NFL Player News

Barnes was a bust as Washington’s nickel corner last season, but did notch two interceptions in 15 games. He could be in the mix to start opposite LCB Chris Houston after neither rookie Bill Bentley nor veteran Jacob Lacey took the right cornerback job and ran with it this summer. A third-round pick in 2009, Barnes is still a month shy of his 26th birthday.

The Bills’ offense was totally out of sorts in this game, and Shakir was hurt by their inability to get anything going through the air. Still, he played on 45 of their 62 snaps and ran a route on 23 of their 33 dropbacks, the second-most of any wide receiver. He’ll be in for a better game against the Patriots next week, but he remains just a desperation FLEX play right now unless the Bills are headed for a shootout.

It was turnover-free football despite three sacks. Simply put: The Texans just don’t look like an NFL offense right now. Two of Stroud’s three deep balls in this game could have been intended for any of four different receivers, one of them hit off Jaylin Noel’s hands. Nobody has taken the reins. Texans OC Nick Caley deserves to be on the hot seat. Stroud passes the eye test when you watch these games, but the design of this offense — especially the run offense — is brutal. Stroud is near the bottom of the superflex QB2 ranks against the Cowboys next week, though the potential return of Nico Collins merits some consideration that better things could happen.

White, 27, left near the end of the second quarter with a shoulder issue, but he was able to return. He was more effective than Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but considering Croskey-Merritt averaged 1.9 yards per carry, that’s not saying a lot. White has looked like the better tailback thus far, but this Commanders’ offense is one to just stay away from right now. White will be back in action in London in Week 4 against the Colts.

Croskey-Merritt had a long touchdown run wiped off the board because of an illegal formation. Outside of that, it was a struggle for the 25-year-old and the stout Seattle run defense with a long gain (that counted) of just nine. Croskey-Merritt has not found much room to run thus far, and it’s hard to trust him right now. His next chance to find said room comes in Week 4 against the Colts in London.

Holani was the most effective tailback for Seattle, as Jadarian Price had just 15 yards and was benched for fumbling, and Emmanuel Wilson plodded for 14 yards in his time. Holani would need more guaranteed snaps to be in FLEX consideration, but if Price continues to have turnover issues, that might happen. He should be off the radar for Week 4 against the Chargers, however.

Despite being questionable coming into the day with a shoulder injury, Moore led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards. He played on 42 of the team’s 62 snaps and ran a route on 24 of the 33 dropbacks. That’s the highest share of any receiver on the team. The Bills weren’t able to hit many shots down the field, but Moore was the target on key conversions and is the clear top target in Buffalo. He will be a WR2 in a tough matchup against the Patriots next week.

It was McGowan’s first real taste of snaps with Jonathan Taylor, as he had 11 to Taylor’s 60 while the Colts were trying to grind clock with a lead against a hapless Texans offense. We doubt there’s much to this extra usage, it was likely just Taylor managing something minor on the sideline.

Johnson missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, but returned in Week 3 and is the clear passing game back in Buffalo’s offense. While he was second on the team in receiving, he played just 15 snaps, and 30 of his 50 receiving yards came on one catch. He’s not a recommended option in fantasy, and Ray Davis would remain the main beneficiary if James Cook were to get hurt.

Smith also ran for 12 yards and completed one of his two two-point conversion attempts. The sacks, of which he took five, were an issue, but it was an otherwise flawless game from the veteran passer. He got particularly hot in the second half, getting points on the board in three of his four drives after the break. Smith was unfortunately sacked and lost the football on the final drive of the game, giving Detroit the win. The Jets don’t look like a team that is going to win many games this year, but it’s not because of Geno. Smith will be a viable Superflex option when he takes on the Bears next week.