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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

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
Malik Nabers Aug 13 9:20am CT
Malik Nabers

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (ankle) underwent a complete evaluation for his ankle injury, and head coach Brian Daboll confirmed that he's "good" and the issue is not "long-term." Daboll indicated that while Nabers will miss some practice time, he's not expected to be sidelined for an extended period. Nabers, who has stood out as New York's top receiver this summer, suffered the injury during a drill at Sunday's practice and was absent from Monday's sessionthe first practice he has missed since being selected as the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft out of LSU. During his absence, Veteran Darius Slayton stepped into Nabers' role as the X receiver. Daboll declined to provide a diagnosis, confirming that the tests didn't reveal a serious injury. There seem to be no significant concerns for Week 1. Nabers might be held out of the remaining two preseason games. Still, his rising ADP in recent weeks underscores the importance of his return to full health for fantasy managers hoping to see him reach his potential.

From RotoBaller

Darius Robinson Aug 13 9:10am CT
Darius Robinson

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has confidently stated that first-round pick Darius Robinson has a "1,000 percent" chance of earning a starting role. The rookie defensive lineman, selected 27th overall by the Cardinals, made a strong impression in his preseason debut against the New Orleans Saints. Robinson's performance included a tackle and a quarterback pressure in ten snaps during the Cardinals' 16-14 loss on Saturday. His first play saw him tackle running back Alvin Kamara, marking his initial impact on the game. Robinson reflected on this moment, saying, "I'm ready to give my all each day, but it really hit me when I tackled Kamara. It was like, 'Alright, I'm here, ready, and focused.'" While Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones seem to be the leading candidates for the starting defensive end spots, Robinson's high draft position suggests he will be a crucial player for the Cardinals in the future. When he assumes a starting role, it may depend on his continued performance and development.

From RotoBaller

Chase Claypool Aug 13 8:50am CT
Chase Claypool

The Buffalo Bills have placed wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe) on IR, ending his season. Signed to a one-year deal during the offseason, Claypool had previously struggled with the Dolphins and Bears, recording just eight receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown over 12 games. Originally listed as a day-to-day concern, Claypool missed most of training camp due to a toe injury sustained on July 28. Claypool will not play this season unless he secures an injury settlement with the Bills and becomes a free agent. With Claypool sidelined, veteran wide receivers Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling emerge as the top contenders for depth roles in Buffalo's receiving corps.

From RotoBaller

Martavis Bryant Aug 13 8:40am CT
Martavis Bryant

The Washington Commanders have signed veteran wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Bryant, who has not played in an NFL game since 2018, spent time on the Cowboys' practice squad last season following his reinstatement from an indefinite suspension. Known for multiple suspensions due to substance abuse violations, Bryant last saw action in the XFL during its 2023 season. He was a fourth-round pick by the Steelers in 2014 and played three seasons with Pittsburgh before being traded to the Raiders. The Raiders released him after the preseason but re-signed him a few weeks later, completing the final year of his four-year, $2.7 million rookie contract and becoming a free agent in 2019. In his NFL career, Bryant has appeared in 44 games, recording 145 receptions for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns. If he can recapture some of his old form, he could provide a significant boost as a big-play receiver for new quarterback Jayden Daniels.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Aug 13 7:47am CT
Javonte Williams

Dynasty | Broncos running back Javonte Williams rushed 4 times for 15 yards and caught 1-of-2 targets for 5 yards in Denver's preseason opener. Dynasty Analysis: Even better, he looked like the clear starter and number one option for Denver. While Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and possibly even Samaje Perine or Blake Watson nay be pushing him, it's evident Williams is in the lead and has a stranglehold on the position at the moment. Williams looks like a relatively cheap buy in dynasty leagues at the moment.

Robbie Chosen Aug 13 12:13am CT
Robbie Chosen

The San Francisco 49ers officially signed free-agent WR Robbie Chosen (Dolphins) to a one-year contract on Monday, Aug. 12.

From TheHuddle

Davante Adams Aug 12 10:20pm CT
Davante Adams

The Las Vegas Raiders are getting wide receiver Davante Adams (personal) back at training camp this week. The three-time first-team All-Pro left the team in camp in Costa Mesa after six practices this summer -- he missed the final five practices and the preseason opener on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings -- to return to Las Vegas for the birth of his son. "Davante will be here today," head coach Antonio Pierce said on Sunday. "Spoke to him after the game. He's excited. He watched it. He misses his teammates. Glad baby boy is here, healthy." It remains to be seen if the 31-year-old will suit up in the team's second preseason contest this Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. Adams had a fourth straight 1,000-yard season in his second year in Sin City in 2023, but his 1,144 receiving yards and eight TDs were his fewest in those categories since 2019. He's still a WR1 in fantasy, but he's on the low end of that tier with either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell running the offense.

From RotoBaller

Carlton Davis Aug 12 9:43pm CT
Carlton Davis

Detroit Lions CB Carlton Davis (undisclosed), LB James Houston (undisclosed), DL Alim McNeill (undisclosed), LB DaRon Gilbert (undisclosed) and S Morice Norris (undisclosed) did not practice on Monday, Aug. 12.

From TheHuddle

Stetson Bennett Aug 12 9:13pm CT
Stetson Bennett

Dynasty | Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett completed 24-of-38 passes for 224 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in the Rams preseason opener. Dynasty Analysis: Even the most enthusiastic Bennett truthers have to face reality after this one as he's going to have a hard time making the final roster with Jimmy Garoppolo in the fold as well. Bennett simply hasn't progressed quite enough to look like an NFL-level quarterback despite his success in college. It's tough to keep him on taxi squads at this point.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Jalen Brooks Aug 12 9:13pm CT
Jalen Brooks

Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks caught two passes for 49 yards in the Cowboys season opener. Dynasty Analysis: Brooks has been pushing Jalen Tolbert all camp and his production came while working mostly with the first unit, which is even better. Brooks may not quite be worth a roster add in shallow leagues but this has quickly become a competition to watch in Dallas.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Isaac Yiadom Aug 12 8:43pm CT
Isaac Yiadom

San Francisco 49ers CB Isaac Yiadom (ankle) is about a week away from returning to practice, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

From TheHuddle

Jahmyr Gibbs Aug 12 8:20pm CT
Jahmyr Gibbs

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury at Monday night's training camp practice, according to a source. We still don't have a firm diagnosis on the severity of Gibbs' hamstring injury, but this could certainly be an injury that puts the 22-year-old second year back's availability for the start of the 2024 regular season in a couple of weeks in question. Especially in PPR fantasy leagues, he entered training camp as a midrange RB1 after a promising first year in the NFL in which he finished as the RB10 in half-PPR setups. However, fantasy managers would be wise to knock Gibbs down a few pegs now on their RB1 rankings, while backfield mate David Montgomery's current Yahoo ADP of 48.9 is surely to go up in the coming days and weeks. Check back a more clear timeline of when Gibbs could get back on the field.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Hamilton Aug 12 8:00pm CT
Kyle Hamilton

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) is dealing with a minor knee sprain and is "good" after getting injured in Sunday's training camp practice. Hamilton might miss a bit of practice time this week as a result, but he appears to have avoided a significant knee injury and should be ready to go to kick off the 2024 regular season on Thursday Night Football against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs in early September. The 23-year-old former 14th overall pick in 2022 out of Notre Dame will be one of the first defensive backs to come off the board in IDP fantasy leagues after he produced 81 tackles (63 solo), three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season starts in 2023 to earn All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

From RotoBaller

Arnold Ebiketie Aug 12 7:50pm CT
Arnold Ebiketie

The Atlanta Falcons placed rookie third-round outside linebacker Bralen Trice (knee) on Injured Reserve on Sunday after he tore his ACL in the preseason opener on Friday against the Miami Dolphins, according to sources. Trice had impressed early on in camp and had been running with the first-team defense, which makes his season-ending injury even all the more devastating. His focus will shift to recovering fully in time for the start of the 2025 season. The 23-year-old former Washington Husky would have had a significant role in Atlanta's defense right away in his rookie season, but now he'll have to wait until next year to make an impact. Trice's injury will put more pressure on outside linebackers Arnold Ebiketie and Lorenzo Carter to perform in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Arik Armstead Aug 12 7:43pm CT
Arik Armstead

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Arik Armstead (knee) could be activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list at some point next week, according to head coach Doug Pederson.

From TheHuddle

Ty Johnson Aug 12 7:40pm CT
Ty Johnson

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) was set to return to training camp practice on Monday. A hamstring injury suffered at the start of camp at the end of July had kept Johnson on the sidelines until this week. Now that the 26-year-old has rejoined the rest of his teammates in practice, he'll continue to compete with rookie Ray Davis for the No. 2 job behind starter James Cook. The former sixth-rounder (186th overall) by the Detroit Lions in 2019 out of Maryland had only 30 carries for 132 yards and no touchdowns while catching all seven of his targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in 10 games for Buffalo in 2023. Johnson was used more late last year after Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator for the Bills. At best, Johnson is a late-round handcuff pick in deep fantasy leagues for those that select Cook.

From RotoBaller

Martavis Bryant Aug 12 7:33pm CT
Martavis Bryant

Free-agent WR Martavis Bryant (Cowboys) is scheduled to work out for the Washington Commanders Tuesday, Aug. 13, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

Foyesade Oluokun Aug 12 7:33pm CT
Foyesade Oluokun

Jacksonville Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun (hamstring) did not participate in practice Monday, Aug. 12, because of hamstring tightness. Head coach Doug Pederson said it is not a serious issue for Oluokun.

From TheHuddle

Geno Smith Aug 12 7:30pm CT
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that the team's starters probably won't play much in the second preseason game this Saturday against the Tennessee Titans. The starters will get their work in joint practices with the Titans this week. Smith and the rest of the offensive starters also sat out of Saturday's preseason opener versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The 33-year-old Smith missed some time early in training camp with minor hip and knee injuries, but he's fine now and should be 100% ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the visiting Denver Broncos. There is plenty of optimism for a bounce-back year for Smith and Seattle's entire offense under the new coaching staff and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Treat Smith as a low-end QB2 target with upside in upcoming fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller