4 Players To Target In Every Fantasy Football Draft

NFC East Preview is Malik neighbors going to be a Target hog is Jaden Daniels going to set all sort of rookie rushing records we'll talk about that and more coming up on the Roa wire NFC East preview coming up [Music] next hey y'all welcome to the rootwire fantasy football podcast brought to you by circus brought to you by fantasy football knockout and fan TRS Jeff Ericson here with Nick whan it is the NFC East preview Malik neighbors is going to be setting all sorts of rookie Target leads I think this year maybe Marvin Harrison Jr gets more but it's New York Giants going to be close uh let's start right off although you know what I lied I said we're gonna start off the the Giants I said we're gonna start Dallas we're gonna start Giants because I let's just roll with it Nick here let's start with the Giants uh and they're uh what their outlook here sorry about the the last can switch aoo but hey live streaming that's let's go Malik neighbors look really good even though Daniel Jones looked really bad on Saturday yeah he he certainly did I think we continue to see exactly what you would want to see so far if you were a Malik neighbor supporter um you know certainly the the targets were there in their preseason game over the weekend six targets for Malik neighbors four catches 54 yards uh this is not a team that is deep at receiver by any means uh Wale Robinson seems to be perhaps emerging as the wide receiver too he Malik Nabers played 100% of their snaps with the first unit in 11 personnel in that week two preseason game but like you said even even as Malik neighbors continues to to look like that dude and and kind of look like the second coming of Jamar Chase uh D Jones I I he looked like the second coming of Nathan Peterman uh over the weekend two two terrible picks you know one of those to to Jaylen Petri one one just kind of an underthrown you know ball that hung up there Derrik Stingley picked that one off the second one wasn't quite as agreed just was a pretty nice play by Stingley to to stick with the receiver but still not throw that you want to see there from Daniel Jones so we're still having the same discussion that we were all the way back in April Jeff it's everybody likes the player we like Malik neighbors we we think he's going to get a ton of targets what is the quality of those targets ultimately going to be yeah uh that that's the question and yet we saw I mean the plays he made he made a couple of catches there just extreme body control catches one on the sideline the toet tap uh I think you can find love in a hopeless place here um but it's just yeah like you said it's the quality of the targets there I I just think he we're looking at if he stays healthy 140 targets I I I think that's kind of the thing I'm looking at I took him in the middle of the third round in the Roa wire Invitational as my you know I went three receivers to start with there uh it's it's aggressive but I I just think there's in a PPR format or any sort of even half Point PPR formats there he's going to be get a heavy volume it's close I mean he might be he might be a little slight overdraft at at times he average pick right now in the NFC is 28 he goes behind Michael Pitman and Nico Collins ahead of Debo and DJ Moore I and Mike Evans I'd probably I would take more and Evans over neighbors stebo I'm I'm I'm not quite sure on yet um I shouldn't you know it's kind of late to not be sure but that's kind of everything's up in the air with the the IU situation there so that's why I'm not sure yeah I you know right now I'm approaching Debo with I don't want to say caution but I I would just like a resolution here because if Randon iuk does end up on the Pittsburgh Steelers then I'm I'm taking Debo Samuel at least a couple spots higher I'm taking him over Evans I'm taking him over Michael Pitman and I'm for sure taking him over neighbors but for the time being you know he's still I guess technically the the number two receiver uh as long as auk is on that roster and you know I said last week on our show Jeff I I think the longer this drags on the closer we get to week one the more I'm convinced that Brandon iuk will end up you know finding a middle ground with the 49ers and and winding up back there uh but you know you're right I mean neighbors is is kind of firmly in that tier with all those guys you mentioned I mean DJ Moore versus Malik neighbors is an interesting debate um you know I think Moore is is safer but there's obviously competition now in Chicago and and DJ Moore has never really had significant Target competition in his career even going back to Carolina like he has always been the guy and you know adding Keenan Allen even at his age you know I think he's still going to be a Target hog Roman dun looked great over the weekend caught a long pass down the sideline from Caleb Williams so we have Daniel Jones a little bit more questions about the you know the target funnel for DJ Moore than we do neighbors and right you mentioned that that 140 targets threshold if that's about what you're expecting that would have placed him 13th in the NFL last season in Target so same general Zone as as Evan Ingram Chris alve DeAndre Hopkins uh Adam thien DJ Moore these guys were all targeted about 135 to 145 times last season so 140 seems like a lot for a rookie and it is um but you know it's not elite elite like CD lamb was targeted 181 times last season like 140 to me is is very feasible but what it's worth last year's rookie Target leader was Z Jones uh with 108 among receivers Samu pora had 120 at the tight end position so I I don't think 140 is out of the question I don't think that's too high assuming he stays healthy yeah uh and that that that is probably the big assumption that's the problem because Daniel Jones might throw a hospital ball or to oh they're o over under like seven and a half Hospital balls on the season Daniel Jones uh through those two interceptions he still runs he had 12 yards on a scramble uh we Other WRs know he can do that uh they gave him an you know they were on their the offense was on the field for the entire first half y uh that that's he did have like a uh you know one nice little throw to Darius Slayton down the sideline I think there's a debate between Slayton and U you know you know Wale we might be the number two but Slayton Patt it might be a debate Alan still hanging out there Legends is still there they you know it it's so funny the people they've assembled highight they spent a decent pick on still last year I wouldn't want to give up on him too quickly no I'm not giving up on Jaylen hayatt either uh more for real life purposes than fantasy at this point I mean as of right now with the nffc in the last week we only have one giant firmly going in the top 100 and that is Malik neighbors Deon single ter goes just after pick 100 and then you got to scroll all the way down to like the the early 180s where you see juandale Robinson didn't come off the board you see you know Tyrone Tracy one of their their backup running backs that you know people are taking shots on but other than that I mean those are really the only those are the only four giants that are even drafted in most leagues you know beyond that you get into Eric gray who yeah he popped in the first preseason game you know Daniel Jones himself uh goes undrafted in in more than 50% of leagues and part of that is just the depth at the quarterback position and obviously part of it is Daniel Jones just has not looked that good um I'm pretty low on Daniel Jones I know there is there is rushing potential there and you know if you're looking for that second quarterback or you know you're into a super Flex League it's like there there's still value in a guy just being the starter and you know Daniel Jones is going to have to play his way out of that job there's there's really no true competition here um they they have drew lock they they still have Tommy DeVito on this roster but Daniel Jones either has to get hurt or he has to play horrendously for multiple weeks in a row to actually lose this job so even though I'm not the biggest Daniel Jones supporter um you know I'm still going to to take him over you know guys who are in a competition or might only start for half the season yeah uh they kind of made that ride or die decision with him you know with th those backups for sure uh Deon single ter let's me briefly mention him I I find myself clicking on him every once in a while uh especially because I'm loading up on running backs at that point in time uh he he's running back 33 and he's a clear starter for the team that's interesting to me it just shows that the lesson expectations for this team I think he's going to get a lot of volume and I also Devin Singletary think that this offensive line has improved it's then again saying the offensive line has improved is like you know it's saying that I walked better on age to than I did at six months you know I mean it's it doesn't doesn't require much this was I mean the worst offensive line in football last year apologies to the Tennessee Titans um but it it can't be any worse you know that's a dangerous way to think at times but it it really can't be worse than it was especially down the stretch for the last season if Andrew Thomas stays healthy this year I think that that goes a long way toward improving that I still don't think this is going to be a plus offensive line by any means I mean if if they can just be like the 23rd Best Line in the NFL that feels like a huge win for the Giants based on where they were last season you know single I think the argument for single ter is is kind of the same that we just made for Daniel Jones right it's like man we're not excited about him but he is the clear starter I mean he played all but four snaps in the in the first half of their preseason game against Houston over the weekend you know like you said the Giants essentially played their starters for the duration of that first half single ter saw the vast majority of the workload 10 carries for 20 yards for for Deon single ter 10 of those came on one carry which means it they get nine carries for 10 yards outside of that there's good I think that's kind of how it's going to break down a lot of weeks right there might be some like 14 for 40 type of games for Deon single ter you're going to need him to to vulture a few touchdowns in the red zone for what it's worth Tyrone Tracy was not available right for the Giants against Houston so maybe not the the perfect preview of that workload but either way I mean this is this is going to be Deon Cleary's backfield it's just a question of you know how valuable is that but I'm with you I I've I've taken him you know just because I'm usually looking for a third running back in that zone you know maybe I'll take a running back early I'll take another one in in round five or six and then you know kind of hammer receiver grab my tight end and then I'm looking for that third back you know I will say I had the choice between single Terry and Brian Robinson in the Roa wire invite this morning in fact and I did go Brian Robinson over single ter I there a little more upside with Robinson there's maybe some more downside maybe a lower week toe floor um but ultimately round was that by the way uh I don't even know I'd have to pull it up our our draft continues to to crawl along I think we're like six rounds behind you guys at this point U that would have been the ninth round okay same spot for me 907 is where I got him pick 103 so for what it's worth uh single ter I believe was yeah single ter is long gone in ours he went at 86 overall in our our invitation we are in the 12 the 12 13 or in the 13th round now actually believe it or not so um yeah I just picked 13 that's right I just made that pick this morning um all right people don't need to know more about that but uh yes so there you got you guys are we're both on you know with taking Robinson there um I would have taken single terat I had a choice but yeah um I did not uh have that choice so there we go uh let's uh over under six and a half wins yay or nay uh I'm more on the Nay side here uh when it comes to the Giants I you I think you have two two good teams in this division O/U 6.5 wins you know I'm a little bit lower on Dallas this season but I still think they're Head and Shoulders you know Above This Giants team obviously the Eagles will still be there I'm I'm more optimistic on Philly finding a way to bounce back and and we'll see on Washington um you know I think both of those teams you know expectations certainly aren't High by any means but I think Washington could be exciting I think if things break right for the commanders that could be you know a seven eight win team I don't see much of a ceiling here for the Giants um you you really you really only have like one exciting player on the entire roster and that's Malik neighbors right and you know how much can a rookie receiver ultimately impact wins and losses at the end of the day in year one I'm not overly optimistic uh on this giant season you know I think we're we're still looking back to two years ago when Brian D was coach of the year and this team overachieved uh but that's exactly it they overachieved I I don't think you I think their record was better than their roster and I think last season even with the Jones injury was more a reflection of the overall tallenge on this team but um you know we'll see I think six and a half is a fair number I think this is probably a five or a six win team to me they don't they don't have the most difficult schedule you know they do get the NFC South which means you get Carolina you perhaps have a winnable game against you know Tampa Bay or New Orleans depending on where those teams are they get both of them later in the season uh they open up at home against the Vikings by the way in week one so a chance right away to to start one and0 for the Giants before they take on the commanders uh in Washington in week two yeah the under is heavily Juiced in every single sports book that we see listed on our our over under page I think one of the interesting things here is the commanders also are at six and a half yet if you look at uh the NFC East odds it it you know commanders are plus 900 plus 1100 the Giants at DraftKings plus 2,000 FanDuel plus 1600 1400 at MGM and rivers so what it's interesting to me is even though they have the same over under it's it's just showing that that juice means a lot that they they people think they have no chance of winning the division itself no and I I don't either I mean I think again the commanders have a higher ceiling to me no question I mean I think you you know if you get kind of the the best case outcome for Jaden Daniels I think their ceiling is considerably higher than the Giants and you know by most metrics the the almost call them the RWS the the commanders uh do have the slightly easier schedule compared to the Giants as well so that might be part of it yeah probably so all right uh we will talk Dallas Cowboys next and I promise I will give him the order I told Nick I'd go for going Dallas Cowboys forward here uh but first got a quick note from our friends at fantasy sports knockout fantasy sports knockout where a fantasy league meets a knockout pool an Innovative take on fantasy football the concept is simple choose a new fantasy lineup each week and score points the same way you would in any fantasy league but you must choose your players wisely you can only use each player one time the lowest weekly score or group of scores is eliminated from the contest every week the contest may be simple but survival is not how will you play load up early or play the matchups and save the better players for later fantasy sports knockout can you survive the Fantasy Sign up at play. fantasysports knockout. comom today all right the Dallas Cowboys when we last saw them were getting blown out by Jordan love and the Packers they've had a kind of a tough off season uh they they didn't add a ton they lost a sign a significant Contract issues number of players uh and now they have a lot of contract issues going into this season they they're still unresolved they sure do and that of course begins with with CD lamb and you know we're like two weeks out basically from the start of the NFL season and there's still been no no tangible progress I mean I I remain optimistic you know historically speaking teams tend to find a way when when push comes to shove and we get closer and closer to a player like CD lamb potentially missing real time um usually that that you know pushes the team in the right direction so I I I think the CD lamb deal gets done at some point but you know a month ago I would have I would have bet that that happened you know within the next you know the ensuing three or four weeks and still hasn't so right it's a big concern until it actually happens for Dallas because this roster is so topheavy right I mean this is a team that claimed per Jerry Jones that they're they're all in for this season but you don't even have your best player reporting to Camp right now uh you still have the stack Prescott situation which is not quite as you know immediately dire but still something that's hanging over the organization your starting running back is you know this retread in aziko Elliott where it feels like you're kind of living in the past you have really nobody Beyond CD lamb that you feel good about in this receiving core um you know Dallas is a team that I think to me is on on really shaky ground right now they are they are and you know you saw like you know photos videos of sparsely attended training open training camp sessions the very first one you know part of that is where they train is you know that that first week there in Ox nerd California well away from La you know it's a oxar is nice by the way it's a really it's really out it's pretty close to the ocean it's pretty it's nice there uh but you know they've had previous years to compare to and it's just enthusiasm is down for the team right now it doesn't help too that I mean they just got smashed by the Packers in that game too after so much enthusiasm like hey this is a different team we're a real boys this year although I think they kind of knew like the Bills game last year was a pretty good indicator too every time they tried to step up in class they got beat back down well that's kind of who the Cowboys have been for the most part for the last like 20 years right is every time it feels like all right this is the here you just feel like that let down is coming and you know it's hard not to feel that way again this season uh again I think they get the CD deal done at some point I mean if they don't and this does drag into the regular season you know there is some appeal with Brandon Cooks who was a little bit better you know especially over the second half of last season than you might think I mean he had a 12-game stretch where he hauled in you know eight receiving touchdowns about 50 yards a game you know not not crazy high Target volume throughout that run I mean that's that's one concern but obviously if you take CD lamb out of the mix for any amount of time there's be a massive massive trickle down effect you know like we mentioned CD led the NFL in targets last season with over 180 uh but you know we're in a holding pattern right now with CD lamb I do think it's interesting I mean we've talked about this a lot in sirusxm like you don't see a lot of people really backing off of CD lamb right you know maybe slight slight reduction in his ADP but I think the general consensus is all right this is going to get done at some point and I'm not passing on that kind of talent yeah in the last week in the rootwire online Championship the lowest he's fallen is six his average pick is three he's still been picked one a few times the fact that the one is in flux right now really throws everything too um that you know it's not always mcaffrey sometimes it is Hill or lamb or beon or hall or chase we've seen that you know six different players get that number one pick uh and Justin Jefferson's been clicked on as the number two uh on a few times Al it's funny now Jefferson has slipped behind behind Aman Ross St Brown uh so we'll see if that holds but uh oh noteworthy there too but yeah uh it's it's all pretty tricky there uh meanwhile let like you mentioned the running back room Zeke Elliott / Rico Dowdle leading RBs um it is Ezekiel Elliott and de Rico D Malik Davis got the first Carry On Saturday uh or was it Saturday or something no Saturday night I think it was yeah uh but that was only because the top two sat out but you know there there's a sense that the Dallas Cowboy starting running back or the guy that gets the most carries for this team might not even be on the roster right now they may wait to see if like the the uh the Saints do something St stupid with Kendry Miller or something like that you know it just really can't can it really be Elliot and D that they're comfortable going with I think it can I mean that if you had a bet on it right now that's what it would be um you know that that mysterious player who gets cut or they bring it off the street is is still to be named I mean I I think it's entirely possible they could bring somebody else in but I also I don't mind the acquisition cost on on Rico dowle specifically I mean right now he's going you know in like what the 11th round in a lot of drafts I mean I I don't I don't love the upside with the zika Elliott I I think you're you're depending a lot on pass catching you're depending a lot on vulturing touchdowns in the Red Zone this was the highest scoring team in the NFL last season I don't think they repeat that this year I think they'll they could still be near the top but they're not going to average 30 points per game you know I think they're five six s offenses that I feel like are are more stable right now than the Cowboys so if I have to choose between those two who are going essentially back to back in running back ADP right now at NFC I I think there's just a little bit more there with Dao and I know that the track record is is great I know he has never really been a a full workload back at any point in his career even dating back to college I know he looks more explosive than than some of the numbers would indicate but I just I just can't get there with a Zeke Elliott man I mean if that if that's the plan you know going back to Zeke at at this point in his career I just I don't really see the upside there um if I'm taking one of those backs later in the draft is my rb3 or rb4 I'm going dowo I think so too although I think it's just pretty interesting how quickly he Zeke kind of took that downturn uh in the last week it's doub and Elliot are 41 and 42 among running backs they're not even in the top 12 rounds it's it's no that's that's Dak as QB10 for a starting running back by by the way you know it's just an indicator that the market thinks there might be uh you know door number three uh there so we'll see about that um so well we'll see about that Dak Prescott um you know he he's actually kind of affordable for the amount of yards and touchdowns he threw for last year to be in in a six-point for passing touchdown lead to still be the qb10 I think that's kind of noteworthy yeah eight weeks last season with 20 plus fantasy points according to fantasy pros uh you know final stats from last season that placed him as the qb3 behind only Josh Allen and Jaylen herdz so yeah he he's one of a number of players I think that you know that