NFL News & Analysis

5 things you need to know for Sunday

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 15: Matt Breida #36 of the Georgia Southern Eagles runs the ball during the first half against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

Good morning football fans! Here are the five things you need to know coming out of Saturday to get your morning started right:

  1. The Joe Williams hype started quickly after the draft for San Francisco after the team drafted him in the fourth round. But reports out of the team’s rookie minicamp were that undrafted free agent Matt Breida out of Georgia Southern was the “best rookie on the field,” meaning the two running backs might have a battle to be the top backup to starter Carlos Hyde.
  2. After trading for the tight end in the middle of 2016, the Denver Broncos have been saying they are very high on A.J. Derby heading into 2017. Derby saw nearly quadruple the playing time in Denver that he had in New England in 2016 (46.5 percent of snaps compared to 12.2), and his run-blocking grade of 69.8 would have been No. 15 at tight ends if he had had enough snaps to qualify.
  3. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Los Angeles Chargers receiver Dontrelle Inman is going to be out up to six weeks after having surgery on an injured core muscle. He’ll miss the team’s offseason program, but should be ready in time for training camp. Inman led the team in slot routes in 2016, though the addition of Mike Williams and the return of Keenan Allen from injury could mean there is not as much attention available for Inman in 2017.
  4. 2016 first-round pick WR Josh Doctson missed almost all of the 2016 season for Washington after suffering an Achilles injury 31 snaps into his season. But heading into his second season, with Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson leaving in free agency this offseason, a healthy Doctson is expected to offer more production in 2017 alongside new additions Terrelle Pryor and Brian Quick. Doctson was one of the most productive receivers in college in 2015.
  5. Bye weeks always present an interesting strategy question in fantasy football. Some players opt to space out their players’ bye weeks, while others prefer to lump byes together so as to limit the times the bye has an impact. Daniel Kelley explored production based on bye weeks and found an interesting pattern — the later in the season a quarterback, running back, or wide receiver has his bye, the more fantasy points per game he scores over the whole year. What this means, if anything, isn’t clear, but there was a definite pattern.
Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit