3 mins agoDespite taking quarterback
Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft on Thursday night, the New England Patriots selected Tennessee QB
Joe Milton III in the sixth round on Saturday at pick No.
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16 mins agoDespite the Atlanta Falcons shockingly taking quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, veteran QB
Kirk Cousins' position as the team's starting signal-caller of the foreseeable future has not changed, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Minnesota signed Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed, in free agency in March. Morris said Cousins doesn't have to look over his shoulder, and that there is no QB controversy at all. Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, said there was frustration and confusion coming from his camp because the team didn't use their first-round pick to improve the team in 2024. Cousins will be Atlanta's starter in 2024, but perhaps the Falcons are just giving themselves some extra insurance with Cousins coming off an Achilles tear.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
20 mins agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Evan Carter (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. This looks like a routine rest day for the rookie outfielder against a left-handed starter.
Wyatt Langford will handle left field, with
Andrew Knizner getting the start at designated hitter versus left-hander
Andrew Abbott. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Carter out.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Shawn McFarland
23 mins agoDespite taking a brief pause in contract negotiations during NFL draft weekend, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team and wide receiver
Justin Jefferson continue to make progress. "We continue to have great dialogue with their representatives," Adofo-Mensah said. "The process is still ongoing. We did say, 'Hey, [let's pause] a couple days.' The draft's coming. They have players they represent. We have our process." The two sides have been discussing a new deal for more than a year, with the GM saying previously they got "unbelievably close" to a deal last summer. Despite going on Injured Reserve in 2023 with a hamstring injury, Jefferson still went over 1,000 yards receiving and scored five touchdowns. Sooner than later, he's going to become the league's highest-paid wideout.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
24 mins agoMilwaukee Brewers first baseman
Rhys Hoskins (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. This looks to be a rest day for Hoskins after homering during Saturday's contest. The expectation is that Hoskins will return to the lineup after this one-game absence. In the meantime,
Jake Bauers will hit cleanup and cover first base during Sunday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
28 mins agoArizona Diamondbacks catcher
Gabriel Moreno (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The young backstop will get the day off after going 0-for-6 in the first two games of this series.
Tucker Barnhart will make the start behind the plate and bat seventh versus right-hander
Logan Gilbert on Sunday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
30 mins agoThe Minnesota Vikings drafted quarterback
J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in this year's NFL draft for him to be their future starter, but the team is poised to err on the side of methodical caution with their young signal-caller. "We're not going to rush his development," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. "We're just going to do what's best for the Vikings in the short and long term." McCarthy will be required to hit specific benchmarks in his development, and head coach Kevin O'Connell will have full authority to make the decision on when he thinks McCarthy is ready to start. It's a big reason the Vikings spent $10 million to sign veteran
Sam Darnold as a bridge starter. McCarthy just turned 21 in January and played in an offense at Michigan that had him throw an average of 22.1 passes per game in 2023, fewer than 93 other college QBs.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
33 mins agoHouston Astros outfielder
Chas McCormick (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. This appears to be a routine rest day for the right-handed slugger.
Yordan Alvarez will handle left field with
Yainer Diaz serving as the designated hitter for Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
37 mins agoThe Denver Broncos acquired defensive end
John Franklin-Myers from the New York Jets on Saturday in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026, according to sources. It's the second trade these two teams have pulled off in the last week, with the Jets also sending former first-round quarterback
Zach Wilson to Denver. Franklin-Myers, a former fourth-rounder by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 out of Stephen F. Austin, started 52 games for the Jets in the last four seasons and racked up 56 solo tackles, 17.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 61 QB hits, one interception, seven passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in that span. The 27-year-old should immediately become a starting edge rusher for the Broncos in 2024, but he won't be on the IDP fantasy radar with a career-high six-sack season coming back in 2021.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
41 mins agoCincinnati Reds first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. The young slugger needs a rest day after going 1-for-14 over the last four games. The expectation is the 24-year-old will be back in the lineup following this one-game absence.
