Marvin Harrison Jr. – Top Dog

Marvin Harrison Jr. was the top weapon in this class and he will get to showcase his skills in Arizona. It’s somewhat rare that a rookie wide receiver heads to a team as the clear #1 but that’s the case with Harrison Jr. Arizona was in desperate need of a true WR1 and they now have that.

The Cardinals receiver room is still lacking depth and overall star power which means Harrison Jr. will get plenty of targets. If Kyler Murray can stay healthy this 1-2 combo should produce big-time numbers.

Jonathon Brooks – Lead Back

The Panthers needed a workhorse running back and I believe they found that in Brooks. As a Junior Brooks piled up 1,425 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns at Texas. Carolina was in desperate need of an upgrade at the running back position and I believe they have that with Brooks.

He will get starter reps this offseason and should be in line for significant usage in this offense. The hope is that quarterback Bryce Young makes a big jump next year and this offense can bounce back from an abysmal 2023.

Ben Sinnott – The Next Great TE

Tight end Ben Sinnott flew somewhat under the radar heading into this year’s draft. When you watch his tape you can see why the Commanders were ecstatic to grab him in the 2nd round. Sinnott is a worthy blocker but more importantly, has all the tools to be a receiving threat.

The former Kansas St. product will get to learn behind Zach Ertz in Washington and I could see him taking the reigns sometime next season. The tight end position is a big part of Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and Sinnot will benefit from his scheme.

The post 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

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.

The post Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups (2023) appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Sam Howell (vs. Chi) – Howell bounced back from a rough outing against the Bills and almost led the Commanders to an overtime victory versus the Eagles. Next up is the lowly Chicago Bears who are in complete disarray. The Bears defense is allowing 22.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and they will be without DBs Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson. Expect a big game from Howell and also the Commanders receivers.

Sit ‘Em

Trevor Lawrence (@ Buf) – Lawrence started to show signs of life in the week 4 victory against the Falcons but next up are the red-hot Bills. Even though this game will be in London it could be a long day for the Jaguars offense. The Buffalo defense is for real and they were able to keep the high-powered Dolphins offense in check last week. I do like Lawrence’s prospects for the rest of the season just not in this game.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Breece Hall (@ Den) – Hall has disappointed thus far but that will change Sunday when the Jets travel to Denver. According to reports Hall will no longer be on a snap count and this is the perfect game to unleash him. The Broncos defense has been dreadful against the run allowing an average of 38.0 fantasy points per game to running backs. Don’t forget about last year when Hall torched the Broncos for a 62-yard touchdown before he went down with an ACL injury.

Sit ‘Em

Kyren Williams (vs. Phi) – Williams has been a nice surprise this season but he will take a step back Sunday versus the Eagles. Williams is dealing with a hip injury that may hamper his effectiveness. He is also up against the vaunted Eagles d-line that is also tough to run against. Sit Williams but just for this week.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Michael Pittman Jr. (vs. Ind) – Pittman was quiet on Sunday versus the Rams. He had a season-low 5 targets and only 15 receiving yards. That will change when the Titans come to town in week 5. Pittman has yet to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark but I believe this is the game he does it. The Titans defense is allowing an average of 26.2 fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season.

Sit ‘Em

George Pickens (vs. Bal) – What has happened to the Steelers offense? Pittsburgh laid another egg last Sunday when they were dominated by Houston. Up next is Baltimore who will be looking to add to the Steelers misery. Quarterback Kenny Pickett is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee but is still expected to play. Even when he was healthy Pittsburgh’s offense just looks off. It could be another long day for Pickett and Pickens.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Zach Ertz (vs. Cin) – Ertz had his second 10-target game in week 4 as the Cardinals continue to look his way. I can see Ertz grabbing his first touchdown of the season versus a struggling Bengals defense. Cincinnati is allowing an average of 10 fantasy points per game to tight ends thus far. Ertz should be a big part of the game plan again this week.

Sit ‘Em

Cole Kmet (@ Was) – It’s hard to start anyone on the Bears offense this week against Washington. Kmet had a huge game versus the Broncos in week 4 where he hauled in 2 touchdowns. The momentum won’t continue on Thursday night as Washington has allowed minimal production to opposing tight ends.

Start of the Week

Zay Flowers (@ Pit) – Despite decent production, Flowers has yet to find the end zone. That will change on Sunday versus the Steelers. The volume has been there for Flowers but he has yet to have a breakout game. Pittsburgh is allowing an average of 31.3 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and just gave up 168 yards to the Texans Nico Collins. This is the week we see big returns for Flowers.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 5 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford – (32.3% Owned)

It turns out Stafford can still have success without Cooper Kupp. Stafford has thrown for over 300+ yards in his first two games as he continues to build rapport with his young receivers. One of those targets is of course Puka Nacua who is on a record-breaking pace in his rookie season. If you’re struggling at the quarterback position, Stafford is worth a look.

Running Backs

Jerome Ford – (13.1% Owned)

We now know star running back Nick Chubb is out for the season which means it’s Jerome Ford’s time to shine. Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury on Monday night that was so bad they couldn’t show the replay. In his absence, Ford showed he is more than capable of taking over the lead-back role. Ford finished with 106 rushing yards including an impressive 69-yard scamper. Cleveland will need more of that from him to have any chance this season.

Matt Breida – (1.6% Owned)

Another key injury at the running back position was to Saquon Barkley who went down with an ankle injury. It looks as of now that Barkley will miss 2-3 weeks as he recovers. Matt Breida will most likely take over the starting duties but don’t expect huge production. Breida has been quiet thus far this season and should only be claimed if you are deep at the RB position.

Jaylen Warren – (40.7% Owned)

Now is the time to pick up Jaylen Warren if he is available in your league. Warren has looked like the more explosive back in the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield thus far. With Najee Harris struggling it’s only a matter of time until Warren gets more touches. What should you do with Harris? It’s time to think about putting him on the trade block.

Wide Receivers

Skyy Moore – (59.6% Owned)

It took a while but Skyy Moore finally showed his upside in week 2. Moore caught his first NFL receiving touchdown versus the Jaguars as he finished with 70 yards on the day. It’s still too early to lock him into your starting lineup but this is encouraging for Moore going forward.

Marvin Mims Jr. – (15.1% Owned)

The volume isn’t there yet but Mims Jr. showcased his speed on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Mims Jr. had 113 yards on only 2 targets including a touchdown. He was also impressive on special teams as he returned a punt for 45 yards. If Mims and Russell Wilson can continue to build chemistry he could be a big threat in the Broncos offense.

Tight Ends

Zach Ertz – (29.2% Owned)

Zach Ertz hasn’t found the end zone yet in 2023 but the volume has been there. Ertz has 18 targets in his first 2 games as Joshua Dobbs has shown he is not afraid to throw him the ball. Expect this to continue and for Ertz to eventually have a break-out performance.

The post Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups (2023) appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Good

James Conner has found new life in the desert. The former Pittsburgh Steeler signed a one-year deal in 2021 with the Cardinals and it was a gamble on his part. There were questions on whether he could carry the full load and be the lead running back. The gamble paid off as Conner showed he is more than capable of being a three-down back in this system. He will now be relied on more than ever with Kyler Murray out for the foreseeable future. Expect the Cardinals to feed him early and often, especially in the beginning of the season.

The Cardinals offensive line desperately needed help and they turned to the 2023 NFL Draft to solidify it. Arizona drafted LG Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State and he will be a day-one starter. Johnson Jr. is an athletic, versatile lineman that could eventually be a Pro Bowl caliber player. It starts in the trenches and although the Cardinals o-line has a ways to go they should be improved in 2023.

The Bad

Offense wins championships. This is the reality of the NFL in 2023. Sure you can have a stout defense and be successful but if you want to reach the pinnacle you have to have an elite offense. This is why it was a bit of a head-scratcher when the Cardinals decided to hire Jonathan Gannon as their head coach. Don’t get me wrong, Gannon is an excellent young coach who helped take the Eagles defense to the next level but is this the right fit? There were plenty of young offensive minds available for the Cardinals to hire but they decided to go with Gannon. If you look at the most successful teams in the league today most have offensive minded head coaches.

As we stated before the Cardinals have a roster that is devoid of playmakers. Marquise Brown is a solid wide receiver but can he really be a #1? Zach Ertz has always been a reliable pass catcher but health has been a factor for him in recent years. Outside of James Conner, the Cardinals don’t really have a player you have to game plan for.

The Prediction

As expected this will be a tough season for Arizona Cardinals fans. When you look at their 2023 NFL schedule it’s hard to find wins in there. I do see wins at home against the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams along with a road victory at the Houston Texans. The Cardinals will once again be picking at the top of the draft in 2024.

2023 Record: 3-14

The post Arizona Cardinals Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Arizona Cardinals: TE Zach Ertz [ADP: 154.6]

When healthy, Zach Ertz was one of the best TEs in football last season. He was consistently getting double-digit FPs from his looks from Kyler Murray. From Week 11 onwards, he was out for the season due to injury. Now, Arizona will not have Kyler as he tore his ACL so Colt McCoy will take the helm. Without Hopkins, there will be more opportunities for the other receivers. If Ertz can bounce back, he can have a sneaky good year for whoever picks him.

Los Angeles Rams: RB Cam Akers [ADP: 85.8]

The Los Angeles Rams had a disastrous season with multiple injuries and inconsistency hurting the team. With the team in a half-rebuild, one of the people who can lead the team is Cam Akers. He will lead the team in the backfield and end the year strong. He ran for over 100 yards in his last three games and he hopes to build on it the next season. Look for Akers to have a strong year.

San Francisco 49ers: WR Brandon Aiyuk [ADP: 89.9]

Brandon Aiyuk is often forgotten when talking about San Francisco’s offense. He led the team in catches and receiving yards. With the 49ers having a strong offense every year, Aiyuk at this ADP is a steal. He has improved his numbers every year and reached over 1000 receiving yards in 2022. The only uncertainty is the 49ers QB as we still don’t know who will be the man in charge.

Seattle Seahawks: QB Geno Smith [ADP: 52.8]

Geno Smith had a bounce-back season for the ages as he led the Seahawks above all expectations. He threw for 4282 yards and 30 TDs as he brought the team to the playoffs. The Seahawks QB ended the year fifth among all QBs and 13th overall in fantasy football. Now, his ADP is 52.8 or a fourth-round pick. With another year in Seattle and the team drafting Jaxson Smith-Njigba, he looks prime for another great year.

The post NFC West: Biggest Fantasy Sleepers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS

After a top-five TE finish in his first year in Arizona, Zach Ertz had been under the radar regarding reliable tight ends in fantasy football. He ended 2021 with 74 receptions for 763 yards and five TDs. If you could not get one of the elite tight ends at the start of the draft, Zach Ertz would be a good backup choice.

DRAFT EXPECTATIONS

In the 2022 season, Ertz was an average sixth or seventh-round pick. This is good value for someone who’s been consistently healthy and someone who is capable of having a top-six TE season in fantasy. Another positive thing is with DeAndre Hopkins being out the first six games of the season, Zach would get extra receptions, especially in the endzone.

OVERALL SEASON PRODUCTION

Zach Ertz had a strong start to the season as he was one of the most consistent tight ends in the NFL. In nine games, he was in double-digit points for seven of those. He had 47 catches for 406 yards and four TDs. Even with Hopkins coming back in Week 7, Ertz still had 13 and 15 FP performances. With all the turmoil happening in Arizona, it will be interesting to see how Ertz will perform with all the chaos of Kyler and Hopkins.

CRITICAL MOMENTS DURING THE SEASON

Week 2 vs Las Vegas Raiders

The week two matchup against Las Vegas was Zach Ertz’s best non-TD game. He had a season-high 11 targets and caught a season-high eight receptions for 75 yards. It was a sight to see as fantasy owners were pleased with another double-digit performance.

Week 4 vs Carolina Panthers

Ertz had his best performance of the season when the Cardinals went to Carolina. He caught six passes for 47 yards and a two-yard TD in the third quarter to tie the game. All of this accumulated to 16.70 FP and he showed that he is one of the most consistent tight ends in football through four weeks.

Week 9 vs Seattle Seahawks

Zach’s last productive game of the season came against Seattle at home. He caught five passes for 40 yards and a TD. His six-yard TD catch late in the fourth made it a three-point game but Seattle answered back. The chaos for Arizona was about to begin as Ertz wouldn’t play anymore after Week 10.

The post 2022-2023 Fantasy Football Review: Zach Ertz appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Arizona Cardinals may have a unique outlook at their quarterback and wide receiver position, but I still believe the team that started 7-0 last season should still carry their heads high in 2022. With that said, I’m going to simply outline three reasons why the Cardinals can return to the post-season next season.

Healthy J.J. Watt

The two-time Defensive Player of The Year J.J. Watt played in only seven games last season. I surely don’t believe Watt is focused on soaking up the sun after being a non-factor last season. Watt, who recently announced that he is having his first baby, can still be a force in this league at numerous spots on the DL (despite his recent sack numbers). The Cardinals DL that is from the same draft class as Von Miller and Cameron Jordan will continue to be bloodthirsty for his first Super Bowl ring.

Focused Kyler Murray

Of course, Kyler Murray is a gifted signal-caller in the NFL. Although, there isn’t a QB in the league that won’t be hurt by missing OTAs. It’s amazing that Murray has shown desperation for a new contract, but he is still lasered in at OTAs. There have been greek god-like QBs that have missed a lot of summer activity for a hefty contract (such as a Drew Brees), so it’s very exciting that Murray cares about creating chemistry with his different WR room for team success.

Zach Ertz

I thought the Cardinals re-signing of Zach Ertz was one of the most underrated NFL moves this off-season. Ertz is still a very good football player at age 31 — which is two years younger than Gronk. He will be a crucial red-zone threat, while D-Hop is MIA (8 touchdowns in 10 games last season). Hollywood Brown, the second-year WR Rondale Moore, and the familiar AJ Green will not only be the key options for Murray in 2022. It should also be noted that Murray will simply have his best group of weapons after Hopkins returns from the six-game suspension.

The post 3 reasons why the Cardinals can return to the playoffs appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Los Angeles Chargers feature a 23-year-old signal-caller that threw 5,014 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns last season. The Chargers will prioritize retaining their top WR Mike Williams (76, 1,149, 9), but they will need more of a bolt in their TE room. The days of Antonio Gates are sadly gone.

The Chargers carry Jared Cook, but he’s 34 years old (two years older than Gronk) and clearly not a Pro Bowl TE at this stage in his career. The Chargers should really revamp their TE position and potentially bring in a more explosive, younger TE to help the potential MVP candidate Justin Herbert. With that said, who could the Chargers sign at TE? Well, here are a few options.

Evan Engram

I feel absolutely confident that Evan Engram would have a career season in year one with the Chargers. The athletic freak who runs a 4.4 40 time may wise to have a “prove-it deal” with a quality team like LA. The Giants recently cut Kyle Rudolph and they’ve been rumored to trade Saquon Barkley. In general, it’s obvious that they’re building and I would expect Engram to receive more money from an ascending team with a potent quarterback.

It’s also exciting for teams interested in Engram that he is only 27 years old, which noticeably younger than Ertz (31) and Gronk (32). If he excels early, it’s clear the Chargers have a new long-term “weapon” in Engram. Engram may also switch to slot WR, according to New York Post. He would surely be an excellent third receiving option in Herbert’s arsenal.

Zach Ertz

It will really not be easy for the Chargers to ink Zach Ertz, as he has a plethora of talented, potential suitors. Nonetheless, the Chargers could be a great combination of culture and money (second in cap space) to lure the Eagles legendary TE. They have also been very curious about landing Ertz in the past, as shown in the first Twitter link on this article.

Ertz recorded 763 yards and five touchdowns with the Cardinals/Eagles in 2021. He has stated that he would like to return to AZ, but it may be a challenge for the “Kyler Murray-led” Cardinals to afford Ertz. He could also decide to return to Philly as a TE2/WR3 and sort out a better contract.

Rob Gronkowski

It’s very hard to predict what Gronk wants to do in 2022. He expressed interest in the Bengals and the Bills, but he might have an unexpected team that wins his heart at the end. Gronk should feel confident that he can be the chess piece that can guarantee the Chargers at least a wildcard playoff spot next season.

It isn’t like the Bills are a clear Super Bowl favorite or very wealthy team at the moment, too (24th in cap space). The Chargers could swoop in and he could be enticed about the QB, location, and contract that the Chargers could propose.

The post Free agent tight end targets for the LA Chargers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Zach Ertz is one of the most underrated tight ends in NFL history and is currently one of the top TEs in the NFL. Ertz has won a Super Bowl, he’s made three Pro Bowls, and he’s unveiled seven seasons of 700+ receiving yards in his career.

The Eagles legend will soon be facing free agency at 31 years old. Ertz could return to the Arizona Cardinals team that really wants to make Kyler Murray happy and push for their own Super Bowl berth soon.

