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2015 Fantasy Football: Top TE Sleepers to Target in Drafts

Posted on by Admin
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31 Mar

Our look at the top value picks in fantasy football drafts is nearing an end, as we come to the tight end position. Sleepers, steals and value picks are really on the same, as one way or another they tell you a player is going to do well, yet they’re under valued to some degree. The tight end position might be the easiest position to find value in this year – not because it’s the deepest – but because beyond Rob Gronkowski, no one knows what to expect.

Jimmy Graham, Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas are all on new teams and could go either way, Greg Olsen is suddenly far and away Carolina’s only option and many other guys are coming off of down years or have a history of health concerns. That being said, the fact that people are scared to go all in on most of the tight end options means there is bound to be some ridiculous value in a lot of rounds. When you plan to go after your top tight end in your draft is totally up to you, but the following guys represent value in the rounds they’re currently being drafted in:

Julius Thomas (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Round 9

I get he’s on the Jaguars and he’s out the first four weeks (hand), but come on. The guy’s upside is obvious after scoring 24 touchdowns in Denver the past two years, while the Jaguars have visibly made strides on offense. Once back, he could end up being the steal of the draft at the tight end position.

Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans) – Round 10

Walker certainly isn’t a sexy name, but we’re quickly forgetting that this guy was the 12th best tight end in fantasy football uniform in 2013 and finished 9th last year. He’s without a doubt a reliable top-15 guy, especially now that rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota is going to need him as a safety blanket. Walker doesn’t light the world on fire, but he’s a steady option that you can find in round 10.

Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota Vikings) and Zach Ertz (Philadephia Eagles) – Round 11

Rudolph is a beast that has been held back forever either by injuries or bad quarterback play. He’s now healthy, Teddy Bridgewater looks like the real deal and Norv Turner’s system can make tight ends into superheros. Rudy is on the cusp of his best season yet. Ertz is no pushover, either, as he flashed brilliance at times last year, and now in his third season in Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense could be ready to truly blow up.

Dwayne Allen (Indianapolis Colts) – Round 12

Coby Fleener is the sexier option for some reason, even though Allen is the better blocker and more put together player. Fleener did draw way more targets last year, but Allen is in a very explosive Colts offense, so he’s worth the risk this late.

Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) – Round 13

I get that Gates is old and will miss the first four games of the year due to suspension. But this is the #2 tight end in fantasy football of a year ago that we’re talking about. It’s true that LaDarcius Green could steal his thunder, but that’s nothing to worry about when you can take a crack at a potential top-5 option in round 13.

Got another tight end to consider late in fantasy drafts? Tell us about them in the comments below!

2015 Fantasy Football: Top WR Sleepers to Target in Drafts

Posted on by Admin
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31 Mar

Fantasy football is all about value, particularly when it comes to successfully maneuvering through your fantasy league’s draft. Anyone can make good picks in the first two rounds or so, but once you get to the middle and late rounds, you need to know when and where to look to find the gems that will out-play their ADP (Average Draft Position). If you can’t, you’re playing a guessing game and will have to rely on your league’s waiver wire for support.

With other fantasy owners either having priority or a faster draw, that isn’t the best method for finding the hidden gems. Drafting them is. We can’t nail them all, but we sure can point out the value that’s blatantly obvious. We’ve already hit up the quarterback and running back positions, and now we take it to wide receivers to find the best steals throughout the draft:

Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) – Round 2

Megatron was the #1 overall pick for some in the past few years and still has the talent and role to be the top wide receiver in the game. Even with that being true, he’s going in round two in almost every draft. That’s just crazy.

Alshon Jeffery (Chicago Bears) – Round 3

Brandon Marshall is out of town, so Jeffery is a true #1 wide receiver on a team that should have to continue to throw the ball a ton. He’s a potential stud WR1, yet you can get him in the third round.

Jeremy Maclin (Kansas City Chiefs) – Round 4

Maclin blew up in Philly last year and now he’s back with the guy who drafted him. KC didn’t get any touchdowns to wide receivers last year, but Maclin has already scored twice this preseason. It’s starting to look like he could be a serious value pick.

