The Cowboys are signing WR Martavis Bryant, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Bryant recently got reinstated by the NFL after multiple suspensions under the league substance-abuse policy. Bryant last played for the Raiders in 2018 and will turn 32 in December. He did, at least, catch 14 passes for 154 yards over eight games with the XFL's Vegas Vipers this past summer. It's tough to envision Bryant getting all the way back to fantasy relevance, especially when you consider he barely got there as a young NFL player. Bryant thrived off deep catches and high TD rates over his first two seasons, averaging 17.3 yards per catch and score on 18.4% of his receptions over that span. We'll bet against him playing a similar style game 8+ years later, or becoming a high-volume possession receiver.
Steelers WR Martavis Bryant plans to enter rehab for his depression and drug issues. “We’re all stunned, me included,” Bryant's agent said. “We clearly miscalculated the issue. His isn’t a party issue. It’s a coping issue and a depression issue, and he’s got to take care of it.” Bryant is facing a full-season ban for multiple missed drug tests. He's appealing the ban, but it isn't expected to be overturned. Like Cleveland's Josh Gordon, Bryant will be able to apply for reinstatement in 1 year. If he can get back on track off the field, he could return in 2017 at 25 years old.
The forecast for today's Steelers-Browns game calls for 20-30% chance of snow with 18 mph winds. That might be enough to break ties against guys in this game, but we're not moving any Steelers or Browns in the Week 17 rankings. QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown and WR Martavis Bryant remain strong fantasy plays. TE Gary Barndige is the only reliable option in Cleveland's passing game.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger suggested that Markus Wheaton remains the team's #2 WR. "We're in 2-WRs (sets), he's our #2 and we're asking him to play outside," Big Ben said. "When we go 3 WRs we ask him to move inside." Roethlisberger obviously hasn't been reading the clippings on WR Martavis Bryant's impending breakout 2015 season. Bryant remains a strong bet to out-produce Wheaton this year, but if he truly stays 3rd on the depth chart and isn't an every-down player, he'll struggle for week-to-week consistency. This will be a situation to keep a close eye on over the next month. Wheaton could end up as a value pick at his ADP is he retains the #2 spot. Big Ben named Wheaton his team's "breakout player of the year."
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