Fantasy News

The Lions could feature a different running back every week in 2018, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Detroit’s new head coach Matt Patricia is a proponent of the running-back-by-committee approach because it can create a matchup advantage and put their “players in a position to make plays.” The Lions have already signed LeGarrette Blount in free agency with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick still on the roster—and things could get even more crowded with many expecting the team to target a running back in the draft. Detroit had Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson in for a visit yesterday, so they clearly aren’t averse to spending a first- or second-round pick on the position. Basically, fantasy owners should target backfield options that play for the Lions at their own risk this year.

Via: Dave Birkett 4/11/18 - 02:03 PM ET

Bills GM Brandon Beane expects LeSean McCoy to be back with the team in 2018.

Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Beane says he expects his leading rusher to be “a big part of what we plan on doing in 2018.” There have been some trade rumors going around about McCoy, but they are probably all just fake news. McCoy will be 30 this July and has notched nearly 2,200 carries in his career, but he still looks explosive when on the field and is likely to continue to be a workhorse back for the Bills this season. Though he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry last season, injuries are probably more of a concern than a decline in production for McCoy—especially if the Bills don’t add any big-time threats to his workload in the backfield.

2/28/18 - 10:43 AM ET

Cordarrelle Patterson says Bill Belichick told him “we’re going to make you the player you should be.”

Patterson was on NFL Network’s morning show, Good Morning Football, and gave some insight on what happened when he was traded from Oakland to New England. The former Vikings and Raiders receiver said Belichick told him he doesn’t know what he’s been through in the past, but that they’ll make him the player he should be. The 2013 first-round selection has superb talent and extremely dynamic ability, but he hasn’t had a ton of time as a true receiver over his five NFL seasons. It sounds like the Patriots might give him a shot to work into a large role as one of Tom Brady’s top receivers. The Pats traded for Patterson for a reason, and they could see a dynamic guy that could do some damage on offense. At the very least, the two-time All-Pro returner will be a great special teams contributor. Fantasy-wise, Patterson is someone to watch this summer—as is the entire New England receivers group behind Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan.

Via: NFL Network 4/11/18 - 10:48 AM ET

Adrian Peterson says he wants to play “four to five more years.”

Peterson is around Minnesota for Super Bowl week, and he said when discussing his future, “At the end of the day, I know I can play. If you watch football, as far as being an evaluator of talent, if a guy has something left in the tank… he was able to see [I] can still play the game.” Even though he’s turning 33-years-old next month, we don’t doubt Peterson’s ability or willingness to be a successful player for at least a couple more seasons. The thing that will be working against him is an influx of young talent coming into the league, but it’d probably be unwise to consider AD’s days as a fantasy contributor over.

Via: Chris Tomasson 2/3/18 - 01:33 PM ET

The Titans are signing wide receiver Michael Campanaro.

The former Ravens receiver spent each of his first four NFL seasons in Baltimore. Campanaro had his best season on offense last year when he caught 19 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown while adding five carries for 42 yards. Even if he isn’t a big contributor on offense, Campanaro is one of the league’s best returners and will contribute on special teams.

4/10/18 - 09:47 PM ET

The Bears will release Mike Glennon when the new league year starts.

GM Ryan Pace stated this at the NFL Combine, and it’s not a surprise. When Glennon signed last year, he probably thought he would have the opportunity to be the team’s franchise quarterback, but that wasn’t very realistic after the team traded from No. 3 to No. 2 and selected Mitchell Trubisky in the draft. Perhaps Glennon will get some consideration as a potential starting quarterback in free agency, but he might have to settle for a backup role somewhere else. The Bucs have been linked to Glennon after he spent the first four years of his career with them.

2/28/18 - 10:06 AM ET

Tim Wright has signed with the Chiefs.

Wright hasn’t appeared in a game since the 2015 season with Detroit, but you might remember when he broke into the league with five touchdowns as a rookie on the Bucs before being traded to New England and scoring six touchdowns in his second season. However, things went downhill after that, as he appeared in nine games for the Lions in 2015 and caught just nine passes before he tore his ACL, missed the 2016 season, and was cut last summer. The Chiefs actually have quite a few options behind Travis Kelce, but perhaps Wright will be able to earn a roster spot in training camp. He’s just a name to keep in the back of your mind for now.

Via: Tim Wright 4/9/18 - 11:00 PM ET