Brandon Marshall (New York Jets) – Round 5

Marshall’s new scenery makes him somewhat questionable, but the talent and role remain. He’s being drafted like a borderline WR2 and he could still put up WR1 numbers. Draft accordingly.

DeSean Jackson (Washington Redskins) and Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Round 6

Ditto here, as both Jacksons are elite talents in different ways and have huge roles. D-Jax probably carries the upside, but V-Jax is a red-zone menace. Now that both teams have arguable quarterback upgrades, both of these guys could crush their current ADP.

Steve Smith (Baltimore Ravens) – Round 7

Baltimore has no one to throw to that is proven beyond Steve Smith. He’s said this is his last season, so he’s bound to leave everything he has out on the field. Judging from 2014, that’s a good thing.

Mike Wallace (Minnesota Vikings) – Round 8

Kyle Rudolph never is healthy, Cordarrelle Patterson has been a bust and Charles Johnson is unproven. The speedy Wallace could have found the perfect home to return to stardom. He’s a solid WR2 at worst and you just might be finding a WR1 in round eight.

Anquan Boldin (San Francisco 49ers) – Round 9

Boldin clearly gets passed up routinely due to his age and the horror that has been going on in the Bay Area. However, he just keeps getting it done and the Niners only brought in Torrey Smith as competition. If anything, Smith’s ability to stretch the field should help Boldin, not hinder him.

Eric Decker (New York Jets) and Torrey Smith (San Francisco 49ers) – Round 10

This is insane value for two guys who could (and should) be rock solid WR2s in fantasy football. Decker loses some upside with Marshall in town, but he’s still going to see the ball plenty, while Smith is the deep threat for 49ers have been searching for.

Michael Floyd (Arizona Cardinals) and Pierre Garcon (Washington Redskins) – Round 11

Floyd is a top-10 talent that simply needs to stay healthy and also have Carson Palmer stay on the field. If that can happen, he can get 1,000 yards and close to 10 scores. Garcon led the league in receptions just two years ago and is a deep ball menace. Kirk Cousins under center should help him return disgusting value.

Jeff Janis (Green Bay Packers) – Round 13

Perhaps the steal of the entire draft at the position, Janis is just now starting to see his name plucked off draft boards due to the Jordy Nelson injury. Janis is a low risk/high reward option in a potent Packers offense.

Got a better wide receiver sleeper or steal? Lay it on us in the comments below!

6 Teams That Should Consider Trading For Robert Griffin III

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NFL Training Camp News and Notes For July 30th
31 Mar

There aren’t any rumors yet about where Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III could get traded. The only thing we know for sure is that the Redskins have seen enough of RG3 and are turning to Kirk Cousins as their full-time starter for the 2015 NFL season.

Whether that leads to a flat our release or trade is anyone’s guess. But the switch to Cousins looks to be for the year, and with a hefty injury-deal coming RG3’s way in 2016 if he goes down for good this year, it’s unlikely Washington ever allows their once prodigal son to take the field. That doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t take the risk, though.

The question is, of course, who would do it? There are at least five teams that should entertain the thought. Let’s take a look at why they just might pull the trigger on a deal:

Houston Texans

Brian Hoyer is the starting quarterback for the Texans right now. I could stop there, but let’s be real, RG3 still has ridiculous upside and is still quite young. In the right environment, one not nearly as dysfunctional as Washington, he could turn his career around. How about a team with good coaching, a strong defense and a solid ground game? It’s about as good as it gets on the surface, while RG3 could be re-worked to start the year until Hoyer falters. Washington would in turn get Ryan Mallet and a few draft picks as they look to start over under center.

Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan is no stranger to making bold moves at quarterback, as he once traded for Tim Tebow and foolishly stood by the likes of Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith. He actually might have something with Tyrod Taylor (who was recently named the starter), but I wouldn’t put it past him to mess with the quarterback room at the last second. RG3 gives the same amount of running ability as Taylor, but he also has some upside as a passer. It’s a flashy move that may not work out, but the Bills have answers everywhere but quarterback. If Buffalo isn’t totally sold on the arms they have, they’d have to consider pulling the trigger on a deal for RG3.

