Following Friday’s training camp practice, coach Andy Reid confirmed rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been getting “a lot of work” with the first-team offense. This was after ESPN Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher observed CEH working as the “feature back” with Patrick Mahomes’ group. “Is everything perfect?,” Reid continued. “No, not right now. But he’s working to get there.’' This is the first real confirmation we’ve gotten that Edwards-Helaire is the guy at the top of the depth chart following Damien Williams’ opt-out decision. Edwards-Helaire’s ADP has ballooned to RB18 at 3.09 overall in the two weeks since Williams’ decision, but many in the fantasy community are hyping the rookie as a potential top-five player at the position. That’s a little rich, but it’s well within the realm of possibilities considering the offense he’s in with the Chiefs and Mahomes. This will be one of the more fascinating storylines to track over the next few weeks ahead of Week 1. And with such little practice information this year, it’s going to be tricky. DeAndre Washington is getting some love as a late-rounder. We can get both he and sophomore Darwin Thompson basically for free at the end of drafts as a way to hedge.
Jacobs Wants to Catch More Passes in Year Two
Speaking Wednesday, sophomore Josh Jacobs said his “goal” is to catch at least 60 passes this season. Jacobs reeled in 20 passes on a measly 27 targets as a rookie, so he would need a major usage spike on passing downs to accomplish this feat. GM Mike Mayock has already expressed optimism that Jacobs will be more involved in the passing game, but it’s so much easier said than done when Jalen Richard is still on the team after inking an extension. Vegas also drafted RB/WR Lynn Bowden. Only seven running backs caught 60-plus balls last season. Obviously, if Jacobs is more involved in the passing game, the sky’s the limit for him in fantasy. Jacobs could certainly flirt with top-six numbers if he just doubles his receiving output from last year. The Raiders are expected to give Jacobs scheduled off days this summer in anticipation of his sizable Year 2 workload. Jacobs is currently coming off the board as the RB7 in half-PPR.[[ad:athena]]
Reich Says Colts Will Ride the Hot Hand at RB
In his Wednesday media session, coach Frank Reich reiterated Marlon Mack remains the Colts’ starter, but the team will “ride the hot hand” in the backfield. As in, rookie Jonathan Taylor will very much be in the mix. We expect Mack to be given the opportunity to keep lead duties, but his leash is going to be extremely short, and the coaches won’t be afraid to hand the reins to Taylor. Mack is currently being drafted as the RB24 in half-PPR formats with Taylor right behind him at RB29. At those numbers, we prefer Taylor much more, considering he’s cheaper and more talented. Reich has also hyped Nyheim Hines a bit this offseason, but it’s unlikely he becomes anything more than a deep-league PPR roster-filler. Taylor has league-winning upside.
Quarterback & Running Back Quick Slants
Coach Pete Carroll praised rookie RB DeeJay Dallas’ ability to catch the football so far in Seahawks camp. Dallas’ path to snaps will be on passing downs with Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde ahead of him in surefire running situations. … Titans third-round RB Darrynton Evans’ role remains uncertain behind Derrick Henry. He’s not an especially-exciting fantasy pick late in drafts at the moment. … Kyler Murray “bulked up” in the offseason. It wasn’t a conscious thing, but it’s viewed as a positive. Coach Kliff Kingsbury has already praised Murray’s knowledge of the system headed into a potential Year 2 blowup. … Patriots signed RB Lamar Miller to a one-year contract and placed him on active/PUP. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL. New teammate Sony Michel (foot) is uncertain for Week 1 and could start the year on reserve/PUP, costing him the first six weeks. Damien Harris is a popular hype piece right now. … Free agent RB C.J. Prosise worked out for the Lions. … Russell Wilson expects/wants the Seahawks to be more aggressive on offense this season. He believes the team should “treat every quarter like it’s the fourth quarter.” Wilson has notoriously dominated in second halves when the Seahawks put the pedal to the gas. … The Falcons may decide to limit Todd Gurley’s workload in camp. It shouldn’t affect his Week 1. … Le’Veon Bell plans to play at 210-215 pounds this season, the lightest he’s been since high school. His listed weight is 225. Bell looks like a possible third-round value in fantasy.
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Wide Receiver & Tight End Quick Slants
A couple tight ends signed long-term extensions. Travis Kelce landed a four-year, $57 million one from the Chiefs, putting him in Kansas City through 2025. And George Kittle inked a five-year, $75 million deal through 2025 in San Francisco. … 49ers signed WRs J.J. Nelson and Tavon Austin. Both beat out fellow free agent Donte Moncrief for a job. It gives the Niners some depth with Deebo Samuel (foot) rehabbing and Travis Benjamin opting out of the season. … Jets second-round WR Denzel Mims has been shelved with a hamstring pull after getting hurt while running routes at practice. Vyncint Smith has been getting some work as the No. 3 receiver behind Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman in Mims’ absence. … Sammy Watkins admitted his numbers may not be what he wants them to be this season, as he’s behind both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on the target totem pole while sophomore Mecole Hardman is forcing his way into more playing time. Watkins still looks like a value as the WR47 in ADP right now. He catches passes from Patrick Mahomes in case you didn’t know. … Titans TEs coach Todd Downing praised Jonnu Smith and suggested the team wants to get him more touches due to his YAC ability. … Giants TEs coach Freddie Kitchens said Evan Engram (foot) has done a “helluva job” during his rehab. Engram avoided the PUP list to open camp but isn’t yet 100 percent. … Coach Doug Pederson said Greg Ward is “in the starting mix” at wideout for the Eagles. Wideout is still a spot that needs to be sorted out in Philly. … Will Dissly (Achilles) practiced this week. Seattle is crowded at tight end with Greg Olsen, Jacob Hollister and Dissly. … Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur hyped Nelson Agholor as a potential wild card in Vegas’ wideout grouping. … Bills activated Cole Beasley (back) from the NFI list. … Tyrell Williams (feet) said he’s “over the hump” with his plantar fasciitis issues that bugged him most of last season. … Bengals placed John Ross on the reserve/COVID-19 list after he went home to care for his son, who was diagnosed with the virus. … Colts activated T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) from the NFI list. He missed the first 10 days of camp.
