News And Notes From Around The League

[Footballguys.com]( Volume 22, #50 -- Saturday Night, June 6th, 2020 News And Notes From Around The League You're subscribed as {EMAIL} - click [HERE]( to unsubscribe. [View in Web Browser]( Thanks To Our Sponsor, [The Rookie Scouting Portfolio]( Howdy {NAME}, Welcome to Sunday. We've got the News and Notes you need plus new content. Let's do this. J SITE NEWS A. [Beginner's Guide To Fantasy Football Part 6 - Dominating The Draft]() Alessandro Miglio continues the Beginner Series. In this one, he talks you through how to dominate your draft. B. [Who Is the Top Linebacker on a New Team?]() The Footballguys staff discuss veteran linebackers who changed teams over the offseason. [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [CLE - OC praises WR Odell Beckham Jr.](#1) 2. [DEN - Jerry Jeudy working with Drew Lock](#2) 3. [PIT - TE Eric Ebron fighting for snaps?](#3) 4. [SF - RB Tevin Coleman hogged red-zone work](#4) 5. [PIT - Uncertain future for RB Jaylen Samuels?](#5) 6. [CHI - RB David Montgomery controlled red-zone duties](#6) 7. [DAL - QB Dak Prescott hurt by drops](#7) 8. [CHI - WR Allen Robinson a top target](#8) 9. [PHI - Drops hampered QB Carson Wentz](#9) 10. [TEN - Darrynton Evans' role uncertain](#10) 11. [BUF - WR Cole Beasley excelled in red zone](#11) 12. [LVR - TE Darren Waller 2nd in target share](#12) 13. [CHI - RB Tarik Cohen inefficient in red zone](#13) 14. [NE - RB James White reliable in premium area](#14) 15. [HOU - TE Darren Fells a trusted red-zone option](#15) 16. [ATL - RB Qadree Ollison efficient with red-zone work](#16) --------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by [The Rookie Scouting Portfolio]( [Go Deep]( A reckless gunslinger and a worn-down plodder - these were the pre-draft labels for Patrick Mahomes and Nick Chubb. The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP) went deeper, saw the elite talent, and urged fantasy players to covet both. [Matt Waldman’s RSP]( has helped fantasy owners go deep and dominate with the likes of Mahomes, Chubb, A.J. Brown, and Lamar Jackson since 2006. A 2-in-1 fantasy-focused draft guide, the RSP covers over 150 rookies at the skill positions: - Pre-Draft & Post-Draft Rankings - Post-Draft ADP - Analysis Post-Draft Fantasy Cheatsheet - Combined 3-Yr Rookie Rankings - Positional Skill Analysis Player Profiles - Monthly Newsletter (June-December) Go deep with your rookie knowledge and [download the 2020 RSP today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [CLE - OC praises WR Odell Beckham Jr.]( Source: Anthony Polsal - Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns WR [Odell Beckham]( Jr. is receiving strong praise from offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. 'He's a worker,' Van Pelt said about Beckham's participation in the offseason program. 'He loves football. He's smart as hell. He's just been a model guy this offseason.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Beckham's first year in Cleveland was a disappointment, and Fantasy GMs are looking for a bounce-back year. However, he still went over 1,000 yards and registered 74 catches. We're projecting him for a slight uptick in those numbers this season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [DEN - Jerry Jeudy working with Drew Lock](=) Source: 9News.com - Mike Klis Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy has been among the players catching passes daily from QB [Drew Lock]( at a Denver-area field. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jeudy and Lock could be a great combination in 2020. The first-round pick was arguably the best receiver in this class...a group of wideouts considered to be among the best to ever come into the league. Jeudy is a no.1 receiver...giving the Broncos two such receivers with Courtland Sutton already in place. We'll see if this work in the offseason helps the two get off to a hot start in 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PIT - TE Eric Ebron fighting for snaps?]() Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Brian Batko Pittsburgh Steelers TE [Eric Ebron]( and TE [Vance McDonald]( will likely battle for the starting role during training camp, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ebron is the player to watch here. He is great near pay dirt, and Ebron joins a Pittsburgh offense that ranked last in red zone scoring in 2019. Ebron staying healthy is the key. In early April, Ebron admitted that he was not yet fully recovered from offseason ankle surgery and would not be able to play if the season began back then. We'll see where he's at health wise when training camp rolls around. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [SF - RB Tevin Coleman hogged red-zone work]( Source: NFL Savant San Francisco 49ers RB [Tevin Coleman]( led his team with 26 red-zone carries in 2019. He also scored a team-high five touchdowns on those rushes. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Coleman is going to spell Raheem Mostert in 2020. That makes him a RB4 option for Fantasy GMs this season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [PIT - Uncertain future for RB Jaylen Samuels?](=) Source: Steelers.com - Bob Labriola Pittsburgh Steelers RB [Jaylen Samuels]( isn't in 'the category of a lock' to make the 53-man roster, according to Bob Labriola of Steelers.com. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Steelers have a jam-packed backfield with more talent added this offseason in the draft (Anthony McFarland). However, no player in that backfield is as versatile as Samuels. He's a jack-of-all-trades as a running back and can be used as a slot receiver or gadget quarterback if called upon. The Steelers don't seem to have a clue how to use Samuels properly and he seems to be miscast in this offense. We'll see this battle shake out in training camp and will monitor Samuels in dynasty leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [CHI - RB David Montgomery controlled red-zone duties](=) Source: NFL Savant Chicago Bears RB [David Montgomery]( received 26 red-zone carries and scored five touchdowns on those carries in 2019. RB [Tarik Cohen]( had just six red-zone carries with one touchdown. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Montgomery got a ton of work near pay dirt, but he failed to have a high conversion rate on those carries. He's a low-end RB2 for Fantasy GMs because Cohen takes most all the targets int he passing game. Montgomery could outperform his current ADP (RB23, 4.05) if he becomes more efficient in the red zone. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [DAL - QB Dak Prescott hurt by drops]() Source: Pro Football Focus Dallas Cowboys QB [Dak Prescott]( topped all quarterbacks with 392 air yards lost on dropped passes in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus data. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Prescott should see better numbers this year with CeeDee Lamb (2020 first-round pick) added to the mix. He's yet to come to an agreement on a long-term deal with the Cowboys but the two sides have until mid-July to get something done. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [CHI - WR Allen Robinson a top target]() Source: Sports Info Solutions Chicago Bears WR [Allen Robinson]( finished with a 2019 team target share of 27.1 percent -- second among all pass-catchers with at least 100 targets. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll see Robinson continue to get a huge share of the workload in 2020...regardless of who wins the starting QB job. Mitchell Trubisky will compete with Nick Foles for the top spot on the Bears depth chart. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- FOOTBALLGUYS PICKS Ready to join a new startup Dynasty League? - Our good friends at the FFPC have you covered. [Grab your team now](). --------------------------------------------------------------- Practice Mock Drafting - Practice makes perfect with the Footballguys Draft Dominator app powered by 50+ staffers of Footballguys. [Check it out here](). --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [PHI - Drops hampered QB Carson Wentz]() Source: Pro Football Focus Philadelphia Eagles QB [Carson Wentz]( lost out on 391 air yards due to dropped passes in 2019 -- second most in the league -- according to Pro Football Focus data. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Wentz didn't have a great group of wide receivers last year. Guys were either old, injury, inexperienced or a combination of those three. This year, the Eagles made an emphasis to add better talent to the position. That's why they spent a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft on Jalen Reagor (TCU). We should see better numbers from Wentz due to this emphasis. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [TEN - Darrynton Evans' role uncertain]( Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt Tennessee Titans RB Darrynton Evans' role will be determined on how much he will be able to handle, according to head coach Arthur Smith. Evans probably will be used when RB [Derrick Henry]( needs a rest. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Evans is a hard-charging running back who understands angles and will hit the hole quickly. He's not a power back like Henry, but the rookie from Appalachian State handled a large workload in college and didn't cough up the rock. He had 467 touches over the last two years without a fumble. That reliability means the Titans could count on him when Henry needs a breather. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [BUF - WR Cole Beasley excelled in red zone]() Source: NFL Savant Buffalo Bills WR [Cole Beasley]( caught all eight of his red-zone targets in 2019 and scored five touchdowns within the opposition's 20-yard line. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Beasley is dangerous on underneath routes and has great hands. He'll continue to serve in the same role for the Bills passing game this year. Beasley was a low-end WR3 for Fantasy GMs last year and has deep flex appeal once again in 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [LVR - TE Darren Waller 2nd in target share]() Source: Sports Info Solutions Las Vegas Raiders TE [Darren Waller]( ranked second among tight ends (minimum 100 targets) in 2019 with a 23.8-percent team target share. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Waller was the second-leading tight end last year in terms of yardage only behind Travis Kelce. The Raiders added Jason Witten this offseason in free agency, and we'll see how he cuts into Waller's target share. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [CHI - RB Tarik Cohen inefficient in red zone](=) Source: NFL Savant Chicago Bears RB [Tarik Cohen]( caught 73 of 98 targets in 2019, but he caught just five of nine red-zone targets. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Cohen will continue to be targeted early and often in the Bears offense. We'll see who wins the starting QB job between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Either way, Cohen should be a continued top target in the offense. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [NE - RB James White reliable in premium area]() Source: NFL Savant New England Patriots RB [James White]( led all NFL running backs in 2019 with 20 red-zone targets. He had 17 receptions and four touchdowns on those throws. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] White is as reliable as they come across the field but can be especially dangerous in the red zone. It will be interesting to see how he meshes with Jarrett Stidham in 2020 as we should see Stidham as the Patriots starting quarterback this season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [HOU - TE Darren Fells a trusted red-zone option]( Source: NFL Savant Houston Texans TE [Darren Fells]( led the team with nine red-zone receptions and seven touchdowns in 2019. His 11 red-zone targets shared the team lead with WR [DeAndre Hopkins](. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With Hopkins traded way, Fells might get a little more work in the red zone. However, his seven touchdowns are going to be tough to duplicate. Instead it might be better to project him for around 4-5 touchdowns in 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [ATL - RB Qadree Ollison efficient with red-zone work](=) Source: NFL Savant Atlanta Falcons RB [Qadree Ollison]( scored a team-high four touchdowns on just eight red-zone carries in 2019. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ollison was pushed down the depth chart when the team signed Todd Gurley in free agency. Now, Ollison is likely no.3 or no.4 on the depth chart. We'll see if he can move his way up into more playing time opportunities in training camp. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). You're subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =