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Steve Grogan Est. 2004
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Champions Draft Results

Wed Jul 3 10:36am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Hurts was first quarterback picked


RealTime Fantasy Sports is proud to present you the results of our “Champions Draft." The draft this season once again consists of the top rated fantasy players on our site. We invited players rated near the top of our Top Fantasy Players report. So this is the best of the best on our site.

In this column, we'll give you a round-by-round look at the draft. Each round includes some notes on that round, talking about what just went down. Hopefully, this gives you some insight into the draft and helps prepare you for all your drafts this coming year.

Before we get to that, here is a quick overview of the league format. We used the same rules as we do for the "All-Pro" fantasy leagues on our site. So you can view the entire set of rules on our main page for that game. But here is a brief look. Each team starts a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, a defensive/special teams, a kicker and a flex player (RB, WR or TE). Scoring is pretty standard. Touchdowns are worth six except for passing touchdowns, which are worth four. And it is a points per reception league, giving every player a point per reception. Defenses get points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. The rules are pretty standard with how many leagues operate these days.

ROUND 1

 1. Ballers - Christian McCaffrey RB, SF

 2. Birds - CeeDee Lamb WR, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Bijan Robinson RB, ATL

 4. Super Paurs - Breece Hall RB, NYJ

 5. Wreckingcrew - Tyreek Hill WR, MIA

 6. PaurPlay - Justin Jefferson WR, MIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, DET

 8. Bubbles Army - Ja'Marr Chase WR, CIN

 9. HORNS - Jahmyr Gibbs RB, DET

 10. Goodfellas - Puka Nacua WR, LAR

 11. Suncoast - A.J. Brown WR, PHI

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Saquon Barkley RB, PHI

NOTES: The first round was pretty chalk, going very similar to the current ADP. These savvy owners didn’t take many chances with the first round. There were five running backs and seven receivers picked in Round 1. It was not a surprise to see no tight ends or quarterbacks picked in the first round. The only mild surprise was seeing Jonathan Taylor failed to get picked this round. He normally goes at the end of the first round, but didn’t in this one.

ROUND 2

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jonathan Taylor RB, IND

 2. Suncoast - Garrett Wilson WR, NYJ

 3. Goodfellas - Sam LaPorta TE, DET

 4. HORNS - Travis Etienne RB, JAX

 5. Bubbles Army - Davante Adams WR, LV

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Chris Olave WR, NO

 7. PaurPlay - Josh Jacobs RB, GB

 8. Wreckingcrew - Kyren Williams RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - Devon Achane RB, MIA

 10. CRUNCHY - Derrick Henry RB, BAL

 11. Birds - Isiah Pacheco RB, KC

 12. Ballers - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, ARI

NOTES: Sam LaPorta was the first tight end picked, getting taken by Suncoast this round. He went a tad sooner, having an ADP of 24.99 but he wasn’t going to last to Suncoast when he picked again, so he had to pull the trigger now if he wanted him on his roster. . . . This was a running back heavy round, seeing seven go off the board. This is normally a trend in many drafts with a lot of owners going receiver in the first round. . . .Isiah Pacheco might have been the only surprise running back of this round. The Birds selected him with the 11th pick. This wasn’t too far off his ADP, though, normally going pick 26.62. . . . .Marvin Harrison continues to be the first rookie picked on draft day. The Ballers picked him with the last pick, making him the 24th pick overall.

ROUND 3

 1. Ballers - Drake London WR, ATL

 2. Birds - Michael Pittman Jr. WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Nico Collins WR, HOU

 4. Super Paurs - Deebo Samuel WR, SF

 5. Wreckingcrew - James Cook RB, BUF

 6. PaurPlay - Travis Kelce TE, KC

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Rhamondre Stevenson RB, NE

 8. Bubbles Army - Rachaad White RB, TB

 9. HORNS - Stefon Diggs WR, HOU

 10. Goodfellas - Joe Mixon RB, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Mike Evans WR, TB

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aiyuk WR, SF

NOTES: This round was a little more receiver heavy once again, having seven go off the board. This seems to be a trend in a lot of drafts, having owners get two receivers and a running back after three rounds. . . . .Travis Kelce is the second tight end picked, which is a little unusual for him, but definitely a trend. Kelce has an ADP of 30.8, going after LaPorta in most drafts. Paur Play is hoping he has at least one more big season in him. . . . .It is always interesting seeing how owners value the two top receivers for the Texans. Nico Collins went before Stefon Diggs in this draft. Collins was picked third this round by CRUNCHY while the HORNS picked Diggs with the ninth pick.

