There was a hearing on Monday for Saints RB Alvin Kamara's assault case. The result? "A 60-day status check," according to Las Vegas 8 News Now's David Charns. "No action today." So it'll be the end of September before we get another legal update on Kamara's situation. The NFL can still step in with a suspension at any point but tends to wait for the legal process to play out in cases like these. Translation: It's now more likely that Kamara is eligible for Week 1 and the entire season.
Commanders HC Ron Rivera told reporters Friday that DE Chase Young will "probably miss a little bit of time" at the beginning of the regular season, according to the Washington Times. Rivera reportedly talked about the PUP list initially before backtracking on that. It's clear that Young will at least miss Week 1, and we'd bet that the PUP remains a possibility. That would sideline the DE for at least the 1st 4 games. Young is still working back from a November ACL tear that included patellar damage.
Bears WR Equanimeous St. Brown has been working in with the 1st team. The Athletic reports that he was a "reliable target" for Justin Fields in Friday's practice -- including a couple of TD catches. This specific day doesn't mean a whole lot, but it's a reminder of the open competition in the lackluster Chicago WR corps.
Saints weapon Taysom Hill injured his ribs in Thursday's practice, HC Dennis Allen said. Allen said Hill will miss some time but didn't give an exact timetable. We'll see when he's able to get back out there. Hill is expected to play a hybrid TE/gadget role this season.
Commanders DE Chase Young remains on the PUP list, and HC Ron Rivera doesn't make it sound like he expects the player back soon. “He’s been working hard,” Rivera said Tuesday, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. “His rehab’s been going well from what we’ve seen and what we understand. But you never really know until you get to get your hands back on him. But Chase Young is probably the one that’s going to take the most time. It was serious, obviously, and any time you’re talking about an ACL, it’s just down the line. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.” In addition to tearing his right ACL, Young also damaged the patella in that knee. Young is expected to take longer to return than teammate TE Logan Thomas, who suffered his ACL tear in December. "Different type of injury," Rivera said, in comparing the 2. Young will make for a high-risk IDP selection at least until he's back on the field. At this point, he's far from a lock to be ready for the regular-season opener. We have moved him further down our 2022 IDP rankings.
The Saints have placed LB Pete Werner on the non-football injury list. We haven't seen specifics on the injury, but John Sigler of Saints Wire reports that it's "minor." The 2nd-year LB has a shot at earning a full-time role but is not a lock for 3-down duty.
Commanders DE Chase Young opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Young is still working back from the ACL tear that ended his 2021 season. He told reporters Tuesday, however, that "everything is going as planned," according to the team website. We'd bet on Young being ready for the regular season.
New Saints HC Dennis Allen talked about his team's plans for Taysom Hill this season. "It's going to be very similar to what we've seen in the past," Allen said. "He's going to provide multiple roles for us. There'll be a lot of working with the TE grouping, but yet he'll still take some snaps from the QB position. We're still going to utilize him in that role." Hill is an intriguing fantasy prospect now that he's listed at TE on most commissioning sites. If he sees just a few targets per game -- but also adds a few carries, including near the goal line -- he could provide some TE1 weeks.
There's "no firm timeline" on a decision from the NFL on a suspension for Saints RB Alvin Kamara, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The situation "remains under league review and the NFL is monitoring all legal developments, including his Aug. 1 court date," Fowler adds. The league usually waits for the legal process to play out before making its own decision on a suspension. In this case, that might not be until 2023, leaving a chance that Kamara is eligible to play this entire season. We'll continue to keep you updated on the situation. We like the current risk/reward equation on Kamara at his 3rd-round price tag.
Beat writer Nate Taylor called Marquez Valdes-Scantling the best-performing WR of Kansas City’s offseason program. Taylor writes that MVS “offers a combination of speed and size that [Patrick] Mahomes has never had before.” The former Packer is currently a value pick in Round 12 of FFPC best ball drafts. Surprisingly, he’s going ~1.5 rounds behind rookie WR Skyy Moore.
Pro Football Talk hears that Saints RB Alvin Kamara is "bracing for a suspension of at least six weeks." Kamara is facing felony battery charges for a fight he was allegedly involved in over Pro Bowl weekend in Vegas. His next hearing isn't scheduled until August, though, and it's unclear how long the legal process will take beyond that. The NFL usually waits for that process to play out before making its own ruling. So, even if Kamara is eventually suspended, it might not come this season. Until this situation is resolved, Kamara is a risk/reward fantasy pick. He's going in the late 2nd round of recent FFPC drafts.
ESPN’s Mike Triplett writes that WR Chris Olave “has looked the part” through minicamp practices. Triplet points out the rookie’s “fluid route-running” and “big-play ability.” That certainly backs up Olave’s tape at Ohio State. He’s simply not coming at a major discount in drafts, as his FFPC ADP currently sits in Round 10/11. Michael Thomas’ ability to get close to pre-injury form will be key for Olave’s 2022 upside.
Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride says that his "way too early" picks to lead the Chiefs in receiving yardage this year are TE Travis Kelce and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling. This is likely based primarily on watching minicamp practices to date. It's worth noting that Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman have missed some time with hamstring issues, though both have been on the field this week for mandatory minicamp. We'll keep watching for reports on expected target distribution within Kansas City's rebuilt WR corps. Sweeney also said last week that "no new Chiefs pass-catcher looks more comfortable with Mahomes" than MVS.
According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, there is an "already strong connection that is growing between [Patrick] Mahomes and [Marquez] Valdes-Scantling." The wideout, of course, signed a 3-year deal with Kansas City this offseason that's basically a 2-year pact with an option for Year 3. He's competing with fellow free-agent addition JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Skyy Moore for roles in the wake of Tyreek Hill's trade to Miami. HC Andy Reid seems to like what he's seeing so far: “He’s a big kid, but he’s got really good flexibility. He can change directions and he’s got that speed, which we all knew he had. He’s able to work some of the primary underneath routes that he maybe didn’t do quite as much in Green Bay because of who they had there. I’ve been pleased with how he goes about his business. He’s doing a nice job.” The shorter routes could be key. MVS was almost strictly a downfield operator in Green Bay, consistently ranking among the league leaders in average depth of target. If he can add more short-to-mid range looks, though, Valdes-Scantling could draw more consistent targets and become easier to insert into weekly fantasy lineups. We'll keep watching this situation. He's at least intriguing as the 3rd Kansas City WR in ADP on both Underdog and FFPC.
The Cardinals have agreed to a deal with former Chiefs RB Darrel Williams, according to Jordan Schultz. Williams delivered double-digit PPR points 9 times from Week 4 on, including 4 outings of more than 15.5 points (Top-12 level). A Week 5 hip injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire helped boost Williams' role, and a December shoulder injury for CEH allowed Williams to star in Week 17. He looks like the best bet to back up James Conner in Arizona, with better size than Eno Benjamin and no less receiving upside. Rookie Keaontay Ingram is also in the competition for roles.
According to Raiders beat writer Tashan Reed, the Raiders will hold “active competitions” for 4 starting O-line spots. That includes LG, C, RG and RT, with only Kolton Miller locked in at LT. This unit will be under the tutelage of OL coach Carmen Bricillo, formerly with HC Josh McDaniels in New England. The potentially high turnover here is worth monitoring for Derek Carr and the Vegas offense.
Dolphins WR coach Wes Welker complimented WR Cedrick Wilson in OTAs. Welker listed the following as positives: “His smoothness, his understanding of defenses and how to run routes, how to get open, understanding the techniques of defenders and how to attack them,” the former WR said. “Just a very savvy player who has kind of played with a chip on his shoulder. We’re looking forward for him to play with that same chip here.” Wilson signed a 3-year deal worth ~$12.8 million guaranteed in March. Miami proceeded to crush his fantasy value with the trade for Tyreek Hill. Still, the former Cowboy could jump into the WR3 mix with an injury to either Hill or Jaylen Waddle.
The Raiders have declined the 5th-year option on the rookie contracts of both S Johnathan Abram and DE Clelin Ferrell. The decision on Ferrell is certainly no surprise, given that the former #4 overall pick played his way out of the starting lineup. Abram has fared better, and perhaps he's a candidate to re-sign with a good 2022. But the fact that Vegas declined the options on all 3 first-rounders from that 1st draft of the Mike Mayock era underscores that the team has new leadership. If Abram does hit the open market after the coming season, we'd bet on him landing at least an opportunity to fight for a starting job elsewhere -- barring a poor final performance with the Raiders, of course.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Saints are expected to sign S Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu spent the past 3 years with the Chiefs, collecting 13 INTs across 47 regular-season games. Assuming the move comes to fruition, he'll join fellow offseason signee Marcus Maye as the starting safeties in New Orleans. A stat profile that leans more on turnovers than tackles generally keeps Mathieu from being a DB1-level fantasy option.
The Saints traded up to grab Ohio State WR Chris Olave with the 11th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Olave broke out as a sophomore, leading that 2019 Buckeyes squad with 840 yards and 12 TDs – ahead of redshirt senior K.J. Hill and freshman Garrett Wilson. Olave was even better in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, averaging 7.1 catches, 104.1 yards and 1 TD across 7 games (all team highs). He ranked top 12 in the nation in both Pro Football Focus receiving grade and yards per route run. Olave made a somewhat surprising decision to return for his senior season last year and saw his production take a step back. He averaged 5.4 catches, 78 yards and 1.1 TDs per game, finishing 2nd on the team in TDs per game behind Wilson and 3rd in catches and yards per game behind Wilson and sophomore Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s widely expected to be a 1st-round pick next year. Olave set 3-year lows in PFF receiving grade and yards per route run. The 2021 campaign is slightly concerning, but his overall production profile remains strong. Olave’s tape shows a dangerous downfield weapon with 4.39-second speed and excellent ball-tracking skills. He’s also a refined route runner, making Olave arguably the most NFL-ready WR in this class. On the downside, Olave is just 187 pounds and offers nearly nothing after the catch. He looks to us like a #2 WR in the NFL. That’s what he figures to be at least in the short term in New Orleans behind Michael Thomas.
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