CBS Sports has listed Ertz as one of the potential free-agent steals in the off-season. It’s clear that he’s a special profile and he could land with another team that’s pushing for a Super Bowl victory. So, where will he sign? Well, here are a few logical landing spots for Ertz.

Arizona Cardinals

I really believe the Cardinals, who made the blockbuster trade for Ertz, will retain the talented Cardinals TE. According to Sports Illustrated, Ertz wants to stay in Arizona. I really believe Ertz, DeAndre Hopkins, and Murray will be taking the field and lighting up defenses in 2022.

He averaged 52.2 yards per game with the Cardinals, which is near his 2019 Pro Bowl season (61.1). I believe the Cardinals should be happy with how he performed, especially given his first year in the scheme and the fact that Murray isn’t a stat machine in the passing game (never thrown 4,000+ passing yards in a season).

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals will not take the gas off the pedal and they shouldn’t (fifth in cap space). The Bengals have been linked to Gronk, but I foresee Gronkowski signing with his former enemy in the Buffalo Bills. The Bengals should ink the talented and slightly younger Ertz to join their shiny arsenal.

The Bengals shouldn’t let the youth on their team fool them. They should capitalize off the production and continuity, particularly on offense with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon playing together. The Bengals clearly need to improve pass protection (most sacks allowed in 2021), but they need to get creative by adding more juice to their offense. They could use a more potent RB2 and TE1. They should see if Ertz is interested in pursuing a Super Bowl ring this offseason.

Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson is clearly having mixed emotions with his situation on the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson has D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but he hasn’t had quality pass protection, a superb running game, or a third receiving option that can take Wilson to the next level. They have Gerald Everett, but he is a free agent in 2022 and it’s safe to say Ertz is a sure-fire upgrade over Everett (who likes to swap teams in the NFC West).

According to Heavy., the Seahawks are projected to sign Ertz, as well. They may try and add a couple of big pieces to push for a Super Bowl in Russell Wilson’s prime. Ertz would make a ton of sense and be a scary chess piece in their offense featuring Metcalf, also known as Megatron 2.0.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles brought back Nick Foles and it clearly paid off, as he led them to a Super Bowl victory. The Eagles might want to bring back the familiar, talented TE, especially when they need more help in playmakers. Dallas Goedert might have half driven Ertz out of town, but they can have a more robust plan to utilize two talented TEs and make them both satisfied in 2022.

Jalen Reagor is struggling so much that Justin Jefferson feels bad for him. He is in fact a WR, but they could use more playmaking ability in their offense from the slot. Ertz might even take less money to re-sign with Philly if there’s mutual interest.

New York Giants

The New York Giants ought to be seen as the best wildcard team to ink Ertz. They will likely split with the veteran Evan Engram (2022 FA) this offseason. The Giants recently cut veteran TE Kyle Rudolph, too. It’s clear they need a major upgrade at their TE position.

The Giants haven’t completely pulled the plug on their offense and key profiles just yet. They still feature Saquon Barkley, Kadarius Toney, and Kenny Golladay in their offensive attack. If Daniel Jones has an elite TE in his current offense, they would really give him a fine opportunity to prove himself and potentially lead them to an NFC East title next season.

Honorable mentions:

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have a confusing outlook. Within a few months, they could either have Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, or their QB/WR combo could both be out of town. I would like to see Tae get franchise tagged and then Matt LaFleur to bring in a fancy weapon for their offense. I would expect Rodgers to also stay if they retain Tae and add a profile like Zach Ertz. The Pro Bowl TE could also be in awe of the idea of playing with the 2020 and 2021 NFL MVP. The Packers also have a question mark at TE position, as rumors of cutting Robert Tonyan have surfaced. I expect the Packers to be aggressive in free agency, as Rodgers is really flirting with picking a different team to join.

New Orleans Saints

The bold Sean Payton may not be in the Big Easy, but the ultra-creative Mickey Loomis still resides in New Orleans. The Saints might be cap-strapped, but I don’t think they will go “quietly into that good night”. They are certainly trying to win a Super Bowl with arguably the most well-balanced NFL roster. Loomis might be thrilled about passing up on the big-name free agent wide receivers and reeling in a major TE weapon like Ertz to play with Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Jameis Winston. Ertz would also be a significant upgrade over TE Adam Trautman.

The post Best landing spots for Zach Ertz in 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.