Fantasy News

The Chiefs are signing Jerick McKinnon.

Knee issues derailed McKinnon’s career a bit, but he was finally able to get back on the field for the Niners last season and had stretches of solid play. Now, he’ll join an elite Chiefs offense as an intriguing piece that can contribute on third downs in particular. From a fantasy perspective, McKinnon will be someone to keep an eye on, especially in PPR leagues.

Via: Peter Schrager 4/30/21 - 03:59 PM ET

The Ravens have exercised the fifth-year option on Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore had said this would get done, and now it has, so we’ll see if they quickly turn their attention to a potential long-term extension. Jackson getting Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman last night (No. 27 overall pick) as another weapon is great for his fantasy outlook, and now we’ll see if they add an offensive lineman tonight or tomorrow. The former NFL MVP is still just entering his age-24 campaign this fall.

4/30/21 - 03:34 PM ET

The Panthers have picked up the fifth-year option on Sam Darnold.

This was the expectation, and Darnold should get a great opportunity to prove himself as Carolina’s franchise quarterback. It’s notable that the team passed on Ohio State’s Justin Fields and Alabama’s Mac Jones last night, as they might have simply been waiting to pickup Darnold’s option in the off chance someone else fell. Still not turning 24 until June, Darnold is a buy candidate in dynasty leagues.

4/30/21 - 09:05 AM ET

The Ravens have selected Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

A possession receiver that can play outside or in the slot, Bateman has a somewhat strange pre-draft process with smaller-than-expected measurements (six-foot, 190 pounds) and a faster-than-expected 40 time (4.39). But looking at the tape, Bateman won with strength and craftiness (a comparison for him is Michael Thomas), which we think he will be able to bring to Baltimore. Ideally, the offense will end up funneling targets to Bateman early in his career to maximize his fantasy value, but it might be asking too much alongside Sammy Watkins and Marquise Brown (as well as Mark Andrews at tight end) in a run-heavy offense. The full scouting report for Bateman can be viewed in the link below.

Via: Rashod Bateman Scouting Report 4/29/21 - 11:33 PM ET

The Jaguars have selected Clemson running back Travis Etienne with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

This is a fun one, with Etienne joining longtime college teammate and No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence as a fellow first-round pick of the Jags. Aside from being the best home-run hitter in the draft in terms of speed when he gets to the open field, Etienne is also an excellent receiver, and we view him as a prospect at the level of Jonathan Taylor—so don’t be surprised to see immediate RB1 upside in 2021 for a Jaguars offense that’s going to want to run the ball under Urban Meyer. Throughout a four-year, record-breaking career at Clemson, Etienne rushed 686 times for 4,952 yards (7.2 YPC) and 70 touchdowns with a 102/1,155/8 line as a receiver. The Jags could immediately have him atop the depth chart to begin his rookie campaign as a three-down back, but James Robinson obviously had an exceptional rookie year last season after going undrafted, so we’d think both are set to get a good amount of work. Despite the presence of Robinson, the talented Etienne has a case to be immediately vaulted into top-ten dynasty consideration. You can read the full scouting report for Jacksonville’s new running back in the link below.

Via: Travis Etienne Scouting Report 4/29/21 - 11:20 PM ET

The Steelers have selected Alabama running back Najee Harris with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Harris has been linked to Pittsburgh for weeks, and they were able to sit tight and get their guy. The talented, 230-pound runner totaled 50 touchdowns over the past two years as the lead back for the Crimson Tide, and he will bring an all-around game that the Steelers could use similar to how they used Le’Veon Bell last decade. The offensive line might be viewed as a concern for Harris’ value in Year 1, but we would anticipate the unit being better in 2021, especially with Day 2 and Day 3 still to come to potentially get some upgrades. Overall, this pick drains the redraft value of Benny Snell, Kalen Ballage, and Anthony McFarland Jr., as it would be a surprise if Pittsburgh didnt go back to using a bellcow to lead their backfield. The full scouting report for Harris can be viewed in the link below.

Via: Najee Harris Scouting Report 4/29/21 - 11:11 PM ET

The Giants have selected Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Toney only had one season of big-time production for the Gators, but he is a versatile, creative, and tough weapon that can not only do damage underneath, but also stretch the defense vertically. With the Giants, Toney should slide right in as a strong complementary option to Kenny Golladay and company in a role that best fits his skillset and playing style. The bottom line is the former high school quarterback is a playmaker that can be a home-run hitter with the ball in his hands. To start his career, we think he might be a better real-life contributor than fantasy option, though it will be interesting to see what kind of plan New York has for him. The full scouting report for Toney can be read in the link below.

Via: Kadarius Toney Scouting Report 4/29/21 - 10:44 PM ET