11 hours agoIndianapolis Colts kicker
Matt Gay (hernia) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Although he was officially listed as a non-participant in practice all three days this week, head coach Shane Steichen did note that Gay has been doing some kicking. Therefore, with the questionable tag, Indianapolis is leaving the door open for him to play. In the event that he can't suit up, the Colts could choose to elevate
Spencer Shrader from the practice squad. Shrader was 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points during the preseason. Gay would rank as a low-end K1 option if he does play in the season opener.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Indianapolis Colts
11 hours agoWashington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota (chest, pectoral) has officially been ruled out for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been limited on Wednesday but then did not practice on Thursday or Friday. His absence means that Washington will head into its first game of the year with
Jeff Driskel backing up
Jayden Daniels. Of course, Daniels, this year's No. 1 pick, is the only Washington quarterback worth rostering in fantasy football. He's a mid-to-low QB1 option against the Buccaneers.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ralph Vacchiano
11 hours agoWashington Commanders wide receiver
Byron Pringle was released on Friday, according to an announcement from the team. Pringle's best NFL season came in 2021 with the Chiefs. Last year with Washington, he appeared in all 17 games, catching 14 passes for 161 yards but zero touchdowns. He re-signed with the Commanders during the offseason but evidently won't crack the 53-man roster heading into Week 1 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Terry McLaurin remains the only surefire fantasy receiver in this offense, but rookie
Luke McCaffrey could make a name for himself with solid volume and production.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Washington Commanders
14 hours agoThe Arizona Cardinals open the 2024 season against
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. In 2023, the Cardinals allowed the second-most points in the league (455) and the third-most passing touchdowns (32). Arizona made no significant improvements in the offseason and PFF ranks each unit (defensive line, linebackers, secondary) dead last in the league. The Bills, on the other hand, feature one of the best quarterbacks in the league leading an offense that scored the fifth-most points in the league last year. Aside from likely yielding too many points to make them a viable D/ST option, Arizona also has no pass rush to speak of and with Allen's mobility, the Cardinals won't be making up any fantasy points via sacks. Any other D/ST will be a better option to start in Week 1.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
14
hours
agoArizona
Cardinals
kicker
Matt
Prater
will
begin
his
18th
NFL
season
when
the
team
takes
on
the
Buffalo
Bills
in
Week
1.
Prater
is
the
active
leader
in
career
field
goals
with
401
and
is
second
on
the
list
in
career
extra
points.
read more...
14 hours agoArizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride is expected to pick up where he left off following his breakout last year. Drafted in 2022, McBride was hardly involved in the offense at all until
Zach Ertz was placed on injured reserve halfway through the 2023 season. Once McBride had the TE1 role to himself, he took off, ending the season with the team lead in targets (106), receptions (81), and receiving yards (825). McBride was targeted on 27% of routes run in 2023, tops among tight ends, and his 2.10 yards per route run ranked second behind
George Kittle. Arizona faces the Buffalo Bills in the season opener on Sunday. Despite their solid defense, McBride should be locked into starting rosters and should finish as a TE1.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
14 hours agoNow entering his fifth NFL season, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch may finally have a regular role carved out for himself in 2024. Buzz has been building around Dortch throughout the preseason as he has shown chemistry with quarterback
Kyler Murray and demonstrated excellent route running ability. Lauded rookie
Marvin Harrison Jr. and third-year tight end
Trey McBride are the top two targets in Arizona's offense but Dortch should see a fair amount out of the slot. The Cardinals face the Bills in Week 1 and while Buffalo's secondary will be a challenge, in 2023 they gave up more fantasy points per game to receivers lined up in the slot versus out wide. Dortch projects to be in WR5 territory in Week 1. While he may be worth a flex in deeper leagues, he should be held out of lineups in 10- or 12-teamers.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
14 hours agoArizona Cardinals rookie first-round wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. is set to make his regular-season debut on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. During the preseason, the former Buckeye was kept out of harm's way for the most part, seeing only three snaps in all. The fourth overall selection of the NFL draft, Harrison is already listed as the team's WR1 and is expected to have an immediate impact. The Bills won't make it easy, though, as they are the only team returning three cornerbacks with coverage grades of 81.0 or higher from PFF. Still, given the combination of talent, draft capital, and the team situation, Arizona should be feeding Harrison as many targets as possible. Harrison looks like a safe WR2 with upside in Week 1.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
15 hours agoArizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson finished the preseason with 17 carries for 64 rushing yards. The third-round pick out of Florida State was once believed to be a threat to