New York Jets

Speaking of Ryan, his former team lost Geno Smith for a good 6-8 weeks and right now it looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick will be their 2015 starter. Why not roll the dice and see if RG3 can come in refreshed and with a major chip on his shoulder? He’d certainly have talent around him, while Gang Green also has a top shelf defense to lean on. The big eye of New York is probably the last thing Robert Griffin III needs, but perhaps it could work out.

Philadelphia Eagles

Sam Bradford looked good in his second preseason game with the Eagles, but he’s a walking injury just waiting to happen after ACL tears in successive seasons and athletically, he leaves a little to be desired when it comes to Chip Kelly’s system. RG3 certainly has his flaws, but he also could be the perfect fit for this offense – one that has made even Mark Sanchez look good. It’s tough to envision the Redskins trading RG3 to a divisional opponent, but crazier things have happened.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams were the team that got a ton of draft picks to move down a few years back so Washington could land RG3. How hilarious would it be if they traded mid-round picks to then get Robert Griffin III for themselves? Funny, indeed. It’s also not that crazy, considering Nick Foles hasn’t been overly impressive thus far and the Rams would love to have stability under center.

Denver Broncos

This one could make more sense than anything else, as two things would be great for RG3’s future right now: getting out of D.C. and sitting and learning for a year. Where better to learn than in Denver, where Robert Griffin III could soak up info from greats like Peyton Manning and John Elway? Brock Osweiler could be the future at quarterback in Denver, but he’s unproven and RG3 is probably a sexier option on paper.

Think RG3 stays put, goes somewhere else is is just simply done? Let us know your thoughts regarding this topic and football uniforms in the comments below!

2015 Fantasy Football: Top RB Sleepers to Target in Drafts

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31 Mar

Friday night brings the start of the third week of NFL preseason action, which has most teams pushing their starts to the half or further to prepare for the new season. That means two things: we’re getting a good look at player roles and offensive systems, and time is running out to prepare for your 2015 fantasy football draft with customizable football jerseys.

To help get you ready, we’re breaking down the top sleepers that can be found late in fantasy drafts. It’s on to the running back position in our second installment:

Arian Foster (Houston Texans) – Round 5

Obviously Foster is not a true sleeper, as he’s one of the most dynamic players in the league when healthy. However, a groin injury has scared many fantasy owners away, especially with an initially lengthy return timetable hanging over their heads like a dark cloud. Recent reports suggest Foster could return by the end of September, however, if not sooner. Foster is suddenly potentially a major value pick in round five and if the reports remain positive, his ADP should only climb.

Tre Mason (St. Louis Rams) – Round 7

It’s true that the Rams drafted Todd Gurley in the first round this year to be their feature back of the future. But Mason is no scrub and that future isn’t coming at full force in 2015. Mason is firmly expected to begin the year as the Rams’ lead back and should continue to have some role throughout the year. He’s too good not too, while fantasy’s 25th best back a year ago could have insane value if Gurley is slow to recover from last year’s ACL tear – or even worse – gets hurt again. Mason put up strong numbers in just 12 games as a rookie, and he’s even better now. There is a lot to like about his value this year.

Bishop Sankey (Tennessee Titans) – Round 8

It’s hard to love Sankey after a weak rookie season, plus he has shaky fundamentals. However, rookie rusher David Cobb was his main competition and he just got banged up. The battle for the Titans’ starting gig was pretty close, but now the job solely belongs to Sankey for now. A starting running back is available in round eight. Draft accordingly.

Darren McFadden (Dallas Cowboys) – Round 8

McFadden has played one full season in his entire career (last year) but everyone still remembers that awesome 2010 campaign he enjoyed. Now he’s finally away from the disaster that is the Oakland Raiders, so he can potentially turn his career around behind an elite offensive line in Big D. He’s surely still an injury risk, but it’s tough to ignore his upside and the fact that he can be taken a whopping five rounds behind Joseph Randle, the guy he’s sharing the rushing load with.

Duke Johnson (Cleveland Browns) – Round 9

Duke Johnson is so talented that the Browns rookie running back was soaring into the top five rounds just a couple months ago. Unfortunately, he hurt his hamstring and never got a real shot to win the starting gig. He might not for a while, but not his ADP is a lot more appropriate and you can stash him for value.

Jonas Gray (New England Patriots) – Round 10

LeGarrette Blount will miss the first game of the year due to suspension and hasn’t looked great in preseason play, so the door may be slightly cracked open for Jonas Gray to steal the show in New England. Gray produced a monster 200+ yard and four touchdown game last season, only to never be heard from again. That could change in 2015, as he should start the season and at worst should be a decent stash pick.

Ronnie Hillman (Denver Broncos) – Round 11

Hillman figures to be Denver’s top backup to starter C.J. Anderson and is one injury away from stardom again in 2015. Hillman flashed high upside in a few starts last year, and while he’s a little inconsistent in some areas, he’s the type of talent you invest in. Only having to waste an 11th round draft choice makes it a lot easier.

Andre Williams (New York Giants) – Round 12

Williams appears to be in a dog fight with Rashad Jennings for early down work in New York, but one way or another this bruiser is going to have a role in the Giants’ ground attack. Even if he just ends up being the top goal-line back for the G-Men, he’s going to be worth owning. And with the aging Jennings’ shaky injury history, he could be in for a massive role before the year is through.

Reggie Bush (San Francisco 49ers) – Round 12

Bush is difficult to gauge for 2015, as he should start the year behind Carlos Hyde, is aging and has a ton of injury concerns in his history. That being said, he’s on a team that wants to run the ball, hasn’t fully committed to Hyde as a feature back and brought him in for a reason. Even as a handcuff, Bush is a must-own player.

Cameron Artis-Payne (Carolina Panthers) – Round 12

Last, but certainly not least, is the backup to the eventually-sure-to-be-injured Jonathan Stewart. J-Stew is a talented running back but he’s never healthy and Carolina also rarely rolls with just one running back. They do love to run, though, so the rookie Artis-Payne should have some type of role right away. And if Stewart goes down like he always does, Artis-Payne’s fantasy stock could shoot through the roof.

Got another running back sleeper to target in fantasy drafts? Let us hear about him in the comments below!

2015 Fantasy Football: Top QB Sleepers to Target

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31 Mar

The 2015 fantasy football season is on it’s way, as the third week of NFL preseason action is about to get started and it’s all downhill from there. The first NFL game of the season is literally two weeks away from today, so if your fantasy league has yet to draft, now is the time to get in your last minute preparations.

If you haven’t been living under a rock over the past few years, you’ve noticed that quarterback is one of the deepest positions in the fantasy realm. It can also be the highest scoring by a wide margin, but the position importance is nothing compared to running back or wide receiver, which tend to allow 2-3 or even more spots in your weekly starting lineup.

That means taking quarterbacks later in fantasy drafts isn’t just the in thing, but also the smart thing. That being said, for every Andy Dalton of 2013, there’s your Andy Dalton for 2014. Hitting on those sleeper quarterbacks late is all relative, as you need to factor in history, talent, supporting cast, schedule and of course, their ADP (Average Draft Position). Luckily we’re here to do that for you. Without further haste, here are our favorite quarterback sleepers for the 2015 fantasy football season:

Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) – Round 10

Newton was working with a bum ankle and a rookie wide receiver in 2014, yet he still was fantasy football’s 17th best quarterback. He did lose that aforementioned receiver, but he’s fully healthy and still has Greg Olsen. I don’t love him as a top-10 possibility anymore, but he DOES have that upside and could easily get back into the top-15. Besides, the value he possesses in round 10 is just insane.

Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings) – Round 11

Bridgewater didn’t look like much coming out of Louisville, but it turns out he’s pretty good. He’s looked terrific in three preseason games and was solid last year as a rookie, too. Despite not playing a full season and it being his first year, he was still fantasy’s 22nd best passer. I think he’s ready for a huge jump, as Adrian Peterson, Charles Johnson, Mike Wallace and Kyle Rudolph give him a dirty supporting cast. In a good way, of course.

Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) – Round 12

Kap was obviously a huge disappointment in 2014, as instead of being a top-5 or top-10 option, he was merely serviceable as fantasy football’s 16th best passer. His weekly value was even worse, though, as he struggled from within the pocket and had some disastrous duds in the brutal NFC West. His schedule remains tough, but I think he has new life with a coaching and potential philosophy change, plus the addition of the speedy Torrey Smith can only help. He needs to get back to his elite ground game, too, and after scoring just once with his legs in 2014, I like him to be much more dangerous in 2015. That could mean for a push back into the top-15. For round 12, that makes him a crazy value buy.

Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears) – Round 13

Cutler might be the best pure value to this point, as when healthy he looked like a top-5 option in 2013 and last year finished as fantasy’s 14th best passer despite a crazy amount of turnovers. The talent and weapons are there for Cutler to crush it, while reports out of camp have been pretty positive all summer long. If he can cut down from his 18 picks, he could be a terrific value and competent weekly QB1.

Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) – Round 14

Speak of the devil, Dalton enters 2015 as one of the top quarterback sleepers to target. He was top-5 in 2013 and last year was just 19th overall, but we can safely expect The Red Rifle to land somewhere in the middle. The reality is, Cincy scaled things back offensively in 2014 due to injuries to A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert. With all of those talented receivers healthy, Dalton could be in for a big year.

Think another quarterback makes for a better sleeper pick? Tell us about them in the comments below!

Week 3 NFL Preseason: What to Watch For on Friday Night

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31 Mar

The NFL is rapidly approaching regular season football, but for the next two weeks, week three of preseason action is as close as we’ll get to it. NFL teams are set to prepare for week one with their regular season dress rehearsal games this week, where fans can expect to see most of the star players for their favorite team take the field for the longest amount of time.

Three games go down on Friday night and there could be plenty to watch for. Let’s break down the top reasons to tune in:

Jimmy Garoppolo or Tom Brady?

Tom Brady’s legal woes continue on, so for the moment he’s still suspended for the first four games of 2015. With that probably not changing, the Patriots would be smart to let Jimmy Garoppolo either start this game or play the final three quarters. It will be interesting to see what Bill Belichick and co. decide, as well as how Jimmy G performs, in general.

Devin Funchess’ Role

With Kelvin Benjamin lost for the season due to a torn ACL, a lot of pressure falls on Panthers rookie receiver Devin Funchess. And he’s only appeared in one preseason game. It’s crucial for Funchess’ development and the passing offense in general that he hits the field for week three and performs well. Funchess absolutely has the size and athleticism to develop into a red-zone menace in his first season, but he’s still a little raw. How quickly he can progress will be key for Cam Newton and Carolina’s offense.

Marcus Mariota’s Progress

Mariota turned the ball over twice in his pro debut and then kept things very clean last week. In week three we should see him play at least a full half as he gears up for his official debut in week one of the regular season. Mariota might be an inconsistent performer as a rook, but how he does on Friday could shed some light on what kind of offense the Titans will be rolling with.

David Cobb vs. Bishop Sankey

If the Titans want Mariota to do well in year one, they’re going to want to establish the run. Whether that’s with Cobb or Sankey (or a mix of both) has yet to be determined. Sankey is weak when it comes to fundamentals, but on paper is a plus athlete and actually ran quite well in Tennessee’s second preseason game. Cobb wasn’t as good last week, but blew Sankey out of the water in week one. How both do on Friday night could decide who starts the season with the bigger workload.

T.J. Yeldon’s Debut

Yeldon was drafted to be Jacksonville’s savior at running back, yet a finger injury has kept him from playing in any preseason action. Yeldo has feature back written all over him and should make his pro debut on Friday night. How he fares could go a long way in telling us whether or not he’s going to be handed the keys to the backfield right away as a rookie.

More Ameer Abdullah, Please

Abdullah is a freak athlete and he showed that in his preseason debut. He hit the field for a very brief amount of time in game two, however, so two things will be interesting in game three: his exact role and how much the Lions showcase him. Joique Bell is tentatively still expected to hold onto the starting running back job in Detroit, but health and age have caught up with him. Will we see the passing of the torch on Friday night? Perhaps. Also, be sure to check out undrafted rookie Zach Zenner, who has pieced two awesome games together. He could still not even make the team, but how much he plays (if at all) with the first team unit will be fun to track.

Got something better to note in these Friday night NFL preseason games? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted in NFL

Top 6 NBA Free Agents Still Waiting to Be Signed

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31 Mar

The 2015-16 NBA season is inching closer and every day we hear about players working their way back to full strength or another random free agency addition takes place, we know it’s just around the corner. It’s only two months away, yet there remain several quality players sitting out on the open market, just waiting to get a phone call.

The likes of Jimmer Fredette, Samuel Dalembert and JaVale McGee all got jobs this summer, so there has to be room for the best talent still left in free agency. They have their flaws and there could be good reason they’re not signed yet, but these six guys could still bring something to the table for the right NBA franchise:

Norris Cole (PG)

Cole is a restricted free agent and is probably headed back to the New Orleans Pelicans, but another team could still claim him for the right price. It has to be somewhat telling that the Pellies still haven’t brought him back, but it’s likely a deal will get worked out in the near future. Coles is still young, can score on his own and knows how to create for others, so there is plenty of upside to like. In New Orleans he’d be a strict backup to starting point guard Jrue Holiday, and he could via for a starting job elsewhere. Look for him to stick with the Pels, though.

Ishmael Smith (PG)

Normally regarded as a fringe level player, Smith proved that wasn’t necessarily the case in extensive action as a starter with the Philadelphia 76ers late last season. Smith’s averages for the year aren’t impressive, but he enjoyed several strong outings that showcased his passing and outside shooting. It’s at least mildly surprising he’s not back with Philly or on another squad as a backup yet.

Alexey Shved (G)

Shved has a back issue and is currently signed on to play in Russia, but his surprisingly stellar play for the New York Knicks last year has to have some teams calling. Shved can be a little out of control at times and is not the most efficient player, but he brings great size and length to the point guard position, and is able to score and create at a solid level. He’s more of a backup, but he could be a great get for a high-paced offense. Shved is likely going to stick in Russia for this season, but if the right situation arises, he does have an opt out clause in his current deal.

Dorell Wright (SF)

Wright is currently in China trying to turn his career around, after he inexplicably went from having a huge role with the Golden State Warriors as recently as 2010 to being a bench player in 2012. Wright is still just 29 and can light it up from outside, while he also brings some size and athleticism to the wing. NBA reams want more of a skill-set in their wing players, but Wright knocked down 38% of his long range balls last year and brings an elite skill to the table. He’s a specialist and if an NBA teams is seeking three-point shooting, as most are, they’ll look into buying him out of his deal.

Carlos Boozer (PF)

Boozer is obviously running out of time at 32 years old and perhaps has waited this long to try to find the exact right fit. With only so many years left, Boozer probably is holding out hope to land with a legit title contender. Then again, Boozer does have some shortcomings in that he’s not always the most efficient offensive player and he is a total sieve on defense. That being said, Boozer is a veteran who can score and rebound, and numerous teams could use that solid impact off the bench. Boozer may have to give up on landing with a title contender if he wants to find work this year, however.

Henry Sims (C)

Last, but not necessarily least is Sims, who the 76ers actually let walk this year. They had the ability to hold onto the bruising big man, but turned him loose instead. That makes sense with them drafting Jahlil Okafor and already having both Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel on the roster, however. Sims isn’t the most skilled big man in the world, but he can clean the glass and score close to the basket. He’s also just 25, so there is plenty of upside to work with in the right system.

Got another free agent that deserves to be playing this year? Tell us about them in the comments below!

Posted in NBA

Friday Night Preseason Week 2: What to Watch For

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NFC South Starting Quarterbacks
31 Mar

Thursday Night Football didn’t disappoint in the end, as Johnny Manziel and Tyrod Taylor both impressed despite doing little scoring in a 11-10 affair on ESPN. The Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins put up far more points, but weren’t on national television. That may have been for the best, as Robert Griffin III looked awful in the ‘Skins loss.

Friday night brings two more NFL preseason games as we get more into the second week of action. There’s still plenty to see tonight, so let’s dive into the top things to watch for:

Falcons Running Backs

Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman are supposed to be in a battle to prove which one should be Atlanta’s top running back this year. Trouble is, neither is healthy. One or both could get past hamstring issues to take the field tonight, though, and their competition could then carry on. Any other Falcons running backs that take the field will be worth checking out, too, since so many injuries have bogged down the position (Antone Smith is also nicked up).

