NFL analyst Greg Cosell believes Giants QB Daniel Jones will improve in 2023. “He throws a good ball… He’s big, and he’s physical. I’m expecting him to take another step forward,” Cosell said on the Inside the Birds podcast. “I’ve heard really good things about how smart he is, how he works at it. You have to believe he’s going to take another step within the context of the [HC] Brian Daboll/[OC] Mike Kafka offense.” It’s a reminder that Jones, only 26, can reach higher ceiling. Led by TE Darren Waller, an improved set of weapons only adds to Jones’ 2023 fantasy value. You’ll find him among the top-15 of our QB rankings.
Giants QB Daniel Jones looks to build off a solid 2022 in Year 2 with HC Brian Daboll. Jones set career-highs in adjusted completion rate (80.1%), passing yards (3,642), and yards per attempt (6.8). The last two figures aren’t particularly impressive, but remember his leading receivers: Darius Slayton, Richie James, Isaiah Hodgins, and Saquon Barkley. While Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson are candidates for the PUP list, New York added pass-catching talent in Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, and Round 3 pick Jalin Hyatt. Even modest passing improvements would give Jones a chance to perform as a top-10 fantasy QB. Last year, he ranked fourth among QBs in rushes; second in scrambles.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell expects WR Jordan Addison to be a full-go for the start of training camp next month. The rookie missed most of the offseason program with an undisclosed injury. “We’ve had a plan in place for him and continuing to kind of build up to where he’ll be,” O’Connell said. “He’ll be spending quite a bit of time continuing his playbook. He’s been phenomenal in meetings and out here asking great questions when they come up." It's worth noting that Addison missed time at USC last year with leg and ankle injuries, although it's unclear if this latest issue is related. If healthy, Addison has a great shot to open the season as Minnesota's No. 2 WR behind Justin Jefferson. See where Addison sits in the 2023 WR Rankings.
Rams RB Cam Akers closed the 2022 season strongly, scoring as a top-4 fantasy RB over the final six games. He's rolled that momentum over into 2023, HC Sean McVay said from minicamp. “He’s really capitalized on a lot of the momentum he built up toward the latter part of the year," McVay said. "And he’s going to be a huge part of what we’re doing moving forward. He’s had a great offseason. I love the rapport that he’s established with Ron Gould, our new running backs coach. Cam is going to be a central figure in this offense. I think he’s priming himself to have a great year." Akers has had a rollercoaster first three NFL seasons. But he's flashed workhorse ability in stretches, is still only 24, and has a chance to dominate backfield work this season. He has plenty of profit potential at a RB24 ADP.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson reported for this week's mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Jefferson skipped voluntary workouts earlier this offseason, presumably because he's looking for a new contract. We'll see if he and the Vikings can come to an agreement before the start of the season.
The Athletic's Dan Duggan does not expect Giants QB Daniel Jones' designed runs to decline in 2023. Jones ranked fifth among QBs with 79 designed runs last year. "The zone read figures to remain a major piece of the offense," Duggan writes. "It’s an annual offseason talking point in Buffalo how quarterback Josh Allen needs to limit his carries. Invariably, Allen runs just as frequently when the games start in the fall. I’m expecting the same with Jones." The Bills comparison is apt because Giants HC Brian Daboll was Buffalo's OC from 2018-2021. It'd make little sense for Daboll to limit Jones' running considering how effective it's been. He used a 120-708-7 rushing line to finish 12th among QBs in fantasy points last year and has similar upside in 2023.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is not at this week's OTAs. "I hope to see him as soon as possible," HC Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday. "But I think as we work towards minicamp we'll have a real clean cut plan of what that looks like, and hopefully get some work ... It's one of those things that we've had great dialogue throughout the offseason. A lot of that will stay between Justin and I. But I just know that he's getting work, wherever he's spending this offseason. Look forward to having him here when he decides to come up." Jefferson's absence is likely related to ongoing contract negotiations. There's been no talk of a holdout at this point, but we'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation. Minnesota's mandatory minicamp is June 13-14.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison is missing this week's OTAs with an undisclosed injury. “We’re being overly cautious with him right now,” HC Kevin O’Connell said. “Something that popped up toward the end of rookie minicamp. Nothing serious at all. Kind of a day-to-day thing that we’re working through.” Addison is at least with the team this week, soaking up the new offense. The missed reps aren't ideal for a rookie, but this doesn't sound like something that'll impact Addison's 2023 campaign. We'll let you know when he gets back on the field.
The Vikings selected USC WR Jordan Addison with the 23rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. broke out as an 18-year-old true freshman at Pittsburgh and then exploded for 1,593 yards and 17 TDs on 100 catches as a sophomore, winning the 2021 Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in college football. Addison transferred to USC last offseason to play with HC Lincoln Riley and QB Caleb Williams. His stat line wasn’t as spectacular as the previous year, but he still averaged a strong 5.4 catches, 79.5 yards, and 0.73 TDs per game, leading the Trojans in all three categories. Addison’s tape shows a refined route runner and explosive mover who can win at all levels of the field. The concern? He’s just 5’11 and 173 pounds. That weight lands him in the third percentile among WRs invited to the Combine since 1999 and would make him a bit of an outlier if he develops into a high-end fantasy producer. Over the past ten seasons, there have only been four WRs under 180 pounds to top 1,000 receiving yards (DeSean Jackson, John Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Darnell Mooney). Addison projects as an instant starter alongside Justin Jefferson. The rookie should absorb the 107 targets left behind by Adam Thielen.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the 49ers have reached a one-year deal with QB Sam Darnold. The quick signing tells us that San Francisco isn't sure QB Brock Purdy will be ready for the regular season. If the 49ers did expect Purdy's repaired right arm to be all good, then there would seem little reason for them to prioritize a third QB on the open market and little reason for Darnold to sign so quickly. Why settle for a locked-in No. 3 role on the first day of "legal tampering" rather than wait to see what other QB-needier teams might say. Of course, we're betting Trey Lance will open the year as the starter. The fact that Lance remains unproven heading into his third year -- and is coming off his own serious injury -- enhances the upside for Darnold. In addition to Purdy, HC Kyle Shanahan's offense has helped QBs Jimmy Garoppolo, C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens generate good efficiency. Darnold would be interesting for fantasy if pressed into duty. That makes him stashable in deeper dynasty leagues.
