Another one bites the dust

Good morning - welcome to another edition of the Morning Huddle. Thoughts and prayers go out to anyone and everyone affected by the hurricane.

Before we get into it, read this crazy article about how a fake high-school team lied their way onto ESPN. I’ve been taking notes - they clearly don’t do background checks. The Morning Huddle will make it one day!

Now, let’s get into it:

Raven Down

Baltimore Ravens star running back J.K Dobbins suffered a season-ending torn ACL during a meaningless preseason game. This is a massive blow for the Ravens - and fantasy owners, both relying on Dobbins to help lead them to a title.

Gus “Bus” Edwards should be the primary beneficiary. He is a competent RB averaging 5 yards per carry last year - with 6 TDs. Gus only caught 9 passes, clearly lacking the receiving upside Dobbins possessed. Edwards ADP is currently early 5th round (#49) and that’s roughly where I would consider taking him.

Many expected Justice Hill to be involved in a 3rd down role, but ESPN reported Ty’Son Williams has leapfrogged Hill as the #2 back. Williams is someone to keep an eye on - here’s a great breakdown:

Aside from that, the Ravens won their 20th straight preseason game. Hope it was worth it!

The Texans are a disaster

Reports have surfaced that Texans are listening to offers for “pretty much all of their veterans.” From a fantasy perspective, this means David Johnson and Brandin Cooks may be on a new team by the start of the season.

If you did not agree with my thinking (and drafted any Texan), keep an eye on where these guys end up. There aren’t many situations worse than Houston right now, anywhere else could bolster their upside, but could also see them slide down the depth chart on other teams. Maybe consider Brandin Cooks, but don’t touch David Johnson. Please don’t draft David Johnson. Promise?

More great news out of Houston

If you expected anything positive, you don’t know sarcasm.

NFL insiders reported that the Texans are expected to make Deshaun Watson inactive every single week. Outside of not being on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, not many updates have been released about his legal situation, making it very likely Watson doesn’t play a snap of football this year. However, it was reported he refused to be included in a trade to the Eagles (I don’t blame him) and the Dolphins are apparently still interested - so nothing is for certain. My money is on Watson not playing though, as the Texans asking price apparently includes 3 first-round picks.

Kyle Shanahan: Coach, American, Magician

During the 49ers game on the weekend, Shanahan subbed QBs Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo in and out during their first few drives - it resulted in them destroying the Jon-Gruden led Raiders 34-10. While it is only the Raiders (who enjoy chirping every article), Shanahan loved what he saw and said that rotating his two QB’s will always be an option during the season. While this may be frustrating news for Lance owners, who are waiting for him to take the job completely, this is definitely a step in the right direction. He’s simply too good to not have on the field.

However, per Adam Schefter, Trey Lance has a small "chip" in his finger and is expected to miss about a week, per HC Kyle Shanahan.

Where are you Drafting Robert Woods this Season?

Whether you call him by his birth name, Robert Woods, or his fantasy football one, Bobby Trees, doesn’t matter. What does matter is where you draft him.

His current ADP in half PPR is 35, which is just the end of the third round. I would look at him there, possibly even closer to the middle of the 3rd round if I’m drafting there. Woods is a perfect example of why you should not just base your draft strategy solely on ADP or rankings.

Roster construction is critical. With Woods being a target monster on a projected top 5 scoring offense, he is a very safe option - but he doesn’t have top 5 upside either. If your picks in the first couple rounds were on riskier, injury prone guys, or potential breakout players, you may want to compliment this by getting Woods in the 3rd. Bobby Trees is listed under the dictionary when you search Safe 1200 yards and 6 TDs.

If you start your draft with two safe picks in Derrick Henry and Travis Kelce, where you know what you’re going to get, picking a higher upside player like his teammate Cooper Kupp or my boy D.J. Moore makes more sense.

Did you know that Bobby Trees can’t jump?

The Hospital Report

• Carson Wentz was placed on the reserve/Covid list. It’s always something with Wentz - can’t seem to stay on the field.

• Evan Engram limped off the field with a calf injury. While Joe Judge was optimistic it’s nothing serious there is no firm timeline either.

• T.Y Hilton is expected to miss significant time with an unspecified injury. Colts were optimistic that it wasn’t season-ending, but still awful news.

• Marquise Brown returned to practice Monday. This is great news, considering how injury-riddled the Ravens have been this preseason.

Max Pain of the Day

Quick Hits

• Ravens reportedly have no plans to bring in Todd Gurley. I’m glad to hear this. Let the man’s knees rest in peace.

• Javonte Williams was not held out of the final preseason game due to injury, but the Broncos wanted to give Melvin Gordon some run after missing OTA’s. It looks like it will be a split backfield for the near future.

• Gardiner Minshew was traded to the Eagles for late-round picks - proving the organization’s distrust in Jalen Hurts as the long-term solution at QB

• Bears are listening to trade offers for Nick Foles. C’mon someone give Big Dick Nick a chance!

Thanks for joining us this morning - see ya’ll next time.

- Eddie

The Morning Huddle: an (almost) daily newsletter full of fantasy football news, memes, and stats - giving you the edge to win your title this season.

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