ROUND 4

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jaylen Waddle WR, MIA

 2. Suncoast - Jalen Hurts QB, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - D.J. Moore WR, CHI

 4. HORNS - DeVonta Smith WR, PHI

 5. Bubbles Army - Josh Allen QB, BUF

 6. Crusty GON Pod - D'Andre Swift RB, CHI

 7. PaurPlay - Patrick Mahomes QB, KC

 8. Wreckingcrew - D.K. Metcalf WR, SEA

 9. Super Paurs - Amari Cooper WR, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Kenneth Walker III RB, SEA

 11. Birds - Lamar Jackson QB, BAL

 12. Ballers - Trey McBride TE, ARI

NOTES: This was a quarterback heavy round, seeing four go off the board. Jalen Hurts was the first quarterback selected, getting picked by Suncoast. He went ahead of Josh Allen, who normally is the first quarterback picked in drafts. . . . .Trey McBride was the third tight end picked, going to the Ballers with the last pick in this round. McBride is flying up draft boards this year after this strong finish last season. He has an ADP of 48.2, so this spot for him is not out of the norm. . . .There was just two running backs picked this round after seeing at least four picked each of the first three rounds. D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker were the backs picked this round.

ROUND 5

 1. Ballers - Zay Flowers WR, BAL

 2. Birds - Mark Andrews TE, BAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Aaron Jones RB, MIN

 4. Super Paurs - Cooper Kupp WR, LAR

 5. Wreckingcrew - C.J. Stroud QB, HOU

 6. PaurPlay - Alvin Kamara RB, NO

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Kyle Pitts TE, ATL

 8. Bubbles Army - Dalton Kincaid TE, BUF

 9. HORNS - Anthony Richardson QB, IND

 10. Goodfellas - James Conner RB, ARI

 11. Suncoast - David Montgomery RB, DET

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - George Kittle TE, SF

NOTES: David Montgomery was one of the top league winners last year but falls to the fifth round of this draft, going to Suncoast with the 11th pick. Fantasy owners have concerns for a repeat season from Montgomery, having an ADP of 68.9. This could end up being a make or break pick for the defending champ. . . . .Cooper Kupp is another polarizing figure this season. He was a very early pick last year, but goes to the Super Paurs with the fifth pick in Round 5. He has taken quite the fall in drafts, having an ADP of 46.5. . . .There were four tight ends pick this round. Dalton Kincaid is the biggest mover from last year. The Horns picked him with the eighth pick. Kincaid is normally the fifth tight end off the board, so Horns might have gotten a little value with him being the seventh tight end selected with this pick.

ROUND 6

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Malik Nabers WR, NYG

 2. Suncoast - Najee Harris RB, PIT

 3. Goodfellas - Jaylen Warren RB, PIT

 4. HORNS - Zack Moss RB, CIN

 5. Bubbles Army - Christian Kirk WR, JAX

 6. Crusty GON Pod - George Pickens WR, PIT

 7. PaurPlay - Calvin Ridley WR, TEN

 8. Wreckingcrew - Jordan Love QB, GB

 9. Super Paurs - Zamir White RB, LV

 10. CRUNCHY - Tee Higgins WR, CIN

 11. Birds - Jayden Reed WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Tony Pollard RB, TEN

NOTES: The one pick that stands out in this round was the Birds taking Jayden Reed with the 11th pick. He has an ADP of 86.9, so they might have went a little early on Reed. He certainly has potential after scoring eight touchdowns his rookie season, but the Birds might have been able to get him a few rounds later. . . .The quarterback position slowed down a little this round with Jordan Love the only quarterback selected. He goes with the eight pick to Wreckingcrew. Love was fifth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year, so getting him after the elite guys are gone could turn out to be good value for Wreckingcrew. . . . .Some running backs that could be splitting work this year flew off the board. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Zack Moss, Zamir White and Tony Pollard were all picked. They all have some question marks about playing time but if one emerges, they could be great value in Round 6.

ROUND 7

 1. Ballers - Terry McLaurin WR, WAS

 2. Birds - Jonathon Brooks RB, CAR

 3. CRUNCHY - Rashee Rice WR, KC

 4. Super Paurs - Joe Burrow QB, CIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - Evan Engram TE, JAX

 6. PaurPlay - Diontae Johnson WR, CAR

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Keenan Allen WR, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Austin Ekeler RB, WAS

 9. HORNS - Chris Godwin WR, TB

 10. Goodfellas - Tank Dell WR, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Javonte Williams RB, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Raheem Mostert RB, MIA

NOTES: Our first rookie running back was picked this round, seeing the Birds take Jonathan Brooks with the second pick. Brooks could start the year slow, recovering from his knee injury, but could be a huge factor down the stretch for the Birds. Brooks went around 10 spots later than normal, having an ADP of 64.3. . . .Rashee Rice is a player facing a possible multi-game suspension. If not for that, he would be going much higher. Instead, he falls to CRUNCHY with the third pick this round. Rice has an ADP of 81.6, so he goes about where he normally does in drafts. If he can end up avoiding a suspension, this pick will be a huge steal for CRUNCHY. . . .Raheem Mostert is another intriguing player to watch in drafts. He was a league winner for many last year but is not getting drafted like that. AlwaysBetOnBlack gets him with the last pick this round. Mostert has an ADP of 84.8, so most drafters are not betting on a repeat of his huge season.

ROUND 8

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brian Robinson Jr. RB, WAS

 2. Suncoast - Marquise Brown WR, KC

 3. Goodfellas - Dak Prescott QB, DAL

 4. HORNS - Nick Chubb RB, CLE

 5. Bubbles Army - Devin Singletary RB, NYG

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Tyjae Spears RB, TEN

 7. PaurPlay - J.K. Dobbins RB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Blake Corum RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - David Njoku TE, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Jake Ferguson TE, DAL

 11. Birds - Christian Watson WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Trey Benson RB, ARI

NOTES: Nick Chubb is returning from another major injury and lasts until the fourth pick of Round 8. He has big question marks, but the Horns could take a chance on him with three quality backs already on his roster. . . .The Ballers took a chance on rookie Trey Benson in Round 8. After taking Christian McCaffrey with the first pick, the Ballers filled up other positions on his roster before taking chances on running backs later in the draft. . . . .There were seven total running backs picked this round. Many owners are hoping to find that great mid-round value, looking for the Raheem Mostert of this season.

ROUND 9

 1. Ballers - Zach Charbonnet RB, SEA

 2. Birds - Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Kyler Murray QB, ARI

 4. Super Paurs - Ty Chandler RB, MIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - DeAndre Hopkins WR, TEN

 6. PaurPlay - Chase Brown RB, CIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Caleb Williams QB, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Jordan Addison WR, MIN

 9. HORNS - T.J. Hockenson TE, MIN

 10. Goodfellas - Gus Edwards RB, LAC

 11. Suncoast - Courtland Sutton WR, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Trevor Lawrence QB, JAX

NOTES: Three quarterbacks go this round, giving every team at least one quarterback except one. Ballers is the only team that doesn’t have a quarterbacks after nine rounds. The three quarterbacks picked this round were Kyler Murray, rookie Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence. . . .Teams continues to load up on mid-round running backs with five getting of the 12 picks being running backs. None of these backs are sure things but both Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards have some touchdown potential on their teams. . . .DeAndre Hopkins is not getting drafted as he was in the past. He goes with the fifth pick to Wreckingcrew. This spot is even later than normal for Hopkins, who has an ADP of 79.6.

ROUND 10

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Xavier Worthy WR, KC

 2. Suncoast - Dallas Goedert TE, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - Ladd McConkey WR, LAC

 4. HORNS - Keon Coleman WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, SEA

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Jerome Ford RB, CLE

 7. PaurPlay - Jameson Williams WR, DET

 8. Wreckingcrew - Rico Dowdle RB, DAL

 9. Super Paurs - Mike Williams WR, NYJ

 10. CRUNCHY - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, JAX

 11. Birds - Curtis Samuel WR, BUF

 12. Ballers - Brock Purdy QB, SF

NOTES: Round 10 is the round of the rookie. There were four rookie receivers picked this round, including Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas. These are four receivers that all have the chance to emerge as top playmakers in their respective offenses. . . . .Ballers is the last team to take a quarterback, picking Brock Purdy with the last pick in Round 10. Purdy was seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year. . . . Suncoast was the last team to select a tight end, taking Dallas Goedert with the second pick. Goedert can be erratic but has a high weekly ceiling in his offense.

