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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!

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

This Week in the TFC (7-16)

Player Notes
Brandin Cooks Jul 19 1:03am CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks was on the same page with QB Dak Prescott during OTAs and minicamp this year, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota, who noted that their connection particularly stood out on deep balls and it was clear the duo had spent a full year working together.

Fantasy Spin: Machota opined that Cooks, if healthy, was capable of an "800- to 1,000-yard season with double-digit touchdowns" as the clear No. 2 receiver in Dallas. Cooks has struggled the last two years, but prior to that he'd topped 1,000 yards in six of his previous seven seasons. Entering his age-31 season, Cooks figures to be available late in drafts where he might deliver nice value as a reclamation project.

From TheHuddle

Nick Chubb Jul 18 8:33pm CT
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to be placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list when training camp begins.

From TheHuddle

Jordan Travis Jul 18 8:10pm CT
Jordan Travis

New York Jets quarterback Jordan Travis (leg) has been placed on the non-football injury list on Thursday. This doesn't come as a surprise considering Travis is still recovering from a leg fracture from November. The fifth-round pick can return at any point during training camp since he was put on the list before camp started. Travis is unlikely to have fantasy value during the 2024 season. He's expected to serve as the third-string quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can feel free to avoid Travis. However, dynasty managers have more incentive to hold Travis with Rodgers possibly retiring after the 2024 season.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Jul 18 7:50pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (back) has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. Fantasy managers don't need to panic with fantasy draft season quickly approaching. According to Nick Underhill, Olave is dealing with minor back tightness and should be fine soon. The former first-round pick should serve as the team's primary offensive option once again. He has been a stud since entering the league with two straight 1,000-plus yard campaigns. Fantasy managers shouldn't need to monitor this situation with the young stud only dealing with a minor back issue.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Jul 18 7:30pm CT
Mike Williams

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) has been placed on the active/PUP list on Thursday. This should not come as a shock considering Williams is still rehabbing from an ACL tear from last season. The organization is hopeful that Williams will be ready to play by Week 1. There is still plenty of time between now and the beginning of the football season. The missed reps are going to hurt considering Williams has joined a new team this offseason. Despite that, Williams should almost certainly be a viable option once he's cleared to play.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Jul 18 7:30pm CT
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to be placed on the active/PUP list to begin training camp. It's worth noting that Browns' general manager Andrew Berry said Chubb is progressing well from his torn ACL. The Browns are able to activate Chubb at any point, but it sounds like there is still more work to be done. At the moment, it is uncertain if Chubb will be available by Week 1. If he misses time, Jerome Ford is likely to become the workhorse back in Cleveland. Fantasy managers should have Ford on their radar with Chubb still rehabbing his knee.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Jul 18 4:33pm CT
Mike Williams

New York Jets WR Mike Williams (knee) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Thursday, July 18.

Fantasy Spin: It is not known when Williams will be able to practice, but he is optimistic that he will be ready for the start of the regular season. He should be a top three receiver for the Jets and could be a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Tanoh Kpassagnon Jul 18 4:23pm CT
Tanoh Kpassagnon

New Orleans Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles), DE Chase Young (neck) and LB Nephi Sewell (knee) were placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Thursday, July 18.

From TheHuddle

Jerome Baker Jul 18 3:43pm CT
Jerome Baker

Seattle Seahawks OT Abraham Lucas (knee), LBs Drake Thomas (undisclosed), Jerome Baker (undisclosed) and Tyrel Dodson (undisclosed), CB Lance Boykin (undisclosed), S Jerrick Reed II (undisclosed) and DL Cameron Young (undisclosed) on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, July 18.

From TheHuddle

Jaelan Phillips Jul 18 3:40pm CT
Jaelan Phillips

The Miami Dolphins placed linebackers Bradley Chubb (knee), Cameron Goode (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn (quadriceps) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, meaning they won't be ready to take part in the start of training camp next week. Chubb tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 17 in 2023 and will not be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season as a result. The former fifth overall pick of the Denver Broncos in 2018 out of North Carolina State had 11 sacks, a career-high 73 tackles (45 solo) and a league-high six forced fumbles in 16 starts in his first year in Miami in 2023 before his injury. Phillips needed surgery to fix a right Achilles tear in November but is hoping to be ready for the regular-season opener. Miami's pass rush won't be the same until both Chubb and Phillips are back on the field together.

From RotoBaller

Salvon Ahmed Jul 18 3:40pm CT
Salvon Ahmed

The Miami Dolphins placed running back Salvon Ahmed (foot) on the Non-Football Injury list on Thursday. Ahmed served in a backup role in Miami's backfield last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury in November. The 25-year-old now won't be ready to take part in practices for the start of training camp next week. When healthy, he's in line to be the team's RB4 behind Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane and rookie Jaylen Wright, so Ahmed isn't going to be a fantasy option in the vast majority of leagues. In mostly a pass-catching role in 2023, he caught a career-high 16 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown while adding 22 rushing attempts for 61 yards and another score in eight regular-season games for the Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Randall Cobb Jul 18 1:20pm CT
Randall Cobb

Veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb is hanging up his cleats and will join the SEC Network as a college football studio analyst this year. Although Cobb hasn't officially retired, it's unlikely we'll see him again on an NFL field after he caught just five of 17 targets for 39 yards and one touchdown in 11 games (one start) in 2023 for the New York Jets. The 33-year-old was a healthy scratch for most of the second half last season. Ten of Cobb's 13 years in the NFL came with the Green Bay Packers, who selected him in the second round (64th overall) in the 2011 NFL draft out of Kentucky. If this is indeed the end of the road for the 33-year-old pass-catcher, he'll finish his career in the NFL with 630 catches on 912 targets for 7,624 yards and 54 touchdowns in 166 regular-season games (88 starts) with the Packers, Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

C.J. Stroud Jul 18 1:10pm CT
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023, said he thinks there are "a ton of things" he can do better in his second year in the NFL, starting with "owning the offense more" than he did a year ago. Stroud also hopes to improve his footwork in Year 2 and focused on his desire for the team to put more "on my plate" in terms of directing the offense. "I want to definitely attack down the field more this year and press guys back, but also take what the defense gives me," Stroud said. "If it's a boring play, stick with the boring stuff and just be efficient with that. Those are all things I can get better at." Fantasy managers shouldn't consider the 22-year-old to be a high-end QB1 just yet, but he's no doubt going to be a popular midrange QB1 target after the phenomenal rookie season he had.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Jul 18 1:10pm CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson is signing his four-year rookie deal on Thursday, according to a source. The two-time All-ACC RB from Florida State with 4.3-second speed never fumbled during his collegiate career and is expected to play a prominent role for the Cardinals' offense in 2024 alongside lead back James Conner. The 21-year-old 66th overall pick tore multiple ligaments in his knee while at Oregon in 2020 but scored 24 total touchdowns in 2022 and 2023 with the Seminoles. There are questions about his durability, but Benson's combination of power and speed give him plenty of upside at the next level in the long-term. In single-year fantasy leagues, Benson will be worth a late-round flier as a handcuff for managers that take the plunge on the oft-injured Conner.

From RotoBaller

Junior Colson Jul 18 12:32pm CT
Junior Colson

The Los Angeles Chargers placed rookie linebacker Junior Colson (illness) on the Non-Football Illness list on Wednesday. The specifics of Colson's illness/injury remain unclear, but it means that he won't be able to take part in on-field workouts for the start of training camp next week. The 21-year-old third-round pick back in April out of Michigan can be activated at any time during camp and could still be ready in plenty of time for the 2024 regular-season opener in September. Still, it's bad news for a young player trying to get up to speed going into his first NFL season. When healthy, Colson was expected to compete for the starting job at middle linebacker for the Bolts with both Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray having moved on in the offseason.

Randall Cobb Jul 18 12:03pm CT
Randall Cobb

Updating a previous report, free-agent Randall Cobb is not officially retired from the NFL and is still open to playing if an opportunity arises, according to sources Thursday, July 18.

From TheHuddle

Randall Cobb Jul 18 9:53am CT
Randall Cobb

Former Green Bay Packers and New York Jets WR Randall Cobb has retired from the NFL and accepted a position with the SEC Network as a studio analyst.

From TheHuddle

Geno Smith Jul 18 12:03am CT
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith is entering a 'make-or-break' season, in the opinion of The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar, who notes Smith has a cap hit of $38.5 million in 2025 and will need to prove to the new coaching staff that he's worth having his contract reworked.

Fantasy Spin: Smith wasn't nearly as productive last year as he was in 2022, and he enters 2024 on the low end of QB2 territory despite a talented top-three receivers. Given that the Seahawks traded for QB Sam Howell, who started for the Washington Commanders last season, you can imagine Smith could be on a relatively short leash.

From TheHuddle

Spencer Brown Jul 17 10:40pm CT
Spencer Brown

Buffalo Bills right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder) said at a youth football camp that he's co-hosting with tight end Dalton Kincaid that he'll be a full-go when training camp starts next week after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Despite having offseason shoulder surgery, Brown managed to start in all 17 regular-season games in 2023 in his third year in the NFL for the first time in his career. He was originally a third-round selection (93rd overall) in the 2021 draft out of Northern Iowa and has started all but three of the 44 games he's appeared in over his three NFL campaigns. The 26-year-old could be eased into training camp practices this summer, but barring a setback with his surgically-repaired shoulder, he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season as Buffalo's starting right tackle.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Jul 17 8:10pm CT
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks recently received high praise from his teammate. During a sit-down with Bleacher Report, Packers quarterback Jordan Love said he believes Wicks is going to have a monster year. The second-year wideout totaled 39 receptions, 581 yards, and four touchdowns during his rookie season. Wicks has shown flashes of big-play ability, but the lack of a true No. 1 receiver does put more stress on Wicks and his teammates. The fact Love is saying these things about Wicks should mean that the young wideout will have an increased role next season. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation heading into camp. Wicks might be a sneaky late round option as fantasy draft season approaches.

From RotoBaller