Fantasy News

Patrick Mahomes II and Sammy Watkins have had a strong connection throughout the spring.

BJ Kissel of Chiefs.com writes that Mahomes to Watkins is “becoming a thing,” before going on to say the consistent on-field connection between the two has been “real.” To add to that, fellow wide receiver Chris Conley says Watkins is picking up Kansas City’s offense “as fast as anyone I’ve seen,” and cornerback Steve Nelson says he saw Watkins working out on his own over the weekend. Watkins has previously said he really enjoys the Chiefs offense because he’s moved around to different receiver spots, and he apparently is not having any trouble learning it all. Watkins is one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL, so he could put up some huge numbers if he becomes Mahomes’ most-trusted target. And it certainly doesn’t sound like Watkins is taking things easy after getting a huge payday this offseason. Watkins is going outside the top 30 receivers in fantasy drafts, and that might not change by the end of the summer given the stupid narrative out there that he’s an overrated player. A WR1 season is possible in 2018.

Via: Chiefs.com 6/13/18 - 05:45 PM ET

O.J. Howard has been a “human highlight reel” during Bucs minicamp.

Carmen Vitali of Buccaneers.com says Howard has been making big plays during minicamp so far, including a “bomb from Jameis Winston” today. Vitali says Howard has been working on his blocking, which should help him stay on the field more. And Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter says Howard’s “incredible athleticism just jumps out with you.” Tampa Bay signed Cameron Brate to a sizable extension this offseason, and they have four receivers they feel very comfortable with, but Howard should get a good amount of playing time after he averaged 16.6 yards per reception with six touchdowns (on 26 catches) as a rookie last season.

Via: Buccaneers.com 6/13/18 - 05:28 PM ET

Terrance West has signed with the Saints.

The former third-round pick spent the past three seasons with Baltimore and opened 2017 as the starter, but Alex Collins took over the backfield when West was injured in Week 5. In New Orleans, West could have a significant early-season role with Mark Ingram suspended for four games, but he likely won’t be worth anything more than a low-floor, late-round rental in fantasy drafts. That said, if he makes the final roster, the 27-year-old might be a good FLEX option to pair with Ingram for the first few weeks of the season.

6/13/18 - 03:52 PM ET

JuJu Smith-Schuster says he has a “frustrating” knee injury.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says Smith-Schuster won’t reveal the extent of the injury but is expected to be a full participant when training camp begins late next month. Smith-Schuster says the knee is “just something that’s been bothering me over time. Kind of just adds up and lets me know, ‘Yo I need to get it checked out.’ We got it checked out.” So it sounds like whatever the issue is, they might have gotten it figured out and have a plan for him to be ready for the start of training camp. However, the fact that it’s an issue that’s gotten worse over time could potentially be a bad sign if things continue to get worse moving forward. Smith-Schuster’s knee is something to keep in mind, and he should be monitored throughout training camp and the preseason ahead of fantasy drafts.

Via: ESPN 6/13/18 - 03:27 PM ET

Andy Dalton says the Bengals offense is “totally different” this year.

Bill Lazor, who took over as the team’s offensive coordinator in Week 3 last season after Ken Zampese was fired, has taken the offseason to implement his own attack based on schemes from Chip Kelly, Joe Gibbs, and Mike Holmgren. “Hearing the way things are being called and everything, it’s completely different than what we were doing in the past. So this is the biggest overhaul I’ve had, with the change in coordinator, and obviously Bill is getting it exactly how he’s used to calling things and used to the way he’s doing it.” The Bengals are going to utilize a lot of tempo on offense this season, and it could catch teams off-guard. Dalton is going undrafted in most fantasy leagues, but he has obvious QB1 potential. At the very least, Dalton should be a very good streaming option that can be used in favorable matchups in 2018.

Via: Bengals.com 6/13/18 - 10:39 AM ET

Mike Zimmer says Latavius Murray has had “a great spring.”

This time last year, Murray was still working his way back ankle surgery and wasn’t able to participate in offseason training like he has this year. Zimmer says Murray is “seeing things well, he’s making good cuts, and I think they’ll be good competition.” The “they” he means is Murray and Dalvin Cook, who is coming off a torn ACL from last October and is already participating in team drills. Murray and Cook are pushing each other, and Minnesota should have among the best one-two punches at running back in the NFL. There should be enough work for both Cook and Murray to be fantasy factors in 2018.

Via: Vikings.com 6/12/18 - 08:35 PM ET

Tyler Eifert is not participating in minicamp.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was a bit confused about why Eifert wasn’t practicing, saying that he saw him in the morning but he wasn’t out at practice. Lewis then said it must have been a medical thing, so it could be him taking it slow with his back after he had season-ending surgery last year. Eifert is not expected to practice tomorrow, either. Obviously, it’d be good to see Eifert out there 100% right now, but the best hope might be him being full-go for the start of training camp.

Via: Bengals.com 6/12/18 - 06:57 PM ET