Russell Wilson and Seattle First Team Offense

Wilson is always fun to watch, and after playing very little in the first preseason game, Seattle will probably let him go a little longer against the Chiefs. Wilson looked OK in week one, but he didn’t score and wasn’t able to accomplish a whole lot. How he works with star tight end Jimmy Graham will be important to note, while we’ll also want to pay close attention to Seattle’s running backs behind Marshawn Lynch. Robert Turbin figures to be Beast Mode’s top backup again, but both Cristine Michael and Thomas Rawls could be vying for a bigger role.

Chiefs First Team Offense vs. Hawks

Alex Smith didn’t play much in week one and may want to try to find some success in his second preseason game. The same goes for the entire first team offense in KC, who will get an awesome test against Seattle’s starting defensive unit. How Smith, Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin and possibly even Jamaal Charles fare will be very interesting.

The Beard

Ryan Fitzpatrick got the starter treatment in the first preseason game, as he played one series and put up just 16 yards before getting benched. He should play a lot more tonight, as he and the first team offense try to get acclimated in a setting closer to the regular season. The first team Falcons defense isn’t one really to fear, but that could be good for the Jets to try to get into a groove. How The Beard operates with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker will be good to see.

Bryce Petty’s Progress

While Ryan Fitzpatrick looks to be the unquestioned starter for Gang Green right now, rookie passer Bryce Petty will still get some nice exposure. He’s not ready to take over an NFL offense just yet, but wasn’t awful in his first preseason appearance and could get a lot more work in week two. The Falcons reserves shouldn’t offer much resistance, so there’s a chance he finds a decent amount of success.

More Lockett, Please

Going back to Seattle, fans will want to get their eyes on rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who burned the Denver Broncos in week one as a return man. He could easily dazzle again on special teams, but what we’ll really be looking for is if/how the Seahawks use him in the offense as an actual receiver.

Got something better to watch for in tonight’s preseason games? Fill us in via the comments below!

Where Should Reggie Wayne Play in 2015?

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Reggie Wayne football uniforms
31 Mar

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne is searching for a new town to play football in heading into the 2015 NFL season and by the looks of it, he just might find his destination as soon as this week. Jettisoned by the Colts, the only team he’s ever know, Wayne is still seeking to land with a team he can make an impact with at 36 years old. With some big injuries going down recently, the door is very much open for the veteran receiver to continue his playing career. But where will he sign?

Let’s take a look at Wayne’s five most realistic potential suitors:

New England Patriots

Wayne isn’t explosive or particularly fast anymore, but it seems the Pats have interest in adding another reliable set of hands to a team that is fresh off of a Super Bowl win. Wayne hasn’t signed yet, but did undergo a physical with the team and could end up latching on with Tom Brady and co. The match makes sense for Wayne, who is seeking just his second Super Bowl ring. The needs isn’t overly great for the Pats, though, so this deal is still no lock.

Green Bay Packers

Jordy Nelson went down with a knee injury in Green Bay’s second preseason game on Sunday, which could have the Packers looking for help outside of the organization. An argument could be made that Green Bay doesn’t need Wayne, as a combination of Davante Adams, Jeff Janis and Ty Montgomery could very well fill in for the big loss. Green Bay may be just covering all the bases, though, while a savvy vet like Wayne could easily end up being a menace with Aaron Rodgers tossing him the ball.

Carolina Panthers

Green Bay isn’t the only team to get bit hard by the injury bug, as Kelvin Benjamin also went down last week with a knee injury. An already shaky wide receiver corps got much worse for the Carolina Panthers, who are suddenly counting on raw rookie Devin Funchess to be their #1 target. Wayne might not deem the Panthers to be a Super Bowl contender, but they could really use his talents and have at least won their division in the past two years.

Cleveland Browns

Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline are Cleveland’s top two wide receivers, to I should probably stop the selling. Cleveland isn’t even a legit playoff contender at first glance, but Wayne would probably be a starter by default if he joined the Browns. There has been chatter about Wayne’s skill-set regressing aggressively fast, but he’s been banged up in each of the last two years. A healthy Reggie Wayne could help give the Browns some bite on offense.

Denver Broncos

Why not? Wayne can reunite with the quarterback he spent the majority of his career with – Peyton Manning – and try to help the Broncos nab a title. Cody Latimer hasn’t exactly taken over as Denver’s #3 wide receiver, while the offense has to find a way to make up for key losses to the passing game in Julius Thomas and Wes Welker.

Think there’s a better landing spot for Reggie Wayne? Tell us in the comments below!

Week 1 NFL Preseason Recap: What We Learned

Posted on by Admin
Predicting the Top NFL Quarterback Battles
31 Mar

The first full week of the 2015 NFL preseason is officially in the books, which means two things: we’re one step closer to the games that actually matter and we can now digest the mess we just saw get strewn across our television sets over the past several days.

Preseason games don’t matter and most everything that takes place in them needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but we can still learn from them. Let’s break down the key notes from the past week and see what we learned as we head into another week of preseason action:

Rough Rookie Debuts?

Both Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston were extremely high profile rookie debuts, and both were mixed bags after extensive action. Mariota was a mess to get his first game going, as he fumbled a ball that was returned for a touchdown and also tossed a pick. He seemed to settle down from there, though, and looked pretty good for most of his game for the Titans. Of the two, he displayed much better control and accuracy and looked far more comfortable in the pocket.

Winston was just bad for most of the game, as he had happy feet and seemed indecisive a good amount of the time. That led to a shaky 9-19 outing, although he did have a nice touchdown run and had another big pass to Vincent Jackson that displayed his arm strength and willingness to go down the field. Winston has a lot of work to do when it comes to his pocket presence and decision-making, but it wasn’t all bad in his debut. Mariots wins week one, but both rookie passers showed enough to think they could enjoy terrific week two’s and still be solid first year quarterbacks.

Quarterback Battles

The two biggest battles lie in Buffalo and Houston. The Bills have a three-way attack with Matt Cassel leading the way over Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel, while the Texans have Brian Hoyer going up against Ryan Mallett. Hoyer only played briefly but hit on a 58-yard touchdown and looks like a lock to win that battle. Cassel is very much in the lead for the Bills, but he offers no pop on offense. Taylor displayed nice mobility and gives Buffalo’s offense some upside. He should start week two and could be a real threat to Cassel. Manuel hasn’t impressed and probably isn’t a serious threat to Cassel or Taylor right now.

Ameer is the Man

Joique Bell continues to work his way back from knee and leg issues, while rookie sensation Ameer Abdullah quickly showed us all precisely why he’s a rookie sensation. Abdullah had been garnering rave reviews all summer, but he put on a show right away in his first preseason game, as he busted off a 45-yard run and finished his pro debut with 67 yards off of seven totes. Abdullah has some Barry Sanders to his game and is looking more and more like the team’s top back. That’s bad news for the rest of the NFC North, if we weren’t being clear enough.

Johnny Manziel is Improving

Johnny Football produced a nice 12-yard touchdown scamper and looked fairly poised and in control in his first preseason game. He was just 7-11 and didn’t spring any big plays, but two important things need to be taken from this game: his comfort level within the offense and the playbook are light years head of where he was at as a rookie and he was playing with backups. He could have been better, but he showed serious signs of growth and should only get better as preseason moves forward. That doesn’t mean he’s about to challenge starting quarterback Josh McCown, however, as McCown went 5-5 and looked to be in complete control of the starting gig.

Tebowmania is Alive and Well

We finally got to see Tim Tebow in his debut with the Eagles, as he played much of the second half with and against scrub players. He actually did very well on his first drive, going 4-5 and leading the Eagles to a field goal. Tebow showed a slightly more compact release and on that first drive resembled a passable quarterback. He regressed from there, unfortunately, as he took too many sacks and simply held onto the ball too long. He did add a nice rushing score late on an option play, but he’ll need to show more signs of progress to beat out Matt Barkley for the third string gig.

Jimmy Garoppolo Needs Work

Tom Brady’s four-game ban stands at the moment and that leaves the Pats with second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to begin the 2015 NFL season. Early signs suggest that might not go so well. Garoppolo ended up piecing things together more in the second half as far as getting the ball out cleanly and completing passes, but he couldn’t get anything going down the field, tossed a pick and took far too many sacks. He flashed some ability and was working with spare talent, but Garoppolo needs to be much better if New England is going to feel remotely good about starting him come week one.

Got something big we missed? Hit us up in the comments below!

Posted in NFL