Seattle and one of the reasons why the Seahawks finished in the top 10 of total points scored at 407. Despite all that, the Seahawks couldn’t resist taking Zach Charbonnet in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This is alarming, to say the least if you’re looking at targeting Walker this season.

Charbonnet is more of receiving back who will undoubtedly be on the field for passing situations. My fear is his usage will continue to increase as the season progresses thus taking away more opportunities from Walker. As of now, Walker is still the week 1 starter but there is cause for concern. For me, it’s not worth the risk to draft Walker as we don’t know yet how this backfield will shake out in 2023.

Kyle Pitts (Falcons-TE) | ADP-70 | TE-7

Big things were expected from Kyle Pitts in his second season with the Falcons. Pitts was coming off one of the best rookie seasons we have seen at the tight end position. To say his sophomore season was disappointing is an understatement. Pitts was never able to replicate his rookie season success and only surpassed 10+ fantasy points in Half-PPR 2 times. His season was cut short as he missed the last 6 games with an MCL injury.

Pitts is now looking for redemption heading into next season but are we in for another disappointment? I believe we are. You can’t deny Pitts has the physical traits to be a dominant tight end but there are other factors to consider. Pitts will most likely be catching passes from Desmond Ridder for the foreseeable future. Ridder and the Falcons offense will be run-heavy with the addition of rookie Bijan Robinson. I don’t expect to see a dynamic offense for Atlanta and Pitts is not worth the risk, even at his current ADP.

Dalvin Cook (Vikings-RB) | ADP-67 | RB-30

It took a while but Dalvin Cook finally found a new home. Cook signed a 1-year deal to join Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on August 14th. Cook has been a top-tier fantasy running back since 2019 and finished last season as RB8. While this seems like a great setup for Cook, I do have some concerns going forward.

The Jets offense will look different with Rodgers now under center. You can expect to see the short-passing game we have become accustomed to seeing from Rodgers in Green Bay. This system is all about timing and getting the ball quickly in the playmakers hands. How does this relate to Cook? Well now that Breece Hall looks to be coming back to full health, I believe he is the better fit for this offense. Picture Hall in an Aaron Jones type of role in this system. Cook should still be the main goal-line back but I am worried about his usage.

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Arizona Cardinals: How Will They Perform With All The Chaos?

It was a messy season for the Arizona Cardinals, and they are glad it ended. It was leaked that Kyler Murray‘s extension had a “homework clause”. A $230M extension for your star player to watch film definitely made it to all shows and podcasts. Firing HC Kliff Kingsbury after another disappointing end of the season was a move that was expected. The worst thing that happened was Kyler Murray tearing his ACL. Sportsbooks have them winning about four and a half games and a shot at the top pick in the next draft. Having the top overall pick in the next draft could make it very noisy for Kyler’s future. Add in the DeAndre Hopkins rumors and nothing feels right in this organization. A rebuild could come sooner rather than later.

Los Angeles Rams: Is This The Final Season Of Multiple Key Players?

There was a Superbowl hangover for the Rams after they sacrificed their future for a Superbowl ring. There were key injuries to multiple players such as Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. The offense looked non-existent if you weren’t Kupp as well. They looked slower and older and it felt that a blowup was impending, especially with the lack of assets they had. This offseason showed us this as they waived multiple key players such as Leonard Floyd, Bobby Wagner, and Jalen Ramsay through trade. For a couple of offseasons, Aaron Donald has contemplated retirement. Currently, this team looks very different from the past few seasons. Notable holdovers to mention are Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald. It may also sadly be their last year in LA as the Rams might trade them for future assets and begin anew.

San Francisco 49ers: Who Will Be The Starting Quarterback?

Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold all hold the key to the future of the 49ers. One of them will be the starting QB and it will affect how the team goes. Purdy had a successful surgery to fix his elbow after injuring it against the Eagles. He was the starter to end last season and he looked perfect for the role. Trey Lance was the Week 1 starter last season but he had a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. His performance was Incomplete because it was just his first few starts. Sam Darnold has been a disappointment as a former top 3 pick. He has the most experience but I don’t think he’s starting QB material anymore. The 49ers have a difficult choice with everything they have. The right move can put them among the favorites to win the Superbowl. The wrong move will waste another season for this talented team.

Seattle Seahawks: How Far Can Geno Smith Lead This Team?

