Commanders HC Ron Rivera compared his new Antonio Gibson - Brian Robinson backfield to the Jonathan Stewart - De'Angelo Williams pairing he had in Carolina, according to insider Grant Paulsen. Those guys split backfield work almost right down the middle across 4 seasons under Rivera, with Stewart averaging 10.4 carries and 2.8 targets per game vs. Williams' 11.2 carries and 1.6 targets. We're not expecting Robinson to match Gibson in volume this season, but it sounds like the rookie has a shot to play a significant role.
Washington selected RB Brian Robinson in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. At nearly 6’2, 225 pounds, the Alabama product is a load to bring down. He broke out as a 5th-year senior, rushing for 271-1,343-14 after sitting behind guys like Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris and Damien Harris. Despite 2 drops, Robinson added 35 catches in the receiving game. He drew a Chris Carson comp from NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein, and the tape backs that up. In Washington, he profiles as a potential rotational runner right out of the gate. Note that Antonio Gibson is under contract for 2 more seasons.
The Rams have agreed to a 5-year, $50 million deal with LB Bobby Wagner, according to multiple reports. The pact has a reported max value of $65 million. We'd be surprised if the veteran LB sticks with L.A. for 5 years and the contract gets anywhere close to either of those numbers. But the Rams clearly want Wagner to be their top off-ball LB for at least the next year or 2. This move should keep Wagner well within LB1 range for IDP drafts in 2022.
WR Jamison Crowder has inked a 1-year deal with the Bills worth "up to" $4 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Crowder is coming off a disappointing 2021 season, averaging a career-low 8.8 yards on 51 catches across 12 games for the Jets. But he'll turn just 29 in June and averaged 4.9 catches and 54.4 yards per game between 2019 and 2020. Crowder looks like a natural replacement in Buffalo for Cole Beasley, who finished 34th, 27th and 41st among WRs in PPR points the last 3 seasons.
The Falcons announced Monday they have agreed to a 2-year deal with QB Marcus Mariota. He's likely a step down in passing from Matt Ryan. At the least, Mariota will have to prove otherwise after he washed out with Tennessee and then spent the past 2 years backing up Derek Carr. But his rushing ability makes him a far more attractive fantasy option than Ryan. Mariota has experience with HC Arthur Smith from their Titans days, which can only help speed his acclimation to the offense. The QB's arrival might be negative for Cordarrelle Patterson's target upside, but we'll let the situation play out a little further before making any significant change to the RB-WR hybrid's outlook.
TE Zach Ertz has agreed to a new 3-year deal with the Cardinals worth $31.65 million, with $17.5 million of that guaranteed, according to multiple reports. Ertz averaged 5.1 catches and 52.2 receiving yards per game over 11 contests with Arizona after being traded from Philly last season. He's a solid-to-good value at the bottom of TE1 territory (or even high-TE2 range) in early best-ball drafting.
The Panthers have re-signed K Zane Gonzalez to a 2-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. In 12 games for Carolina last season, Gonzalez drilled 20 of 22 FG tries and 22 of 23 XPs. He ranked outside the top 20 Ks in fantasy points per game, though, and won't be an appealing option in 2022 unless the Panthers upgrade at QB.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Seahawks have told LB Bobby Wagner that they're releasing him. It's not a shocking move for a couple of reasons. First, it saves Seattle $16.6 million in cap space in 2022. Second, the Seahawks' trade of QB Russell Wilson to Denver signals at least somewhat of a rebuild. This was to be the final year on Wagner's contract. The 32-year-old (in June) remains a productive player and is sure to land another gig -- assuming he wants to continue playing. Cody Barton might be a candidate to replace Wagner, but we'd bet on the team also bringing in more at LB via free agency or the NFL Draft.
The Cowboys are re-signing WR Noah Brown to a 1-year deal, according to Nick Eatman of the team website. Brown ranked 5th among Dallas WRs in targets each of the past 2 years and figures to remain in a similar role going forward. The former 7th-round pick heads into his 6th season in the league and turned 26 in January.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder aggravated his calf injury in the 1st half of Sunday's game vs. the Bills and is done for the day.
Panthers S Jeremy Chinn is inactive for today's game against the Buccaneers. He sustained an ankle injury in Saturday's practice. DT Derrick Brown is active after arriving questionable with an elbow issue.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) was limited in Wednesday's practice. WR Braxton Berrios (quad) was sidelined. We'll see which of these slot receivers is able to play vs. the Bills this weekend.
Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner sprained the MCL and PCL in his right knee in Sunday's win over the Lions, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Wagner will miss the regular-season finale, but the injury is not expected to affect him beyond that.
Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner suffered a knee injury early in Sunday's win over the Lions and did not return. We'll see about his outlook for Week 18, but Seattle has nothing to play for in the finale -- other than potentially damaging Arizona's playoff seed.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bucs. Braxton Berrios gets another game as New York’s primary slot receiver but would be a desperation fantasy play.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Bucs. Braxton Berrios figures to get another game as New York’s primary slot receiver but would be a desperation fantasy play.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) remained sidelined on Wednesday. That doesn't bode well for his chances of returning for this weekend's game vs. the Bucs. With Crowder out last week, Braxton Berrios operated as New York's primary slot receiver, posting a 5-37 line on 6 targets.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has been activated from the COVID list. We'll keep an eye on the ankle injury that limited him back in Week 15, but the week off should have him healthier for Sunday's game vs. the Broncos.
Washington LB Jamin Davis is inactive for tonight's game against the Cowboys. According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Davis "came to team doctors pre-game with symptoms that could be in line with the coronavirus. There wasn't enough time to process a test before the deadline for submitting inactives, so he was deactivated out of an abundance of caution." With Cole Holcomb already on the COVID list, Washington is now down to David Mayo, Jordan Kunaszyk, Milo Eifler and De'Jon Harris at LB. If you're desperate for a fill-in, Mayo is the most experienced of the group.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Jaguars. That leaves Braxton Berrios as New York’s slot receiver – and a desperation play in PPR leagues.
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