Fantasy News

Taywan Taylor looks like “he could be a big factor this fall.”

With Rishard Matthews (undisclosed injury) not on the field for the start of training camp, Taylor has stepped up as a top-two option for the Titans—and he’s apparently taking advantage of it. Jim Wyatt of the team’s official site says Taylor has “really emerged of late,” working as an intermediate-to-deep target that’s “made tough catches in tight coverage.” According to some videos and reporters on the scene, Taylor has blown by defenders on deep routes. The 2017 third-round selection looks poised to be a top-three receiver on the Titans depth chart this season, and he’ll have upside as a fantasy selection if his role is big enough.

Via: TitansOnline.com 7/31/18 - 06:07 PM ET

Corey Coleman has stood out in training camp.

Coleman is entering a very important third season after dealing with injuries and some inconstancy in his first two seasons. Head coach Hue Jackson says he believes the former first-round pick’s “confidence is growing” and that he has a better understanding of the grind now that he’s been in the league for a couple years. Coleman notably was given a day off by the coaches in an effort to keep him healthy, but he declined it and wanted to keep working. With Josh Gordon away from the team, Coleman is getting plenty of opportunities with the first-team offense. He has the talent for a third-year breakout in 2018.

Via: ClevelandBrowns.com 7/31/18 - 05:53 PM ET

John Brown is off to a hot start in training camp.

Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com writes that Brown “has put on a show the last week of practice… connecting with Joe Flacco on several deep passes over the last few days.” It’s not surprising that “Smokey” is making an impact early in camp, and the key takeaway is that he’s been healthy to this point—which he had trouble with during his four years with the Cardinals. Brown would probably still be in Arizona if injuries didn’t derail things. If Brown remains healthy this season, he could be a great value pick at the end of fantasy drafts.

Via: BaltimoreRavens.com 7/31/18 - 05:44 PM ET

John Schmeelk of Giants.com believes Sterling Shepard is going to have a breakout season.

Schmeelk says the third-year receiver has been “unstoppable” in training camp so far, dominating in one-on-one situations, with route running that Schmeelk believes is “right there” with Odell Beckham Jr.’s. Shepard had a solid season in 2017, with 59 receptions for 731 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games, but injuries affected him throughout the year. If Shepard can stay healthy, he has the talent and opportunity to reach 1,000 yards for the Giants.

Via: Giants.com 7/31/18 - 05:32 PM ET

Doug Baldwin will be out a couple weeks with a “sore knee.”

Baldwin had been dealing with a knee issue that started since he’s arrived at training camp, and he’s already missed some time because of it. Seattle went ahead and shut him down for a couple weeks and will be ramped back up “properly,” according to head coach Pete Carroll. Baldwin is almost certainly going to miss the first preseason game, and they’ll likely hold him out until at least the third preseason game. This will give Brandon Marshall, Amara Darboh, and some of the other receivers in the Seahawks receiving corps an opportunity to step up behind Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.

7/31/18 - 03:47 PM ET

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says everyone is “buzzing” about rookie wide receiver Deon Cain.

Breer visited Colts camp and says it felt like everyone he talked to was talking about Cain. This is just further evidence that the sixth-round rookie receiver could be poised to have an immediate impact in the NFL. We had Cain a lot higher than most entering this year’s draft, and he certainly has the talent level to make a quick impact for the Colts. Cain should probably be owned in all dynasty leagues, and he needs to be watched closely even for redraft leagues in 2018.

Via: Albert Breer 7/31/18 - 03:35 PM ET

Teammates have noticed a change in Derek Carr this season.

Kyle Martin of Raiders.com writes that Carr looks “more assertive in the eyes of his teammates,” who had seen an “increase in [Carr’s] preparation and approach to the game” under new head coach Jon Gruden. It’s not that Carr hasn’t always been a hard worker, because he has; but Gruden unsurprisingly is challenging his franchise quarterback, which is making him a better player. Raiders tight end Jared Cooks said: “Derek looks like a completely different person in my eyes, just form the way he’s attacking the game… He’s attacking the game differently mentally and he has a totally different attitude going in to this year.” It sounds like Gruden is asking Carr a ton of questions in team meetings, which isn’t a surprise if you’ve paid attention to how Gruden operates—he wants his quarterbacks to be a CEO-type of player that’s basically an extension of him on the field. Everything seems extremely positive between Gruden and Carr so far, and there’s no reason to believe that’ll change. Oakland should be an exciting offense to watch in 2018.

Via: Raiders.com 7/31/18 - 01:32 PM ET