The Seahawks were the surprise of the season when Geno Smith led the team to the playoffs after many projected them to be the worst team in the division. It wasn’t just Geno that made all the difference. The Seahawks had a draft where multiple rookies played like veterans. Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant, and Tariq Woolen led the way for the rookies and they all played a major part in Seattle’s rise. Now, they retooled and have a chance to win the division. Signing Devin Bush and Bobby Wagner improved the defense while drafting Jaxson Smith-Njigba gives them an elite WR trio. If Geno can even play better than last year, Seattle is a team to watch out for in the NFC.

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BREECE HALL RB NEW YORK JETS

Breece Hall was poised to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. That came to a halt in Week 7 against the Broncos when he tore his ACL. In just seven games, he ran for 463 yards and four TDs. His production and potential were seen by many. With the addition of Aaron Rodgers on the team, the Jets are a feared team in the AFC. Breece Hall will make them a legitimate contender and be one of the biggest winners with the new QB in town.

KENNY PICKETT QB PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Kenny Pickett had a slow start to his rookie season especially since he missed the first three games of the season. As the season progressed, his growth was noticeable even if the stats weren’t as supportive. He led the Steelers to game-winning drives and look poised in big moments. He finished the season with 2404 yards, seven TDs, and nine interceptions. With another year in training camp, he is poised to have a better sophomore season. He is most likely a late-round QB or in the waivers. He is worth keeping tabs on.

KENNETH WALKER RB SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Kenneth Walker ran away with the RB 1 position in Seattle once Rashaad Penny got hurt last season. Now, Penny is in the Eagles which opens Walker with many more reps. The Seahawks added pieces on offense and are looking to build upon their surprise season last year. Kenneth Walker ran for 1050 yards and nine TDs in his rookie season. The numbers are expected to go up in year two, even if they drafted Zach Charbonnet in round two.

CHRIS OLAVE WR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

For me, the biggest winner of the sophomores is Chris Olave. In his first season, he had Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton throwing him the ball. Olave somehow was able to gather 72 receptions and 1042 yards with four TDs. In his second year, he’ll have a stabilized QB in Derek Carr. Carr loves to pass the ball and Olave will be a recipient of those. Add in that Michael Thomas is never healthy anymore and Chris can do his best Davante Adams impersonation.

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Los Angeles Chargers

Right off the bat we start with the obvious choice in the Chargers. Star running back Austin Ekeler has recently requested permission to seek a trade as he and the Chargers failed to agree on an extension. More than likely the two sides will come to terms but if they don’t the Chargers will have huge shoes to fill. Elliott would seem like a no-brainer move as he already has ties to new OC Kellen Moore and knows his system. Zeke is mainly a 1st and 2nd down back in this stage of his career that can thrive in goal-line situations.

Seattle Seahawks

Another good fit would be for Zeke to join the Seahawks. Seattle recently lost running back Rashaad Penny to the Philadelphia Eagles and have that hole to fill. Elliott could step in and immediately fill that role working along side rookie sensation Kenneth Walker. The Seahawks are a team on the rise with the surprise success of Geno Smith. I could see them making a playoff run next year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers look to be in rebuild mode. Leonard Fournette was recently released and they will have a new face at quarterback with Tom Brady retiring. I could see a fit here for Zeke as the Buccaneers have hired ex-Cowboys running back coach Skip Peete to their staff. Peete and Elliott seem to have a good relationship and with the departure of Fournette I could see the Buccaneers making the call.

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By: Jake Rajala

The dynasty fantasy football season is intensely in motion & football in Fall is right around the corner. With that said, I’m going to simply untwine five RBs to trade for in dynasty fantasy football. Let’s begin.

James Cook

The Buffalo Bills half-back James Cook is in the golden position and it appears that he could be the lead back sooner than expected. Furrow Sterling of Buffalo Rumblings believes Cook could be the lead RB in 2022. Furrow noted that he has impressive power with his size and 4.42 speed. The Bills writer also noted Cook has excelled in the passing game and that OC Ken Dorsey has placed Cook in multiple formation packages, too. I expect Cook to be a monster profile in the Bills offense for a long-time. Devin Singletary also will be a free agent in 2023 and I don’t foresee the Bills bringing him back.

Kenneth Walker

The former Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker should be a big asset in the Hawks offense moving forward. I don’t love Rashaad Penny’s injury history – as he hasn’t played 10+ games in each of the prior three seasons. Walker has already gained more reps with Penny dealing with injuries in training camp. I honestly believe that Walker and DK Metcalf are the future of the Seahawks offense that has a fat question mark at QB.

Tony Pollard

The Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard is slowly catching up to the bell-cow RB Zeke Elliot. Pollard notched an impressive 1,056 all-purpose yds — after 628 total yds in the season prior. His well-rounded ability is why the Boys are planning to use him more in the slot in 2022. Per Dallas Morning News, offensive quality control coach Kyle Valero has been tutoring Pollard to excel from the slot.

