Wed Feb 7 8:43am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Pacheco is playing at high level
Not sure about you, but there is not a better weekend in sports than Super Bowl weekend. It is as good as it gets. Just everything involved with it is so much fun. I am so looking forward to it all this weekend. Let’s hope it is a good game and lives up to the hype. Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . .
I will give you my pick for the game right off the bat. I think it will be a close game, but look for the Chiefs to squeak it out. I think the experience factor plays a difference here in the end, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. Patrick Mahomes has been outstanding during the playoffs and think he has a huge advantage over Brock Purdy. Plus, the Chiefs defense has been outstanding lately, completely shutting down the opponent. I don’t see them shutting down the 49ers high-powered offense, but think they will cause Purdy problems. I’m going with a Chiefs 31-27 victory.
If you still don’t have any fantasy teams alive in the playoffs, consider playing our fun pickem contests. We have tons of options available to play with for the Super Bowl. I wanted to give you a few of my favorite pickem plays for the big game. Give me Travis Kelce more than 70.5-receiving yards. Kelce has 71-plus yards all three of his playoff games and is coming off arguably his best game of the season. And the 49ers struggled to stop the tight end last week, seeing Sam LaPorta rack up the receptions and yards. I also like Brandon Aiyuk less than 61.5-receiving yards. Aiyuk has failed to hit that mark two of three games and has just three catches each of his last three games. Lastly, I like Deebo Samuel more than 79.5-rushing and receiving yards. Samuel had 11 touches his last game and was a huge part of the offense. I look for the 49ers to get him involved early and often, giving him good potential to rack up some total yards.
I’m not sure how I feel about the Commanders hiring of Kliff Kingsbury. His offenses were fine in Arizona, but not as explosive as many thought and he struggled some using Caleb Williams last year at USC. I think the Commanders would have been better served keeping Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator. I thought he did a great job with the offense last year in Washington all things considered. I’m not convinced Kingsbury is going to be an upgrade.
On a different subject, can we stop teasing and showing parts of the Super Bowl commercials before the game? I mean part of the fun of the game is the commercials. They are always entertaining and a part of the event. But now, you see parts of the commercials before the game, ruining the surprise. C’mon people. Let’s stop this tradition right now.
We had our first TFC draft of the 2024 season last night. And in a surprise move, the first pick of the draft was Breece Hall. And we also saw Sam LaPorta get picked before Travis Kelce. It is always interesting to see how these early drafts shake out. A lot is going to change between now and the start of next season, but trends are starting now. In this draft, four running backs were picked in the first round compared to eight receivers. And the quarterback position looks as deep as ever with guys like Jordan Love getting picked in Round 11. Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins also went very late.
News and Notes: The Chargers hired Greg Roman as their new offensive coordinator. Roman tends to be more run heavy when it comes to play calling. . . . .Former Texans and Patriots running back Rex Burkhead announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
HOT PLAYS
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco has taken his game to new heights during the Chiefs playoff run. He has at least 15 fantasy points four straight games and found the end zone seven consecutive games. He even has 20-plus carries two of three games, getting a big workload in the Chiefs offense. Expect more of the same this week from Pacheco. The 49ers allowed 182-rushing yards to the Lions their last game and allowed 135-plus rushing yards each of their two playoff games.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs. Kelce has looked like a different player during these playoffs than the regular season. He had 11 receptions his last game and at least five catches all three playoff games. He has 14-plus fantasy points all three games. He has really elevated his game after a ho-hum second half of the season. Look for him to be the focal point of the Chiefs passing game once again this week. And San Francisco couldn’t contain Sam LaPorta in the Championship game, allowing him to get nine receptions for 97 yards. The Packers tight ends had six receptions and a touchdown in the 49ers other playoff game.
COLD PLAYS
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers. Aiyuk did score a touchdown his last game, which was a big positive, but he had just three receptions. He has just three cathodes three straight games. He has were than 40 yards two of three. And with the Chiefs secondary clamping down on receivers right not, it could be more of the same for Aiyuk this week. He could be held in check once again.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs. McKinnon is expected to make his long-awaited return this week, returning from a groin injury. He has not played since Week 15. Just remember he has not reached double-digit touches in a single game this year. Pacheco is the lead back in this offense and will get most of the work at running back. McKinnon played great during the Chiefs playoff run last season, but this is a new year. Plus, McKinnon has not played in several weeks, so you have to wonder how much he is even on the field. He will be a big risk to use for fantasy owners.
SLEEPERS
Jauan Jennings, WR, 49ers. There are always surprise players in the Super Bowl, so why not Jennings. He could draw the most favorable matchups in coverage for the 49ers receiver options. And he has looked good in the playoffs, having six receptions for 69 yards in two games. He played 42 percent of the snaps last week - even with Deebo Samuel back in the lineup. Jennings might get a big play or two in this one, making him an intriguing fantasy play.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Chiefs. Valdes-Scantling had the game-clinching reception in the Championship game, making a sliding catch on third down to clinch the game. He finished with two receptions for 38 yards. But he played a season-high 83 percent of the snaps in that game, which is encouraging. If he is on the field that much again this week, his reception and yardage totals could rise in what might be a high-scoring game.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Chiefs/49ers.
Low Scoring Games: None.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum is ready to get his inaugural campaign started. While the rookie is expected to get touches from week to week behind Kyren Williams this season, he cannot say how involved he'll be. "I'm not really sure," said Corum when asked about his workload during an interview. "I know I've had a good camp, and Kyren's a phenomenal back, so we could just feed off each other. Anything to help the team." Corum, the No. 83 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, has plenty of upside in dynasty formats. However, his current value in most redraft formats is strictly as an insurance policy for Williams' fantasy managers. With that said, Williams missed time in 2023-24 due to injury. If that happens again, Corum will be a hot commodity on the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) was a victim of a robbery attempt on Saturday. According to reports, Pearsall was traveling to an autograph signing when he was approached by the suspect, who demanded the rookie's Rolex watch while brandishing a firearm. A struggle ensued for the gun, resulting in both Pearsall and the suspect sustaining gunshot wounds. The wideout was transported to a local medical facility and is now in stable condition. Police also caught the suspect. There should be an update on Pearsall's condition soon. While he'll likely miss time, his health beyond the field is undoubtedly more important.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emani Bailey has been cut by the organization on Friday. The team has decided to move on from the 22-year-old to make room for quarterback Bailey Zappe on their practice squad. Bailey failed to impress during his time with the Chiefs during the preseason. He rushed 10 times for 29 yards and caught one pass in three games. The Chiefs decided to stick with Carson Steele as their No. 4 back instead of Bailey. The undrafted back will now look to catch on elsewhere before the season begins.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Ward (concussion) has officially cleared concussion protocol ahead of Week 1. The star defensive back missed nearly two weeks of action before returning to practice earlier this week. It sounds like Ward should be able to get ready in time for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. His presence is a huge lift to this Browns secondary, so it's great to hear that he's back ahead of Week 1. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive back has 15 interceptions, 76 passes defended, and 73 tackles during his first six seasons in Cleveland.
