Fantasy News

LeSean McCoy says Chris Ivory will take a lot of short-yardage work this year.

McCoy talked about the addition of Ivory, saying: “It’ll be fun working with him. I’m sure he’ll do a lot of the short yardage, keep me fresh. Hopefully he doesn’t take too many touchdowns from me. Other than that, excited to work with him.” This isn’t a huge concern immediately, as McCoy is joking around a bit, and Ivory could just take a lot of third-and-short attempts while McCoy handles most of the work around the goal line. But the comments are worth noting. Hopefully we’ll get some more clarity on the goal-line back situation for the Bills throughout training camp and the preseason. Last season, McCoy had six rushing touchdowns while then-backup Mike Tolbert had one.

Via: BuffaloBills.com 6/28/18 - 02:19 PM ET

Jameis Winston has officially been suspended three games by the NFL for an alleged 2016 sexual assault.

This was expected to happen sometime soon, and now it’s official, with Winston not denying misconduct towards a female Uber driver. Winston will miss games at the Saints, at home against the Eagles, and at home against the Steelers, and he’ll be eligible to return in Week 4 against the Bears on September 30. In Winston’s absence, Ryan Fitzpatrick is likely to start for the Bucs, but Ryan Griffin could potentially push for that job. Neither will be a highly-recommended fantasy option. With so many options at quarterback, Winston does not need to be taken in fantasy drafts, though you could take a chance on him and stash him in the final rounds if you want to. Off the field, Winston needs to get it together, as things like this are inexcusable from anyone, let alone a supposed franchise quarterback.

Via: Ian Rapoport 6/28/18 - 01:46 PM ET

Joe Fann of 49ers.com thinks George Kittle could be an X-factor for the Niners offense this season.

As a fifth-round rookie last season, the big and fast tight end caught 43 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns, and he ended the year on a high note with a 100-yard game in Week 17. Kittle did battle injuries throughout the year, with a hamstring issue throughout raining camp, and a midseason high-ankle sprain that he toughed out. But he’s healthy now, and he’s had a full offseason with Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense. Kittle probably doesn’t offer top-five TE upside in fantasy leagues, but he could become a low-end TE1 option in 2018.

Via: 49ers.com 6/28/18 - 07:45 AM ET

Kendrick Bourne looked “like a potential difference-maker” this offseason.

Joe Fann of 49ers.com says Bourne “flashed at nearly every practice that was open to the media,” and he added that Bourne and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo have had a “fantastic rapport.” Bourne was an undrafted free agent last year, the the Niners kept him on the final roster because they didn’t want to lose him to another team. This season, he’s looking to compete for a nice role on offense. Bourne is at least someone to keep an eye on for dynasty leagues, but he might not make a big impact this season with Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin (and potentially Trent Taylor) all locked ahead of him on the depth chart.

Via: 49ers.com 6/26/18 - 07:41 AM ET

Le’Veon Bell expresses optimism about his contract.

On The Top 100 Players of 2018 Reactions show on NFL Network, Bell said he hopes to have a deal before training camp so he can report on time. Bell said: “We’re working on it. We’re a lot closer than we were last year at this time… I got confidence we’ll get it done. I want do do it.” The All-Pro running back said earlier this offseason that negotiations were going better than last year, but then they seemingly got a bit more contentious. Ultimately, it might be best for both sides for Bell to get long-term security at what should be a huge contract, while the Steelers would get one of their best players in camp on time. The two sides have a few more weeks to come to an agreement before the deadline for franchise players to sign a long-term deal.

Via: NFL.com 6/26/18 - 07:13 AM ET

Jordy Nelson might play a lot in the slot this season.

In a piece on NFL.com about the best quarterbacks in the NFL, former number one pick David Carr talked about why he believed his brother, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, will have a big year. Carr has had the benefit of going to some OTA training sessions during the spring, and he wrote: “Martavis Bryant is perfect for Derek, and Jordy Nelson will be a matchup nightmare as a slot receiver against CB2s and CB3s.” We’ll get more insight during training camp and the preseason, but it sounds like Nelson could spend a lot of his time in the slot in 2018. Jon Gruden has already said Amari Cooper will be the focal point of his passing attack, but Nelson (who Carr has praised by saying he sees why Aaron Rodgers liked throwing him the ball) could become a trusted, high-volume target for Carr this season. Nelson is currently going outside the top 30 receivers in fantasy drafts.

Via: NFL.com 6/25/18 - 04:53 PM ET

Randall Cobb is dealing with an ankle injury.

Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Cobb is currently wearing a walking boot, but Cobb said it’s “temporary.” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network says the injury “could lead him to being eased into drills during training camp,” but that he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. This isn’t a huge concern yet, but this is obviously something to keep an eye on as training camp begins next month. If Cobb misses a lot of time this summer, it’d give other young receivers more of an opportunity to get acclimated with the offense.

Via: NFL.com 6/25/18 - 11:21 AM ET