Spencer Steer will cover first base, while
Nick Martini serves as the designated hitter on Sunday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
42 mins agoFormer Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants wide receiver
John Ross, whose 4.22-second 40-yard dash was the NFL scouting combine record until
Xavier Worthy broke it earlier this year, will take part in the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie camp this week on a tryout basis, according to sources. Ross had retired last year but is now attempting to make a comeback. The 28-year-old speedster ended up being a bust after the Bengals took him with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of Washington. Ross last played for the G-Men in 2021 and had 11 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown in 10 games (one start). In his five years in the NFL, he caught 62 of 143 targets for 957 yards and 11 scores in 37 games (21 starts). Ross will be a long shot to make the Eagles' active roster in 2024, let alone be fantasy relevant.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo
46 mins agoLos Angeles Angels third baseman
Miguel Sano (knee) is still banged up after being pulled from Wednesday's game due to left knee soreness. The right-handed slugger was able to play on Friday but then sat out on Saturday. Sano had an MRI on his knee, which revealed inflammation in his left knee. The organization is currently considering Sano as day-to-day right now.
Luis Rengifo figures to see additional playing time until Sano is ready again.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Rhett Bollinger
47 mins agoFormer Detroit Lions wide receiver
Quintez Cephus, who was reinstated last week after being suspended for all of last season for violating the NFL's gambling policies, reached an undisclosed agreement with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to his agents. The 26-year-old former fifth-round pick (166th overall) by the Lions in 2020 out of Wisconsin has a total of 37 receptions on 60 targets for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) in his three seasons in the league. The Bills are notably lacking receiver depth after trading
Stefon Diggs to the Texans and losing
Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, so Cephus will have a chance to carve out a spot as receiving depth in Buffalo this summer in training camp. His best season came in his rookie year in 2020, when he caught 20 of 35 targets for 349 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (two starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
52 mins agoJacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said on Saturday that the team is picking up the fifth-year option for quarterback
Trevor Lawrence and running back
Travis Etienne Jr. It's no surprise that the Jags will pick up
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1 hour agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Alek Thomas (hamstring) started baserunning activities on April 24, with manager Torey Lovullo saying that Thomas is doing everything except running full speed. The skipper doesn't have a target date for Thomas' return, but he said Thomas is progressing well. The 24-year-old strained his left hamstring when he grounded into a double play on March 31 against the Colorado Rockies and underwent an MRI exam on April 1 that showed a strain that was greater than a Grade 1 strain. It sounds like he's getting close to being able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Until Thomas is able to return,
Corbin Carroll will continue to operate as the team's center fielder, giving
Jake McCarthy and
Randal Grichuk more reps in the outfield. Thomas has still yet to show much offensively for fantasy managers, but he's a stud on defense when healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 hour agoNew York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) won't play in Sunday's contest versus the 76ers. The 26-year-old is still bothered by a left ankle injury, and although he had warmed up with the intention of playing, he won't be out there. While Robinson's DFS contributions have been scarce during this series, the Knicks could have difficulty slowing down
Joel Embiid without him on the floor. But
Isaiah Hartenstein will try his best, so he should get most of the minutes at the five spot. However, Hartenstein's added workload doesn't mean he'll be more productive for DFS managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
1 hour agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is active for Sunday's postseason clash with the Knicks. Most had already planned for Embiid to be out there, especially since he's appeared on the injury report since returning from knee surgery near the end of the regular season. The 30-year-old is coming off a big night, scoring 50 points in Thursday's win. He also logged 41 minutes, so it's apparent he can handle a full workload. Nonetheless, Embiid guaranteed that the Sixers would win the series, meaning he should be fired up and ready to produce for DFS managers in Game 4.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia 76ers
1 hour agoMilwaukee Bucks guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) won't play on Sunday against the Pacers. The former Trail Blazer injured his Achilles during Friday's overtime loss, although he still managed to log a team-high 45 minutes to finish with 28 points. However, it was revealed on Saturday that Lillard is in a walking boot, so his status for Game 5 on Tuesday night is also up in the air. With
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also out for this one,
Khris Middleton (ankle) will have a heavy load to carry, assuming he's cleared to play. Without question, Middleton will need help from
Bobby Portis,
Brook Lopez,
Pat Connaughton, and
Patrick Beverley, who all should see more scoring chances with Lillard and Antetokounmpo on the shelf.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Malika Andrews
1 hour agoArizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Zac Gallen (hamstring) left the series opener against the Seattle Mariners early on Friday with tightness in his right hamstring, but he is optimistic that he'll be able to make his next start. "I feel pretty encouraged," Gallen said. "So my plan is to make my next start." The 28-year-old apparently made some pretty good progress with his hamstring in just one day. It's not official just yet, but he's currently scheduled to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arizona on Wednesday. Gallen is a fantasy ace, but managers will want to be hesitant in deploying him next week if he indeed gets the nod to face the first-place Dodgers, who have one of the most feared lineups in baseball. Through his first six starts of 2024, Gallen is 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and nine walks in 32 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 hour agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) won't play in Sunday's matchup with the Pacers. Head coach Doc Rivers already hinted on Saturday that the multi-time MVP wouldn't be out there, and things don't look good regarding his availability moving ahead. But with
Damian Lillard (Achilles) also sidelined for this one, the Bucks are in trouble.
Khris Middleton (ankle), who is probable for Game 4, should pick up most of the slack offensively. In addition,
Bobby Portis,
Brook Lopez, and
Pat Connaughton could see a surge in production for fantasy managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Malika Andrews
1 hour agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder
Randy Arozarena is not in the team's starting lineup on Sunday in the series finale against the Chicago White Sox. Arozarena will get a blow after starting the team's previous nine contests while going just 4-for-34 with 13 strikeouts to drop his season line to a rough .154/.228/.260. The 29-year-old Cuban slugger has added three home runs, nine RBI, four stolen bases and 12 runs scored in his first 104 at-bats in 2024. After the day off, hopefully Arozarena will be able to start picking things up offensively for the Rays and fantasy managers.
Harold Ramirez is starting in left field and batting fifth, while
Austin Shenton is the designated hitter and is batting sixth against White Sox right-hander
Erick Fedde. Ramirez has one hit in two career at-bats against Fedde, while Shenton has never faced Fedde.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Dylan Carlson (shoulder) will start his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Carlson has yet to make his season debut with the Cardinals due to a sprained left shoulder that he suffered in spring training, but he's getting closer and is now ready to play in live games. The 25-year-old switch-hitter could need extended minor-league action before the Cardinals are comfortable activating him from the 10-day injured list, but when he does return to the big-league roster, he could see pretty regular playing time in center field since
Tommy Edman (wrist) is still sidelined. Right now, rookie
Michael Siani has been seeing most of the starts in center for the Red Birds.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - John Denton
2 hours agoThe Miami Marlins placed outfielder
Avisail Garcia (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a left-hamstring strain, according to a source. In a corresponding move, outfielder
Dane Myers was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville. The team also selected the contract of right-hander
Emmanuel Ramirez from Jacksonville and designated left-hander
Kent Emanuel for assignment. Garcia was pulled from Saturday's contest against the Washington Nationals with his hammy injury and will now miss at least the next 10 days. At this stage of his career, the 32-year-old isn't much of a fantasy asset in mixed leagues. He's currently hitting .240 (12-for-50) with two home runs and two RBI. Myers immediately jumps into Miami's starting lineup on Sunday and will start in right field and hit seventh against Nationals left-hander
Patrick Corbin.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
2 hours agoTampa Bay Rays first baseman
Yandy Diaz (finger) is back at first base and is hitting in his customary leadoff spot for the Rays on Sunday versus the Chicago White Sox and right-hander
Erick Fedde. Diaz left Friday's contest early after being hit on the left pinkie finger with a pitch, and he sat out on Saturday as a precaution. But now that he's back on the field, fantasy managers will want to get the 32-year-old veteran back into their starting lineups in all formats. He's hitting just .241 (26-for-108) on the season so far, but he's been better recently, batting .324 in his last nine ball games. Diaz will be looking for his first home run since going deep on Opening Day. He's never faced Fedde in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoNew York Mets designated hitter
J.D. Martinez will retreat to the bench on Sunday for the series finale against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Martinez didn't make his 2024 debut with the Mets until Friday night after signing with the club late in spring training and then suffering a back injury while getting ramped up at extended spring training. The 36-year-old veteran right-handed went 3-for-8 in his first two games with an RBI, but he also struck out five times. The Mets plan on easing Martinez back into the fold, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he's on the bench in only his third game back. With Martinez starting on the bench,
DJ Stewart will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat cleanup against Cardinals right-hander
Lance Lynn. The 30-year-old lefty hitter isn't a bad low-cost DFS option on Sunday in the cleanup spot. He's hitting .200 (9-for-45) on the year with three homers and 11 RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Newsday - Tim Healey
2 hours agoDetroit Tigers shortstop
Javier Baez was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Kansas City Royals for undisclosed reasons.
