Footballguys #87 - 7/18 - Sleepers, Over and Undervalued QBs, Quality Starts, News & Notes & MORE

To unsubscribe {EMAIL} from these mailings, click [here](. --- [Footballguys.com]( Volume 19, #87 -- Tuesday Night, July 18th, 2017 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email --------------------------------------------------------------- [Grab your Draft Dominator for Mobile Now!]() Do you want to DOMINATE YOUR fantasy league this year? For only $4.99, you'll have over 60 experts in your pocket, helping you to make the best draft picks, when it matters. Don't settle for runner up, this is your year. - Adapts to your league settings - Rankings adapt based on your roster's needs and for sleepers late - Predicts your opponents moves, so you can outsmart them - Mock draft so you're prepared for every scenario - Rate my team reports reviewing each draft - Up to the minute projections, ADP, news, rankings outlooks, depth charts and tags --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Footballguy, Good Wednesday to you. Training Camps are upon us and we've got great new features for you plus the News and Notes you need. Let's get to it. J SITE NEWS A. [Get The Edge You Need To Dominate with the Insider PRO and Insider PRO Plus](=) Hopefully you've been enjoying these Email Updates. But these are just the tip of the iceberg for what we offer. To unlock the full value from Footballguys and see these articles and drafting tools with current stat projections, grab an Insider PRO or PRO Plus Subscription. Our goal is to give you everything you need to Dominate Your League. And we have a 30 day Money Back Guarantee so there's ZERO risk. Jump onboard, [sign up today and let's start winning.]( And for folks that want multiple sources, we're working again this year with our friend Matthew Berry from ESPN and his [Rotopass.com subscription.](=). Matthew's put together a killer list of sites, including the Footballguys Insider PRO subscription, at a great price. B. [FREE Feature - Value Plays: Quarterbacks](=) Fantasy Football boils down to finding the undervalued players in your draft while avoiding the overvalued guys. One of the most powerful features we do each summer is poll our Footballguys Staffers to get their opinion on Undervalued, Overvalued and Deep Sleeper players. We then tally up the results to see where we have consensus. It's one of the best things we do. In this one, we dive into QBs who are undervalued. It's free to everyone so you can get a taste for how the other positions look. C. [Overvalued Players: Quarterbacks]( One of the most powerful features we do each summer is poll our Footballguys Staffers to get their opinion on Undervalued, Overvalued and Deep Sleeper players. We then tally up the results to see where we have consensus. It's one of the best things we do. In this one, we dive into QBs who are overvalued. With apologies to Matt Ryan... D. [Deep Sleepers: Quarterbacks]() One of the most powerful features we do each summer is poll our Footballguys Staffers to get their opinion on Undervalued, Overvalued and Deep Sleeper players. We then tally up the results to see where we have consensus. It's one of the best things we do. In this one, we dive into QBs who we see as Deep Sleepers. E. [Quality Starts: Running Back]() Our Jeff Pasquino continues his Quality Starts series where we take the metric of Quality Starts used in Baseball and apply it to Football. We look at how consistent players are for posting quality games. Data that's valuable when evaluating draft potential. F. [Quality Starts: Running Back (PPR Scoring)]( Our Jeff Pasquino continues his Quality Starts series where we take the metric of Quality Starts used in Baseball and apply it to Football. We look at how consistent players are for posting quality games. Data that's valuable when evaluating draft potential. This one is for PPR scoring. [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [OAK - WR Calvin Johnson linked to Raiders](#1) 2. [DET - WR Calvin Johnson's return could put Lions in bind](#2) 3. [PIT - Le'Veon Bell had big offer](#3) 4. [CHI - More big plays in RB Jordan Howard's future?](#4) 5. [ATL - TE Austin Hooper worked out with Matt Ryan](#5) 6. [CAR - TE Greg Olsen can make history in 2017](#6) 7. [PIT - Alejandro Villanueva could hold out](#7) 8. [CHI - RB Jeremy Langford slow to recover from surgery](#8) 9. [PHI - OLB Marcus Smith cut would save cap space](#9) 10. [PHI - DE Vinny Curry in a prove-it season](#10) 11. [PHI - DE Brandon Graham had a good year](#11) 12. [PHI - Derek Barnett pushing DE Chris Long](#12) 13. [DAL - Jaylon Smith's nerve continues to progress](#13) 14. [LAR - Three Rams could receive extensions](#14) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [OAK - WR Calvin Johnson linked to Raiders](=) Source: RaidersWire - Katia Dragotis Former Detroit Lions WR [Calvin Johnson](=) was a guest of Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing during organized team activities earlier this summer. He also played golf with Downing, head coach Jack Del Rio and QB [Derek Carr](=). [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] There's been quite a bit of buzz about Calvin Johnson recently, but he's still retired. It would be an amazing story if the Raiders were able to snare both RB Marshawn Lynch and Johnson coming out of retirement in 2017. According to OverTheCap.com, the Raiders have around $18 million in cap space right now. But for now, this is just talk. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [DET - WR Calvin Johnson's return could put Lions in bind](=) Source: NationalFootballPost.com - Joel Corry Former Detroit Lions WR [Calvin Johnson](=), if he decided to come out of retirement, could force the team to release him. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is an interesting story to keep an eye on as Johnson has recently opened up about why he walked away from the Lions and into retirement. If he returned, Johnson's old salary would count against the team's cap. According to Spotrac, Johnson cleared over $11 million in salary cap space when he retired, which would put the Lions over the threshold. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PIT - Le'Veon Bell had big offer](=) Source: USA TODAY Sports - Tom Pelissero Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell was given an offer that would have averaged $12 million per year. He would have earned $30 million over the first two years and $42 million over three years, according to sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Instead of getting his long-term deal and getting a big payday, Bell will instead bet on himself with a one-year, $12.1 million franchise tender. We're only left to speculate why Bell didn't sign this lucrative offer. There may have been some provision about suspensions or guarantees. Bell may not report on day 1 of training camp, and he won't lose any money as he's not yet signed his one-year contract. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [CHI - More big plays in RB Jordan Howard's future?]() Source: Chicago Tribune - Dan Wiederer Chicago Bears RB [Jordan Howard](=) recorded seven runs of 25 yards or longer as a rookie in 2016, but four of those possessions ended with field goals. It's part of the reason Howard spent parts of his offseason working on his acceleration. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Howard had a fantastic rookie season, finishing as the league's second-leading rusher with over 1,300 yards on the ground. He had 561 rushing yards after contact in 2016, which ranked third in the league behind only Jay Ajayi (656) and Ezekiel Elliott (632). Last year, 27.8 percent of Howard's rushes went for first downs. He can clearly move the chains and pick up yards after contact, and now we could see Howard play with more explosion. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [ATL - TE Austin Hooper worked out with Matt Ryan]( Source: ESPN.com - Vaughn McClure Atlanta Falcons TE [Austin Hooper](=) recently joined QB [Matt Ryan](=) for three days of workouts in southern California in an effort to enhance the on-field chemistry between the two. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hooper was decent as a rookie in 2016, garnering 27 targets for 19/271/3 receiving. With Jacob Tamme gone, Hooper is in line to do more. Anyone looking for a potential breakout player should look no further than Hooper. Ryan had a top-5 fantasy season in 2016, so the looks/targets could be there for Hooper in 2017 as the starting tight end. Hooper is getting drafted at TE22 (14.02) in 12-team PPR leagues. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [CAR - TE Greg Olsen can make history in 2017](=) Source: USA TODAY Fantasy Sports Carolina Panthers TE [Greg Olsen](=) can become just the fourth tight end ever to gain at least 1,000 yards in four seasons. Not only that, but achieving 1,000 yards this season would mark the fourth straight year in which Olsen has reached that mark. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Olsen is a favorite target of QB Cam Newton, and he should once again be a key piece of what the Panthers do when they go through the air. Projecting Olsen for 75+ catches and over 1,000 yards receiving is more than fair. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [PIT - Alejandro Villanueva could hold out](=) Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ray Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free-agent OT Alejandro Villanueva has yet to sign his tender and might hold out if his agent advises him to do so. Villanueva did report to minicamp earlier this offseason. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As an ERFA, Villanueva doesn't have much leverage other than holding out. If he played on the one-year tender, Villanueva would be absurdly underpaid for the position at $615,000 for 2017. Villanueva will listen to his agent and hold out if that's what he determines is best for his client. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [CHI - RB Jeremy Langford slow to recover from surgery]() Source: Chicago Tribune - Dan Wiederer Chicago Bears RB [Jeremy Langford](=) suffered a high right ankle sprain in Week 3 that never truly went away. According to a league source, he had surgery on the ankle this offseason and has been slow to recover. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Langford is competing for the no2 spot on the depth chart behind starter Jordan Howard. With more on the plate for Howard this year (and the addition of change-of-pace back Tarik Cohen), we should only see Langford touch the rock 50-ish times in 2017. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [PHI - OLB Marcus Smith cut would save cap space](=) Source: PhillyVoice.com - Jimmy Kempski Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles LB [Marcus Smith](=), who is likely to be cut, is due a $594,000 roster bonus on the third day of training camp. If he's released before that kicks in, the team would save $1,483,515. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A first-rounder out of Louisville in 2014 (26th overall), Smith has been a colossal bust for the Eagles. Smith has bounced around the lineup, from inside to outside linebacker to 4-3 defensive end and only has four sacks in three seasons. At the bottom of the depth chart in Philly, Smith should get another chance with some team if/when released. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [PHI - DE Vinny Curry in a prove-it season](=) Source: PhillyVoice.com - Jimmy Kempski Philadelphia Eagles DE Vinny Curry is entering a pivotal year with the club as they could cut the 29-year-old next offseason and save $5 million in cap space. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Curry was supposed to do more last year, but he registered only 2.5 sacks and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. The Eagles added Chris Long in free agency and selected Derek Barnett in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Both are signs that Curry's days as a significant contributor with the Eagles are numbered. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [PHI - DE Brandon Graham had a good year](=) Source: PhillyVoice.com - Jimmy Kempski Philadelphia Eagles DE Brandon Graham generated a lot of pressure and was excellent against the run last season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Graham flourished last year playing the in the 'wide 9' defense of Jim Schwartz. The 5.5 sacks he posted in 2016 aren't going to blow you away, but Graham was a sound tackler who led the NFL in QB hurries (40) in 2016. Projecting him for double-digit sacks this year (while maintaining strong tackling numbers) isn't outlandish. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [PHI - Derek Barnett pushing DE Chris Long](=) Source: PhillyVoice.com - Jimmy Kempski Philadelphia Eagles DE Derek Barnett is pushing DE Chris Long for the starting job. Long is expected to be the starter for now. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Barnett was one of the most productive players to come out in the 2017 NFL draft. He broke Reggie White's all-time sack record at the University of Tennessee, and Barnett has the makings of a star pro. Even if he doesn't win the starting job, Barnett should get plenty of snaps as a pass rushing specialist for the Eagles. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [DAL - Jaylon Smith's nerve continues to progress]( Source: DallasCowboys.com - Jeff Sullivan Dallas Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith (knee) has been able to move his little toe on his left foot up and down in recent weeks, which means the nerve in his knee continues to regenerate. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Smith is likely to return to the football field this year, but he's not yet going to be the player he used to be -- and he may never get back to that level. This news is positive about his recovery, but expect the Cowboys to limit him during training camp. Reports out of Dallas indicate Smith could be a two-down player with limited snaps until he's closer to full strength when he would then play a full-time role. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [LAR - Three Rams could receive extensions]() Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald, LB Alec Ogletree and CB Lamarcus Joyner are players that the Rams are interested in signing to contract extensions. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Donald skipped voluntary work this offseason but he did show up for mandatory minicamp. He was non-committal when asked about a potential holdout in training camp. A first-round pick in 2014, Donald is under the team's control through the 2018 season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. Have a great day and 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](=). 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