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The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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Player Notes
Bo Nix Aug 19 10:40am CT
Bo Nix

According to a report, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is poised to be named the team's starter soon. Nix has delivered impressive performances in his first two preseason games, completing 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns, a 76.7% completion rate, and a standout 116.7 QB rating. Despite his strong showing, head coach Sean Payton has yet to name him the Week 1 starter officially. "Listen, he's played well," Payton said Sunday. "I'm not announcing any starting quarterback tonight. I'll let you guys know when the time comes, but I thought he played well." While Payton may be hesitant to make a formal announcement, it's clear to Broncos faithful that Nix's poise, control, and confidence make him the likely choice. Although Nix may not have significant fantasy value himself, his performance boosts the Broncos' offense and optimism for the team's skill players.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Aug 19 10:10am CT
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill played early on in Sunday's preseason loss to San Francisco, lining up all over the field per usual. Hill plunged in a goal-line touchdown early while lining up as a running back. He carried the ball five times for 21 yards on the night with Alvin Kamara (back) and Kendre Miller (hamstring) absent, showing he could once again be a factor in fantasy football in 2024. Hill's last shot at preseason action will come Sunday against Tennessee.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Aug 19 10:00am CT
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints' veteran running back Jamaal Williams drew the start in Week 2's preseason loss against the San Francisco 49ers with Alvin Kamara (back) and Kendre Miller (hamstring) sitting out. Williams rushed five times for 32 yards, breaking off a long run of 15 yards. He also caught his lone target for a two-yard gain. After a disappointing season in 2023, Williams will look to bounce back in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's new system. He remains a late-round flier and will likely go undrafted in most fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

James Robinson Aug 19 10:00am CT
James Robinson

New Orleans Saints' running back James Robinson was active in Sunday's preseason loss as he fights for a roster spot. The veteran journeyman carried the ball five times for 27 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards. He also saw some work on special teams as a return man. Robinson has been unable to stick on a roster ever since he was traded from Jacksonville in 2022, and it will be an uphill climb for him to make the Saints' 53-man roster unless he impresses on special teams.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Aug 19 10:00am CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints' receiver Chris Olave started in the preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers, drawing targets early on from quarterback Derek Carr. On four targets, Olave caught three balls for 26 yards. The third-year professional appears set for a massive target share this season as evidenced through the first two preseason games along with the lack of talent around him. While his ceiling this season is only as high as Klint Kubiak can take the New Orleans offense, Olave should have a safe floor week-to-week.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Aug 19 9:50am CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints' quarterback Derek Carr started the Week 2 preseason game and ended up playing a little over a quarter. Carr orchestrated a touchdown drive early in the second quarter that was capped off with a Taysom Hill rushing touchdown. The veteran completed seven of nine passing attempts for 47 yards on the day. New Orleans' preseason finale will be next Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, and it remains unclear as to whether the starters will suit up for a third straight week or not.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Aug 19 9:50am CT
Jake Haener

New Orleans Saints' quarterback Jake Haener led the team in passing with just 76 yards in Sunday night's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Haener completed 7-of-13 passes and also scrambled once for two yards. The second-year quarterback closed the game out a week after playing ahead of rookie Spencer Rattler. The two appear to be entrenched in a battle for the backup quarterback job, with neither player taking a clear lead thus far.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Aug 19 9:50am CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints' rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler had a tough outing in Sunday night's preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 23-year-old completed 4-of-8 passing attempts for 27 yards while scrambling three times for five yards. Rattler did set up a 52-yard field goal for kicker Blake Grupe in the third quarter, but those were the only points he initiated in the loss. He was the second quarterback in the game behind Derek Carr, a positive development after he played behind Jake Haener last week. The two will continue to fight for the backup job in Week 3's preseason finale against Tennessee.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Aug 19 9:10am CT
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (undisclosed) didn't play in the team's second preseason contest against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday and he remained out of practice as well. Head coach Jerod Mayo was asked if there was any cause for concern for a banged-up tight end room and he said, "I would say these aren't extended recoveries for these guys. They'll be ready to go relatively early in the season." Henry, along with backups Austin Hooper (undisclosed) and Mitchell Wilcox (calf) are all listed as questionable right now. In terms of fantasy relevance, Henry has the most potential out of this group, so if he's ready by the beginning of the season, he should serve as a solid streaming option at tight end.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Aug 19 8:50am CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (oblique) did not suit up for the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He was confirmed to be dealing with an oblique injury of sorts, but it's not believed to be any major injury. Jennings is only expected to miss a little time, but it's not clear how much time they expect that to be. He's been impressing in training camp so far and looks to be the leader in the position battle to get the WR3 role. In his three seasons with the 49ers so far, Jennings has caught 78 of his 127 targets for 963 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also averaging 7.6 yards per target and 21.4 yards per game. He may even see his opportunities jump depending on what happens with Brandon Aiyuk.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Aug 19 8:40am CT
Jordan Mason

