Fantasy News

Jon Gruden says Josh Jacobs must earn feature-back status.

The Raiders head coach says his first-round rookie running back “won’t be the feature back until he earns it, while also adding he wants to see “how much [Jacobs] can eat this preseason.” It sounds like Gruden is going to throw Jacobs out there for a good number of touches during exhibition action to see if he’s ready to handle it during the regular season. Gruden also said that Jacobs is “a great kid and has a lot of talent,” and after Oakland spent a first-round pick on Jacobs, we fully expect he will be heavily-featured as a rookie in 2019.

Via: Michael Gehlken 7/26/19 - 02:18 PM ET

The Bengals are signing Tyler Boyd to a contract extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It’s reportedly a four-year, $43 million extension that keeps Boyd in Cincinnati through the 2023 season. The new coaching staff must like what they’ve seen from Boyd to this point, as the Pitt product is being paid as a top-20 receiver (in terms of new money) after his breakout season which included 76 receptions for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns. This is good news for Boyd’s fantasy value for 2019 and beyond, as this deal confirms that he’s going to be a huge part of Zac Taylor’s offense and that the team expects strong production from the former second-round pick. Entering his fourth NFL season, Boyd is still just 24 years old and can get another big payday in a few years.

Via: Adam Schefter 7/23/19 - 11:36 AM ET

Kerryon Johnson wants to be a workhorse running back.

The second-year running back says he worked as hard on his body as ever this offseason after his rookie year was cut short by a knee injury, and he said: “I’m healthy, that’s all (head coach Matt Patricia) needs to know, he’s going to give me the ball as many times as I can take it.” Johnson then added that Patricia is “going to be smart about it” because he’s a running back, but that they pay him to run the ball. Lions running backs coach Kyle Caskey says the team has not set a ceiling or floor on the number of carries Johnson can get. Overall, after Detroit released Theo Riddick, Johnson could be set for a big all-around workload as a rusher and receiver in his second NFL. Johnson’s lone concern is C.J. Anderson potentially getting hot certain weeks, as the Lions are likely to ride the hot hand if the offense is rolling. The ADP of Johnson is going to continue to increase in the coming weeks.

Via: DetroitLions.com 7/30/19 - 08:07 AM ET

The Rams are giving Todd Gurley a “veteran plan” this season.

Gurley will turn just 25 this week, but he’s been extremely successful in the NFL, and Rams head coach Sean McVay says Gurley “really has become a veteran player.” Basically, the plan for Gurley this season (and likely beyond) is to give him veteran rest days of practice during the week so that he’s fresh on game day and deep into the season. It’ll be a similar situation to what high-profile players like former Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, current Falcons receiver Julio Jones, and others have done throughout their careers. Gurley certainly looked healthy during yesterday’s first training camp practice, with video showing the former Offensive Player of the Year looking explosive as usual. He probably carries more risk than other players at the top of fantasy drafts, but we don’t think there’s any way Gurley should drop out of the first two rounds this summer. Putting outside reports aside, it’s been all positive regarding Gurley this spring and summer after a concerning end to the 2018 season.

Via: NFL.com 7/28/19 - 02:20 PM ET

Danny Etling has been working with the receivers at training camp.

This is interesting. The former LSU quarterback flashed his athleticism last preseason, and New England appears to at least be giving him a look at receiver and on special teams. This would certainly help Etling’s chances of making the team, and it’s something to monitor. We’ll see if the Patriots announce and official position switch for Etling.

7/25/19 - 11:55 AM ET

Mark Sanchez is retiring from the NFL.

After ten years in the NFL with the Jets, Eagles, Broncos, Cowboys, Bears, and Redskins, the former fifth-overall pick in the 2009 draft is calling it a career. Statistically, Sanchez wasn’t spectacular, with 15,357 career passing yards, 86 passing touchdowns, and 89 interceptions, but he had a 37-36 career record as a starter, including a 33-29 mark with the Jets to begin his career. Sanchez played well enough in his first two NFL seasons to help the Jets get to the postseason, and he played well in the playoffs during his two opportunities, helping his team get to the AFC Championship Game both years; he performed better individually in the postseason, with nine touchdowns and just three interceptions. After his tenure with the Jets, which ended with a preseason shoulder injury that could’ve been prevented if he wasn’t out there late in a meaningless game, Sanchez became a good veteran presence as a backup with five other teams. Some will declare Sanchez a “bust,” but he was able to spend ten years in the NFL and had his share of success. According to Andrew Marchad of the New York Post, Sanchez is joining ABC’s lead college football studio, so football fans will see him on television every Saturday during the fall.

Via: Andrew Marchand 7/23/19 - 08:56 AM ET

The Colts signed Roger Lewis.

Lewis spent most of last season on the Titans’ practice squad and then was with Tennessee this offseason, so he might be able to provide some insight to the Colts on a division rival. The former undrafted receiver started eight games for the Giants in 2017 and showed flashes, and now he’ll look to make the roster in Indy. The Colts have a crowded receiving group, and Rogers likely must contribute on special teams to make the team.

7/30/19 - 04:00 PM ET