Fantasy News

The Titans placed Tajae Sharpe on the PUP list.

Sharpe is still recovering from his early June foot surgery for a stress fracture. He can be taken off the PUP list at any time, and it should be early in camp. Sharpe will try to carve out a role after the Titans made a few receiver additions this offseason.

Via: Jim Wyatt 7/29/17 - 06:26 PM ET

Vikings special teams coordinator Mike Priefer would “love” to use Dalvin Cook as a kick returner.

Priefer was on SiriusXM NFL Radio and said he would like to use Cook as the team’s kick returner, but that it’s head coach Mike Zimmer’s decision. The rookie back from Florida State is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands, and he could probably be an excellent kick returner in the NFL. The Vikings are looking to fill that role after Cordarrelle Patterson (who is probably the best kick returner in the league) left for Oakland in free agency. We’ll see if the Vikings choose to put their talented second round pick back there at kick returner. It certainly wouldn’t hurt Cook’s fantasy value if they did.

Via: SiriusXM NFL Radio 7/18/17 - 09:19 PM ET

Bears GM Ryan Pace says Markus Wheaton has “really stood out.”

Pace was on SiriusXM NFL Radio and said his free agent acquisition is “full speed right now.” The Bears GM also said Wheaton “has the right makeup” as a receiver. The 26-year-old Wheaton only played in two games last year because of his shoulder injury, but the Bears gave him a solid two-year, $11 million deal to help revamp their receiving corps. Wheaton averages 14.1 yards per reception in his career, and he’ll look to emerge as Mike Glennon’s number one receiver this season. He’s someone with sneaky upside in 2017.

Via: SiriusXM NFL Radio 7/29/17 - 03:59 PM ET

Rich Cimini of ESPN thinks Matt Forte will be the Jets’ starting running back in 2017.

Cimini admits it might be “a bit misleading” to list Forte as the starter because Bilal Powell will also be a big part of the offense as the two share the work in the backfield. Jets running backs coach Stump Mitchell “says his goal is for each player to average 100 yards per game from scrimmage,” according to Cimini, which would obviously mean both backs are delivering great fantasy value. Forte is 31, but a shared workload could help him in the long run of the season—he could surprise those that aren’t counting on him as a productive player in 2017.

Via: ESPN 7/18/17 - 12:57 PM ET

ESPN’s Mike Reiss says Mike Gillislee is “off to a decisive start at Patriots’ top option” as power back.

Today was the first day the Patriots were in pads, and Gillislee received the first two goal line carries for the team, converting them both. Reiss writes that Gillisslee “made it look easy” scoring in the two goal line rep he received—one was a run up the middle and the other was an outside run. Fellow free agent acquisition Rex Burkhead received the next two goal line carries. Obviously this is only one practice, but this further confirms Gillislee is expected to be the primary replacement for LeGarrette Blount (who scored 18 touchdowns in 2016) this season. New England’s offense could change where Gillislee doesn’t get as many goal line opportunities as Blount did last year, though. Blount, who is now with the Eagles, averaged 3.9 yards per carry on 299 carries last year.

Via: ESPN 7/29/17 - 02:25 PM ET

Matt Forte and Bilal Powell are expected to share the workload this season.

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Jets running backs coach Stump Mitchell “says his goal is for each player to average 100 yards per game from scrimmage.” With a lot of young receivers in the receiving corps, it looks like Forte and Powell could each be fed the rock a lot this season. Powell showed a lot of juice towards the end of last season and is seen as having more upside in terms of fantasy value, but Forte historically has shown he can be a top five fantasy back. They could both see 15+ touches per game this season, so they both might deliver RB2/FLEX value in 2017.

Via: ESPN 7/18/17 - 12:53 PM ET

DeMarco Murray says he hopes to get “a lot more” work this season.

The Titans workhorse back likely means he hopes he’ll continue to get a lot of work, because he had 346 touches last season. Murray says he makes sure he is “physically prepared” for whatever workload the team throws at him. Head coach Mike Mularkey said he loves Murray saying that and promised Murray will “have enough to keep his hands full.” The 29-year-old back also said the Titans want to be “the most physical team ever.” Great second-year back Derrick Henry will no doubt get some touches, but Murray is still expected to get around 20 touches per game again this season.

Via: Tennessean 7/29/17 - 01:51 PM ET