The Giants have agreed to a four-year deal with QB Daniel Jones. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the contract will pay him $160 million, with another $35 million available in incentives. And it pays $82 million over the first two years. The agreement came just before the franchise-tag deadline, allowing the Giants to use the tag on RB Saquon Barkley. Now we'll see what the team can add at WR to help Jones' fantasy upside.
USC WR Jordan Addison pulled himself from position drills Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine because of a minor back strain. It's not expected to affect his readiness for the school's pro day. Before leaving, Addison posted a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and a 34-inch vertical jump. Neither mark proved especially impressive for the 5'11, 173-pound wideout. We'll see whether the testing numbers affect his NFL Draft outlook. And we'll have much more on the former Biletnikoff Award winner as we preview all the fantasy-relevant rookies over the next two months.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Packers and RB Aaron Jones have agreed to a restructured contract, shifting most of his 2023 money to a signing bonus. That keeps Jones with the teams "instead of being released," in Schefter's words. That's what makes this deal significant. Of course, staying in Green Bay will likely find Jones playing with a new QB (Jordan Love). What will moving on from Aaron Rodgers mean for the offense and Jones' production? That's nearly impossible for anyone to know at this point. Rodgers has been the starter since 2008, long before Jones arrived. The 2023 Packers figure to lean on their backfield quite a bit, though. Even with Rodgers still around in 2022, the offense dipped to 18th in neutral pass rate (according to RBSDM.com) from 11th in 2021. The shift from Rodgers to Love, however, could ding Jones' target count (Love will likely run more) and the team's TD efficiency. Fortunately, early best-ball drafts are discounting the Packers RB. He sits 20th at the position in Underdog ADP, going in Round 6 on average. Go ahead and get some shares of him at that price.
The Vikings have reached a deal to make Brian Flores their new DC. Flores spent last year as a defensive assistant in Pittsburgh after a messy breakup with the Dolphins. His Miami defenses improved from 32nd in Football Outsiders’ DVOA his first season to 11th and 10th in his final two. Before that, Flores spent 15 years under HC Bill Belichick in New England, including stints coaching safeties and LBs. He inherits a talented Vikings D that fell from 16th in 2021 DVOA to 27th this past season
Giants QB Daniel Jones completed 15 of 27 attempts for 135 passing yards with 1 INT in Saturday's Divisional Round loss vs. the Eagles. He also added 24 yards on 9 carries in the ground game. The former 1st round pick is set to become a free agent this offseason after recording the most productive season as a pro. Jones set a career-high in passing yards (3,205) and rushing yards (708) in 2022. When asked about returning to the team, Jones said he'll "cross that bridge when we get there. I’ve really enjoyed playing here. I appreciate all those guys in the locker room. It’s a special group of guys. And I really enjoyed being a part of it," in post-game interviews. His future will be one of great intrigue this offseason.
Packers RB Aaron Jones is set to count $20 million against the salary cap in 2023. But Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said he expects the veteran to return on a restructured deal. “Yeah, certainly, we expect to have him back,” Gutekunst recently told the media. “Obviously, he’s a dynamic player. It’s amazing. For a guy his size, to bring it every day, he rarely misses a practice, rarely misses a rep. The way he leads that football team, his consistency is amazing.” Indeed, Jones played all 17 games in 2023, setting career highs in rushing yards (1,121) and receptions (59). The 28-year-old’s fantasy ceiling will largely depend on whether Aaron Rodgers returns for another season.
Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson led the team in receiving with 10 catches on 11 targets for 109 yards in Sunday's Wild Card loss vs. the Giants. This explosion comes only a few weeks after his 13-109, 2 TD performance against the Giants in Week 16. WR Justin Jefferson totaled 47 receiving yards, hauling in 7 of his 9 targets on the day. Both Hockenson and Jefferson figure to be big contributors to this Vikings' offense moving forward into 2023.
Giants QB Daniel Jones completed 24 of 35 passes for 301 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's Wild Card win vs. the Vikings. The fourth-year QB also led the team in rushing, tallying 78 yards on 17 carries on the ground. This remarkable performance from Jones will be worth keeping in the back of fantasy managers' minds when filling out DFS lineups moving forward in this NFL postseason. Jones is building a strong case for a sizeable contract as he approaches free agency.
Vikings S Harrison Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Giants. CB Cameron Dantzler (ankle, personal matter) is out. Both entered the day questionable.
Packers RB Aaron Jones (ankle, knee) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Lions. Jones looked healthier last week than he has in a while, ripping off 111 yards on 14 carries. There's no holding back in Sunday night's must-win game vs. the Lions, who rank 19th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA over the last 5 weeks.
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