Fantasy Football Daily - 2022 Hansen's Hints: Preseason Podcast No. 3 with Greg Cosell

Episode Date: August 25, 2022

John Hansen (@Fantasy_Guru) invites Greg Cosell (@gregcosell) on the latest Hansen's Hints for some NFL Insider info across the league as the final week of preseason kicks off. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fantasy-points-podcast/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to the Fantasy Points podcast brought to you by FantasyPoint.com. Top level fantasy football and NFL betting analysis from every perspective and angle, from numbers to the film room with a single goal to help you score more fantasy points. You know, welcome to another preseason podcast here at FantasyPoint.com and the podcast feed. The Hansen's Hints Hintz segment, if you will. my little segment of the podcast feed, me being John Hanson, and I am joined, as always, here on the podcast by Greg CoSell of NFL films contributing to the website.

Obviously, the 22 draft guide is still available up on the website. And if you have not yet subscribed, you should go ahead and add that to your subscription and use the promo code Hanson 22 to save 10% off your subscription to Fantasy. to FantasyPoint.com year number three. We're growing rapidly. All kinds of data help added to the mix this year. It's going to be a big year. We've been so far ahead of the market.

So I do implore you if you're not a subscriber to a website to check it out, pretty much a 92% chance that you'll be very happy and you'll subscribe again next year. But for this podcast here, part of the content over at fantasypoints.com, We're the fantasy people. We've got a complete feel for everything in the fantasy world. Obviously, that dips into NFL a lot. But we always run it up the flagpole with a guy Greg CoSell to see what he thinks based on his film study.

Greg, good afternoon here on Thursday afternoon as we record this. It feels like the preseason signed of over. I feel like I've made, you know, I've put the, you know, planted the flag on a lot of players. I don't know how much will change. But how are you? John, I can't wait for the preseason to be over. I want regular season games. It's been a weird preseason process over the last couple of years with the pandemic.

Teams are punting. Some teams are just ignoring. Some teams are hiding guys this year, I feel like, but have a good feel and a good handle. So what we do is we did the last podcast, I don't know, probably about 10 days ago. A lot has happened since then. So we'll just go around the league and I'll ask you questions. on my mind. And we'll start over in the AFC. I think we talked about this before, but it does look pretty good for Isaiah McKenzie to really elevate his role. I think it's fair to say he was

gadgety last year, but I don't know about this year. I know you like Khalil Shakir. He's in the mix. Jameson Crowder not as much, it seems, Greg. But, you know, what are your thoughts on Isaiah McKenzie growing into a more prominent full-time role? I mean, it would appear so. You know, I guess much depends on how they see him, you know, given that he is smaller. I could be dead wrong, John, but I just really like Shakir and I think they're going to have to find snaps for him. I really do.

Now, you know, these are the kinds of things, unfortunately, where we're kind of speculating and guessing to some extent. We know what McKenzie is. The question is, since they are a team that we think will play a lot out of 11 personnel, although that's another question as well. You know, their run game is something I think that they have emphasized this offseason because I think they understand they need more of it. Obviously, they're not going to turn into a run-first team.

But I think they understand they need more of it. So the question is because they do have a fallback in Gilliam. They do have tight ends. We know Knox. We'll see who the second tight end is. O.J. Howard had some really effective blocks in the run game in this past game that they just played against the Broncos for whatever that's worth. It was against the second and 13. But the point is Howard is a good inline blocker, which is not what Knox is.

It's a good point. So, you know, that's why it's funny. I love talking ball with you, but that's why these preseason podcasts are so hard because you just don't know. Yeah. By the way, OJ. Howard, might he turn into another one of those guys

who came out of college, like athletic profile and ends up being a frigging glorified office of linemen? Yeah. And then the other issue is how many tight ends will they keep? because Morris has done really well on their camp. And, you know, we'll see. I mean, that's, they do have a new coordinator in Ken Dorsey. And obviously, while he's not going to change a whole lot, let's say in terms of route concepts, those kinds of things.

Yeah. You don't know if he has a different worldview of personnel. You know, that's the kind of stuff you don't know. Khalil Shakir, inside only, right? No. Or not? No, I think he can line up anywhere. I think that's one of the things that makes him a very intriguing prospect.

I guess I was meaning a little bit right out of the gate, but yeah, I mean, these guys can pretty much do it out of the gate. Yeah, okay. And then how about McKenzie in terms of lining up outside? That's the other thing. You know, McKenzie is small. Is he a guy they see playing 40 or 50 snaps a game or is he a guy they see playing 20 snaps a game? or is he a guy they see that's specific to an opponent in a given week in terms of snap count. This is what we don't know at this point.

