Dynasty Player News

The imminent future is secure for one of Tom Brady's most trusted receiving weapons. Edelman isn't showing signs of slowing down - finishing 2018 with his 2nd best year on a yards per game basis in a suspension shortened season. Edelman, like most aging players, is getting put out to pasture early. You can net him as a 7th round dynasty startup selection according to DLF May mock drafts, as WR37. Edelman finished 2018 as the WR13 in points per game in PPR leagues. Excellent production and a role that won't change for WR4 prices makes him an excellent veteran target, especially if you're uninspired by the rookies available to you in the late second or early third of rookie drafts.

We've essentially heard that in year's past and fantasy coaches are still waiting for the production to match the expectation. That said, Watkins came out on Twitter to say: "I will be the best this year mark my word I want it more now than I ever did before in my life...". The full Tweet can be read in the linked article. Watkins showed flashes last year though in only 10 games and finished the season with 40 receptions, 519 yards and three touchdowns. What's different in 2019 is that the future for star receiver Tyreek Hill is looking bleak as he fights potential domestic violence charges. His case was reopened following release of a troubling and shocking recorded conversation which, should he be found guilty, could end Hill's career. In fact, the content was such that even if not found guilty, the Chiefs could still elect to cut bait. Either way, it seems as though Watkins is going to ascend to the WR1 role for 2019 and will be on the receiving end of Patrick Mahomes' lasers. Watkins has failed to live up to the hype in all but his rookie year and his DLF ranking now rests at 23. His ADP (45) was resting at a career-low but has rebounded sharply since the news on Hill emerged. Watkins will remain a high-ceiling/high-risk addition as an acquisition target but few carry his vast potential should the stars align and his health is maintained.

No word as to whether he pulled a hamstring during the stop. The speed demon won't serve any time and the Jaguars are not expected to pursue any other punishment. He was arrested after it was learned he was driving on a suspended license and had a warrant out for his arrest due to other traffic violations. Fournette and former Jaguar running back, T.J. Yeldon, were famously taken to task by Tom Coughlin after appearing disinterested on the sideline to close out the season in 2018. What followed was a messy back-and-forth with Coughlin suggesting the Jaguars would be seeking to recover bonus money paid to Fournette as part of his rookie contract. Since that time, it appears as though all has been forgiven and the two sides are now squarely focused on 2019. Fournette has fallen to DLF's RB18 and his ADP (32) is just off a career-low mark. Risk averse coaches may wish to steer clear of Fournette and his oft-injured status but there's no doubting his upside should he remain healthy for a complete 16-game season.

Kupp refused to commit to a return date when asked by reporters but he worked through individual drills on Monday during team OTAs. In his second season, he amassed 40 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns in eight games before suffering a torn ACL. As a rookie, he totaled 62/869/5. Quarterback Jared Goff immediately developed chemistry and the two were hooking up early and often before the injury struck. Now, looking to 2019, the goal has always been for Kupp to be fully healthy by kick-off of week one and he appears on track to meet that challenge. Fantasy coaches can expect to see very little of Cooper Kupp in the pre-season. He's found as DLF's WR16 and his ADP (44) has remained consistent, even following the injury.

Eifert has undergone season-ending surgery in each of the past three seasons. In 2015, his last full season, he reeled in 52 passes for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns, putting himself squarely on the fantasy radar for 2016, but has fallen to the dreaded IR in each season since. Eifert has signed a one-year deal and, at only 28 years of age, could still salvage his career if he can avoid the knife, or at least the trainer's table, in 2019. The Bengals run a tight end friendly system and Andy Dalton, who may be in a make-or-break season himself under center, has shows a rapport with Eifert in years past. There's enough intrigue here for dynasty coaches seeking low-cost depth at the position. Tyler Eifert has fallen a bit off the radar as DLF's TE35 and may be available in upcoming rookie/FA drafts.

This is a bad look for Elliott. Worse yet, TMZ got video of the entire altercation. While it wasn't particularly violent, Jerry Jones and fantasy owners have to be shaking there heads over the matter. Elliott has already served a suspension in 2017 stemming from domestic violence accusations, so for now we'll have to wait and see if the league office will deem this latest dust up as worthy of discipline. Elliott owners should have no reason to fear his long-term outlook, but it wouldn't hurt to have Tony Pollard and/or Mike Weber on your bench for insurance if Elliott were to miss any time.

