Guest of the League
Best Ball SCOUT 178
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Jaguars DE Josh Allen changes last name to honor family

Tue Jul 9 10:48am ET
Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen announced Tuesday he wants to be called Joshua Hines-Allen.

"I am deciding to change my last name," Allen said in an 82-second video posted to X. "You know, I've always been a Hines, and legacy is forever. Family is important to me because when you come from a rich history of athletic people in your family, and myself being the youngest one, to go to all my sister's games, to know what my uncles did in college and in the NBA, it just means something a little bit more."

The switch is a tribute to his mother's side of the family.

One of his sisters, Myisha Hines-Allen, is a forward for the WNBA's Washington Mystics. His sister LaTorri Hines-Allen played Division I basketball at Virginia Tech and Towson, and sister Kyra Hines-Allen played Division II hoops at Cheyney.

His uncle, Gregory Hines, starred at Hampton before being selected in the fifth round of the 1983 NBA Draft.

"It was almost destined for me to follow their footsteps," he continued. "It's going to be a surreal moment the first time I get my name announced. Growing up, having my sisters run out the tunnel, intros, lights going dark ... 'Hines-Allen.' And everybody's watching them, and I just thought it was the coolest thing. My last name is changed, but I am still that person and I'm going to continue to play like it, play even better."

Joshua Hines-Allen, who turns 27 on Saturday, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection heading into his sixth season with the Jaguars. The 2019 first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) broke the franchise single-season record with 17.5 sacks last season.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

TFC Live Stream Event

Player Notes
Jahmyr Gibbs Jul 25 5:40pm CT
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been working in wide receiver drills early in training camp. The young back was banged up due to a soft-tissue issue but that appears to be behind him. At the moment, Gibbs is taking part in receiving drills but is focusing on his route running. He has been learning alongside All=Pro teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown which is never a bad idea. The former 12th overall pick could end up being a dual-threat option heading into next season. Fellow back David Montgomery figures to handle a larger workload in the backfield, so more looks as a receiver is good news for the fantasy value of Gibbs.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Jul 25 5:30pm CT
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams appears to be the clear No. 1 back heading into training camp, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. Williams is coming off a breakout season where he rushed for nearly 1,200 yards with 12 touchdowns in 12 games with the Rams. On paper, Williams should be the workhorse back but there could be some concern because he hasn't played a full season in the league yet. Also, the Rams drafted running back Blake Corum who should be in the mix for touches right away. Despite that, Williams should get the bulk of the carries early in the season. Corum could see an increased workload if Williams struggles, but it's say to assume Williams is going to be leaned on as the No. 1 back to open the season.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Jul 25 2:10pm CT
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is not practicing on Thursday for the second consecutive day. He was seen standing on the sidelines in uniform but with no helmet. It appears to be a "hold in" for Chase, who is seeking a new contract as he enters his fourth season with the Bengals. He's scheduled to make $1 million in base salary this season and $4.86 million overall, but general manager Mike Brown didn't make it sound imminent that an agreement on an extension would be reached this week. The 24-year-old superstar wideout remains a consensus top-five pick in fantasy drafts this summer, and it's not time to adjust his ADP for this development quite yet. Last year, Chase closed as the WR11 overall in full-PPR fantasy points per game (16.4) over 16 appearances for Cincinnati.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Jul 25 2:00pm CT
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) took part in Thursday's training camp practice. His status is worth noting after he suffered an injury scare with his knee during OTAs in the spring. Pittman has led the Colts in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, setting career-high figures in catches (109) and receiving yards (1,152) last season. The 26-year-old star wideout will need to build chemistry with quarterback Anthony Richardson and put up more touchdowns if he wants to jump to the next level in 2024, but Pittman is the clear-cut top target in Indianapolis' offense and is shaping up as a steady WR2 pick in the third-round of 12-team fantasy drafts this summer.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Jul 25 1:50pm CT
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel had a breakout day on Thursday at training camp. On his last catch of the day, he broke open on the right side with Cam Lewis in coverage. It sounds like Samuel is impressing at practice, which bodes well for his standing in Buffalo's wide open receiving corps following the departures of top targets Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason. The 27-year-old veteran is set to be one of quarterback Josh Allen's preferred options in three-receiver sets alongside rookie Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir in 2024, but he could also see some work on the ground as well, with 121 rushing attempts for his career. His ceiling may be limited by a role with a low average depth of target, but Samuel is looking like a high-floor WR3/4 option in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Jul 25 1:30pm CT
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. looked slimmer during spring drills than he had last year, and he appears to have lost even more weight for the start of training camp. "I think he looks great," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the offense took its first snaps in 11-on-11 drills. "I thought he looked great in OTAs and minicamp. And I think he looks better today." The 49ers are practicing without two wideouts, Brandon Aiyuk and first-round pick Ricky Pearsall (hamstring), so Samuel's fantasy draft stock remains in a state of flux until a clearer picture emerges of how this receiving corps might look for the start of the regular season. The 28-year-old Pro Bowl wideout totaled 12 touchdowns in 15 appearances in 2023, placing second at his position in PPR fantasy points per route run (0.67) and first in fantasy points per target (2.74) over 89 targets, and he's being treated as a WR1 bet at his second-round ADP this summer.

