Monday Morning Fantasy Headlines 8/15

Monday Morning Fantasy Headlines:

Josh Gordon – WR – Browns

Browns coach Hue Jackson said Sunday that suspended WR Josh Gordon has shed weight since the beginning of camp.

Jackson recently called out Gordon for being overweight, but he’s making progress. “I can’t give you a number, but it has come off,” said Jackson. “He’s working hard. He’s a big man, and we’ll get him where he needs to be.” Gordon is expected to miss Cleveland’s second preseason game, but he could be ready for the Browns’ regular season dress rehearsal two weeks from now.

Carlos Hyde – RB – 49ers

Carlos Hyde rushed five times for 27 yards in the 49ers’ preseason opener Sunday night.

Hyde’s highlight was a physical tackle-breaking run for a gain of 22 up the middle. His lowlight was a lost fumble that Texans OLB John Simon returned to the house from 41 yards out. Hyde saw two targets on the 49ers’ opening possession, but Blaine Gabbert missed him badly on both. Shaun Draughn mixed in with the Gabbert group and appears locked in as San Francisco’s No. 2 back.

Blaine Gabbert – QB – 49ers

Blaine Gabbert completed 4-of-10 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers’ preseason opener Sunday night.

He added 18 yards on three scrambles. Gabbert looked jittery in the pocket and repeatedly settled for checkdowns, but was horribly inaccurate even on passes very near to the line of scrimmage. He badly missed Carlos Hyde and later Torrey Smith and Quinton Patton. Gabbert did identify Texans ILB Bernardrick McKinney falling down in coverage, and hit Vance McDonald for a 43-yard touchdown before giving way to Thad Lewis. While we doubt Gabbert will last 16 games as the 49ers’ starter, there’s little question he’s going to start in Week 1.

Dorial Green-Beckham – WR – Titans

After watching tape of the Titans’ preseason opener, coach Mike Mularkey called Dorial Green-Beckham’s performance “still inconsistent.”

He said the same of Justin Hunter, although Hunter has become little more than an afterthought anyway. Green-Beckham made a nice run block on DeMarco Murray’s 71-yard touchdown scamper, but gave lackadaisical effort on at least one pass route and still appears to be low on the wideout depth chart. DGB should continue to receive extended snaps for the rest of the preseason. Unfortunately, his fantasy appeal in re-draft leagues has all but evaporated.

Corey Coleman – WR – Browns

Corey Coleman (hamstring) participated in the Browns’ Sunday walkthrough before practice.

After dominating the Browns’ intrasquad scrimmage, Coleman’s hamstring got sore and he missed Cleveland’s preseason opener. Sunday’s session was a “light practice in helmets and shorts,” but Coleman’s return confirms his injury wasn’t something to worry about. He remains a compelling WR4 pick.

Victor Cruz – WR – Giants

Giants coach Ben McAdoo said after Sunday’s practice that Victor Cruz’s balky groin is “still bothering him.”

Although Cruz was reported to have “returned to practice” on Sunday, he actually participated in only four practice reps and didn’t catch a single pass. As beat writer Jordan Raanan notes, Cruz’s “legs just aren’t cooperating right now.” The Giants also lost Geremy Davis to a hamstring injury recently. Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard are unchallenged atop the depth chart. Anything the G-Men get from Cruz this season would be a bonus..

Mike Evans – WR – Buccaneers

Mike Evans told Sirius XM NFL he lost 10-15 pounds this offseason.

“I played heavier my first two years, around 235, 240, and now I’m between 220 and 225,” said Evans. “That’s helped me run more, longer and faster.” Evans seems more committed after looking sluggish at times in 2015. The third-year wideout is a lock to improve on the measly three TDs he tallied as a sophomore.

Kelvin Benjamin – WR – Panthers

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Sunday that Kelvin Benjamin has struggled with conditioning during camp.

Rivera said the goal is to get Benjamin to “where he can handle 30-35 snaps by the end of the preseason.” Benjamin has reportedly been getting “winded” after running deep routes. Benjamin has struggled with conditioning and his weight in the past, making this a situation to monitor. The Panthers used a four-way receiver committee last year, something they could re-implement if Benjamin can’t open the season capable of playing full complements of snaps.

Chris Hogan – WR – Patriots

Chris Hogan (shoulder) has shed his red no-contact jersey and resumed practicing fully at Patriots camp.

He was limited to begin camp and sat out the preseason opener. While Hogan’s landing spot makes him intriguing, he appears low on the target totem pole behind Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Martellus Bennett, and Dion Lewis.

Notes FFI- by Rotoword

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply