Fantasy News

The Colts have selected Ole Miss running back Jordan Wilkins with the 169th pick (fifth round) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Wilkins joins Nyheim Hines on Day 3 as a new running back for Frank Reich’s offense. The Ole Miss product has more size than Hines, and he could carve out an early role with just Marlon Mack, Josh Ferguson, and Matt Jones currently on the depth chart. Remember, Reich used multiple backs as the Eagles offensive coordinator last season. Wilkins could be worth a late-round flier with a strong preseason, but Mack and Hines are the clear favorites for touches in 2018.

4/28/18 - 03:16 PM ET

The Panthers claimed quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Heinicke was waived by Houston over the weekend and has been awarded to Carolina. The all-time leading passer at Old Dominion went undrafted in 2015 and spent his first two years with the Vikings before getting waived ahead of last season and landing with the Texans, getting time in Week 16 before he suffered a concussion. Heinicke will likely have a chance to win the backup job behind Cam Newton.

4/16/18 - 06:06 PM ET

The Jets have selected Sam Darnold with the third pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Considered by many as the top quarterback in the class, Darnold lands in the AFC East after the Browns and Giants passed on him with the first two picks of the draft. Darnold is only 20 years old and is seen as someone with the potential for a ton of growth, and the biggest thing he needs to focus on is cutting down on the turnovers (22 interceptions in two years at USC, nine lost fumbles last season). The Jets have Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown in the quarterback room already, and they will both be a great presence for Darnold. It’s possible Darnold starts as a rookie, but we would expect Bridgewater or McCown to be under center for Week 1 for the Jets.

4/26/18 - 08:29 PM ET

The Rams will trade or release Tavon Austin, according to Mike Garafolo.

Due $8 million, the Rams didn’t really use him enough to justify paying him that type of money when they are looking to get new deals done with Aaron Donald and others. After being selected eighth overall in the 2013 draft as a dynamic playmaker out of West Virginia, Austin was a durable player for the Rams, playing in at least 13 games in every season. He had 194 receptions for 1,689 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns along with 184 carries for 1,238 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns and three punt return touchdowns during his time in St. Louis and Los Angeles. Now we’ll have to see if anyone wants to trade for Austin to ensure they are able to acquire him, or if he’s able to hit free agency and sign with any team.

Via: Mike Garafolo 3/1/18 - 11:39 AM ET

The Steelers have selected NC State running back Jaylen Samuels with the 165th pick (fifth round) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Samuels is a bit of a polarizing prospect because he is considered a “tweeter,” but Pittsburgh has apparently drafted him as a running back. Perhaps they will use him to do some of the things Le’Veon Bell does as a receiver, particularly if the contract situation lingers. Samuels has a chance to make a year-one impact, but it might be more of a real-life than fantasy one. Still, he’s a name to keep an eye on.

4/28/18 - 03:09 PM ET

The Dolphins signed tight end Gavin Escobar.

Escobar was with the Ravens for a couple games last year after spending the first four years of his career in Dallas. The former second-round pick might be in the best spot for him as he looks to get playing time, as Miami has one of the more wide-open tight end groups in the NFL. However, he’s not on the fantasy radar quite yet.

4/16/18 - 02:52 PM ET

The Steelers have officially placed the franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell, according to multiple reports.

This is the least bit surprising, as the two sides could not agree to a long-term deal by today’s deadline, but the Steelers don’t want to allow Bell to hit free agency. The All-Pro running back is now set to make $14.5 million in 2018, and he’ll have to play on the tag if the two sides don’t reach a long-term agreement by July 16. Ultimately, Bell might decide to take the same path his college teammate Kirk Cousins did with the Redskins and not settle for any contract, instead opting to play on the franchise tag and make a bunch of guaranteed money before eventually hitting free agency. Bell has made it clear he now wants at least $14.5 million per year on any long-term deal, which the Steelers might not want to do. While a trade appears unlikely, Bell is probably going to sit out all of training camp again—if not longer—assuming the two sides don’t strike a long-term deal. Bell, who has hinted retirement, has indicated sitting out until Week 10 is not out of the question, as reporting to the team at that time would mean an accrued season toward free agency.

3/6/18 - 02:40 PM ET