James Conner's playing time but it appears the rookie will have to wait a while before he makes his mark on the league. In recent comments to the press, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing reaffirmed the team's commitment to using Conner as their primary running back, referring to him as the "bell cow in that room." While Benson's performance during training camp and the preseason solidified his role as Conner's direct backup, not much should be expected of the rookie out of the gate. Given Conner's injury history, Benson is certainly a worthwhile bench stash but the bench is exactly where he should be on fantasy rosters in Week 1.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
15 hours agoWhen the Arizona Cardinals open their season on Sunday, it will mark running back
James Conner's eighth as a pro, and his fourth with the team. Since joining the Cardinals in 2021, Conner has the eleventh-most carries in the league despite missing seven games due to injury over the last two seasons and starting only six games in 2021. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing recently told the media that Conner is "the bell cow in that room," signaling he will maintain his role despite rookie
Trey Benson's presence on the depth chart. In 2023, Conner turned in his first 1,000-yard season and finished with the third-most rushing yards per game (80.0). The Buffalo Bills have a stout defense but last season had a weakness against running backs, allowing 4.4 yards per carry (eighth-worst in the NFL) and 6.33 yards per target (fourth-worst) to the position. Conner can be started as a solid RB2 option in Week 1.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
15 hours agoArizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray won't have it easy in Week 1 when the team kicks off the 2024 season against the Buffalo Bills. Last season, the Bills limited opposing quarterbacks to just 215.2 passing yards per game and a total of 18 passing touchdowns, tied for the third-fewest in the league. However, they lost veteran safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde in the offseason, leaving room for fantasy managers to be optimistic about Murray's production. There's also the fact that Murray isn't shy about using his legs to make a play. Since his rookie season in 2019, he has averaged 37.7 rushing yards per game (fourth-most in the NFL in that span). Murray has a good track record and a stable of young pass-catchers headlined by fourth-overall draft pick
Marvin Harrison Jr. Despite the tough matchup, Murray should be in starting lineups on Sunday.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
17 hours agoChicago Bears kicker
Cairo Santos is a strong fantasy starter for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Last season, the Titans allowed the most fantasy points to kickers, making Santos a promising option. The Bears value Santos, as evidenced by their four-year, $16 million contract extension with him last December, including $9.5 million guaranteed. Santos had an impressive season in 2023, attempting 2.2 field goals per game and converting 92.1% of his attempts. With the Bears favored in their Week 1 matchup and an implied point total of 24.75—the sixth highest—Santos is in a favorable position. The weather forecast is in the mid-70s and clear, making him a solid choice if you've drafted him.
--Martin Grisko - RotoBallerSource: Martin Grisko
17 hours agoThe Chicago Bears defense and special teams look to continue the upward trajectory they showed toward the end of last season against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. After acquiring defensive end Montez Sweat (toe), the Bears improved significantly, moving from 28th to 20th in points allowed, 23rd to 12th in yards allowed, and 22nd to 3rd in takeaways. It is important to note that Sweat has shown up on the injury report for Sunday's game as questionable, with a toe injury. In their Week 1 matchup, they'll face a Titans offense featuring notable playmakers like
Calvin Ridley, De'Andre Hopkins, and
Tyler Boyd, with second-year quarterback
Will Levis at the helm. Adding head coach Brian Callahan and new talent should benefit the Titans, but the significant scheme changes may lead to some growing pains. If you have the Bears' defense on your roster, feel confident starting them this week. Additionally, having
Velus Jones Jr. returning kicks could provide added value.
--Martin Grisko - RotoBallerSource: Martin Grisko
19 hours agoThe New York Giants defense could be the surprise play of Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. With a formidable front seven (including pass rush specialist Brian Burns, stud players Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence) and a secondary brimming with high draft picks (such as 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks), they're poised to challenge
Sam Darnold early. While facing the daunting task of
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison, the Giants' defense managed to create 12 interceptions last season, showing their potential if they can pressure Darnold into mistakes. With new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants could see a significant resurgence on the defensive side of the ball, offering hope to fantasy managers.
--Danny Boily - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
19 hours agoGreen Bay Packers kicker
Brayden Narveson made his NFL debut for the team in the Packers' 34-29 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Narveson made three of his four field goal attempts from 31, 23, and 26 yards. The lone miss came from 43 yards out when Narveson hit the upright. He also made both extra-point attempts on the night. With the Packers offense moving the ball solidly, Narveson did look the part in a unique environment for an NFL debut in Brazil. The Packers' rookie kicker should remain on the waiver wire in fantasy, as Narveson is still a bit risky to trust in your lineups for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts at home. Still, his fantasy outlook going forward has brightened a bit in a pressure-packed game with a national spotlight.
--Kevin Tompkins - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
RADIO
