8/17/2016
By John Cooney
Player Analysis & Scouting Service
The player performance rubber is beginning to meet the training camp road. Camp story lines are developing and there are some very interesting “tells” out there that I’m seeing. Let’s get to it!
Arizona Cardinals:
TE is not a position of priority in the desert, but a big guy kicking up some dust in Arizona is Troy Niklas. Finally healthy, the 6’6-270 TE is challenging for not just a starting gig, but also inclusion in a high-powered pass attack. He’s got YAC ability and at that size, Niklas is a redzone redwood.
Atlanta Falcons:
Will a TE please step up and try to make himself available to his QB in Atlanta? Sheesh, Tony Gonzalez could help out even NOW, and he hasn’t suited up in years!
Baltimore Ravens:
Smoke billowing out of the Raven backfield and we may have a rogue rusher bolting to a starting gig in a high-velocity offense. Terrance West has trimmed down and geared up to challenge for a big role. He’s forcing his coaches to really take notice, from conditioning to preparedness to quicks on the field. A Marc Trestman RB with starter snaps is FFB worthy, gang!
Buffalo Bills:
Reggie Bush is a Buffalo Bill. Really? Bush’s entire career has been played in sunshine, warm climates and domes. What happens when that shivering wind starts whipping off the “Lake”? Count me out! ON a hot note, WR Robert Woods is looking niiice! Woods played half of 2015 with two… two torn groin muscles. Played 14 games in 2015. That’s gutsy. He’s been a star in camp and started showing it off back in OTAs. Robert Woods… Just Sayin!
Carolina Panthers:
Kelvin Benjamin’s lack of conditioning is nothing new. Big wideouts that come into camp soft often have loads of injury issues. Benji is going around the 3rd round and that’s a huge risk for an out-of-shape receiver with so-so hands.
Chicago Bears:
Chicago’s o-line lost their anchor, center Hroniss Grasu (knee) and Ted Larsen takes over. Larsen was just too easily moved and bullied off his blocks last season in Arizona. Moody Jay Cutler doesn’t like being rushed from the middle of the line, but that’s coming. Routes may be getting shorter for wideouts real soon in Chitown.
Cincinnati Bengals:
AJ Green’s proposed caddy, Brandon LaFell, doesn’t own the surest of mitts. Now he has a ligament tear in his hand and will need surgery. Somebody has to pick up the Marvin Jones/Mohamed Sanu targets just laying out there… Tyler Boyd’s looking darn juicy right now!
Cleveland Browns:
Ok, charade over and RG3 IS the guy. No Kidding! Now go and get Corey Coleman on your FFB teams. I’m seeing 80+ catches. Don’t think so? Browns will still be playing from behind quite a bit this year; gotta throw to catch up.
Dallas Cowboys:
What Cowboy has gotten the attention of star WR Dez Bryant? How ‘bout his running mate, Terrance Williams. Williams has been so outstanding in camp that Bryant had to say so, literally. In his words, “Something OUTSTANDING has gotten into Terrance Williams.” Could be that always motivating contract year thing! Looking for a solid depth WR in your draft? Terrance Williams.
Denver Broncos:
Fanballers taking advantage of the lower ADPs of WR Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will be rewarded. These guys are working it in camp against top-shelf DBs (their own). Thomas has been RedZoning it and Sanders can’t be covered underneath.
Detroit Lions:
Can RB Zach Zenner NOT take a big hit on just about every handoff he gets? Lord! The guy runs hard and has darn good vision, but he takes a pop almost every touch. C’mon Doc, avoid it once in a while!
Green Bay Packers:
Packer TEs look like they will cancel eachother out, fantasy-wise. Jared Cook is now splitting the seams between the numbers and QB Aaron Rodgers is seeking him out. Richard Rodgers trimmed down a bunch and looks so much more smooth and fast in his routes. They make a good teamTE play, but one needs the other to get off the field for extended time to have fantasy value.
Houston Texans:
Going to be pretty darn interesting to see steps up and claims the WR2 in Houston. Jaelen Strong has looked good in practice and in the first fake game, but Will Fuller got the starting nod. Question is will there be any real chance to help out fanballers from a Texan WR2? The D should keep scores close, leading to more run than pitch action. When volume is not an option (targets in numbers), go for the big play; that’s Will Fuller. BTW, eyes on rookie TE Stephen Anderson… he’s buried on the depth chart for now, but what Houston TE has done anything the past few seasons?
Indianapolis Colts:
Uh, is it me or is there something just not right with QB Andrew Luck. He has been so-so in camp and the offense looked ugly in the first pre-season tilt. Oh, and Josh Ferguson fans, just let it go. Not happening.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
If only he can stay healthy. Marqise Lee gave a glimpse at what he can do when healthy, which is almost never. Lee has WR1 chops folks; don’t forget that. If he can go, Jags’ WR stable is frightening.
Kansas City Chiefs:
Chiefs were working a whole lot on deep passes in camp. There might real smoke there, but Coach Reid sure threw cold water on that part of the playbook in pre-season game 1. Thought we might see more throws this year, but honestly, the way the o-line is blowing defenses off the line, more ground-based action can be anticipated in 2016.
Miami Dolphins:
Wanna know one reason WR Jarvis Landry hasn’t scored more TDs? Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill’s throws are there, but not on time and Landry doesn’t have the speedy wheels to outrun a DB once he on him. Sooo, lots of “1st and goal from the 3” after a Landry redzone snag. Coach Gase ants the ball out quicker than his QB has done so far.
Minnesota Vikings:
Stefon Diggs… book it! He’s been glued to his QB all off-season and is determined to make year 2 “pay”. Love his after-catch work.
New England Patriots:
Here’s a novel draft idea… draft both Rob Gronkowski AND Martellus Bennett. Coach Bill is using the 2-TE set as a base and If… IF Gronk misses a few games, look out for Bennett. The bye week? Deal with it.
New Orleans Saints:
Shouldn’t we be hearing how great a camp RB CJ Spiller is having by now? Cue the crickets!
New York Giants:
Been eyeing up Giants camp as this is the breakout offense of 2016. Can’t help but notice how much action RB Shane Vereen is seeing. I mean A LOT of reps!
New York Jets:
How about as your FFB WR1 a 6/2-220 WR that plays in a pass-happy offense, has hit over 1000 yards and 11 or more TDs 3 of the last 4 years? What if you could get that form your WR2 or even a WR3? Paging Eric Decker.
Oakland Raiders:
RB Latavius Murray was in and out of the Raider coaches’ mutt-hut all last season. Oakland selected a nifty RB (DeAndre Washington) this past draft and he’s been receiving high praise from coaches and the GM. Don’t count Murray out just yet. He’s worked his tail off and quietly Raider coaches are impressed so far in camp.
Philadelphia Eagles:
AS I said, Darren Sproles. Just Sayin’! Eagle offense is becoming quite unsettled. Darren Sproles can blend in so many ways to help clean up the mess. I’m feeling a lot more touches than many might expect here.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Ok, so WR Sammie Coates put a couple on the turf after the catch. He’ll learn and learn fast. The fumbles came trying to make something happen. Things are still a tad too fast for Coates, but don’t turn away now. There’s fire in his game.
San Diego Chargers:
What the heck kind of defense is San Diego putting out there? Tennessee ran through the Charger front 7 like the proverbial hot knife through butter. Rev it up, Phil Rivers; you’ll be behind early and often.
San Francisco 49ers:
Didn’t I “just say” about RB Mike Davis? The guy can play. He’s a solid rusher and an underrated receiver. But he best cut out that reversing the field crap. He doesn’t have those kind of wheels. Carlos Hyde isn’t exactly Iron Man and Shaun Draughn already got dinged in pre-week 1. Just Sayin… again; Mike Davis.
Seattle Seahawks:
Ok, I looked into it. Christin Michael; really! The light has turned on and so will his game in 2016. Go get him… NOW!
St Louis Rams:
Other than RB Todd Gurley, the only other FFB must have on the Rams is… Gurley’s handcuff. Benny Cunningham will give fanballers multi-taking points IF he has to play. Nice one-cut and go rusher, excellent receiver and a nose for the goal line.
Tampa Bay Bucs:
What happens to Jameis Winston if WR Mike Evans flops or has to sit out? Vincent Jackson? Kenny Bell? Adam Humphries, Louis Murphy, Donteea Dye? Stop me when you heard enough. Just be prepared if you own Winston, that’s all.
Tennessee Titans:
Rishard Matthews got a bump in FFB value when the Titans shipped (dumped) disappointing WR Dorial Green-Beckham to Philly… for a backup o-lineman. Ah, is Kendall Wright’s attitude next to get a ticket out of town? Coach Mularkey won’t stand for any… malarkey. Sorry, had to be done! And, start eyeing up 2nd year WR Tre McBride. I know, Tajae Sharp is the talk, but McBride has spectacular NFL tools.
Washington Redskins:
Who’s your handcuff Matt Jones? Rookie Keith Marshall is making noise in camp. He’s swift, but sloppy with his footwork. Better clean it up; sloppy feet lead to balls on the turf. Kinda think free agent Pierre Thomas is getting a call soon.
As Coach Vince Lombardi preached, “You ain’t gonna be perfect, but you’re gonna be excellent”.
Just Sayin!
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