Jonathan Taylor & Jaylen Waddle Hype Week
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Now on to the headlines! You can join the discussion on /r/fantasyfootball and /r/DynastyFF
News & Notes:
Julio Jones: “I’m outta there.”
49ers RB Jeff Wilson injured his meniscus and is expected to miss four to six months. The 49ers recently drafted Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell in the 3rd and 6th rounds respectively.
Update on Joe Burrow: “Bengals QB1 showing no noticeable limp or impairment. Burrow is jogging, throwing at the first OTA session. Even has his helmet.”
Analysis & Hype:
A look at just how remarkable Jonathan Taylor’s 2020 season was. In NFL history, there have only been 14 instances of a player having: -At least 1,100 rushing yards -At least 5 yards per carry -At least 10 rushing touchdowns -At least 35 receptions. Names included on that list: Jonathan Taylor, Marshall Faulk, Barry Sanders, Saquon Barkley, Ladanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Chris Johnson, Ahman Green, Clinton Portis, Priest Holmes. Taylor did it as a rookie.
Jonathan Taylor has been working on his receiving this offseason. Jonathan Taylor, WR1.
Jonathan Taylor clocked a faster game speed than Tyreek Hill last season: Taylor = 22.05 MPH Hill = 21.91 MPH Taylor weighs 41 pounds more than Hill.
The Jaguars reeeally liked Dolphins Rookie WR Jaylen Waddle. At one point they forgot to blur out their draft board, showing Waddle with the same grade as Trevor Lawrence.
Jaylen Waddle generated a perfect passer rating when targeted (158.3) in 2 of his 3 college seasons.
PFN: “When it's all said and done -- there's a good chance that Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is the WR1 from the 2021 NFL Draft”
“[Austin] Ekeler is a perfect fit for the Saints scheme...Lombardi should have a field day with Ekeler, lining him up out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. Also, expect Ekeler to be in motion quite a bit...If Ekeler can stay healthy, he is going to put up huge numbers"
RB Yards Created Through Analytics - 2020 Recap
Joe Burrow was sacked 32 times last year. The Bengals new starting 5 offensive linemen account for just five (5) of those sacks. Add Frank Pollack to that as well. This is an improved OL.
Scouts comp Broncos RB Javonte Williams to Nick Chubb and Zeke. “I think he’s the number 1 running back [in the class].”
George Kittle is leading the charge for early offseason hype for Rookie QB Trey Lance: “He made an awesome throw on a play-action, he found my rookie Josh Pederson in the far corner on a rollout, which is the last guy you'd throw it to on the play.”
“In NFL history only two players have ever rushed for over 3,000 yards, scored over 35 touchdowns and averaged over five yards per carry in their first four seasons. One is the legendary Jim Brown... The other? Aaron Jones.”
“Burrow said he stayed after practice to throw a few extra to Ja'Marr Chase.” Sometimes the simple stuff just that hits the right spot:
Michael Pittman on noticing Carson Wentz's arm strength: “He threw like a 65-yard post, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I gotta dig down and run.”
A look at players who’s values have dipped a little too far and can help you win in 2021.
“If you had any concerns about taking Joe Mixon in the 2nd or 3rd rounds of your drafts, you can put those fears to rest with this fantasy football fairy tale: The Joe Mixon Redemption Story”
Jordan Love didn’t get a lot of positive reviews last offseason. A slightly different tune to start this year, it seems.
Yards Created: 2021 Rookie class breakdown.
Reception Perception Video: Brandon Aiyuk is ready to become a true No. 1 NFL receiver.
Still a monster. In 2020 Julio Jones was the WR3 in PPR Per Game, WR7 in Fantasy Usage PG, WR4 in PPR Over Expected PG, and the tape was good too:
A few reasons to draft Darren Waller over George Kittle. — Or: “Does Darren Waller have a case as the overall TE1?”
“Efficiency matters: Proposing a new metric to measure Wide Receiver breakouts”
/u/BeerSheets put together a dynamic draft aid for Dynasty startup and rookie drafts.
2021 Zero RB targets.
Deeep Sleepers:
The Green Bay Packers took Rookie RB Kylin Hill in the 7th round of the 2021 draft. He’s been catching the eye of beat writers and recently Jim Nagy had this to say: "Based off that freshman tape, I thought he’d be a three-and-done guy...You saw enough in that one game (against LSU) that he was a guy that can play on third down...A guy that late in the draft, talent-wise, he shouldn’t have been there."
The Raiders are “Extremely fired up” about UDFA Rookie WR Dillon Stoner: “While there was no media access to the recent rookie camp in Henderson, Nev., observers say that the former Oklahoma State receiver dominated and showed why the Raiders gave him $120,000 in guaranteed money to sign with them.”
“Did Ernie Adams find a gem in seventh-round pick Tre Nixon? Nixon's college WR coach thinks so.” “During fall camp, he was probably the best player on our team, & we had five guys drafted"
If you’re looking for some cheap rookie TE recommendations in Dynasty.
Cold Water:
Saquon Barkley (knee) might not handle full workload early in season.
For those of you who subscribe to the RB usage cliff theory: “Ezekiel Elliott has only been in the league for 5 years, he's still only 25 years old, and there is only 1 RB (Mark Ingram) currently on an NFL roster with more career touches than him.”
The Fun Stuff:
Mecole Hardman, Henry Ruggs, Justin Jefferson and Devin White did a little race. Spoiler: Jefferson loses to a yoked linebacker proving elite WR speed doesn’t matter.
Carson Wentz looks like he’s having fun in Indianapolis.
Best of Josh Norman getting sent to the shadow realm.
AJ Brown slidin’ in Julio’s DMs. Dude knows he wants and is going for it.
Tom Brady’s social media team is second to none.
Derrick Henry removes mask.
Joe Burrow: *crosses the street* Bengals fans:
Lamar Jackson and Coach Harbaugh.
Throwback: George Kittle laughing as he pancaked a Falcons defender.