Cordarrelle Patterson

The versatile and explosive Cordarrelle Patterson returned to the Falcons on a two-year deal worth $10.5 million dollars. With Dave Ragone, aka the Falcons offensive coordinator and former Bears passing game coordinator, Patterson should continue to thrive in his RB/WR role. The Falcons will have a ton of quick passes and creative plays designed for the very underrated skill player.

Chase Edmonds

I really foresee the former AZ Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds having a career season in Miami – after he had personal best marks in total yds (903) and forced missed tackles (16) in 2020. The 49ers worked wonders with rookie Elijah Mitchell in 2021 – as Mitchell ran angry for 963 yds and 5 TDs in 11 contests. I expect Edmonds to really shine under the wiz Dolphins HC. The Phins may have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but it’s extremely important to not forget about the x-factor and starting RB Chase Edmonds.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Seattle Seahawks have an exciting RB tandem with Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker, but their RB group still doesn’t have the best experience. It should be noted that they will not have the dual-threat magic from Russell Wilson and Chris Carson, who ran for 1,151 rushing yds in 2018 and 1,230 rushing yds in 2019, recently retired. Their likely lead RB Rashaad Penny registered 749 rushing yds, 6 rushing TDs, and averaged a personal best 6.3 YPC in 10 games last season. He was quite efficient, but he hasn’t recorded a top-end season (such as 1,000+ rushing yards) in his four-year career. Penny re-signed with the Hawks on a one-year deal worth $5.75 million dollars this off-season.

Pete Carroll brought in the Michigan State stud Kenneth Walker to be the RB2 and his fresh legs should be helpful for the long season. The questions surrounding him are: how quickly can he adapt to the scheme? Will he be a three-down RB? Can he be consistently effective behind the Seahawks OL?

Walker honestly has impressive power, but it’s unclear how dangerous he will be in his first season. I expect him to be at least a modest RB (around 600 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs), but I’m not sure if he will have a rookie season similar to Javonte Williams’s rookie campaign (903 rushing yds).

After the fascinating top two RBs in Seattle, the Hawks carry Deejay Dallas and Travis Homer. Dallas has registered 246 rushing yds and 4 rushing TDs in his two-year career. Homer had 338 total yds last season, but he may not be involved enough in 2022 to match his 2021 output.

The Seahawks had the 11th most rushing yds and the 10th most rushing TDs in 2021. I expect them to be a middle-of-the-pack rushing offense next season (with a 1,000+ rushing yard season from Carson), but there will likely be growing pains with Walker. With that enunciated, the Hawks RB tandem can improve w/ an improved OL in the 2023 off-season — which could spell a Top-10 rushing offense in the 2023 season.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Atlanta Falcons are tough to crack at the end of March. It’s not clear if the Falcons will draft a quarterback to replace Matt Ryan, pick a wide receiver to replace Calvin Ridley in 2022, or select a defender to help their aching defense. With that said, the clock is ticking and the Falcons need to decide which direction they will go in the 2022 NFL Draft. Well, I really believe they are most likely to make these few early draft selections.

Round 1: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

I love the fit between the pass rusher Jermaine Johnson and the Falcons. Johnson can be a sizable upgrade from Dante Fowler Jr, a safe pick, and he can help the Falcons DL match their secondary with Casey Hayward. Johnson was flat out the best player at the Senior Bowl and that should solidify him as a Top-10 pick with the Falcons. He reminds me a lot of Dwight Freeney and Junior Galette.

Round 1: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan (trade up)

The Falcons could pick a superb defender in the first round and still pick up a WR in the very talented WR draft class. Skyy Moore and Cordarrelle Patterson would be a fantastic WR duo and the Falcons offense could really hurt opposing defenses in a game of “death by a thousand cuts”. The speedy Moore can be a serious threat in space. Pitts, Moore, and Patterson can be attractive for a potential supreme 2023 rookie QB.

Round 3: Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State

The Falcons could use more overall talent and an impact player from the third round. It would be exciting and wise for the Falcons to continue to build around the QB spot and snag a talented RB by the name of Kenneth Walker. The MSU RB would help the Falcons rushing attack that was ranked 31st in 2021.

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By: Jake Rajala

It’s a week before the NFL playoffs which means Giants nation ought to be served with an NFC East rivalry showdown for supper and a mock draft for desert. It surely will be an interesting offseason with Joe Judge staying in town and Daniel Jones getting the reigns for a likely make or break year in 2022. As the offseason soon gets underway, the focus is on taking a large step with the squad. At large, the focus will be on the NFL draft. So, which direction could NYG elect to go in with their pivotal 2022 draft? Well, here is a three-round mock draft for the optimistic, NFC, Big Apple squad. 

