Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has noted that rookie Drake Maye is giving veteran Jacoby Brissett a run for his money in the quarterback competition. While Brissett, in his ninth NFL season, has the advantage of experiencehaving started 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and being familiar with Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's systemMaye's performance has closed the gap significantly. Mayo acknowledged that the difference between the two quarterbacks has narrowed in recent weeks and emphasized that the decision will hinge on which player gives the Patriots the best chance to win against the Bengals in Week 1. Maye has made a strong case with his preseason play, totaling 66 snaps, completing 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards, and tossing one touchdown with no interceptions. Additionally, he has contributed with seven carries for 32 yards and a rushing touchdown. Maye's physical talent and ability to make plays could potentially elevate the performance of skill players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Ja'Lynn Polk, making him an intriguing option for the starting role.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught two passes for 39 yards on three targets in a 30-27 win against New Orleans on Sunday. The day was highlighted by a 33-yard gain in the first quarter, where quarterback Will Levis showed great patience in the pocket before dealing a strike to Ridley. It was a modest preseason for Ridley, who played sparingly, only recording one catch in the other two preseason contests. With DeAndre Hopkins' status still in question for opening week, Ridley appears locked into the WR1 position for the Titans as they set their sights on the Chicago Bears. Consider him a strong WR3 as the top pass-catching option in Tennessee with a healthy amount of upside if Levis can bring his game to the next level.

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Several teams have contacted the Houston Texans to inquire about trading for wide receiver John Metchie III, given the team's crowded receiver lineup. The Texans currently have a solid trio of starters in Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell, and also feature veterans Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and Xavier Hutchinson. While it's uncertain whether the Texans will trade Metchie III, interest from other teams is growing. The former second-round pick from Alabama had ten catches for 100 yards and a touchdown during the preseason. Although Metchie III was drafted by the Texans in 2022, his rookie season was delayed due to a leukemia diagnosis. A trade could give him more opportunities to play and potentially impact fantasy football if he lands in a favorable situation.

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Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Bryce Oliver hauled in three passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns in the last preseason win over New Orleans. It was a mini breakout for the undrafted pass-catcher out of Youngstown State, who was having a quiet game until quarterback Malik Willis started looking his way in the fourth quarter, which led to two scores, along with the game-winner with 1:25 remaining. Oliver was not expected to compete for an active roster spot, but this performance definitely gives general manager Ran Carthon something to think about. Even so, with Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Tyler Boyd, Kyle Philips, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine having locked up roster spots at WR, it's tough to see a situation in which Oliver ends up on the active 53-man roster for the Titans. He is nowhere near any fantasy radar heading into the 2024-25 season.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis only threw four total passes in a preseason week 3 win over New Orleans, but two of them went for touchdowns. The third-year QB was 3-4 on the day for 51 yards including the game winning score to rookie receiver Bryce Oliver, threading the ball in a tight window for the five yard TD. Willis also added 29 yards on three rushing attempts, showcasing his elite speed on numerous occasions. Willis' future in Nashville has been a major question all offseason, with the Titans bringing in Mason Rudolph to back-up starting QB Will Levis. The Liberty product put on an extremely gutsy performance in the last preseason game with two fourth quarter touchdowns, but it's still tough to see Tennessee keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster for the 2024 season ahead. Willis remains a prime cut candidate, and could see being scooped up by another team if the Titans decide to go that route. Either way, he is non-viable for fantasy barring multiple injuries.

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Good news for the Cleveland Browns, as starting offensive tackle Jack Conklin (knee) has passed his physical and is coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list. Conklin was a 2016 first-round pick of the Titans out of Michigan State. He signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Browns back in December 2022. In 2023, Conklin played one game at right tackle for the Browns last season before suffering a severe knee injury. In the season opener, he tore two ligaments when Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson rolled into his knee after Conklin had finished a block. Hendrickson was inadvertently pushed into Conklin by Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., and Conklin had to be carted off the field. As a two-time All-Pro, Conklin's return significantly boosts the Browns' real-life performance and fantasy football prospects.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) will not be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform List before the season kicks off. As reported by Ari Meirov, the star edge rusher will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the new season since he hasn't progressed enough to be activated from the PUP list. Chubb tore his right ACL during the team's Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens last season which was just three seasons after tearing his left ACL while he was still a member of the Denver Broncos. He played a big part in the Dolphins' success on defense last year, so it remains to be seen how this will effect him and the team's pass-rush moving forward.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard got into the end zone for his first score of the preseason in the final game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The veteran back finished the game with five carries for 17 yards and a touchdown while collecting 27 yards through the air on two receptions. He may not have the most efficient game to end the preseason, but getting the goalline carry is a good sign. Tyjae Spears is likely to steal at least a handful of snaps every game, but Pollard seems to have at least established a sizeable chunk in the offense. Right now, he's ranked as the 26th running back in half-PPR leagues in the RotoBaller rankings. If he can regain the passing work he once received in Dallas, he may be in for a better year, but it's hard to rely on that heading into the start of the season.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis almost put together a perfect passing day in the team's 30-27 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. He completed seven of his eight passing attempts while leading the team to a touchdown and a field goal in the first two drives. He ended with 118 yards through the air while the touchdown came from Tony Pollard on the ground. Levis looked poised and found some room for big plays like a 33-yard completion to Calvin Ridley. After this showing, he seemingly has give the Titans more confidence in letting him be the full-time starter, but until he proves he can consistently produce, he'll be a shaky fantasy asset at quarterback for 12-team leagues.

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New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk caught two of three targets for 33 yards through the air during Sunday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. Polk, a rookie, will make the initial 53-man roster but was still competing for opportunities on Sunday. The depth chart isn't finalized yet and it's still unclear exactly what role he'll have in his rookie campaign, but there's a decent chance he could start alongside Demario Douglas. His usage could also depend on whether New England starts Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) or Drake Maye at quarterback in Week 1. As it stands, Polk is a solid dynasty target but can be avoided in most redraft leagues.

Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start the season, which would make him ineligible for the first four games.

Fantasy Spin: No surprise here as Chubb was being drafted as a stash option. Jerome Ford's ADP of 111 is likely to increase with the news. He'll make a solid flex option early in the year and could have roster viability all season.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots) agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Aug. 26.

Fantasy Spin: Marquise Brown is recovering from a dislocated clavicle and JuJu will provide depth to a suspect receiving corps. Target him as a WR5, but after 28 catches last year, temper your expectations.

From TheHuddle

Free agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is heading back to Kansas City for a reunion with Andy Reid and company. According to Jordan Schultz, the reigning Super Bowl champs are adding the seven-year veteran to their receiver corps. Smith-Schuster last played for the Chiefs in 2022 when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl for the first half of their back-to-back wins. Last year, the 27-year-old experienced the worst season of his career with the New England Patriots when he caught just 29 of 47 targets for 260 yards and one touchdown across 11 appearances. Then, he was cut by the Patriots this offseason which led to him being available for the Chiefs to scoop up. It's unclear how many opportunities he'll see, but the chemistry with Patrick Mahomes is already there. He'll still have to compete with Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and eventually Marquise Brown (shoulder) for targets.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to remain on the Physically Unable to Perform List to start the season. According to Adam Schefter, the Browns are not ready to activate the star back and that means he will miss at least the first four games of the regular season. This doesn't come as too big of a surprise since Chubb's major injury last season, but now it becomes a waiting game. With Chubb on the sidelines for at least four games, Jerome Ford will likely take on the bulk of the workload again while Pierre Strong Jr., D'Onta Foreman, and maybe even Nyheim Hines (knee) battle for reps behind him.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Tony Jones took seven carries for 29 yards in Sunday's preseason finale. He also caught two passes for 14 yards. The Cardinals went to the fourth-year veteran early and often, getting Jones a touch on five of their first seven offensive plays. Jones was knocked out of his final audition for the team early when he suffered a shoulder injury after getting tackled in the second quarter. Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad's blow also knocked the ball out of Jones's possession, the first of two red zone turnovers committed by Arizona in the game. James Conner is locked in as the Cardinals' starting running back with Trey Benson drafted to be his understudy. Even if Jones makes the final 53-man roster on Tuesday, he will not have the opportunity to provide fantasy value and can be ignored.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Hassan Hall led the team in rushing attempts and yardage in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos. Hall was given 19 carries and rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for another 28 yards through the air. Hall also showed a penchant for blocking, on one play intercepting a blitzing safety then popping up to throw to more blocks ahead of a scrambling Clayton Tune. Hall's solid performance in the preseason finale might have earned him a spot on Arizona's final roster. Even if he makes the cut, he will be buried on the Cardinals' depth chart.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune went 12-for-18 for 119 passing yards and an interception in Sunday's preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. Tune drew the start and was swapped out for Desmond Ridder at halftime. Unfortunately, Ridder was forced to exit with a head injury late in the fourth quarter, requiring Tune to resume signal-calling duties. On Tune's first play back, he gave up an interception that linebacker Levelle Bailey returned 94-yards for a touchdown. Assuming Tune makes the final roster on Tuesday, he will merely be Kyler Murray's backup and can be dismissed in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley had his best game of the preseason on Sunday evening as he caught four passes for 37 yards. This starkly contrasts the previous two games, as he was held off the scoresheet against the Jets and caught only two passes for eight yards last week against the Dolphins. While he did not stand out during the first two games, his performance on Sunday evening may have earned him a spot on the final roster. Tinsley made the Washington roster as an undrafted free agent last summer after a big preseason but made only three minor appearances during the regular season. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to who will emerge as the No.2 wideout opposite of Terry McLaurin during the early parts of the season, as that role is still unknown as we enter the opening week of the regular season.

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Washington Commanders kicker Cade York went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and 1-for-1 on extra-point attempts on Sunday evening. York joined the Commanders via a trade from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday in exchange for a seventh-round pick. The Commanders waived Riley Patterson, who had struggled this preseason, which left York as the only kicker on the roster for Sunday's game. The 23-year-old was perfect on Sunday evening and should be expected to serve as the primary kicker in Washington going forward. York was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft but only saw attempts in that season as he was waived before the 2023 season after struggling in his rookie campaign. While York will be left on the waiver wire in most leagues, he could be worth a look as a streaming option as the season progresses, especially if Jayden Daniels adjusts quickly to the professional level.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders quarterback Trace McSorley shined in the second half as he threw for 125 yards with a passing score and added 40 yards on the ground. The former Penn State product led the Commanders to all of their 20 points in the second half. McSorley tallied his passing score in the final minutes of the game on a four-yard pass to Martavis Bryant. Jeff Driskel got the starting nod as he is currently listed as the No.3 quarterback on the depth chart, but McSorley's performance does put him in the conversation to take over that role. McSorley appeared in six games in the 2022 season and got the start in a Week 16 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and threw for 217 yards. While his performance on Sunday evening may have earned him a spot on the final roster, he will only be fantasy-relevant if the quarterback room suffers numerous injuries.

From RotoBaller