It's been a tumultuous couple of years for Foster since leaving Alabama. Character and injury concerns caused him to drop in the draft and legal issues have caused him to miss time and led to his release from the team that drafted him. Once considered a slam dunk IDP prospect, Foster's many issues have dropped him to LB54 in DLF's rankings. It's too early to tell if the linebacker will miss this season, but it's never a good sign when a player needs assistance off the field.

Washington currently has Shaun Dion Hamilton or Josh Harvey-Clemons as the next man up, but they could look outside of the roster for a replacement. Washington's other starting inside linebacker, Mason Foster, led the team in tackling in 2018 with 131 combined tackles (81 solo). He will likely be tasked with doing the same in 2019.

This move has been anticipated since Griffin was arrested during the 2019 NFL draft for allegedly breaking a hotel window. He has since been charged with vandalism and public intoxication. The release of Griffin creates an opportunity for newly signed third-round pick Kehale Warring to see starter snaps if he can best 2018 third-rounder Jordan Akins and 2018 sixth-rounder Jordan Thomas for the top pass-catching tight end spot on the Texans. All three should see a small rise in value following the release of Griffin, but it is unclear who will emerge as the best fantasy option for 2019.

A first round pick by the Broncos in 2015, Shane Ray had an excellent sophomore campaign recording eight sacks, but has struggled with injuries ever since. Ray will look to re-establish his value on a Baltimore team that lacks high-end pass-rushing talent.

This will be Michael's fifth team in the last four years after he flamed out in Arizona. During his last 26 games he has amassed a paltry 24/220/2 receiving line, despite ample opportunity for relevant snaps. Floyd has a fair shot of making it onto the Ravens' final roster, but has little chance of producing fantasy-relevant-numbers.

The deal is worth just over one-million dollars, ($250,000 guaranteed,) but could reach five-million dollars with incentives. This is an excellent landing spot for Collins who put up some of his best years in New England before seeing his fantasy appeal diminish after being traded to the Browns in 2016. He is currently DLF's 33rd ranked dynasty linebacker, but should see a rise in value now that he has found a home.

When he's been on the field, Eifert has shown he can be a dangerous weapon in the passing game — most notably when he recorded 13 touchdowns in 2015 in just 13 games. Unfortunately, injuries have been the story of Eifert's career. Since being drafted in 2013, the Bengals tight end has played in only 43 games of a possible 96.

Still just 28, Eifert can likely be had for cheap in most leagues. DLF's Trade Finder shows Eifert has been traded for late-round picks and, perhaps stinging the most, FAAB dollars. If you're thin at the tight end position or are looking for a low-risk, high-upside play, Eifert isn't the worst option. An Eifert comeback would not only be one of the best stories in the NFL, it could also give you a potential sell-high option before your league's trade deadline. If he doesn't pan out, at least you didn't have to give up much to get him.

Despite grading out with Pro Football Focus' fifth-best score in coverage for a linebacker with at least 400 such snaps in 2018, the former first round pick of the Jets had worn out his welcome. Even with Adam Gase assuming the role of interim GM just today, he wasted no time moving Lee out of town. While Lee sports an athletic profile and has excelled in coverage, he's been less than stellar in run defense.

In three seasons with the Jets, Lee averaged 79 combined tackles a season and has not been much of a factor in pass rush. After being blanked in his first two campaigns, he intercepted three passes last season. In Kansas City he will presumably slide into the Will linebacker role in the Chiefs new 4-3 base, and he will compete with Anthony Hitchens and Dorian O'Daniel for a role in sub packages.

Baldwin went on Twitter Sunday night to write a letter to his younger self, detailing important events throughout his life that brought him to this moment. He describes moments from his childhood, his successes and failures, and people who have impacted his life and shaped him into the man he is today. The closing tweet he sends out is a "Game of Thrones" GIF which reads "My watch has ended" insinuating that he has taken his last snap in the NFL.

The writing was on the wall for Baldwin after a injury riddled 2018 season and having to undergo surgery on both his shoulder and his groin in the offseason. The Seahawks decided to prepare for a future without Baldwin by drafting Ole Miss wide receiver DK Metcalf with the 64th pick of the 2019 NFL draft. Metcalf will look to fill the void Baldwin is leaving behind with his elite size and speed. He currently sits as DLF's WR29. The Seahawks will also rely on veterans Tyler Lockett and David Moore for the upcoming season. Lockett currently sits as DLF's WR41 and looks to improve on his impressive 2018 season which consisted of 965 yards and 10 touchdowns. David Moore currently sits as DLF's WR115 and looks to take a leap forward in his third year with the departure of Baldwin.

Smith will come in to compete with former Broncos first-rounder Paxton Lynch to back up Russell Wilson. Smith spent last season behind Philip Rivers in Los Angeles, but hasn't played significant minutes since 2014. With the way Seattle favors the run, even if Wilson were to go down, the winner of the back-up QB battle in Seattle will likely have very little fantasy appeal even in superflex leagues.

After falling to the seventh round of the NFL draft, chances are Weber was not expected to be a key contributor to your fantasy squad. Still it's good news he doesn't appear to have suffered a serious injury. He and fellow rookie Tony Pollard will battle for snaps as Ezekiel Elliott's backup, Weber's teammate at Ohio State in 2015. More of a traditional back than Pollard, Weber has been a sneaky stash for fantasy owners who want a piece of the Dallas running game if Elliott were to get injured or if Dallas decides to give him more plays off during the regular season.

New England once again has something interesting cooking in their wide receiver room. The Patriots are perhaps the most notorious for finding success with reclamation projects at the position, so much so that before drafting promising rookie N'Keal Harry, they hadn't spent a first-round pick on a receiver since taking Terry Glenn in 1996. Inman is now another toy for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to play with in a passing attack that already includes Harry, Julian Edelman, Demaryius Thomas, Phillip Dorsett, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Benjamin Watson and James White out of the backfield.

Inman's best year came in 2016 when he caught 58 passes for 810 yards and four touchdowns. Last year he posted a 28-304-3 line with the Colts. Inman will likely compete with Dorsett for the team's deep threat role, and may be worthy of a stash in deeper leagues. In shallower leagues, keep an eye on the Patriots this summer to see how things shake out.

It has been widely speculated over the past few months that Baldwin could retire due to a plethora of health problems he has faced over the past year. Since the end of the 2018 season, he has gone in for three separate surgeries, the latest being a sports hernia operation that will continue to sideline him for the next few months. Currently ranked as DLF’s WR57, his ranking should fall a bit more, and is a wait-and-see situation for dynasty owners until he confirms or denies his intention to step away from the game we love.

The departure of Baldwin creates the opportunity for substantial snaps for any of Seattle’s 2019 rookie wide receiver class, as they battle incumbents Tyler Lockett (DLF WR41) and David Moore (DLF WR 115) for positioning on the depth chart. D.K. Metcalf (5th rookie overall) may not change his rookie ranking given how high it had already climbed, but has gained value regardless of change in draft position. Gary Jennings (40th rookie overall) should see a substantial boost in his rookie rankings, while John Ursua (previously unranked) should at least be someone to heavily monitor if he goes undrafted in your league.

Tyler Lockett (DLF WR41) gets a substantial boost as the presumed de-facto number one receiver, and David Moore (DLF WR 115) has a great opportunity to build off a quality sophomore season where he posted a 26/445/5 line with 17.1 yards/reception. The long term outlook of Russell Wilson (DLF QB7) should largely remain unchanged due to the aggressive acquisition of receivers by the Seahawks in the 2019 draft, while the Seattle backfield will likely gain a small amount of value due to additional short term opportunity afforded by a developing receiving corps..

Ben Watson, 38 years old, was originally drafted in the first round by the Patriots in 2004. Last year he saw a spike in value after he was signed by the Saints, but produced a disappointing 35/400/2 line during the regular season. Ben will be the second notable tight end addition for the Patriots as they scramble to fortify the position in the wake of Gronkowski's retirement. Ben Watson will battle newly signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins for snaps, and has the potential to be a matchup-based play in the upcoming season. He is currently ranked as DLF's TE52, but should see a small rise in value upon this signing.

Williams, a 2018 7th round pick by the Denver Broncos, spent much of the 2018 season on Jacksonville's active roster. Despite injuries opening up an opportunity for Williams to emerge, he was only able to muster eight carries for 36 yards on the season. David had some appeal as a deep flyer due to favorable landing spots last year, but now can safely be dropped in all leagues. He is currently unranked on DLF.