News

1. Oct 2
   Fantasy football buzz: How will absence of DeVonta Smith affect other Eagles?

   Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football. Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league. Oct. 2: What to expect from Eagles without DeVonta Smith By Matt Bowen With reports that a hamstring injury will keep Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith out of the lineup this Sunday in the home matchup against the Rams, let's discuss the fantasy implications for Philadelphia. If you're a Smith manager, you can pivot to Dontayvion Wicks or Makai Lemon as streaming options, as both are available in slightly more than 50% of ESPN leagues. You can also check out the last-minute pickups column for a handful of other viable options at wide receiver. Wicks scored 12 or more points in each of his first two games, catching a touchdown in Week 1. He has a big-play element to his game (19.9 YPC), so he will see more vertical opportunities Sunday against a Rams defense that will mix man and zone coverages. He can be played as a WR3/flex with more upside due to the third-level targets (seven targets of 15 or more air yards this season). Lemon has seen only nine targets on the season, catching seven of them for 38 yards. However, the rookie has run 28 routes per game and his role should expand versus L.A. Going back to Lemon's college tape at USC, he can manipulate coverage at the top of the route, plus he accelerates thorough the ball. Those are good traits to have in this league. He should be viewed as a lower-tier WR3 for this matchup. Expect the Eagles to be more run-heavy in this game without Smith, which should put Saquon Barkley at 15-20 carries. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts — who was already outside of the top 10 QBs in our consensus ranks — will have an even lower ceiling heading into Sunday. Yes, Hurts can provide a boost to the lineup due to his running ability, as he averages 29 yards per game, but he has scored only one rushing touchdown on the season. Oct. 2: You should be paying attention to Aaron Rodgers By Adam Rank At least for one night in Cleveland, Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock. Was it the 299 passing yards? The three touchdowns? Or the fact that I really believed that his desperation heave in the waning seconds of the game was going to find its way into the mitts of a Steelers receiver who would carry it into the end zone for a walk-off touchdown? Sure, all of it. Look, I make no apologies for being the supporter of a team that was on the losing side of "Rodgers magic" way too many times. However, I'm not going to lie when I tell you I was seriously nervous on that final throw. I've seen it too many times. The point is, Rodgers was very impressive for the second consecutive week. Although, the interception at the end, we could have done without. Still, another huge performance which raises the question: What do we do with Rodgers moving forward? Patrick Mahomes and Bryce Young are on a bye next week. (Oh yeah, the bye weeks are getting ready to start!) A number of quarterbacks are missing this week and possibly next. But it goes a little bit beyond that. Like, what if some of the guys we believed in back in August continue to struggle? I'm looking at you, Justin Herbert and Drake Maye. Rodgers has a plus matchup next week against the Colts. Do you have the nerve to put him into your starting lineup? Something to think about. Of course, most people have to wait until Tuesday to put in a waiver claim. And so many things can happen between now and then. But for the moment, Rodgers is looking like a borderline QB1 in fantasy circles, which is not something that I would have thought about six weeks ago. Heck, even two weeks ago.  While we're reassessing our preseason preconceptions … my edito

   ESPN
2. Sep 29
   Is Braelon Allen a must-add in fantasy this week?

   Is Braelon Allen a must-add in fantasy this week?

   ESPN
3. Sep 28
   Allen and Isaiah Davis will man the Jets backfield for as long as Breece Hall (thigh) is potentially sidelined, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

   Hall exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss at Detroit due to a thigh injury, and afterward he relayed that he "felt something" while running, per Brian Costello of the New York Post. Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN then reported Monday that Hall is considered week-to-week. While Hall hasn't outright been ruled out for Week 4 or beyond, Allen currently ranks second on the team in carries with 19, which have gone for 61 yards, while Davis hasn't logged an offensive snap through three contests to begin the season. As a result, Allen is the better bet to take advantage of an absent Hall, if that comes to pass.

   RotoWire via ESPN
4. Sep 28
   Fantasy football free agent pickups: Gordon leads options to replace Achane for Week 4 and beyond

   Each Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players worthy of your attention who are available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change quickly for player valuation and roles each week in the NFL, and free agency is a critical way to acquire players. We are here to help! Top pickup options at every position Looking for the top recommendation at each skill position? Look no further! Here are the players to target heading into Week 3, along with their current roster percentages and a recommendation of how much of your free agent budget (FAB) you should consider using for your bid.  Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks (rostered in 33.9%, 5% of your FAB) Darnold (glute) missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2, but he sure looked healthy in Sunday's shootout against the Washington Commanders. Game score and a challenged run game dictated myriad passes, and Darnold completed 31 out of 45 attempts for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns. He also tossed a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Immeasurably aided by dominating WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is off to one of the greatest starts ever, Darnold might match his success from last season, when he surpassed 4,000 passing yards, threw 25 TD passes and mattered in fantasy. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Dolphins (1.1%, 12% FAB) Gordon, a second-year Oklahoma State product who averaged only 2.8 yards per his 70 carries last season, replaced an injured De'Von Achane (knee) during Week 3's action and scored 14.5 points. Gordon wasn't efficient, but getting 20 touches and scoring a touchdown often masks inefficiency. With Achane reportedly done for the season, Gordon is next up, although Jaylen Wright might have a role, too. Keenan Allen, WR, Colts (23.8%, 7% FAB) Allen, second among active players in receptions behind Travis Kelce, was one of three Indianapolis Colts to earn at least nine targets Sunday, but he was the one who scored the team's touchdown. In addition, teammates WR Josh Downs and TE Tyler Warren are already rostered in most leagues. Allen is not, but with Alec Pierce (heel) on IR, he now has opportunity. Allen isn't close to the threat he was as recently as 2023, but he did catch 81 passes for last season's Chargers (for only 777 yards), so perhaps he can do that again. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets (33.5%, 10% FAB) Sadiq, selected 16th in the draft out of Oregon, scored a short rushing TD in Week 1, but he totaled only six targets and 38 receiving yards through two weeks, failing to excite potential investors. They might be excited now, after Sadiq caught seven passes for 105 yards and a 24-yard TD on Sunday. Sadiq is strong and fast and is a potential top-10 fantasy tight end if he gets the targets. He should from now on. Other quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (4.6%, 3% FAB): Brissett bounced back from a rough Week 2 by throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, and he rushed for another score. His three games haven't been consistent for fantasy purposes, but Brissett is worth a look for Week 4 against the New York Giants — and clearly in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions when the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers are on their bye. Plan ahead if you can. Geno Smith, Jets (7.1%, 1% FAB): Smith delivered his best game of the season, scoring 26.04 points in the team's Week 3 loss to the Lions — a team fantasy managers should target for offensive options. New York's Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears, has also struggled to defend the pass this season, making Smith an intriguing streamer. Marcus Mariota, Commanders (3.3%, 1% FAB): Mariota led the stunning win over the Seahawks with 20.42 points, aided by three TD passes. He might not be the starter in a month's time if Jayden Daniels (elbow) returns, but we can deal with that later. The Commanders and Colts meet Sunday morning in London. Deep-league options/streamers Michael Pe

   ESPN
5. Sep 22
   Allen rushed five times for seven yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for eight yards in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Packers.

   Allen scored a touchdown in the second quarter of Sunday's game on a five-yard rush. The running back played 23 offensive snaps in the contest, seeing supplemental volume behind No. 1 running back Breece Hall's 47 snaps and 16 carries.

   RotoWire via ESPN

Injury reports

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League history

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