Fantasy News

Damien Williams has impressed the Chiefs.

Like fellow Kansas City running backs Kareem Hunt and Spencer Ware, Williams is a bigger back that has very good ability as a receiver out of the backfield. Williams has at least 20 receptions in each of his four NFL seasons with the Dolphins, and he says he already feels comfortable in the new offense. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said that Williams is “doing a heck of a job,” and that his versatility “gives us a whole different dimension and creates matchup issues for the opponent.” Williams is looking like a good bet to make the Chiefs roster, and it’ll be interesting to watch him throughout the preseason.

Via: Chiefs.com 8/7/18 - 07:47 AM ET

Ryan Grant has separated himself as the Colts’ No. 2 receiver.

Over the weekend, Colts head coach Frank Rreich said “T.Y. (Hilton) and Ryan Grant have really separated themselves” at the position. Then Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni followed it up by saying that Grant “does what we ask guys to do on a consistent basis, and that’s just improve every single day,” while also talking about how Grant does the little things correctly like getting the correct release, running the route correctly, and springing a big run with a block. Last season, Grant had 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with the Redskins, and he was an obvious favorite of Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. Things can change, but it looks like Grant will be the starter opposite Hilton, which would mean he has some late-round fantasy appeal with Andrew Luck throwing him passes.

Via: Colts.com 8/7/18 - 07:39 AM ET

The Dolphins are signing Jeremy Langford, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

The 2015 fourth-round pick of the Bears that had 816 total yards and seven total touchdowns as a rookie was out of football last season, but the Dolphins are giving him a shot. Frank Gore, Kenyan Drake, and Kalen Ballage are all locks for roster spots unless something changes, so Langford will look to play well enough that Miami keeps four running backs on the roster. Special-team contributions will be huge for Langford as he looks to make the team.

Via: Josina Anderson 8/6/18 - 06:57 PM ET

Brice Butler is listed as the Cardinals’ No. 2 receiver on the team’s first unofficial depth chart.

There is still a lot of time to go before the start of the regular season, and this depth chart might have been put together by the team’s PR staff, but the No. 2 WR spot for Arizona is one of the biggest summer competitions this year. Butler signed with the Cardinals hoping to be that No. 2 guy after he was stuck as fourth on the depth chart during his time in Dallas, and he’s off to a good start in training camp. Speedster J.J. Nelson, 2017 third-round pick Chad Williams, 2018 second-round pick Christian Kirk, and veteran Greg Little are all still in the mix for the job, but Butler will get the first crack at it in preseason action.

Via: Arizona Cardinals 8/6/18 - 06:27 PM ET

Derrick Henry is listed as the starting running back on the Titans’ first unofficial depth chart.

Keep in mind, this is an unofficial depth chart that the coaching staff might have had no input on—the media/PR staff sometimes puts these together. However, it’s worth noting that Henry is listed alone as the starter, with Dion Lewis behind him. There has been some talk of Lewis potentially become Tennessee’s lead back after he was signed to a big contract in the offseason, but Henry, who came into camp with added weight while staying in great shape, is very likely to be the lead ball-carrier in 2018. The situation should be watched closely in preseason games, but it’s unlikely Henry doesn’t get the most carries for the Titans this season.

Via: Jim Wyatt 8/6/18 - 04:51 PM ET

The Patriots have released Malcolm Mitchell, according to Ian Rapoport.

As Rapoport says, it was “a move weeks in the making” due to Mitchell’s knee issues. This move really opens the door for Eric Decker to make the team and Phillip Dorsett to potentially have a big role to begin the season with Julian Edelman out. Right now, New England has Chris Hogan and Edelman atop their unofficial depth chart with Dorsett and Decker on the second team, Kenny Britt and special-teamer Matthew Slater on the third team, and Cordarrelle Patterson and Braxton Berrios headlining the rest of the group. As for Mitchell, hopefully he can get healthy to get his career back on track, but things aren’t looking great for the former fourth-round pick.

Via: Ian Rapoport 8/6/18 - 01:45 PM ET

The Austin Hooper hype continues.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and others have already spoken about how good the third-year tight end looks this year, and now Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is adding more praise, telling NBC Sports’ Peter King that Hooper has “been like a dog this offseason—over and over, he’d catch everything Matt threw and bring it back.” Again, it might be hard for Hooper to put up big numbers with so many other weapons on Atlanta’s offense, but the 2016 third-round pick stepping up will make what should be one of the league’s best attacks even more difficult to stop. Hooper’s emergence is a good sign for Matt Ryan’s outlook this season.

Via: NBC Sports 8/6/18 - 09:01 AM ET