Fantasy News

Chris Conley (Achilles) says “things are pretty close back to normal.”

Conley suffered his torn Achilles in Week 5 of last season, but he’s been participating in offseason activities and feels close to 100%. He’s not participating fully, as they don’t want to push too much volume, but it sounds like he could be full-go for training camp. Kansas City added Sammy Watkins to a big contract in free agency, but they also lost Albert Wilson to the Dolphins in free agency, so Conley has a good chance at being the team’s third wide receiver behind Watkins and Tyreek Hill. Before his injury last season, Conley was averaging 15.9 yards per reception. Conley is a very gifted and athletic player, and his presence should help make the Chiefs one of the most athletic and exciting offenses in the league this season. Conley might not be a big-time fantasy factor in standard-sized leagues as long as Watkins and Hill stay healthy, but he’s a boost for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the offense overall.

Via: Chiefs.com 6/12/18 - 08:30 AM ET

Jay Ajayi is “poised to be the featured back” for the Eagles in 2018.

Dave Spadaro and Chris McPherson of PhiladelphiaEagles.com believe that even with impressive second-year back Corey Clement there and Darren Sproles returning, Ajayi will be the guy this season. Running backs coach Duce Staley said “I’m pretty sure that Jay is excited about being able to go out there and dominate and being able to be that guy,” and added head coach Doug Pederson is also excited about it, but that “we’ll see.” So the job won’t just be handed to Ajayi, but it sounds like the team considers him the heavy favorite to get the majority of carries this season. Ajayi is currently going outside the top 15 running backs based off early ADP, but he offers obvious RB1 upside in fantasy drafts.

Via: PhiladelphiaEagles.com 6/12/18 - 08:11 AM ET

Julio Jones told the Falcons he is not attending minicamp.

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff released a statement reading: “We have been in contact with Julio and his representation. We will not discuss those conversations publicly except to say we feel they have been productive and constructive. We understand the concerns and thoughts from their perspective.  Although not ideal, Julio informed us today he would not be attending mini-camp. We have much respect for him and what he means to our team, our city and our fans.” Jones, who has not been at OTAs, likely wants a new contract—though it’s worth noting he did deny that he’s unhappy. His current deal has three years left on it, but Jones likely feels he’s not getting paid enough with a few other receivers getting a considerable amount more per season since he got his deal in 2015. We’ll see what happens moving forward.

Via: AtlantaFalcons.com 6/11/18 - 05:04 PM ET

Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt says Melvin Gordon could have a larger role as a receiver this season.

According to ESPN’s Eric D. Williams, Whisenhunt “said Gordon’s role in the passing offense could expand even more for the upcoming season,” particularly after losing tight end Hunter Henry (torn ACL) for the year. Whisenhunt says they “can do some different things because Melvin has become such a good receiver out of the backfield.” Meanwhile, Gordon says he’s wanted to improve as a pass-catcher this offseason, and he talked about “the expansion of routes” coming. He wasn’t utilized as a receiver at Wisconsin, so it led to a foolish narrative created by some that Gordon isn’t a good receiver. However, he’s progressed each year and has shown he’s one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. Gordon has gone from 33 receptions as a rookie, to 41 in 2015 and 58 last season. Gordon was one of the most involved running backs as a receiver in 2017, but don’t be surprised if he makes another jump in reception numbers this season.

Via: ESPN 6/11/18 - 09:14 AM ET

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky believes Ty Montgomery “appears to be set for another significant role” for the Packers.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy spoke last week about Montgomery’s great fit in the offense and his ability to create favorable matchups for them, while noting Montgomery’s stretches of “incredible periods of play” in the past. Demovsky says it was “evident” during OTAs that Montgomery is expected to have a big role on offense, and he says second-year backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones didn’t appear to gain any ground in the running back competition. There’s still a long way to go until the start of the regular season, but Montgomery is currently the favorite to be Green Bay’s top back in 2018.

Via: ESPN 6/11/18 - 09:07 AM ET

Mike O’Hara of the Lions’ official site says Kenny Golladay “looked like a different player” during minicamp.

Entering his second NFL season, Golladay has had more time this offseason to dive into the playbook and train without the distraction of interviews and preparations for the draft—and it’s apparently showing on the field so far. There’s still a long way to go until this regular season, but Golladay showed major flashes throughout last preseason and regular season; and he seems to have the right attitude of wanting to “build and stack days on top of one another.” Marvin Jones and Golden Tate are currently the clear the top two targets for the Lions, but Golladay is a good bet to at least be the number three target for Matthew Stafford in 2018. Golladay should be one of the better selections at the end of fantasy drafts this year.

Via: DetroitLions.com 6/10/18 - 09:41 AM ET

Blake Bortles has reportedly been “remarkably consistent” this offseason.

John Oehser of the Jaguars’ official site says Bortles’ consistency was “the biggest story” during OTAs. He says the fifth-year quarterback has looked “poised” and “confident” entering his second year under Doug Marrone’s offensive system. The Jaguars have made it clear they believe Bortles can really progress with more time, and they apparently didn’t entertain bringing in another potential starting quarterback during free agency or the draft. Bortles had some QB1 fantasy weeks last season, and he could turn out to be a solid option all season long if he is more consistent heading into 2018. Keep in mind, Bortles was in a quarterback competition heading into last season, so he should naturally be more confident as the team’s clear starter.

Via: Jaguars.com 6/9/18 - 09:23 AM ET