ROUND 11

 1. Ballers - Kendre Miller RB, NO

 2. Birds - Josh Downs WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Rome Odunze WR, CHI

 4. Super Paurs - Gabriel Davis WR, JAX

 5. Wreckingcrew - Brandin Cooks WR, DAL

 6. PaurPlay - Jahan Dotson WR, WAS

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Cole Kmet TE, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Brock Bowers TE, LV

 9. HORNS - Jerry Jeudy WR, CLE

 10. Goodfellas - Jayden Daniels QB, WAS

 11. Suncoast - Tyler Lockett WR, SEA

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aubrey K, DAL

NOTES: We had our first team take a second quarterback. Goodfellas took rookie Jayden Daniels with the 10th pick. They picked Dak Prescott two rounds earlier, giving him what could be a potent one-two punch at quarterback. . . .Our first kicker was picked. Brandon Aubrey was taken with the last pick this round by AlwaysBetOnBlack. It is a tad earlier than normal for our first kicker. Aubrey has an ADP of 133.1. . . .The top tight end in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, was picked by Bubbles Army with the eighth pick. Bubbles is hoping Bowers is the Sam LaPorta of this year’s rookie class.

ROUND 12

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Dallas Cowboys Def/ST, DAL

 2. Suncoast - Jakobi Meyers WR, LV

 3. Goodfellas - Kimani Vidal RB, LAC

 4. HORNS - Khalil Shakir WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - MarShawn Lloyd RB, GB

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Antonio Gibson RB, NE

 7. PaurPlay - Justin Herbert QB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Pat Freiermuth TE, PIT

 9. Super Paurs - Jared Goff QB, DET

 10. CRUNCHY - Kirk Cousins QB, ATL

 11. Birds - Tua Tagovailoa QB, MIA

 12. Ballers - Chuba Hubbard RB, CAR

NOTES: AlwaysBetOnBlack took the first kicker and followed that by picking the first defense. The Cowboys defense is the first off the board, giving AlwaysBetOnBlack both the Cowboys kicker and defense. . . . .There were a couple rookie running backs picked this round. Kimani Vidal and MarShawn Lloyd don’t have a clear path to playing time with their respective teams but have some potential if given the opportunities. . . .Four teams took backup quarterbacks this round. It is interesting to see Justin Herbert fall so far, but he has question marks because of a new offense and lack of playmakers in the passing game.

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.

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Player Notes
Kyler Murray Aug 3 2:40pm ET
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Cardinals outside linebacker BJ Ojulari (knee) suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during practice on Friday. The 2023 second-round pick had a solid finish to his rookie season with four sacks and was projected to be a top pass rusher for Arizona this year. In Ojulari's absence, Dennis Gardeck is expected to assume a more significant role, and Victor Dimukeje is likely to see increased playing time at outside linebacker. Injuries have been a persistent challenge for Ojulari since his draft year; he had a knee procedure between the combine and the draft and dealt with a hamstring issue the previous spring. He began the last training camp on the PUP list but was activated by early August. With the defense weakened, Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and James Conner will likely need to score more points to keep the team competitive. All of these players could see a boost in value if Arizona becomes a high-scoring team, similar to last year.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Aug 3 2:30pm ET
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) continues to participate fully in training camp sessions. However, the Browns aren't taking any chances with his recovery from season-ending shoulder surgery, with Zac Jackson of The Athletic reporting that the team is "closely monitoring" his rehab efforts. The 28-year-old had his best season in 2020 while still a member of the Houston Texans. Yet, he's struggled in limited action in his first two seasons in Cleveland. With that in mind, Watson has plenty of tools in his arsenal. As a result, the signal-caller is a bounce-back candidate this season, but he'll need to stay healthy.

