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We debut our rest of season rankings, hype up Darnell Mooney and Davante Adams, and hit the breaks on Pats RBs.

August 24, 2022

Good morning. Yesterday, I realized Pete Carroll is just like me at the gym: delusional.

Optimism and positivity is a heck of a drug. Not sure if it'll work this time, Pete. Now, presented by a disappointed Cowboys fan, the Morning Huddle.

Market Report

We're adding a new feature: the Market Report.

This daily update highlights who's up and who's down in our rest of season rankings. You can check out our rankings by clicking below.

Hype

To the Mooooney

Darnell Mooney // NBC Sports

Bears beat writer @adamjahns named Darnell Mooney the most impressive offensive player from Bears camp. Sure that's not saying much given the state of the Chicago offense, but still:

"He caught everything thrown his way. His route running is on a different level. He has the best rapport with quarterback Justin Fields. It’s an easy choice."

Last season, 7/8 WRs who reached 150+ targets finished in the Top 12 WRs, and @NoExpertFF explains why Mooney easily sees 160+ targets this year:

"Last season Mooney hit 140+ targets. Allen Robinson [and his 66 targets] is gone. Matt Nagy is gone. Justin Fields will be better in year 2." 

Mooney will see all the work on a Bears team playing from behind all season. He's a steal at his current ADP (WR29).

Despite a suspension looking unlikely, Alvin Kamara is still being drafted outside the first round. Don't forget, 2020 Alvin Kamara had a higher PPR PPG than 2021 Jonathan Taylor. Saints beat writer @ByLukeJohnson:

"Alvin Kamara has looked phenomenal all camp. Don't buy the downtick in numbers last year when defenses were able to focus so much attention on him, because the dude is unreal and now he has some help."

ESPN's Michael DiRocco believes Travis Etienne will lead the Jaguars backfield regardless of James Robinson's status (hint: he's not at 100%). Watch all of Etienne's preseason touches here (video).

Comments about Davante Adams torching the Patriots in joint practice make me consider moving him into the top tier:  

  • "Out of all the training camp practices I’ve seen since 2018, Davante Adams today was the best for any wide receiver." - @ezlazar

  • "The Patriots’ defense had its hands full with Davante Adams, who looked uncoverable for much of practice." - @ZachCoxNESN

With Gus Edwards on the PUP list and J.K Dobbins not seeing a full workload, Mike Davis could see most of the Ravens carries early in the season. Sound familiar? 

"Fool me once, shame on you. If you fool me, I can't get fooled again" - Bush.

From @1stat1day: Yards Per Route Run is a good metric to evaluate efficiency, but can also foreshadow a path to more opportunities. Tim shared his findings (thread) and why he expects AJ Brown, Gabe Davis, Michael Pittman, and Kadarius Toney to have career years.

Fallers: Elijah Mitchell & Pats RBs

Committee Backs // Boston Herald

Belichick continues to play with us. Just as Stevenson was approaching Harris in ADP, Bill says that both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will play "all three downs." In 7 games where Harris and Stevenson were both healthy: 

  • Stevenson: 49 carries, 262 yards, 1 TD. 

  • Harris: 109 carries, 442 carries, 7 TD's. 👀

Panthers beat writers believe Rashard Higgins could "take away targets" from Robbie Anderson this year. And yes, it’s Robbie now.

Raiders beat @PGutierrezESPN confirmed HC Josh McDaniels’ committee approach featuring rookie Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah - which will piss off Josh Jacobs owners all season. Luckily, you're a subscriber and haven't drafted Jacobs.

Elijah Mitchell will not benefit from Trey Lance's arrival. Here's why:

Rookie of the Day: Meet Kenny Pickett

Sliding into that QB1 role // Barstool

Kenny Pickett has a (good) chance to win the Steelers starting role. Out of college, scouts loved his accuracy, decision-making, and athleticism. This is the QB who broke Dan Marino's record for passing touchdowns. Pickett also executed a "fake slide" so well that they re-wrote the college football rule on sliding. 

What else they're saying:

Pickett's passer rating is through the roof:

And this:

Four Quotes

Yes, these are real

"F*** everybody I'm about to go crazy"- Saquon Barkley, when asked how he feels going into this season (video).

"I'm tryna chop your head off every single play" - Davante Adams (video).

"You've got to be understanding of the hits that one particular guy is taking and be smart about it" - Bears HC Matt Eberflus on (reducing) David Montgomery's workload.

"If you're an opponent, the dumber you think I am the better." Lions HC Dan Campbell. Dan, we think you're brilliant. Just give D'Andre Swift 20+ touches. Speaking of the Lions, some epic Hard Knocks content:

  • Jamaal Williams SMOKED a kid with this pass (video)

  • The Lion's got roasted, "Justin Timberlake coming off the edge" killed me (video)

  • "What do you call James Bond taking a bath?" "Bubble-O-7" - Jamaal Williams (video)

Overtime

Quick Slants

  • Michael Thomas' hamstring injury isn't considered serious. He’ll still run slants.

  • Gus Edwards was placed on the Reserve/PUP list and will miss the first 4 games of the season.

  • Andy Reid said Juju has "turned the corner" and is in no danger of missing scheduled TikToks (or Week 1).

  • Pete Carroll expected RB Ken Walker III to return by Week 1 from his hernia procedure, but said yesterday that Walker's status for the opener is uncertain.

  • Commanders placed EDGE Chase Young on the reserve/PUP list, making WAS DEF less imposing to start the season.

Tweet of the Day

We shared a list of some go-to fantasy football sources on Twitter yesterday. Click below to right your wrongs.

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Jake, Eddie, Matt & Coach Wehler.

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