web analytics

Raiders Sign Taylor Mays

NFL News
August 26, 2015

WEDNESDAY, 12:14pm: Mays has officially signed with the Raiders, who confirmed the deal and announced that they’ve cut linebacker Chase Williams to create room on the roster for Mays.

TUESDAY, 8:52pm: The Raiders have reached agreement on a deal with safety Taylor Mays, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The deal reunited Mays, a USC product, with Ken Norton Jr., who is now Oakland’s defensive coordinator.

Last week, Mays asked the Lions for his release after he didn’t receive any playing time in the team’s preseason contest against Washington. That marked the second time this year that Mays was released by an NFC North team — the veteran safety and special-teamer signed with the Vikings earlier in the year, and was cut by Minnesota back in June.

In five NFL seasons with the 49ers and Bengals, Mays has made 84 tackles, recorded one sack, and recovered a pair of fumbles. While his numbers aren’t exceptional, the former second-round pick is a solid contributor on special teams, and drew interest from multiple teams when he hit the market this offseason.

NFC Notes: Giants, Cowboys, Lions, Saints

NFL News
August 26, 2015

The Giants were the NFL’s most-injured team in 2013 and 2014, and the club has already had 22 players sidelined by injury this summer, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, who suggests Tom Coughlin‘s job could ultimately be in jeopardy if the team’s health issues lead to another underwhelming season.

One key Giants player who missed most of last season due to injury is currently on the shelf this year as well, and Coughlin acknowledges that he’s starting to worry about Victor Cruz‘s availability for Week 1. The receiver is battling a calf issue.

“I’m concerned, yeah, I am” Coughlin said, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. “But I would like to see him get out there, and be able to stay out there. That’s what our real intent is. As soon as that can be done, that’s possible, then that’s what will happen.”

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • Following Orlando Scandrick‘s season-ending ACL injury, the Cowboys are in the market for cornerbacks, says Jason Cole of Nerdy Football (video link). Per Cole, the team isn’t necessarily looking for a starter, but would like to add depth to an increasingly thin position.
  • Before trading him to the Patriots, the Lions actually heard from four teams that were interested in offensive tackle Mike Williams, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com observes, the Williams deal continues a trend for GM Martin Mayhew, who has acquired late-round draft compensation for a handful of players within the last few months.
  • The Saints will have some decisions to make when it comes to their defensive line, and Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune examines some of the players who are on the roster bubble and who could hit waivers next week.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

2015 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Strategy and Cheat Sheet for Opening Rounds

Fantasy Football
August 26, 2015

No matter what you do throughout the season, your fantasy football hopes can rely on your performance in the first few rounds of the draft. Don’t mess it up.

While there are certainly situations outside of your control like injuries and off-field issues, you want to make sure you build a core that can last you an entire season. Just a couple of missteps in the draft could lead you to spending the rest of the year scouring the waiver wire like a raccoon in garbage.

No two drafts are going to end up the same, but all you can do is pick the best player at each stage to help you dominate. Here is a breakdown of the smartest move based on each spot in the first few rounds, using hypothetical fantasy squads as a baseline no matter where you are picking.

Team A

Even without playing the first two weeks of the year, Le’Veon Bell represents enough upside for the rest of the season to justify selecting him No. 1 overall. Drafting DeAngelo Williams as a handcuff in the later rounds would be a smart move.

Meanwhile, Justin Forsett is a better pick than many are giving him credit for this offseason. He finished eighth among running backs in fantasy points a year ago and remains confident he wasn’t a one-year wonder.

“I’m not resting on my laurels,” Forsett said, per David Steele of Sporting News. “I’m hungry. I know people are still doubting out there, even during free agency, so I’m just gonna continue to work and prove it.”

Although it might be a bit early for Andrew Luck, he is a safe option who could carry this team all year long.

Team B

There were some safe picks across the board with this team. As long as he stays healthy, Eddie Lacy has as high of a floor as anyone in the draft. Julio Jones has also always produced when he is on the field and is capable of being a top fantasy receiver.

Mark Ingram has the potential for high touchdown totals in the New Orleans Saints offense, but you always have to be scared of him falling back into a committee. The third round is a reasonable spot for him.

Finally, Jordan Matthews represents tons of upside in a Philadelphia Eagles offense that has produced elite numbers for its top receivers in recent years.

Team C

Jamaal Charles remains one of the top fantasy picks, but Knile Davis could continue to take away touches from the established starter. There will be enough points to go around, but it is enough to see him slip to No. 3.

Meanwhile, Randall Cobb immediately becomes an elite fantasy option at receiver with Jordy Nelson out for the year with an ACL tear. Aaron Rodgers will target him often throughout the year, and he has the talent to make things happen with the ball in his hands.

A.J. Green and Peyton Manning simply represent quality value at this stage in the draft.

Team D

People can keep doubting Marshawn Lynch, but he continues to pick up yards and touchdowns at an incredible rate. After signing a new contract in the offseason, there is no reason to expect this to slow down.

Additionally, drafting Jimmy Graham in the fourth round ensures a high percentage of points from the Seattle Seahawks offense.

On the other hand, the safer picks of Lynch and Calvin Johnson can allow you to draft a riskier, high-upside pick like Carlos Hyde. He has the talent to produce this year, but the question will be whether he gets enough carries.

Team E

Many have the rule that you have to draft a running back early. However, if you simply go with the best available, you could be in pretty good shape with Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. Both were consistent producers at receiver last year, and the duo could give you a huge advantage at the position.

Of course, you eventually have to find runners. This leaves two very different options in Alfred Morris and Joseph Randle. Morris is safer but lacks upside, while Randle will try to duplicate DeMarco Murray‘s great 2014 season behind the best offensive line in football.

With these two players, you should be in solid shape going forward.

Team F

As Tom Pelissero of USA Today notes, Adrian Peterson is favored to win another rushing title this season:

The problem is there is a lot of risk trusting a 30-year-old running back who missed almost all of 2014. You don’t want to miss with your first-round pick, so waiting until there is better value is not a problem.

Balancing this selection with safe options like Aaron Rodgers and Alshon Jeffery should give you more confidence going into the year.

Team G

Some are doubting Matt Forte going into 2015, but he was once again a top-five fantasy running back last year and remains Chicago’s only real ground threat. The touches should still be there for a strong season.

Jeremy Hill and T.Y. Hilton represent good value in their respective rounds, while Brandin Cooks showcases tons of upside as the No. 1 option in the high-powered Saints offense.

Team H

C.J. Anderson has the potential to be one of the top scorers in fantasy football this season. The Denver Broncos still have a dynamic offense, and new coach Gary Kubiak should only improve the run game. Unfortunately, we could easily see Ronnie Hillman or Montee Ball take over at any point and be just as successful.

He is still worthy of a first-round pick, but temper expectations a bit.

Adding a veteran like Frank Gore might not be a sexy selection, but it creates balance on your team.

Team I

While DeMarco Murray isn’t going to put up the numbers he did last season, the drop-off won’t be too terrible. As long as Ryan Mathews doesn’t take away too many touches, he should still be a top-10 running back.

The other surprise might be picking Russell Wilson in the fourth round, but he has clearly become the No. 3 option at quarterback behind Rodgers and Luck. With his rushing ability and the addition of Graham at tight end, Wilson could be set for a huge year.

Team J

A hamstring injury makes LeSean McCoy a risky pick, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported he will be back by Week 1:

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com noted the running back will likely get a lot of use when he is on the field:

This situation makes him worthy of an early pick. The same could be said about Rob Gronkowski, who is too much better than everyone else at the position to pass on in the opening rounds.

Melvin Gordon also has the potential to be a star if he ends up being a full-time back in San Diego.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for all your fantasy football and daily fantasy needs.

Follow TheRobGoldberg on Twitter

Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com

NFL
Fantasy Football
Fantasy

Broncos Release Connor Barth

NFL News
August 26, 2015

To accommodate their signing of free agent guard Evan Mathis, the Broncos have created a spot on their roster by releasing Connor Barth, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The move indicates that Brandon McManus has won Denver’s kicking job.

Barth, 29, was signed by the Broncos last November to replace McManus, who was struggling with his accuracy. The former Buccaneers kicker finished the season by making 15 of 16 field goals for Denver, but was beat out in camp this year by McManus. The 24-year-old has the bigger leg of the two players, and can handle kickoffs better, but made just nine of 13 field goal attempts in his rookie year in 2014.

While the move is bad news for Barth in the short term, he immediately becomes one of the most talented kickers on the free agent market. If another team has its kicker go down with an injury or perform poorly in the early going, Barth figures to be one of the first potential replacements to get a call.

Osi Umenyiora Retires As A Giant

NFL News
August 26, 2015

AUGUST 26, 9:00am: Umenyiora has officially announced his retirement, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

AUGUST 24, 1:44pm: Umenyiora will officially announce his retirement prior to the Giants’ Wednesday practice, according to Vacchiano (via Twitter).

JULY 27, 1:48pm: According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), Umenyiora will sign a one-day contract with the Giants “soon” in order to officially retire with the team.

1:37pm: Veteran pass rusher Osi Umenyiora hasn’t drawn a ton of interest on the free agent market this offseason, and it sounds as if the former Giant may return to his old team on a ceremonial contract before he retires. According to Adam Caplan and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the Giants and Umenyiora are discussing the possibility of a one-day contract for the 33-year-old, so he can retire as a Giant.

Umenyiora, selected in the second round of the 2003 draft by the Giants, has spent most of his NFL career in New York, playing a key role on the team’s two Super Bowl-winning squads in 2007 and 2011. The Troy product earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods, and had three seasons of double-digit sacks between 2005 and 2010. Umenyiora joined the Falcons for the 2013 season and played a part-time role in Atlanta, recording total 10 total sacks over the last two seasons.

Giants co-owner John Mara suggested back in March that he’d like to see Umenyiora retire as a Giant, though at the time I assumed that would mean signing him for perhaps one more year, rather than just one day. It’s not clear whether or not Umenyiora wants to continue his career, but even with Jason Pierre-Paul‘s status still up in the air, it doesn’t look like the veteran free agent will be joining the Giants for the 2015 season.