From RotoBaller

Von Miller Jul 25 1:10pm CT
Von Miller

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (leg) worked into offseason practices this spring for the first time since his season-ending leg injury early last season and took nearly a full share of first-team repetitions in team drills next to Terrel Bernard in the first training camp practice this week. The Bills said they are going to have a plan so that Milano doesn't put too much on his plate too soon, and there may even b some reps or whole practices off this summer. But the 29-year-old is way ahead of players like Tre'Davious White in 2022 or Von Miller last year this point in camp. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his leg, the Bills should have one of the best defenders to open the 2024 regular season. The former fifth-rounder in 2017 out of Boston College was a Pro Bowler in 2022, when he had 99 tackles (72 solo), 1.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, seven QB hits and three picks (one for a TD) in 15 starts.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Jul 25 12:50pm CT
Dalton Kincaid

Buffalo Bills second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid is a popular breakout candidate in 2024 as he heads into his second season because of his approach, talent and on-field connection with quarterback Josh Allen. Kincaid was also excellent on the first day of training camp practice this week, and the potential is there for him to be one of the Bills' top targets in 2024. However, from the looks of things on the first day, those expecting Kincaid to take over the full-time pass-catching role from Dawson Knox this year and push the veteran TE into a backup role may have their hopes dashed, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Both Kincaid and Knox worked heavily with Allen, and neither player worked in with backup QB Mitchell Trubisky. It's something worth watching, and as long as Knox stays healthy, it could keep Kincaid from reaching true breakout status as a TE1 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Chidobe Awuzie Jul 25 12:43pm CT
Chidobe Awuzie

Tennessee Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie (calf) is expected to miss 'a few weeks' with a calf injury, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com.

From TheHuddle

Courtland Sutton Jul 25 12:40pm CT
Courtland Sutton

The Denver Broncos added $1.5 million in incentives on Thursday to wide receiver Courtland Sutton's contract for the 2024 season. Sutton still has two years left on his current deal. The 28-year-old was set to make $13.6 million this year and $14 million in 2025 and was a potential training camp holdout candidate, but he has reported this week and now has added incentives to be productive for the Broncos. Not only will Sutton be losing quarterback Russell Wilson, who he had developed considerable chemistry with, but he'll now be taking passes from either Jarrett Stidham or rookie Bo Nix in 2024. Volume shouldn't be the problem as Denver's unquestioned top pass-catcher, but efficiency probably will be, as well as some serious touchdown regression after he put up a career-high 10 scores. Sutton profiles as a low-upside WR4/flex in 2024.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Jul 25 12:30pm CT
DeAndre Hopkins

Amidst some talk about a trade and/or a contract extension, Tennessee Titans veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins sounds like he wants to stay with the Titans in 2024 and beyond. "I take it day by day. I love Tennessee. I love what Miss Amy's doing. This is the happiest I've been with any organization. I'll let that speak for itself," Hopkins said. The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wideout recorded the seventh 1,000-yard season of his career in 2023 in his first year in Tennessee and also recorded seven touchdowns in 17 games. The 32-year-old veteran wasn't as productive deep down the field for the Titans last year, though, and the addition of wideout Calvin Ridley is going to take valuable aerial targets away. This should be a pass-happy offense under new head coach Brian Callahan, but Hopkins' fantasy stock is down entering 2024, and managers should consider him as more of a WR3/4.

From RotoBaller

Brian Callahan Jul 25 12:30pm CT
Brian Callahan

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan discussed the team's tight end room at training camp earlier this week. "It's not a room that's gonna be dominated by one guy We're gonna fill the tight end role with a lot of different players, as opposed to maybe just one or two guys like some teams do," Callahan said. Chigoziem Okonkwo was the team's top pass-catching tight end in 2023, but that resulted in only 54 receptions on 77 targets for 528 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (11 starts) in his second NFL season in an offense that didn't see a lot of passing volume. The 24-year-old is probably the best bet to lead the position again in 2024, but it doesn't guarantee he'll be a weekly fantasy play, especially after the team added receiver Calvin Ridley this offseason. Competing with Okonkwo for playing time at the position will be Josh Whyle and Nick Vannett.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Jul 25 12:20pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said at training camp on Thursday that the team isn't going to limit second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) as a runner. "People ask this, too 'Hey, are you gonna limit the run game?' And I kind of think like, 'Shoot, are you gonna limit Steph Curry from shooting 3-pointers. Well, that's one of Anthony (Richardson's) strengths. We're not gonna get away from that," Steichen said. General manager Chris Ballard said earlier this week that the 22-year-old former first-rounder will be full-go in camp after needing season-ending right-shoulder surgery after just four games played in his rookie season in 2023. Because of his playing style and ability to extend plays with his legs, Richardson is more injury-prone than some other QBs, but he also has elite upside. Despite having never played a full season, Richardson is going to a popular midrange QB1 target in fantasy drafts this fall.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Jul 25 12:10pm CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) "is read to go" and medically cleared for training camp, but that the team will do some "modifications" for his work this summer. Cousins will not start camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which is great news for all involved in Atlanta's offense heading into the 2024 campaign. The 35-year-old veteran tore his Achilles in late October last year and is now attempting to learn a new offense in his first year with the Falcons. Although he won't be throwing to All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson anymore, Cousins will have plenty of weapons around him in his new home. But with no rushing ability and coming off a serious injury going into his age-36 campaign, Cousins has a limited ceiling and cannot be trusted as anything more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Jul 25 12:10pm CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) "woke up with a tight calf" on Thursday and was held out of training camp practice. Tomlin is calling Wilson day-to-day. With Wilson taking the day off, backup Justin Fields got first-team repetitions. The 35-year-old Wilson probably won't miss much time and is still fully expected to open the 2024 regular season as Pittsburgh's QB1 after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos. At this point in his career, Wilson's leadership abilities are probably his greatest asset on the football field. In what is expected to be more of a run-first Steelers offense, Wilson will be more of a game manager in his first year in the Steel City and won't have a ton of fantasy upside as a low-end QB2 in fantasy with receiver George Pickens as his No. 1 wideout.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Jul 25 11:53am CT
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton agreed to a restructured contract that can pay him up to $15.2 million in 2024, including $1.5 million in new incentives, according to sources Thursday, July 25.

Fantasy Spin: Sutton should be viewed as a WR3 option in drafts given the shaky offense and questionable options at quarterback.

From TheHuddle

Russell Wilson Jul 25 11:53am CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) is considered day-to-day with a calf injury, according to sources Thursday, July 25. In Wilson's absence, Justin Fields took first-team reps at quarterback.

Fantasy Spin: This will be something to monitor for the Steelers wide receivers. Wilson is most likely a mid-QB2 with limited upside in Arthur Smith's offnse.

From TheHuddle

Kirk Cousins Jul 25 10:13am CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins (Achilles) was medically cleared to practice, according to sources Thursday, July 25. The Falcons will be diligent with his workload, but Cousins is still expected to receive all first-team reps.

Fantasy Spin: Cousins has a great group of weapons around him to be a solid QB2 with some QB1 upside in certain weeks as long as he's healthy.

From TheHuddle

Haason Reddick Jul 25 10:03am CT
Haason Reddick

New York Jets LB Haason Reddick was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list Thursday, July 25.

From TheHuddle