*note – the Giants hold two first-round picks

1. Derek Stingley Jr – LSU – CB 

The Big Blue could make some noise with the selection of Derek Stingley. The LSU DB has drawn high praise, despite having more robust stats in his freshman year. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com compared Stingley to Saints Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore. He’s quite similar to former LSU CB Patrick Peterson, as well. Stingley is a physical beast at 6’1 195 as he can press receivers well and step up to play the run when needed.

A talent like Stingley Jr. noticeably helps players around him elevate their game. If the Giants can score a lot of points against defenses like New Orleans, they need their own secondary to match the ascending offensive attack.

1. Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame – S

I would very much love to see the Giants make these first two selections. With the combination of Stingley Jr and Hamilton, they don’t only make two amazing picks with high floors and high ceiling, but they are striving to make a decade-like talent position group with their secondary. We’ve seen the magic of the Legion of Boom and now it might just be New York’s turn to unfold their own gifted secondary.

It may be wise to acquire a veteran OL in free agency, then strike gold with these two defensive backs early in the 2022 draft. 

2. Ed Ingram – OG – LSU 

The Giants could get an interior OL with a load of potential in Ed Ingram (not Evan Engram). Ed is a fluid OL, plus he packs a punch at 6’4 330 pounds. The 2021 second-team all-SEC would bring much-needed help to Saquon Barkley’s game. He’s also a proven winner and the ultimate competitor.

Whether or not the Giants seek out OL help in free agency, they could find a long-term fit in Ingram. It’s been made clear that Joe Judge wants to build the OL around Andrew Thomas and the issues lie in between Thomas and Nate Solder notably. The Giants will need to go OL in the first two rounds and Ingram would really be a nice value pick here.

3. Kenneth Walker – RB – Michigan State 

The Michigan State Spartans RB, Kenneth Walker would be a Day 1 RB2 and the perfect all-around back for Danny Dimes. Walker could just be the best RB to come out of Michigan State since Le’Veon Bell. Walker ousted 1,636 yards, 18 touchdowns, and averaged 6.2 YPC in route of decomposing defenses.

Saquon Barkley has shown that he can still produce at a very quality level. Nonetheless, Walker could be a reliable upgrade over backup Devontae Booker and boost to the attack if the elite RB continues to endure injuries. Walker should be on the board at least in the early third round (not beyond Round 3). It might even be a possibility that Walker commands the backfield in a couple of seasons. They could make a smart, quick pick with the Spartan.

3. Chad Muma – LB – Wyoming

Chad Muma is a versatile athlete and I could see him fitting in well in the Big Apple. We saw the aggressive, versatile LB Zack Baun slide until the third round and get picked up by the Saints. I could see a similar scenario playing out with Muma.

The 6’3 230 LB is a thumper and that’s evident with his 68 defensive stops. He’s also versatile and that could be a great asset in a defensive front with Leonard Williams. The Giants need to return to the days of having great LBs like JPP, Justin Tuck, and Michael Strahan (even if they have different skillsets).

4. Cole Turner – TE – Nevada (or trade for veteran TE or veteran OL)

Evan Engram could likely be out the door this offseason and Kyle Rudolph clearly isn’t the TE he used to be. It would be smart to pick a TE in the top four rounds of the draft. Cole Turner out of Nevada would fit in nicely at this spot. Turner hauled in a staggering 10 touchdowns last season and he also recorded 677 receiving yards — which was good for eighth in the nation among tight ends.

5. Romeo Doubs – WR – Nevada

It would be poetic if the GMEN obtained two weapons from Nevada. Furthermore, it would be a big help to Danny Dimes if they pulled it off. Romeo Doubs is Mr. consistent and a very explosive wideout at 6’2 200 pounds. He could be seen as a poor man’s version of Deebo Samuel, but he would surely be a nice complement to the rubber-like WR in Kadarius Toney. Jones could use more help in the screen game and Doubs would be a fantastic aid in that department.

6. D’vonta Price – RB – Florida International

If they truly want to figure out if Daniel Jones is the answer at QB, they need to load up on offense and come out “guns blazing” in 2022. They could really use more firepower at RB behind Barkley, even if they add Kenneth Walker. The 49ers make a living by utilizing the talent of many different running backs. Price would be a nice, downhill RB to finish a defense off late in ball games. If Barkley isn’t in the house in the near future, they can have a nice 1-2 punch in Walker and Price.

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