obviously really popped last season but is not necessarily getting that that bounce in ADP you know compared in some ways to like Raheem moart who had this crazy year last year and everybody universally is like yeah all right buddy well we'll see you do that again obviously Dak is is you know a more established player has been more consistent obviously he's younger uh than Raheem moer in terms of you know positional development but yeah it's it's a little bit surprising to me that he had the season that he did last year everybody's still in on CD lamb as you know a kind of a top three top four overall player and yet that doesn't really match up with where Dak is going and you know it's hard to make a case for any of the guys going ahead of him you know to to be behind Dak right it's like the the upside with Kyler Murray this season bringing in Marvin Harrison Jr I get why he's going about around ahead of Dak everybody's in on Jordan love he's going about a round ahead you know Joe burrow we know what he's capable of when healthy and then all of a sudden you're into the Richardson stra Lamar hers tier where you're not taking any of those guys behind Dak Prescott so yeah I don't I don't mind Dak you know if you want to play the wait but don't wait too long game at quarterback you know your choices are essentially Kyler Dak Jaden Daniels Brock pie maybe Tua if you want to throw him into that range as well um I I like getting Dak in leagues where you know I'm able to get Jak Jake Ferguson you know if I do take CD earlier on obviously that becomes more appealing as well but if I if I don't have a pairing you know if I don't have one of those guys I find myself waiting even longer you know I think getting into the the Trevor Lawrence Kurt cousin Matthew Stafford here yeah getting two of them probably there and hoping that you know making sure you don't get the same bye Etc hopefully the schedules work out well the other big change for the Cowboys is you know the offensive line Tyron Smith is gone he's now with the Jets uh they they spent a first OL changes round pick on Tyler gon and it looks like he may have to start right away uh due to an injury suffered uh with this competition uh adoga just got hurt in the preseason game might begin the year on the IR um and gon was impressive in Camp so there's a chance that you see him but point is the Cowboys offensive line has long been considered this rock like this you know at least you got this offensive line any running back will do well there blah blah blah well it's not as certain these days I I think they've been coasting on reputation you know the last year or two um you know not that long ago I think they were pretty clearly the best offensive line um in the NFL but you know they they've had some injuries they've had some attrition like you said Tyron Smith is no longer on this roster and you know chuma adoga going down and I mean it sounds almost certain that he's going to begin the year on IR that's a huge huge question mark for them at a key spot he was set to open the season as their left tackle so it's still to me it's it's still you know one of the top 10 to 15 offensive lines in the NFL like I don't think we're we're not looking at a Giants 2020 three situation here by any means I don't see it as being a a massive liability but um you know it went from a a glaring glaring strength for this team to to now one that is just you know a little bit more up in the air and you know again this team is so topheavy they're not really deep especially at the skill positions on the offensive end and you know you're kind of looking like all right what what is the the best skill grouping uh on this roster I it it it used to be a no-brainer it's the offensive line and that's no longer the case yep uh keep an eye out on Cooper BB may be taking over the CER J too just as a heads up their third rounder out of Kansas State play any in any Center O/U 9.5 wins fantasy leagues make sure you keep an eye on snaps Snaps are a category there um all right uh over under on the Dallas Cowboys uh they are set at nine and a half at most places B mgm's got him at 10 and a half uh juice to the you know it interesting though it's it's plus money both under and the over on that which is kind of weird but anyways uh what say you on the Cowboys at and half we'll just go with n and a half because that seems like the most common one yeah for what it's worth at DraftKings right now it is n and a half as the default minus 145 to the over plus 120 to the under uh Dallas was at 10 and a half not that long ago so that number has been been bouncing back and forth a little bit despite all the concerns if they could get the CD lamb deal done I I think this team can win 10 games I I would go slightly over uh on the Cowboys you I think you have a pretty good chance to to pick up at least three wins between those those four matchups against the commanders and the Giants you know they do get Carolina later in the season uh they get a winnable you know kind of out of rotation game against the Buccaneers late in the season but they do have to play the AFC North as well and you as we know none of those games are gimmies including going to the Browns in week one uh going up against that defense they play the Ravens early in the season as well they do have to go to Pittsburgh they have to go to the the 49ers this year as well obviously you get the two matchups against the Eagles they have to play the Texans uh maybe I'm talking myself out of this I think I think it's nine or 10 wins I will I will say they win 10 games I don't know that there's a a significantly higher ceiling beyond that I think they're a nine or a 10 win team you'd be a good beat writer guest on our Serious XM show over there yes uh it's a the the the Vegas kind of views this as a two- team division in terms of winning the division the Eagles are slight favorites Cowboys are at plus 160 at DraftKings to win the East 175 you know but for the real question is can this team win playoff games and I think it's that that's the thing that I don't have a whole lot of confidence in right now I don't know how you can right I mean it it if you can't beat Green Bay in that scenario where you know four weeks earlier we're like are the Packers even going to be in the playoffs is is Jordan love even deserving uh of the starting spot and then you get blown out you know at home the way that they did I mean if if if they make the playoffs this year which I think they should in the NFC which is not as deep at the top as the AFC it doesn't matter who they play in that wild card game or in round one whatever it is like everybody's going to be skeptical right it's going to be fresh in the mind what happened last year and again this is a team that I don't know if I would call it a full-on choke but they they've had a number of disappointments in the postseason dating back 10 15 years I mean and obviously there's been plenty of turnover since then in terms of coaching in terms of personnel quarterbacks whatever you want to say but there is there is that that nagging feeling with the Cowboys of when push comes to shove in in a big situation it's like do you really trust the Dallas Cowboys to to drive down the field and win a game in the back of my mind I say no yeah uh agreed especially you know getting to like signifant significantly deep like they won that Tampa Bay Wild Card round game a couple years ago and that was that was a good game it was you although not without its dram kicking drama in that one there but still uh you know yeah I I'd share that lack of confidence all right uh let's talk a little bit about the Philadelphia Eagles but first the biggest pro football contests in Vegas are back Circa Survivor and Circa million are now up to 16 million guaranteed prizes two ways to win and no rake C Survivor contestants select one team