Fantasy News

The Lions “do not intend to give [Kerryon Johnson] a feature-back role,” according to ESPN’s Matthew Berry.

This comes from the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, where Berry gathered intel from teams through press conferences and talking to them. Johnson was one of the best runners in the league as a rookie, rushing 118 times for 641 yards (5.4 YPC) and three touchdowns while also chipping in a 32/213/1 receiving line in ten games, so this would be an obvious disappointment for fantasy owners. That said, there isn’t currently a back on the roster that’s a legitimate threat to Johnson’s touches, and the Auburn product will at least remain atop the depth chart for Detroit. We wouldn’t recommended significantly lowering the stock of Johnson just yet, especially considering he won’t turn 22 until the end of June. He’s an ideal buy-low target for owners worried about this news.

Via: ESPN.com 3/5/19 - 10:28 AM ET

Mark Ingram is expected to sign with the Ravens, according to ESPN.

Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini report that it’s going to be a three-year, $15 million deal for the former Saints running back. The veteran running back might immediately step in as Baltimore’s starting running back, but second-year player Gus Edwards should put up a fight for the starting role. Either way, both guys should get plenty of opportunities in an offense that’s going to pound the ball inside to compliment Lamar Jackson, and the former Heisman Trophy winner is a very good fit as a tough inside runner that also has solid ability as a receiver. For fantasy purposes, Ingram should be at least in the RB2/FLEX mix in 2019.

Via: Adam Schefter 3/13/19 - 12:27 PM ET

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio is hoping Emmanuel Sanders will have a “major role” for the team this season.

Fangio is speaking at the NFL Combine, and he said the Broncos expect Sanders to come back full speed and that they’re hoping he has a huge role with the team. Sanders recently made it clear on Twitter that he won’t take a pay cut from his near-$13-million cap hit, but Denver might not be worried about the amount of money left on the final year of his contract. Things can obviously change, but for now, expect Sanders to remain with the Broncos in 2019. He’s recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in practice last December, and his Week 1 status is questionable this early in the process. The fantasy outlooks of Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton would probably be brighter if the team parts ways with Sanders.

2/27/19 - 09:36 AM ET

Le’Veon Bell is planning to sign with the Jets, according to ESPN.

This was the expectation when the negotiating period began, and it became even more likely when Anthony Barr stood New York up on Tuesday morning. All told, though, Bell is reportedly getting just a four-year, $52.5-million deal ($35 million guaranteed), which is certainly much less than what he was anticipating on the open market after forfeiting $14.5 million last year with a big pay day in mind. Still, if Bell—who just turned 27—is the offensive superstar he was before sitting out the 2018 season, this is a huge get for the Jets, and he should make things easier on Sam Darnold and the offense as a whole from both a real-life and fantasy perspective. Individually, Bell will be worth considering in the first round of all formats, as New York will undoubtedly feed him to get their money’s worth. Tevin Coleman and Mark Ingram now shouldn’t take long to find new homes.

Via: Adam Schefter 3/13/19 - 12:24 AM ET

The Giants “fully expect” Eli Manning back as their quarterback in 2019, according to head coach Pat Shurmur.

There had been nothing to suggest otherwise over the past couple months, but Nick Foles and Case Keenum have been thrown around as potential replacements. We wouldn’t say Shurmur’s comments lock Eli in for his 16th season, though, and it’s certainly possible the Giants target someone on the open market. Still, Manning looks like the favorite to be under center in Week 1 after coming on strong down the stretch in Shurmur’s offense last year.

2/27/19 - 09:53 AM ET

The Patriots are signing Brandon Bolden, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

It’s a two-year deal according to Rapoport. Bolden spent last year in Miami with the AFC East rival Dolphins, but he spent his first six NFL season in New England. Bill Belichick and the coaching staff has a ton of respect for Bolden being a team player that makes major contributions on special teams, and the former Ole Miss running back also did a good job contributing on offense when given opportunities—not excluding last year with the Dolphins, when he had 91 yards on just eight attempts, including a 54-yard touchdown run against his former team. Bolden is a much better real-life contributor than fantasy asset at the moment, but this is a strong signing by the Patriots. It’ll become official when the new league year begins at 4:00 PM ET.

Via: Ian Rapoport 3/13/19 - 09:20 AM ET

The Giants have re-signed quarterback Alex Tanney.

Tanney hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since the 2015 season with Tennessee, but New York signed the veteran last season as depth behind Eli Manning, and he ended up winning the No. 2 job over fourth-round pick Kyle Lauletta. It’s certainly possible Tanney opens 2019 as the backup to Manning if the Giants don’t address the position in April’s draft.

3/4/19 - 04:25 PM ET