From RotoBaller
The Green Bay Packers have signed running back La'Mical Perine to their practice squad on Friday. This news comes days after Perine was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He joined Pittsburgh in May and rushed 16 times for 46 yards with a touchdown in the preseason. He should serve as decent depth with the Packers shorthanded at running back right now. In three seasons, Perine has rushed for 340 yards with two touchdowns in 17 games between the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore Perine with Josh Jacobs likely to see the bulk of the carries in Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Dalvin Cook believes he still has gas left in the tank. After finishing 2022 by running for his fourth-consecutive season of at least 1,000 yards, the 29-year-old didn't do much during his time with the Jets and Ravens in 2023-24. However, Cook feels he's still one of the best running backs in the NFL and attributes his struggles last season to the Achilles injury suffered by Aaron Rodgers. "I don't really want to speak on the situation, but when Aaron went down on Play 4, everything was just a little bit different," Cook said during an interview. "When I got to Baltimore, I was ready to go. I was ready to get the ball however many times they needed me to. Unfortunately, I didn't get it that much." While the Cowboys' backfield features Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, it's anyone's guess how impactful the duo can be. If things get out of hand from a rushing standpoint, there's room for Cook to take over as the No. 1 option on the depth chart. If that happens, he'll immediately draw attention from fantasy managers, so drafting him as a late-round stash wouldn't be a bad idea.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Daniel Popper thinks that if all the Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers stay healthy this year, Joshua Palmer will lead the team in targets. Palmer is the returning player with the most targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns from quarterback Justin Herbert. He's also the fourth-most targeted receiver in Herbert's career, behind Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler. Palmer has earned Herbert's trust in his first three years in the NFL, and Popper thinks trust will be especially important in the early going in 2024 after Herbert missed three weeks of training camp with a plantar-fascia injury. In addition, the Bolts have installed a new offense under coordinator Greg Roman. Palmer has upside this year, but he's mainly a WR5/flex because of the fact that he hasn't been able to stay healthy. He missed six games in 2023 with a knee injury and also battled an ankle injury and a concussion in 2022.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he doesn't need a long-term contract extension done before the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Cleveland Browns. "I think it says a lot if it is or if it isn't," Prescott said. "But 'however' doesn't really matter to me, to be honest with you." Prescott is heading into the final year of a four-year, $160 million deal he signed in 2021 and is scheduled to make $29 million in 2024 and count $55 million against the salary cap. Dallas has talked with Prescott's agent, Todd France, throughout the summer, but a deal doesn't seem close. Prescott said it's up to France and the Cowboys if negotiations continue into the regular season. The Cowboys cannot place the franchise tag on Prescott after the season, so if they are serious about getting an extension done, it must come before the end of the 2024 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hand) said on Thursday that he suffered a broken hand during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 4 that required surgery. Bosa returned to practice for the first time this past Tuesday and was wearing a black club around his left hand. He will not miss any of the Chargers' games to begin the 2024 regular season. The 29-year-old pass-rusher said he had "three really good practices" this week although admitted that his conditioning "needs work." Bosa will play with the club on his hand to begin the year and declined to give a timetable on when he would play without it. He can be one of the most dynamic pass-rushers in the game, but Bosa has had trouble staying on the field the last two years. Bosa made four Pro Bowls in his first six seasons but has played in just 14 games the last two years with hamstring, foot and toe injuries.
From RotoBaller
According to sources, the Cincinnati Bengals are intensifying their efforts to sign star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a long-term contract extension with just over a week left until the Bengals kick off the regular season with a Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. Chase did step foot on the practice field last week for a day but has mostly been a hold-in at training camp while he seeks a new deal. A new long-term extension with Chase would be for well above $30 million per season for one of the best pass-catchers in the game. Nothing is imminent yet, but people inside the Bengals building are somewhat optimistic. Negotiations have been more difficult because the three-time Pro Bowler still has two years left on his current deal. Despite the hold-in, Chase should be considered a top-five fantasy wideout and should come off the board in the middle of the first round for those still yet to draft.