each week with no point spread last the longest to win it all with 10 million guaranteed in circum million make five picks against the spread each week for your share of $6 million guaranteed quarterly and full season payouts enter in Nevada play from anywhere visit circusp Philadelphia Eagles fors.it Eagles when we last saw them Jaylen Herz was running for his life against the Bucks they lost in the first round the playoffs they kind of collapsed down the stretch in the regular season had to be a wild card team uh instead of like maybe even being the number one seed in the the E the NFC they really kind of took a big downturn uh some big changes new offensive coordinator uh new center uh they they new running back and big money on saquon Barkley where do you want to start with the Eagles well first of all I would say this is one of the bigger inseason Regular season / Playoffs collapse collapses that we've seen in in recent memory I mean this team was 10 and one through 12 weeks Jaylen Herz was the MVP favorite and everything came crashing down after that that crazy overtime win at home against the bills and you know keep in mind they had just they had just won in Kansas City uh they had won a thrilling game against the Cowboys prior to that you know the Eagles were rolling and it's not like they were just beating up on bad teams like a couple of years ago I mean they were they were you know making their way through a pretty difficult early season schedule they had a big win over Miami uh you know earlier in the year as well and that San Francisco game you know it felt like really kind of knocked them off their block and and after that you they lose big against Dallas they they' lose just a really ugly game against Seattle um you barely squeak out a win against the Giants and you kind of felt going into that Tampa Bay game that the wheels were off and the potential for a disaster was there and you knew like one possession in like oh boy the Eagles did not magically fix this um you know in the week after uh week 18 so they're a huge mystery coming into this year I I am choosing to believe that they are closer to the team that we saw through the first 12 weeks of last season now I'm not saying they're going to open the year 10 and one this season I there will be some more bumps there but um I you have an entire offseason to figure out exactly what happened you know Jaylen Herz and Nick serani obviously have to get back on the same page and I think they will you know I think when you have as much time as they've had to reflect and you still have in my opinion the second most talented roster in the NFC maybe third if if you want to make that case I I I think there's there's too much upside here uh for for me to back off of the Eagles and you know you basically return all of your key personnel on the offensive side of the ball and you make a massive upgrade at running back and you could argue that saquon Barkley is is more name value than anything else at this point I think he's still early enough in his career I mean this is by far by far the best situation that he will have ever been in after essentially being asked to carry the entire offense uh whenever healthy for the New York Giants these last few years I I think this is going to be a breath of fresh air both for the the Eagles offense and for Squad Barkley to to just operate as a normal running back you know without the entire hopes of a a franchise you know pinned on his shoulders with the worst offensive line in football yeah well it's let's go with Barkley well I just one meta comment the the market is kind of treating the Eagles as if they're going to be still a Saquon Barkley signs high functioning first half of the last season offense AJ Brown and Barkley go at the end of the first round Jaylen Herz is still a top three QB so the trust is there we'll see if that that comes through but let's talk Barkley in particular you know because I think he's really interesting uh because you know how much of the wear and tear over the last few years is going to wear on him is he going to get goal line carries how much of an improvement is this offensive line Sans Jason Kelce you know there there's some still question marks here but still undeniably a better situation for him yeah no question about that I I personally think the Jason Kelce thing is just a little overblown you know I think you know him becoming a national celebrity in the last year uh has made that absence probably feel bigger than it is I mean he's obviously a very good player you know borderline Hall of Famer um but also somebody who was deep enough into his career that he retired right it's like it's not like he was at the absolute peak of his powers and and walked away so I do think the Eagles will be able to replace him and keep this thing moving you know the the goal line carries thing is interesting right and that's that's the big the big red flag I think if you're investing in saquon Barkley early in a fantasy draft because even when the Eagles were struggling down the stretch Jaylen Herz was still Jaylen Herz I mean he was still putting up 20 to 25 fantasy points most of those weeks even when the rest of the offense looked terrible so I think Jaylen Herz remains a pretty safe investment the market reflects that um Squad Barkley you know taking him at the one-w turn I'm okay okay with it you know and what's interesting is there there is kind of a tier break there right you get like JT Gibbs and saquon Barkley usually go in some order in that you know 10 to 15 range but then there's a little bit of a bump down to etn Derrick Henry Kon Williams hn Isaiah Pacho and you know in my heart I think saquon Barkley is closer to that first group yeah I I I think so too um in fact I take him he's goes slightly behind Gibbs and I would take him before Gibbs now because of the injury actually I probably would have anyhow uh because I still have sh I have concerns about Gibb's workload um not not you know I think the durability is another issue but you're right there is a tiar drop there I put Gibbs in that next tier down to be honest with you but that that's kind of also how I draft also so for whatever it's worth yeah well I think you know interestingly enough the the same question that we just brought up about Barkley applies to jabir Gibbs right it's like when they're when when the lions are first a goal in the three yard line are they going to jir Gibbs or are they going to David Montgomery yeah uh it's yeah and that's got to hover there and you know how much do between you know early you know can can two the both backs coexist like they did but uh we're going to be talking Lions later on so we'll save that uh put a pin on that one there uh Uncle Ted mentions will will Shipley is super interesting yeah it's interesting because he might take over as the backup Will Shipley backing up Barkley to Barkley and the backup to Barkley historically has had a game or two here or there that that's noteworthy so it's worth worth noting who the uh who's the next in line well absolutely I mean Sequon Barkley transitioning to Philadelphia doesn't necessarily erase his injury history you know I think the the way that Philadelphia should be able to Pace him I I think will be you know will be an advantage compared to how he was used with the Giants but you know he's still one of the bigger injury risks at the position that that's not just out of the mix now so yeah I mean I'm not saying you got to be you know making sure you you handcuff but if you're in a deep league and you know you want to you know throw something in on on Kenneth gainwell or will Shipley um I have no problem with that Chipley Thursday night against the New England Patriots obviously the Eagles did not play many of their first teamers at all virtually none on the offensive side of the ball but Chipley five carries for 15 yards also caught four passes on four targets for 31 yards yeah I like him better than gainwell I think we yeah I kind of know who gainwell is he's inapply Nam sometimes I don't think he gains very well um so all right moving on uh the wide receiver room I mean the Eagles are pretty pretty easy I mean they've got this beautiful narrow tree it's obviously hurts it you know I think the Pass Catchers easily defined big fulcrum point is how many tush pushes do they do I mean that's the big thing we're like worried about like okay is Herz gonna get as many rushing touchdowns or is it gonna be Barkley the wide receivers it's AJ Brown It's devont Smith Smith was kind of disappointing first half last year um he picked it up later on obviously durability is an issue for both players as is every player in this planet but you know you know that these are the two main target hog and gd's going to get his year there's no identifiable number three so these guys get there get what they get yeah I I don't have a whole lot to say I mean I no problems with the ADP on brown or Devonte Smith I I definitely have more Devonte than I do brown uh at this point and you know obviously that's because you just have a little bit more of a chance to to grab Devonte Smith later in the draft currently going toward the end of round three um so you're making that decision of all right metf iuk you know maybe Stefan digs maybe Malik Neighbors certain leagues will still be on the board perhaps DJ Moore um you know of all those names like Devonte Smith is maybe maybe the most boring player um you know despite being a former Heisman winner like he's not he's not exactly like an electrifying type of talent in the way that that someone like Malik neighbors is but I also think he's the steadiest of that group and you know as somebody that you know I feel like the floor is always going to be there for for Devonte Smith and despite his his pretty slim frame he's been fairly durable I think All Things Considered uh but it it really comes down to how you feel about the Eagles offense like I'm not going to try to talk anybody in or out of this like I I I'm choosing to believe that you know they'll they'll kind of be back to where they were for much of last season but it could totally go the other way and you know I think it is worth noting that Devonte Smith much like Jaylen Herz late last season when when things were were kind of falling off still was playing well down the stretch even in that Tampa Bay game you forget Devon Smith at 8 catches for 148 yards so he's still going to you know he's going to have a lower floor week to week than someone like AJ Brown just being the number two receiver but still to me as as the guy who in some drafts will be your wide receiver 25 overall I I think there's there's a ton of potential there so I'm in on Devonte Smith no question at ADP yeah I was just gonna say he's he's affordable uh what you know it's I I haven't ended up with a ton of them but I'm not against him either uh wide receiver 21 right now I've got so many drafts left though so I got plenty of chances to do that there including all my NFC drafts are coming up still I'm doing a bef Ericson Saturday night from Vegas uh by the way I think I'm going to try to live stream from the from I think I'll do it from the room uh but we'll see uh just I don't want you know I you bring bring the laptop down to the hot tub I mean that sounds ideal yeah and you're splitting techno music in the background what could possibly go wrong uh but uh that's the one thing there I'm not you know not I don't think I I could concentrate very well that let alone live stream with that yeah um any any interest in Dallas GD he's outside of the top 12 in many cases uh although he no he's right at 12 among tight ends he goes right after Bowers before hackinson uh your guy Fri Mo Dallas Goedert - last of the starting TE’s Schultz you know he's kind of like the last of the starting tight ends he is and you know I I don't I don't love him I don't have a ton of Dallas SCD you know a couple shares here and there I he's just not not to me a very exciting upside play um you know when you have two two star receivers on this team plus you know back who's very capable of of operating out of the Back Field catching passes and Barkley I I just think you know Dallas Goddard is kind of like a distant fourth to me in this in this hierarchy and he had some spike games you know early last season before getting hurt you know the Rams game eight for 117 in a touchdown five for 77 in a touchdown against Miami I think there is a A Fairly reliable floor here um but if if I'm shopping late for a tight end I'm usually waiting another round or two and just grabbing Fri Mo you I don't know that there's a huge difference necessarily between Goddard and even someone like Dalton Schultz but Schultz is kind of that last guy where you know that's that's that's kind of the the big- time tiar drop for me where I don't you know I don't want to get into Tamm Hill Cole KT Luke Musgrave and obviously in just about any draft you know we we're talking about the tight end 16 17 18 um those guys should never be your starting tight end in the standard League agreed uh the defense Hassan reck's gone um although not playing for the Jets right now uh they got rid of that problem got a draft pick for their uh for their efforts and they signed the the guy from the Jets and Bryce Huff kind of replace him Milton Williams is going to be counted on to do Defensive changes a little bit more Jaylen Carter and Jordan Davis are going to be asked to do more but uh still looks like a pretty formidable defense to me oh yeah absolutely I I think they they made some really really nice additions throughout this defense um you know certainly beginning uh with Bryce Huff who you know you talk to Jets fans they were not they were not thrilled uh that the Jets let Bryce Huff get away especially uh with regard to to what's happening now with Assan reick so I think that's usually a good way to look at it where you know team loses player X and teams fans are upset about that and he goes to a really good situation with the Eagles I mean there's a ton of name value on this defense right I mean virtually every position they have somebody that you know is some of these guys are maybe bigger names than they are producers but still I mean Jaylen Carter Jordan Davis Bryce Huff I mean Zack Bond at at inside linebackers played really well for them uh Devon white you know coming over to join that linebacking core they got Josh sweat on the outside and then you know bringing back CJ Gardner Johnson you know guy who was a key piece for them uh over the last few years before going to Detroit uh they bring it you know they bring back of vonte Maddox and then you got Cooper dein you know joining this mix as well adding even more to that secondary so um not not a ton of holes here at least on paper uh for the Eagles defense I think this should be a pretty good unit yeah uh you the the secondary might be the weak point there and it was banged up a lot last year so that's the thing to watch but they were absolutely Stout against the run last year all right uh we'll talk Washington commanders but first of course we got a quick note from 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sign up for free at fantrax.com RotoWire today to enter for your chance to win tickets to any regular season NFL game for you and your entire league plus $6,000 in spending cash that's right tickets for your entire league simply create a new league or bring over your existing leagues for more chances to win simply go to fantrax.com RotoWire and sign up today fan trcks the home of fantasy sports all right final team on Washington Commanders our docket is the Washington commanders uh a new head coach and Dan Quinn uh new offensive coordinator uh new you know new quarterback back and Jaden Daniels new running back uh in Austin Eckler to go along with returning Brian Robinson let's start off though with just Jaden Daniels uh are you comfortable with him starting for you in a fantasy league I am I am I think there's there's Comfortable using Jayden Daniels as a fantasy starter? enough rushing upside there to to give him a pretty high floor even if the passing you know ends up progressing B compared to what we've seen through these first two preseason games um you know that the price continues to climb for Jane Daniels you know he's he's kind of moving up closer to to Dak Prescott in terms of ADP right now but I I I think there's enough here I mean I think if you're taking him as the what is he qb1 right now uh going a little bit ahead of Brock pie there's enough upside I mean we we've seen Justin Fields turn in some really good fantasy seasons and if if you think that's the bar I think there's there's a world in which shanen Daniels can be better than that I think the the commanders have improved virtually everything about this franchise especially compared to two years ago you know new coach new coordinators new Personnel new owner um it feels like this is a franchise that could finally you know kind of move out of that that horrific 25y year era and you know start to to operate like a a more normal Forward Thinking team I in on Jane Daniels you know I I don't have a ton of him personally because like I said I I either you know more often than not I end up waiting even longer at quarterback and and Sho in that range that I mentioned earlier but um I have no issue taking Jaden Daniels I like him in beste ball I think the spike weeks are are certainly going to be there and we've seen what we need to see from him in these two preseason games um has an exactly been you know light in the world on fire we don't get the true highlight plays like we have from Caleb Williams but I thought he looked really sharp against the Dolphins on Saturday 10 of 12 78 yards a lot of those were just you know kind of quick first read take the easy one type of throws but that's fine for a rookie quarterback who has questions about his passing um you know rushing yardage I think will be will be interesting like I I don't see janen Daniels you know approaching like a thousand rushing yards as a rookie I don't think there's quite that kind of upside he's not a Lamar Jackson type of Runner to me I think commanders are going to try to kind of beat the uh you know the kind of power running out of him you know we saw him kind of get into it in a light-hearted way with Dan with uh Dan Quinn in that preseason game on Saturday where you know Daniels took a big hit after scrambling and and Quinn's right over there saying like get down man get down so there is going to be a little bit of that I think the commanders are going to try to insulate him and prevent him from putting himself at risk but you know that there's also the potential for six seven eight rushing touchdowns as well for Jane Daniels yeah uh there's a whole comp compilation of big hitss that Jaden Daniels took in college I mean it's it you know I you know the you know and it's interesting because you compared him Lamar a little bit and I think one of the things that Lamar is underrated for is his ability to avoid that big hit for as much as he runs you know he doesn't seem to take the full thrust of most hits and I I don't think Daniels has that skill just yet so we'll see I also am a little worried about like you know does his college production portend like greatness in the pros because he he he was probably in one of if not the best one of the best situations in college football great offense Aline at LSU and two amazing receivers obviously and neighbors and Thomas so uh to me it's like okay now he's in a not as comparatively advantageous situation there with Washington yeah that's true that's totally true um you know I mean LSU was was obviously an up and down team last year just a you know kind of horrific on the on the defensive side of the ball so they were in a lot of shootouts and yeah having Brian Thomas and Malik Neighbors alongside you certainly helps um but you know we've we've seen a lot of like a lot of the quarterbacks who come out now are kind of in these situations right I mean it could go both ways like I think we saw we got some of the same criticisms when Joe burrow came out of LSU is like well you know he's got Justin Jefferson he's got he's got Jamar Chase of course he's gonna look good uh and he turned out to be a very good NFL quarterback and you we we've seen it go the other way right where you know Bryce young had some pretty nice receiving Talent at Alabama and you take that away Terry McLaurin and all of a sudden it looks a little bit different uh but that is a fair point I mean I do think there is there's a reasonable amount of offens of Talent on this Commander team I mean Terry mclen nobody's making the case that he's a a top five or top 10 or even top 15 perhaps receiver in the NFL but four straight thousand yard seasons with really bad quarterback play I think there's a chance that you know if Jaden Daniels hits this will be the best quarterback and the best system that he's played in I'm pretty high on Jan Jahan Dotson doson you know as far as later round receivers go I think you're getting you're getting the wide receiver too in Washington they're going to move him more into the slot this season which I think is fine they're going to play dami Brown and the outside so I think that actually leads to more opportunity perhaps for J doson who's always been a Red Zone dog um I think like close to 15% of his um you know total receptions over the last couple years have gone for touchdowns like he's always had a really high touchdown rate even if the week toe numbers aren't that great and you know he's going in the same Zone as Jerry Judy you know Gabe bavis who could very well be the wide receiver three not too long from now in Jacksonville Darnell money Josh DS um I think there's a little bit more upside there with doson who was a first round pick not that long ago I agree I agree uh you even saw that a little bit in his rookie year that you know right away they kind of targeted him in the red zone different quarterbacks obviously but Dawson's getting a lot of work in the slot uh I think that's a good thing for him um I know you know there's some concern about two wide receiver sets where what that portends but I I don't think they're gonna I think we'll see we'll see what's how much they'll go 11 versus 12 but we'll see about that yeah and for what it's worth to follow up on that um you know he's played all 177 snaps in 11 personnel so far this preseason uh dodson's played Seven of 10 snaps with the ones in 12 Personnel uh which means you know two tight ends two receivers which is pretty encouraging yeah absolutely um the other thing is the other question mark for this team is uh Brian Robinson vs. Austin Ekeler at running back here you've got you know Austin Eckler coming back from an awful season injury uh injury ruining season uh for him uh but you know two years ago he was a first round round pick for us now he's an afterthought a little bit uh they're this is another team where the running backs are basically backto back in ADP who do you got Robinson or Eckler Robinson Robinson and I you know I'm not even the biggest Brian Robinson guy I I don't I don't like the way this Austin neckar thing looks at all I thought he I thought he looked noticeably slower noticeably took a big step back you know in terms of both the the raw numbers and just just the just the eye test last year like he did not look anything like the same guy to me and you I think Washington's gonna find that out pretty soon right I mean they're they're certainly going to use both of these guys early in the