Guest of the League
USFFL Est. 2015
FFL: Offseason | NFL: Offseason

The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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Player Notes
Kadarius Toney Feb 12 5:20pm ET
Kadarius Toney

Former New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney has been arrested on one count of aggravated assault by strangulation of a woman, per TMZ. Toney was booked in Douglas County in Georgia on Feb. 6 on counts of aggravated assault -- strangulation and obstructing/harassing 911 calls. A judge set a bail of $25,000 on each count, and records show that Toney was not in custody on Feb. 7. Police documents allege that Toney put his hand around a woman's throat and squeezed "with enough force to cause her to be unable to breathe." The 26-year-old former first-round pick by the Giants played in three games with the Cleveland Browns in 2024 but didn't catch any passes before being waived in early December. Per the NFL's personal-conduct policy, Toney could be facing a suspension to begin the 2025 season.

From RotoBaller

Kadarius Toney Feb 12 4:13pm ET
Kadarius Toney

Dynasty | Former Giants, Chiefs and Browns wide receiver Kadarius Toney was arrested on two counts -aggravated assault - strangulation and obstructing/harassing 911 calls. Dynasty Analysis: And that'll likely do it for the former first round pick. Toney has all the athletic ability in the world, but he hasn't been able to keep himself out of the spotlight in any way, shape or form off the field. At this point, it would be shocking to see another team take a chance on him. While these are simply charges and he needs to be considered innocent until proven guilty, this news is just one more in a long list of red flags and quite simply could also be the most serious of the bunch.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Cam Ward Feb 12 3:00pm ET
Cam Ward

Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders said he has visits lined up with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants when top 30 visits begin in early March. The Browns and Giants hold the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the 2025 NFL Drafts and are pegged as two of the most QB-needy franchises. Sanders is viewed by many as the QB2 in the upcoming draft class behind Miami's Cam Ward, and there has been speculation that the Tennessee Titans, who hold the first overall pick, could trade down or pass on a quarterback to get April's draft started. Both the Browns and Giants are firmly on the radar as potential suitors for Sanders.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Feb 12 2:50pm ET
Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt requested a trade on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Pratt was a captain for the Bengals last season and posted a team-high 143 total tackles (80 solo) to go along with five tackles for loss, six passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career with the Bengals since being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of N.C. State. With the Bengals looking to find a way to keep Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson long-term, they could be willing to honor Pratt's request.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Feb 12 11:50am ET
Travis Kelce

On his New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said that he is planning to take his time this offseason as he decides whether to retire from professional football following a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. "I'm gonna take some time to figure it out. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it's gonna be a wholehearted decision and I'm not half-assing it, and I'm fully here for them," Kelce said. "I think I can play, it's just whether or not I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility." The 35-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro managed 97 receptions in 16 regular-season games but had only three touchdowns and 823 yards, his fewest since his rookie season when he played just one game. If Kelce does return in 2025, he'll still be on the TE1 radar in fantasy, but his days of being the first TE off the board are over.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Feb 12 9:43am ET
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is mulling retirement. 'I'm gonna take some time to figure it out. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it's gonna be a wholehearted decision, and I'm fully here for them,' Kelce said. 'I think I can play, it's just whether or not I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.'

Fantasy Spin: Despite a down year, he was still the TE5 in PPR leagues last season. That's about the range to expect to take him next year if he returns.

From TheHuddle

Dak Prescott Feb 11 11:13pm ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) noted that 'my health is good' and he is 'looking to amp (his recovery from a torn hamstring) up' during a news conference promoting a fashion show on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Fantasy Spin: Prescott is 12 weeks into his rehab and appears to be quite confident he will be 100% sooner than later. While he stated during the news conference he is excited to have new head coach Brian Schottenheimer take over, fantasy managers should be skeptical - at least as it pertains to Prescott reaching the heights he once did under former head coach Mike McCarthy. He should be valued as a decent QB2 option in most drafts this spring and summer.

From TheHuddle

Drake Maye Feb 11 11:00pm ET
Drake Maye

ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that the New England Patriots will be a team to closely follow this offseason, mainly because they have a league-high $110 million in salary cap space. They'll have plenty of financial flexibility to upgrade a roster that needs to improve at almost every position as Mike Vrabel takes over head-coaching duties. They could look to pay Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins $30 million a year while also upgrading their offensive line. Although he had an up-and-down rookie year, quarterback Drake Maye has a chance to develop into a star moving forward, especially if the Patriots give him more help in the passing game. Having the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft will also help New England's cause as they look to add immediate playmakers.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Feb 11 10:50pm ET
Tee Higgins

ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that the Cincinnati Bengals could work to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins before he officially becomes a free agent or put the $26 million franchise tag on him, which is lower than what he'd likely receive on the open market. The Bengals could also choose to tag and trade Higgins, but that option would require carrying their cap space past the new league year. Complicating matters is the fact that fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his contract and will be looking to become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history in a deal that could average close to $40 million per year. Cincy has around $46 million in salary cap space, but it remains to be seen if they can pull off retaining both Higgins and Chase. Higgins has 34 touchdowns and two 1,000-yard seasons in five NFL seasons but could become a legitimate WR1 in 2025 if he leaves the Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Lockett Feb 11 10:30pm ET
Tyler Lockett

When asked whether wide receiver Tyler Lockett would be on the roster for the 2025 season, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is "working through that" and will make a decision in the next month or so. It's not a ringing endorsement for the 32-year-old veteran pass-catcher after he fell to 49 receptions on 74 targets for 600 yards and just two touchdowns in 17 games (14 starts) in 2024 in his 10th year with Seattle. His 600 receiving yards and two TDs were his fewest since the 2017 season, his third year in the league. Lockett will have a $30.8 million salary cap figure this year, and releasing him would save the Seahawks $17 million against the cap. If Lockett doesn't take a pay cut, Seattle will most likely release him after the emergence of second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Feb 11 10:20pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

The New York Jets are fully expected to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2025, but The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the team presented the future Hall of Famer with a plan to move forward with him as their QB. The Jets' plan included stipulations about outside media work during the season and required that he attend all mandatory offseason workouts, according to team and league sources. Specifically, Rodgers would no longer be allowed to make regular, paid appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show." Apparently, Rodgers wasn't inclined to agree with those stipulations, and the Jets are expected to release the 41-year-old, who still has one year left on his contract. If the four-time MVP chooses to return for a 21st year in the NFL, it will be with another organization. Rodgers' two-year run in New York was highly disappointing after he tore his Achilles in Week 1 in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Jonathon Brooks Feb 11 10:20pm ET
Jonathon Brooks

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after his second ACL tear in 2024 as a rookie. In addition to Brooks, the Panthers are expected to cut running back Miles Sanders. It's why The Athletic's Joseph Person has the Panthers taking SMU RB Brashard Smith with a fifth-round selection in his 2025 mock draft. Smith could be a nice change-of-pace option behind starter Chuba Hubbard next year in the Panthers' backfield. The 21-year-old Brooks can be avoided in all single-year fantasy drafts this fall after suffering a gruesome injury in his first year in the NFL. Brooks could have a lengthier recovery after already tearing the same ACL in his final collegiate season at the University of Texas. In three games in 2024, Brooks had nine carries for 22 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Feb 11 7:13pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Kansas City Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins shot down any notion that he is contemplating retirement Tuesday, Feb. 11. 'Don't know what you heard but I'm not done yet,' Hopkins wrote in a since-deleted post.

Fantasy Spin: It was a rough season for Hopkins, who averaged 7.4 fantasy points and 38.1 receiving yards per game in 2024. Hopkins is set to be a free agent this offseason and if he intends to play, it will be interesting to see where he lands. Either way, it's difficult to see him being overly fantasy-relevant in 2025.

From TheHuddle

Tyler Lockett Feb 11 4:03pm ET
Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett appears unlikely to be on the roster in 2025, according to comments made by head coach Mike Macdonald. When asked about Lockett on Tuesday, Feb. 11, Macdonald would only say the Seahawks are 'working through that.'

Fantasy Spin: Lockett is set to turn 33 in late September and scheduled to count $30.8 million against the cap. Releasing him would save the team around $17 million, so Lockett would seemingly have to accept a huge paycut to stick on the roster. Either way, it would seem Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf won't have much competition for targets.

From TheHuddle

Matthew Wright Feb 11 3:00pm ET
Matthew Wright

The Carolina Panthers signed kicker Matthew Wright to a reserve/future contract on Tuesday, which is a one-year, non-guaranteed contract that allows players to participate in offseason activities and compete for a roster spot. Wright has spent time with nine NFL organizations, and this is the third time he has signed with Carolina. Overall, the UCF product has connected on 55 of his 63 field goal attempts and 41 of his 43 extra point tries across 21 games with the Steelers, Jaguars, Chiefs, Panthers, 49ers, and Titans. Current Panthers starting kicker Eddy Pineiro ranks third all-time in career field goal percentage (88.095%), so it would be a surprise if Wright wins the job over him this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Feb 11 2:53pm ET
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr has $10 million guaranteed for 2025 with another $30 million scheduled to kick in March 15. His release would only save his cap-strapped team a couple of million dollars and the team is unlikely to be in a position to draft a blue-chip quarterback, which makes it likely that Carr will remain the starting quarterback for at least one more season.

Fantasy Spin: This comes as little surprise for most NFL fans, as the Saints enter the offseason about $60 million over the salary cap and are in no position to part with a capable quarterback with so many other needs on the roster. The best thing new head coach Kellen Moore and the front office can do for Carr right now is continue to add quality pieces to an offensive line that has fallen off dramatically since the end of the Sean Payton era. Carr should be considered no more than a middling QB2 option in fantasy in 2025.

From TheHuddle

Brandon Aiyuk Feb 11 2:50pm ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, though his status is uncertain for now. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in October of last season, so the recovery timeline makes it realistic for him to be ready for the start of the new campaign. Following a 1,400-yard receiving season in 2023, the 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract. Unfortunately, he could only produce 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games in 2024. That said, Aiyuk could be a value pick in fantasy football coming off the injury, especially since Deebo Samuel appears to finally be on the way out of San Francisco via trade at some point this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Feb 11 2:30pm ET
Derek Carr

Rumors have been swirling that New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr could be traded or cut this offseason, but NFL insider Adam Schefter said Carr "will probably be the team's QB1 entering 2025." Carr has $10 million in contract guarantees with another $30 million scheduled to kick in on March 15. The organization moving on from the veteran would only save them a few million dollars against the cap, so it's not likely to happen. Since signing with New Orleans ahead of the 2023 campaign, the former Las Vegas Raider has thrown for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 27 games. At Fresno State, Carr played against Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, who is now his head coach in the NFL.

From RotoBaller