From RotoBaller
The Arizona Cardinals have released running back Tony Jones (shoulder) from injured reserve with an injury settlement, according to Howard Balzer of CardsWire. Jones had injured his shoulder during the final week of the preseason and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. However, now that he was released with a settlement, Jones immediately becomes a free agent and is technically free to sign with any team. Teams will wait until he's fully healthy before making any sort of deal, but at least there's now a chance for him to suit up again this season, rather than spend the whole year sidelined. Jones had 132 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in 2023, and he remains nothing more than a depth piece on NFL rosters. He should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free agent running back Jaret Patterson to their practice squad. He had been released from the 53-man roster earlier in the week but is now back in the building. The 24-year-old registered 339 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2021, but his production has scaled back since then and he didn't even register a touch last year. He's merely a depth option behind the four running backs on the Chargers' active roster and therefore isn't expected to see the field much in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers have signed veteran quarterback John Wolford to their practice squad. He had been released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during last week's series of roster cuts. Wolford reunites with Dave Canales, who was his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay last year and is now the head coach of the Panthers. "John's fantastic. Hands down, the smartest guy in the room," Canales previously said about Wolford. He added, "It's a great feeling for a quarterback coach or an offensive coordinator when you know before the play starts where the ball should go, and it goes there. That's John Wolford. He's just like, 'Alright, so this ball should go to the backline right here, and there it is, bang.' Perfect." Evidently, the Panthers' new head coach has plenty of faith in Wolford and presumably jumped at the opportunity to bring him onto the practice squad when Tampa Bay cut him loose. He'll presumably open 2024 as Carolina's emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants have re-signed cornerback Adoree' Jackson to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Financial terms were not immediately reported. Jackson had spent the last three seasons with the Giants. Just last year, he racked up 63 tackles, eight passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble. He should start at cornerback alongside Deonte Banks in Week 1, giving New York some extra defensive help as they take on Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could play in the team's Week 1 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Andy Reid said. Smith-Schuster was signed out of free agency earlier this week, leaving him with around two weeks to get acclimated in the offense before the season kicks off. That's not a lot of time, but nevertheless, Reid is leaving the door open for Smith-Schuster to play. It likely helps that Smith-Schuster played with the Chiefs in 2022, so at least he has some familiarity with the offense.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee) may not return to a full workload until the final month of the season, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.
Fantasy Spin: Chubb is already set to miss the start of the season as he recovers from a knee injury, and depending on how Cleveland's season is going, there may not be a reason to lean too heavily on Chubb at any point.
From TheHuddle
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed wide receiver Ben Skowronek to their practice squad Friday, per Adam Schefter. Skowronek had made waves early on in camp as a part of the Houston Texans but missed time due to a leg injury and was ultimately cut by the team earlier this week. The 27-year-old was never given a full complement of snaps during his three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, though he did perform admirably when given the opportunity. The former seventh-round pick should stand a better chance to crack the Steelers' active roster than he did buried in a deep Houston wide receiver room. With the regular season kicking off in just under a week, Pittsburgh will roll into their road opener against the Atlanta Falcons with George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III starting at wide receiver. Skowronek does not project to be a viable fantasy option, though this could be a situation to monitor with a thin corps in front of him.
From RotoBaller
Linebacker Tyus Bowser was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on Friday and will look to build up to his first in-game action since 2022. Bowser previously spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens but was released by the team back in March to free up $5.5 million in salary cap. The 29-year-old was among one of the most versatile linebackers in the league when he was healthy and was a beacon of consistency for the Ravens up until missing eight games in 2022 after a torn Achilles and all of 2023 with a knee injury. He also led Baltimore in sacks with seven in 2021. A former second-round pick, Bowser will reunite with Mike Macdonald in Seattle after playing under him in Macdonald's first year as the Ravens' defensive coordinator. Because Bowser was not on a pre-season roster, being signed to the practice squad will give his body time to reacclimate to football. Look for him to vie for a spot on the active roster.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent CB D.J. James (Seahawks), CB Zech McPhearson (Eagles), CB Damarion Williams (Ravens), CB Kyu Blu Kelly (Commanders), QB Chris Oladokun (Chiefs), S Al Blades Jr. (Jets), WR Alex Erickson (Chargers), CB Eric Garror (Titans), CB Jason Maitre (Dolphins), LB Andrew Parker Jr. (Jaguars), OT Julian Pearl (Ravens), LB Yvandy Rigby (Ravens), WR David Wallis (Patriots) and CB A.J. Woods (Commanders) worked out for the New York Giants Thursday, Aug. 29.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent CB Adoree' Jackson (Giants) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Giants Friday, Aug. 30. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
From TheHuddle