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Ricky Pearsall Aug 3 2:20pm ET
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) has shown impressive progress in training camp despite an initial slow start due to his injury. The 31st overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, who hails from Florida, was placed on the Non-Foothall Injury list before camp began but is now back at practice. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan praised Pearsall's development, noting, "real happy" and "He definitely understands our standard." With key players like Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings already established, the 49ers don't need Pearsall to make an immediate impact. However, his strong performance could make it difficult for the team to keep him off the field come fall. Pearsall is a valuable asset in dynasty leagues but will need an injury or trade to become relevant in redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Aug 3 2:20pm ET
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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has had some impressive showings during recent training camp practices. Not only that, but it appears Njoku has strengthened his rapport with quarterback Deshaun Watson, with the tight end receiving frequent attention from the signal-caller during plays. The 2017 No. 29 overall pick has had some down years throughout his career. However, he's coming off his best season, totaling career-highs in receptions (81), yards (882), and touchdowns (six), resulting in a Pro Bowl selection. Without a doubt, Njoku has plenty of hype entering the 2024-25 campaign, and his statistical contributions could be higher than ever if Watson returns to form and stays healthy.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Aug 3 2:10pm ET
Tyreek Hill

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill agreed to a restructured contract with the team. The multi-time Pro Bowler has been looking for a new agreement for months, even more so after players like Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown received market-altering deals this offseason. But now Hill will get $90 million over the next three seasons, with $65 million fully guaranteed. He is worth every penny, most recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by catching 119 balls for 13 touchdowns and a career-high 1,799 yards. Without question, the 30-year-old is expected to remain a top wideout, meaning he'll be taken in the first round in most fantasy drafts heading into the 2024-25 season.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Aug 3 2:00pm ET
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Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson (shoulder) exited Friday's practice early with a shoulder injury, and the severity of the issue is currently unknown. Robinson, 28, played in nine games last season, dealing with a suspension and a knee injury. Drafted in the second round of 2017, Robinson has spent his entire career with the Jaguars, who used the franchise tag on him in 2021 and 2022 before signing him to a three-year, $54 million contract. Fortunately, the Jaguars have a solid replacement in fourth-year pro Walker Little. Although Robinson's injury's extent remains unclear, Little, a second-round pick in 2021, can step in at left tackle without disrupting the team's performance. Once projected as a top-10 draft pick, Little fell to the second round due to a torn ACL and his decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This injury could impact fantasy values for Travis Etienne Jr. and other Jacksonville skill players.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Aug 3 2:00pm ET
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Tennessee Titans veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) will be sidelined for "several weeks" due to a knee injury, as confirmed by coach Brian Callahan on Saturday morning. Callahan mentioned that there's no precise timetable for Hopkins's return and that the injury did not require surgery. If the recovery progresses on the shorter end, Hopkins could return just before the season opener. Conversely, if the timeline extends, he might return in time for the Week 2 game against the New York Jets on September 15th or later. Last season, Hopkins led Titans receivers with 75 catches, 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns and was particularly effective with Will Levis as his quarterback. With the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks, the Titans have ample receiving depth to manage while Hopkins is out. Ridley is expected to see a significant increase in targets and should see a boost in his fantasy value. Boyd and Burks will also see more opportunities but will likely remain bench options unless Hopkins's injury proves more serious. The injury also diminishes Will Levis's sleeper potential, making him relevant mainly in two-quarterback or flex leagues.

From RotoBaller

D'Onta Foreman Aug 3 12:10am ET
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Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman (neck) returned to the team on Friday. On Thursday, Foreman was airlifted to a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia, after suffering a neck/head injury in practice. He took a direct blow to the head during a special teams drill and was immobilized, though he never actually lost any feeling in his extremities. Cleveland signed the 28-year-old in March to serve as depth while Nick Chubb (knee) works his way back from a devastating knee injury. He should return to the field during training camp at some point as long as the injury is not severe, and with no timetable for Chubb's return, Foreman will be vying with backfield mate Jerome Ford for touches on the Browns' offense. He's currently an NFFC afterthought at RB65, No. 223 overall, but remains intriguing in best ball formats if he can put this injury behind him, as he still had some juice in the tank playing with the Bears in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Aug 3 12:00am ET
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer on his facial area and is scheduled to have a procedure performed Monday to address the issue. Reports say Haener should be expected back on the field for practice on Wednesday following the regularly scheduled off day for the Saints on Tuesday. The former fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is set to compete for the backup role behind incumbent starter Derek Carr with 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler. The second-year signal-caller is a Fresno State alum -- like Carr -- and enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, where he tossed 4,096 yards, completing 67% of his passes with a 33:9 TD: INT ratio. Carr is locked in as the starter, but it's anyone's game behind him. Haener presents as little more than a deep-league dynasty stash until he proves himself as the backup in question.