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (hip) didn't play in the team's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Afterward, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Mason was dealing with hip soreness, so they went in the direction of being cautious. The 25-year-old has been making a lot of waves in training camp so far and could be playing his way into a bigger backup role. Missing this game doesn't seem to move him back in the depth chart, but Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell are quite entrenched in the top two spots at running back. Mason's health will be something to monitor during the new week of practice.

From RotoBaller

Marshon Lattimore Aug 19 8:20am CT
Marshon Lattimore

New Orleans Saints defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (knee) suffered a knee injury in the team's preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The good news is that head coach Dennis Allen said that they think they avoided anything major. The exact injury to his knee hasn't been confirmed just yet, but it seems like he'll at least sit out of practice for a bit to make sure everything is healed. The Alabama product was the team's second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft and he's projected to get a good bit of work behind Marshon Lattimore to start the season as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

From RotoBaller

Robert Tonyan Aug 19 8:10am CT
Robert Tonyan

Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) remains sidelined with back spasms and hasn't been able to suit up for either of the team's two preseason games. Tonyan first experienced the spasms on July 31 and hasn't been able to practice since then. The initial hope was that he'd be back in time for one of their first two preseason contests, but that hasn't been the case. With T.J. Hockenson (knee) still on the PUP list, Tonyan was brought in to be a depth option alongside Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt. If he can't get back on the field soon, he may slip all the way down the depth chart and when Hockenson returns, there's not going to be nearly as many fantasy opportunities for the veteran tight end.

From RotoBaller

Jacob Cowing Aug 19 1:10am CT
Jacob Cowing

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing led the team in receiving -- and all-purpose yards -- during a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Santa Clara on Sunday night. The fourth-round pick caught four of five targets for 51 yards while adding a 19-yard carry in his first NFL action. Cowing, an Arizona native, was profiled as a fast and agile but undersized flanker after spending the early part of his college career at UTEP before transferring back home to U of A. He appears to have a good chance to make the team but he'll have to continue earning it, as there is currently a vigorous competition involving many challengers in the 49ers' receiving room. Cowing is unlikely to make a fantasy impact in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Cody Schrader Aug 19 12:40am CT
Cody Schrader

San Francisco 49ers running backs Matt Breida and Cody Schrader each handled seven carries in the team's 16-10 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints in Santa Clara on Sunday night. Breida, who returns to San Francisco after spending four years elsewhere, made more of his opportunity, taking his carries for 24 yards and catching both of his two targets for 25 yards. With his own seven carries, the undrafted rookie Schrader managed just 15 yards and caught one of three targets for five yards. San Francisco's running back room is banged up right now, and both players sit behind starter Christian McCaffrey as well as backups Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, and fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo. Neither player is likely to be fantasy-relevant in 2024. Breida would seem to have the inside track out of the two to make the team if the injury problems persist and Schrader is only a fringe deep-dynasty stash.

From RotoBaller

Joshua Dobbs Aug 19 12:00am CT
Joshua Dobbs

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs took the bulk of the offensive snaps for the team in a 16-10 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints in Santa Clara on Sunday night. The 29-year-old entered the game for San Francisco's fourth possession following a struggling Brock Purdy offense. Dobbs would remain at the helm for three point-generating possessions before yielding to Brandon Allen at the half. Dobbs totaled 12 of 21 passes completed for 133 yards with no sacks or interceptions. He added three carries for 25 yards, including an impressive reverse-field scramble for a first down and a one-yard touchdown plunge. While preseason successes -- and failures -- should be taken with a grain of salt, San Francisco has to be happy to see a continuation of the skills Dobbs flashed in 2023 with Arizona and Minnesota. Dobbs is not fantasy-rosterable at this point but should draw some waiver-wire action if Purdy misses time.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Aug 18 11:10pm CT
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had just one catch that went for a 23-yard pickup on his only target from rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix in Sunday night's 27-2 beatdown of the visiting Green Bay Packers in the second preseason game. It was a step back after Sutton caught two passes (three targets) from Nix and Jarrett Stidham for 35 yards in the preseason opener last week against the Colts. It means little in the grand scheme of things, though, as the 28-year-old former second-rounder is Denver's unquestioned WR1 and is coming off a 772-yard season with a career-best 10 touchdowns. Target volume shouldn't be an issue in 2024, but fantasy managers need to expect some potential serious TD regression. He currently has a Yahoo ADP of 119.7 in standard-scoring formats, meaning fantasy managers aren't simply falling for his boom in scoring last year and are taking him as more of a WR4/flex.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Aug 18 11:00pm CT
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made his 2024 preseason debut in a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night in Santa Clara. Purdy started the game and spent the first three San Francisco offensive possessions under center before giving way to backup Joshua Dobbs. In that time Purdy produced a meager two completions on six attempts for 11 yards while taking one sack. From the beginning, New Orleans did a great job of putting pressure on Purdy, putting him in the grass multiple times. Whether observers blame San Francisco's lack of protection, Purdy himself, or credit the Saints' pass rush, it's wise not to overreact -- or react at all -- to preseason performances by entrenched starters. Purdy will look to shake off more rust when the 49ers take on Las Vegas on Friday night for their preseason finale.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Aug 18 10:50pm CT
Tim Patrick

Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick, who hasn't played in a regular-season game in the NFL since 2021 after suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries in training camp the last two years, led the team in catches (four), targets (four) and receiving yards (30) while catching one of the two receiving scores in Sunday night's 27-2 win over the visiting Green Bay Packers. All four of his targets came from rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix, including his touchdown reception, a four-yard bullet from Nix. It's great to see the 30-year-old back healthy, but as of right now, Patrick isn't being drafted in standard-sized fantasy leagues. If he can stay healthy, though, he has proven in the past he can be a reliable pass-catcher and chain-mover behind Courtland Sutton. If Nix wins the starting QB job and helps improve Denver's offense from what it was a season ago, Patrick could be an early waiver-wire pickup.

From RotoBaller

Jaleel McLaughlin Aug 18 10:40pm CT
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin each had three carries apiece for exactly 17 yards each in Sunday night's 27-2 victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers. Williams caught his only target for an impressive 15-yard gain, while McLaughlin caught his only target for only a four-yard pickup. Blake Watson led the backfield with six carries for 20 yards, while quarterback Jarrett Stidham had the team's only rushing touchdown, a nine-yard scamper into the end zone. Rookie Audric Estime had four carries for 14 yards and caught one of his two targets for seven yards. The 24-year-old Williams' fantasy stock is down heading into 2024 despite going over 1,000 scrimmage yards for a bad Broncos offense in 2203. He's another year removed from a devastating knee injury and is primed to be the Broncos' lead back in what could be an improved offense under rookie QB Bo Nix. If Williams can regain his explosiveness and tackle-breaking ways, he could be a great RB2/3 value pick at his current 107.1 Yahoo ADP in standard-scoring leagues.

From RotoBaller