season obviously Eckler will be there as the the more pass catching ajason back and you know Young quarterback maybe there will be some dump down opportunities there at an elevated rate I get that um you know in PPR based on where Eckler's going like it's it's not like you have to make this crazy investment he's like round pick 100 um but I think there's more there with Robinson I think he's going to be their true featured back or at least the closest thing to it and and he's a decent pass catcher himself it's not like just you know running up the middle type of guy I think we there's a little bit more versatility there with Brian Robinson and um you know the way this offense operated last season was just not very running back friendly I mean it was just kind of Chuck the ball all over the place make a bunch of mistakes see what happens you know try to outscore teams because we can't stop anybody um I think we see a more like balanced real NFL offense this season even with a rookie quarterback and I think that benefits Brian Robinson so if I'm making that choice I'm always going Robinson over Eckler yeah I agree actually I strongly agree uh noteworthy Eckler didn't get a carry in the preseason game against Miami although the offense starting offense was only in for two series but still uh he was only used in the passing game I it does Eckler does hurt Robinson more than it does take away from uh like but you know Robinson's never been a m a big pass catching back anyhow he got he got a little bit more of it last year was noteworthy he was actually pretty decent at it but um they've always had like a component it was Gibson before now it's Eckler yeah and I mean Robinson very quietly you know finished as the the running back 21 last season in PPR leagues and you obviously had had some competition there from Antonio Gibson so I I think you're getting him you know you're getting him at a relative discount um you know if if you want to say rb21 is like best case scenario I I get that you know but he also missed two games later in the year it's not like he he had this crazy run you know he had a couple big games in the middle of the Season that are perhaps propping that up uh but he's now going off the board as as the running back 35 you know like I I just I I think there's a pretty good chance he could settle into that you know at worst RV 25 to 30 range like I I don't think you're going to take a loss drafting Brian Robinson at pick 107 in your fantasy league absolutely agree absolutely agree um tight end Zack hers Ben Senate um hers probably starts Senate probably finishes as the starter is my Zach Ertz vs. Ben Sinnott guess yeah most likely I mean I'm trying to separate the you know the Ben Sate fantasy buzz from the the reality uh which has you know been that he hasn't done a whole lot so far in the preseason and you know it's preseason Limited action from starters etc etc um but you know we we kind of know what Zack gtz is at this point and you know he's just kind of a kind of feels like a lame duck starter right now he hasn't really played in the preseason um I'm trying to see what sinate did the other night he was targeted once one catch for 10 yards so that that's fine you know I think Ben send it to me as like kamani videll for the Chargers where it's like all right there's some appeal here later in the season I'll be interested I don't think I'm drafting him I don't think I'm going to have to worry about him necessarily through the first four or five weeks at least but I'll be keeping a cursory eye on both of those rookies yeah by the way you mentioned Kimani Videl this is rookie running back uh Twitter highlight season um I saw a lot of AD all I saw a lot of Ray Allen video out there I think we saw brillan Allen in week one you know it's like oh we got a hype up these guys Ray Davis what yeah yes I'm I didn't see any was Ray Allen getting carries I I hope not uh at his height and his age yeah but right I know this is I just drafted Davis come on what am I doing brayan Allen you know brayan Davis whatever uh this is not the AFC West pod but I do want to sneak this in kamti videll I mean a week ago there were there were talks that he might not even make the roster uh you know Daniel popper from the athletic who is kind of like the Chargers guy had speculated that yeah that videll they might leave him off I don't think that's going to be the case now he got his chance over the weekend played with the first Unit 14 of 34 snaps for the Chargers in the first half 11 carries 49 yards two catches for eight yards 28 of his 49 yards came after contact he had three avoided tackles uh per you know whatever second Spectrum or whoever counts those things uh but he looked really good and I think he's he's probably not gonna be so many they cut yeah uh yeah I I mean for what it's worth I did like what I saw uh so I thought he looked awesome yeah yeah uh I just I just think it's funny though it's like like clockwork you're gonna see the Twitter highlights there it's it's beautiful there um over under six and a half wins on the O/U 6.5 wins commanders over under six and a half wins man so projected strength to schedule is the 13th easiest so basically right in the middle six and a half I think they can get to Seven give me the over I I'm I'm by I'm kind of drinking the koola on the commanders um this this could look really bad like there's totally a world in which they win like three games and and Jane Daniels just you know doesn't look ready when when push comes to shove and he's going up against you know actual you know ones NFL defenses but I think there are enough winnable games on the schedule right I mean let's say you split with the Giants you you get you get a winnable game at home against the Steelers they get the Titans out of division um you know you get the you get the Carolina Panthers as well like I ah I don't know I don't know man this is a really really really tough one but give me seven I think they can go seven and 10 all right all right beat Rider all right let's go I'm just kidding and we never did do the optimistic on the commanders yeah yeah uh we never did do the Eagles either so let's do that real quick they're set at 10 and and a half um pretty optimistic out there for Eagles over O/U 10.5 wins everybody there U and yet it's juice to the over I mean you know it's like minus 130 at DraftKings on the over minus 148 at FanDuel 140 G it's pretty significantly uh suggested that a lot of people are betting the over on that 10 and a half I'll take the over as well I I'm I'm I'm in on the Eagles I said too many good things about them I can't turn around to take the under I will say though week one against Green Bay in Brazil that is that is a huge game specifically for Philly really for both teams you know because both have expectations but this is the first time that we will have seen the Eagles since that collaps right like this this feels like they have to come out I wouldn't say it's like a must-win it's week one of of an 18 week season you don't have to win it but I think the pressure is on Philly here you know Green Bay is is still you know kind of riding out this early career Jordan love thing like if they lose this game it's not like season's over but let's say the Eagles come out and get smacked by Green Bay and it's like 31 to 14 I mean there's going to be Panic setting in right like I think there is real pressure on the Eagles to to prove early on that whatever happened late last season is behind them and that number by the way is down to Eagles minus one and a half it opened at three a couple months ago yeah interesting uh well and I there's been so much positive Packers Buzz so I kind of get it a little bit there all right that's going to wrap up our NFC East preview in about six minutes we're going to start up the NFC North thanks everybody for tuning in take care