From RotoBaller

Greg Joseph Aug 3 12:00am ET
Greg Joseph

Green Bay Packers kicker Greg Joseph has been outperforming returning starter Anders Carlson thus far in camp. Joseph is connecting on kicks at a 94% clip (29-of-31), including 7-for-7 at Thursday's practice, while Carlson has hit just 81% of his total attempts (25-of-31). This is a significant development as the Packers ranked 12th last season in points per game and project to be better this year with another year of growth for Jordan Love. Whoever holds the starting kicker position for Green Bay is sure to provide substantial value for fantasy managers this coming fall. Joseph is RotoBaller's K20, and Carlson was the K24 in 2023. There is an excellent chance for this ADP to be outperformed by one of these players while kicking for a rising Packers offense.

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Isiah Pacheco Aug 2 11:50pm ET
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When Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked by reporters who would fill the void of the 3rd-down running back role left by Jerick McKinnon, he praised Isiah Pacheco and his readiness to take on the responsibility. "He's ready to be able to do all that. He's good with the protections, he's good with the technique and fundamentals, he can run all the routes, he's got great hands." Pacheco out-targeted McKinnon (49-to-32) in 2023 and led him in receptions and yardage. Though McKinnon did outscore the Rutgers product 4-to-2. If what Reid means is that Pacheco is meant to absorb this workload, that would be fantastic news. The third-year Chiefs running back is the RB10 in RotoBaller rankings and the No. 27 overall player in NFFC ADP (RB11). Pacheco had 49 receptions last season and would see his fantasy floor and ceiling rise if his snap share increases.

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T.J. Hockenson Aug 2 8:20pm ET
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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), currently over seven months into his recovery from a torn ACL, is advancing faster than anticipated and could be an option for Week 1. Hockenson, who recorded 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns in the first 15 games of the season before his injury, suffered the ACL tear on December 24. He had to wait until January 29 for surgery due to knee swelling. Given the timing of his injury and his crucial role on the team, it seems unlikely that he will be ready for the start of September. The Vikings are expected to prioritize his full recovery, which might delay his return into the regular season. Although Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is optimistic about Hockenson's progress, Hockenson will probably begin the season on reserve/PUP, sidelining him for at least the first four games of 2024. In his absence, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Robert Tonyan will be the tight ends on the roster, but none currently offer significant fantasy value.

From RotoBaller

Robert Tonyan Aug 2 8:20pm ET
Robert Tonyan

Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) is out of practice currently dealing with lower back spasms. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hopes he will return in time for the preseason games. O'Connell noted, "He'll be out today (Friday), but we'll keep an eye on his progress over the next few days. We want to ensure he's ready for the upcoming preseason games and fully prepared when the time comes." T.J. Hockenson (knee) the team's top tight end, is still recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee and is not expected to be available for the start of the regular season. Tonyan was signed to help cover Hockenson's pass-catching duties, but with both tight ends potentially sidelined, the Vikings' tight-end depth chart now includes Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N'Keal Harry, and Trey Knox. With a limited tight-end group, the focus will shift to increasing targets for vital offensive players such as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones.

From RotoBaller

Jalen McMillan Aug 2 8:10pm ET
Jalen McMillan

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been making a compelling case for the WR3 position, showing significant promise during training camp. Selected 92nd overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, McMillan, a former standout for the Washington Huskies, has garnered praise from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who noted, "What people don't realize, he was their (Washington's) leading guy in '22 before he got hurt. And so, for him to get back to true form -- he's a stud." Despite leading the Huskies in targets and catches in 2022, a knee injury in his final season limited him to 45 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns, likely contributing to his fall to the third round. He led the Washington Huskies in targets and catches in 2022 despite playing with future 1st and 2nd round picks. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ahead of him on the depth chart, McMillan may struggle to secure a substantial target share but could still deliver valuable fantasy weeks as a perimeter receiver. If he secures the WR3 role, he becomes a more intriguing option, particularly in best-ball leagues.

