Fantasy News

Garrett Griffin scores in Saints’ NFC title game loss.

Griffin caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown, with the score coming on a nice catch on a short pass off a Drew Brees rollout in the first quarter. This was the first career touchdown for the 2016 undrafted tight end, and it was the first postseason touchdown by a player from Air Force in league history. Griffin will look to carve out a role with New Orleans in 2019, but he’s not a fantasy option as things stand heading into the offseason.

1/20/19 - 06:54 PM ET

Jared Goff, Rams lose Super Bowl LIII to the Patriots, 13-3.

Goff was 19/38 for 229 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. The surprising defensive battle that broke out was mostly due to a consistent pass rush from both sides, and the Los Angeles receivers struggled to create much separation, which was a concern heading into the game without Cooper Kupp. While people will unfortunately pin a lot of the blame on the 24-year-old quarterback, he played better than the numbers suggest in what was basically a road spot, including the would-be game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter on a dime that was dropped by Brandin Cooks (he threw an interception on the next play). Overall, Goff proved himself as arguably the top young signal-caller in the league this season, and he should be even better in 2019 as Kupp returns. A case can likely be made for Goff being ranked as high as the No. 2 fantasy quarterback in drafts over the summer, and the Rams should once again be championship contenders next year.

2/3/19 - 10:43 PM ET

Tre’Quan Smith catches one pass in playoff loss.

It went for ten yards, and he was targeted twice. Smith flashed big-time talent at times as a rookie, but the third-round pick won’t be assured of anything more than a rotational role next year, and he might be overdrafted in a somewhat unpredictable offense.

1/20/19 - 06:51 PM ET

Tom Brady, Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl.

Brady was 21/35 for 262 yards and one interception in New England’s 13-3 Super Bowl LIII victory over the Rams. On the opening drive of the game for the Patriots, Brady threw an interception on his first pass attempt after they ran the ball well into Los Angeles territory; the pass appeared to come out of Brady’s hands weird, and it was tipped and intercepted. From then on, Brady played a fine game, mostly hitting Julian Edelman (ten receptions, 141 yards) and Rob Gronkowski (six receptions, 87 yards)—no other Patriot had over 15 yards receiving. And as usual in big games, Brady was locked-in when things were on the line, leading his team to a game-winning fourth-quarter drive (the only touchdown drive of the game), which was capped by a one-yard run by Sony Michel after it was set up by a 29-yard deep ball to Gronkowski. TB12 now has a game-winning fourth quarter or overtime touchdown drive in each of his six Super Bowl victories, and he’s simply the greatest. Brady will turn 42 ahead of next season, but we expect he’ll be as good as usual in 2019. He’ll likely go outside the top ten quarterbacks in fantasy drafts this summer, so he could deliver great value in the later rounds considering his history as a high-end QB1 option.

2/3/19 - 10:42 PM ET

Austin Carr catches one pass in loss to the Rams.

It went for five yards. Carr is under contract for one more season before hitting unrestricted free agency, but he won’t be on the fantasy radar next year because of how loaded the offense is in New Orleans.

1/20/19 - 06:49 PM ET

The Steelers might transition tag Le’Veon Bell, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The transition tag would give Pittsburgh the right to match any offer from other teams for Bell. If Bell is able to get a high enough offer that the Steelers wouldn’t want to match, then this probably won’t matter too much. The Steelers would get no compensation if they transition tag Bell and he signs with another team without them matching the offer. Despite this report, it’s very difficult to see the All-Pro Bell ever playing for Pittsburgh again after he sat out the entire 2018 season because he didn’t want to play on the franchise tag for a second straight year.

Via: ESPN 2/3/19 - 12:59 PM ET

Michael Thomas catches four passes in NFC Championship Game loss.

Thomas gained 36 yards on his four receptions in the Saints’ playoff loss to the Rams. Obviously, the Rams (with Aqib Talib in the lineup after he missed their first matchup) did a much better job of focusing on and stopping Thomas, who had 211 yards in Week 9 against LA. Thomas was targeted just seven times in the game, and he simply just didn’t get much going. One of the league’s hardest workers, Thomas will probably get to work for the 2019 season immediately. He’ll be among the highest-floor selections in fantasy drafts this summer.

1/20/19 - 06:47 PM ET