Zach McKinstry is now starting in his place and will hit seventh in the batting order against Royals right-hander
Michael Wacha. Baez will start on the bench after starting the team's previous seven games. If he's dealing with an injury, we'll update you on condition when we get word. The 31-year-old free swinger has been a disappointment pretty much ever since he landed in Detroit in 2022 and he is off to another bad start in 2024, hitting .193/.233/.277 with only one home run, nine RBI, six stolen bases and 21 strikeouts in 90 plate appearances. McKinstry will be a poor sleeper option in DFS at shortstop. He's never faced Wacha in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Tigers
2 hours agoJoe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. will start 15th in this week's race at Dover Motor Speedway, the Wurth 400. This marks the lowest start position of the year since Daytona and the third Dover race in a row where Truex will start outside the Top 10. Truex is one of the most accomplished drivers in the field at Dover with four wins, 19 top-10 finishes, and 1,064 laps led, which is the third-most of active drivers. Truex is also the defending winner of this week's cup race at DMS. After 10 races so far this year, Truex has nine top-15 finishes while leading in seven different Cup events. In practice, Truex ranked 13th in five-consecutive lap averages but fourth in 10 consecutive lap averages, displayed a car that's great on longer runs. With solid Place Differential upside and being one of the betting favorites at one of his best tracks, Truex is a driver all fantasy players should consider for DFS this week.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
2 hours agoTyler Reddick qualified fourth for this week's NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover. This is the highest starting position of his Cup career and just the second time Reddick will start in the Top 10 at the Delaware track. In five starts at Dover, Reddick has two top-10 finishes, including his best finish of seventh, which he collected in his first year driving for 23XI Racing. Reddick is one of the most consistent drivers so far this year, as he scored one win and is tied for the most top-10 finishes of all racers after 10 Cup events. In practice, Reddick displayed top-10 speeds in all eligible categories, including ranking seventh in five-consecutive lap averages. Despite little Place Differential upside, Reddick is a driver that can gain a quality finish regardless of track type as indicated by his 2024 consistency this season so far. Fantasy players should roster the driver of the No. 45 Toyota in tournament formats this week.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
3 hours agoIn qualifying for this week's Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway, Michael McDowell scored a starting position of eighth. McDowell's starting position this week is the highest of his Cup career at Dover and will be the sixth time he will start from the Top 10 this season. In 23 Cup starts at DMS, McDowell has three top-20 finishes, with his best finish being 17th, which he obtained in 2022. In 10 races so far this year, McDowell has three top-20 finishes, all being 11th or better. The driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford has also captured positive Place Differential thrice this year. In practice, only McDowell's single-lap and five-consecutive lap averages were ranked among the Top 10 fastest, showcasing how McDowell's car has takeoff speed early in a run. Fantasy players should not expect McDowell to remain in the Top 10, especially with his long-run practice speeds not being favorable. It is recommended to fade McDowell in all formats for this week's race at Dover, especially when his history at the site is unfavorable.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
3 hours agoDuring qualifying for this week's Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway, Joey Logano obtained a starting position of 13th. This start position is the highest of Logano's Cup career at Dover since 2022, when the Next-Gen car was introduced. In 27 starts at DMS, Logano has 15 top-10
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