From RotoBaller

Logan Thomas Aug 2 8:00pm ET
Logan Thomas

San Francisco 49ers tight end Logan Thomas (hamstring) missed practice due to a hamstring injury. Thomas, who joined the 49ers in early June after four seasons with Washington, has yet to disclose the full extent of his injury. More information is anticipated in the coming days. The Arizona Cardinals drafted Thomas from Virginia Tech in the fourth round (No. 120 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Last season, he caught 55 passes for 496 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (15 starts) with the Commanders, participating in 70 percent of the offensive snaps. His early camp setback raises concerns, given Thomas's history of frequent injuries. With starter George Kittle often sidelined, the 49ers need a dependable backup, and Thomas's reliability is questionable at best. Monitor the situation closely, as the starting tight end for San Francisco could hold significant fantasy value.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Aug 2 8:00pm ET
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) was limited in practice on Friday due to a knee injury. He participated in individual drills with the team for the first time this summer. Although Jeudy has been dealing with a leg issue, he wasn't on any injury report, so he didn't require formal activation to take the field. Jeudy signed a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension with the Browns after being acquired in a trade from the Broncos this offseason. In exchange, the Browns sent a 2024 fifth-round pick (from the Panthers via the Baker Mayfield trade) and a 2024 sixth-round pick (from Houston via the Deshaun Watson trade) to Denver. Jeudy should have the opportunity to surpass the 54 receptions, 758 yards, and two touchdowns he recorded in 16 regular-season games with the Broncos last season once he's fully healthy. As a former first-round pick out of Alabama, Jeudy has the potential to be a key player on your fantasy roster, but his performance on the field has yet to match his pedigree. Despite the Browns' significant investment in him, his role in a crowded receiving corps makes this season unlikely to be a breakout year.

From RotoBaller

Sione Vaki Aug 2 3:10pm ET
Sione Vaki

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki's (shoulder) shoulder injury, which forced him out of practice on Thursday, isn't a long-term concern, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters at Friday's training camp. The Lions grabbed Vaki in the fourth round of this past spring's NFL Draft to bolster their backfield depth chart, but he'll most likely be a healthy inactive on game days this fall while co-starters David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are healthy. The 23-year-old rookie tailback out of Utah should see a decent amount of run in the preseason, however, which starts up on Thursday against the hosting New York Giants in the Meadowlands. For the time being, Craig Reynolds will serve as Detroit's No. 3 back at practice.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Aug 2 3:10pm ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was consistently making plays in every drill all over the field during Friday's practice at training camp. Nabers has put on a show as a camp standout this summer, further generating the hype machine amongst fantasy managers after the Giants selected him sixth overall in this past spring's NFL Draft. With negligible competition around him in New York's receiving corps, Nabers projects to be peppered with targets all year long during his first year in the Big Apple. Despite getting a shaky quarterback situation in Year 1 with Daniel Jones (knee) coming off a torn ACL, the 21-year-old LSU standout is being treated as a fringe WR1/2 pick with an ADP sitting in the third round of FFPC fantasy drafts this summer after posting 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 13 games last year.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Aug 2 3:00pm ET
MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers rookie third-round running back MarShawn Lloyd flashed on Thursday why offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said this offseason that the team needs to get him on the field. Lloyd took a run against the starters up the middle and cut left before darting up the sideline for what probably would've been a long run of about 50 yards, and he also reeled in a pass over the middle that was slightly high, showcasing a pass-catching ability the Packers value. Lloyd's shiftiness and burst have stood out since the offseason program, and his total skill set might be enough to unseat veteran AJ Dillon as the primary backup to workhorse Josh Jacobs. There's been plenty of positive coach speak on both Lloyd and Dillon during camp, with the latter shaping up as the preferred pick in best ball drafts in Green Bay's upstart offense. Dillon has been rumored to be a potential cap casualty this summer.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Aug 2 2:50pm ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants co-owner John Mara says that he doesn't have any regrets about signing quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) last year, even if the team flirted with finding his potential replacement this offseason. Jones, who signed a four-year, $160 million contract last offseason, had two touchdowns and six interceptions while playing just six games because of neck and knee injuries, including a torn ACL in his right knee. The Giants seriously inquired about moving into the top three of this past spring's NFL Draft with their eye on a quarterback, but they'll ultimately kick off the 2024 season with Jones at the helm. While the 27-year-old former first-round pick has gotten the vote of confidence from the front office, he'll need to overcome his shortcomings as a passer to be a viable fantasy option in two-QB leagues this fall. In 2023, Jones did rank fourth at his position with 34.3 rushing yards per game.

From RotoBaller