I think I'm with you in that people, not that you know this, but people are getting a little excited about McKenzie, and I think you're probably going to end up being right at the end of the day. Shakir might be the guy who maybe Al produces his draft position, if you will, Greg. Back to that running game quickly. You know, it would make some sense to eat. can Dorsey into the play calling role to commit a little bit more to the run. And it does kind of seem like it is a point of emphasis.

And Zach Moss has put himself in this mix. So I don't like anyone here. But I will say, boy, I continue. That James Cook, man, I mean, if this kid was just a little bit bigger and stronger, he would in fact be Dalvin. I mean, he looks good, Greg. But that's the other factor, John. And, you know, obviously we don't need to go through every single team today

because some teams nothing's going on. Yeah, we can really say anything. So this is an interesting team because they're obviously going to be good. James Cook has juice. Singletary ended up being a nice player down the stretch last year, but he doesn't have that kind of juice. Cook is a big play juice guy. So again, you and I both know he's not going to be a volume back.

He's not going to get 20 carries a game. But, you know, when you can hand it off to a back and he can give you 14 yards, 18 yards, that that changes the way you see your running game. Yeah, yeah, you have more potential. Yeah. Absolutely. You know, you're not getting explosive plays in the running game with those two guys, but maybe you are with James Cook.

One other quick point. Their O line is better. Roger Saffold, and again, this relates to fantasy. Roger Saffold was a great pickup for them because Roger Saffold came from the Titans predominant zone run game. Prior to that, the Rams for dominant zone run game. So when you look now at the fact that he is a master in the zone run game as a run blocker, all of a sudden their old line, which was a weakness a year ago, is not really a weakness anymore.

And then Saffold, better road grader, I'm sure, than pass pro guy. Yeah, he's not bad in pass pro, but he is a really good zone run blocker. Yeah, I go. Good nugget there. Miami, not a ton going on. We're all out on Gisiki. he's going to be lining up, I'm sure, a slot, but not as much as last year. He might not even be there.

Right. He might get moved. Yeah. It sure feels like Mike McDaniel is going to obviously, he may have some of his own ideas. Every coach does. But he's been with Kyle Shanahan, his entire NFL career, his entire coaching career, because Mike is young. So that offense, there's not a big place for Gassiki. Do you think Hunter Long is a viable prospect?

Yes. Putting up some numbers? I mean, he's certainly not George Kitto, but I think Hunter Long fits that offense more than Gisicki does. Because look, we know what they did a year ago, different coaching staff. They lined up in 12 personnel, I think, more than any team in the league or very close to the top of the league in terms of playing with two tight ends because Gaseki was essentially a split receipt. He was not really an inline player because he's not, that's not what he is.

He's not an attached player. And in this offense, they need a tight end who can block as part of the offense. You know, not just, oh, we're going to run the ball now. Let's put a tight end in. That's a foundational piece of this offense. Yeah, it's not for show, you know, it's not for show. It's not, hey, let's run now, you know. Right.

Yeah. So Gaseki doesn't quite fit that. And they have quality wideouts, John. it's not like, oh, they need them because they don't have any wideouts. I mean, they've got Hill, they've got Waddle, they've got Cedric Wilson. I mean, they've got wideouts. So Gaseki's not going to be a glorified wideout in this offense. Yeah, especially since the three top wideouts are probably great slot receivers, you know.

And he's not a volume guy, but Sherfield has been with Daniels with the Niners for a number of years. And from what I gather from speaking to people, he's incredible. incredibly smart, understands this offense backwards and forwards. You know, new coaches like to have players like that, guys who just get it. Yep. And he'll be like a red zone guy too. Yep. See, this is a good example of the football insight that you can get from Greg

Cocell and his content and relate it to fantasy. So we're all out on Mike Gassicki. Moving on to the Patriots, it's been quiet. You know, Kendrick Bourne was in that same system with that Sherfields and is I believe he basically replaced it Kendrick Bourne. Not having a good camp. I don't know what the heck's going on there.

Tyquine Thornton hurt. This is weird. Aguilar's having a big time camp from what I've been told. Yep. And he was kind of a bubble guy, but he's going to be well in the mix. I, boy, I'm struggling with his offense other than the running backs. You know what I think, John,

I'm going to give you my opinion on this for whatever it's worth. I think this is an offensive. that will take a little while to settle in. They made some adjustments in what they want to do. It's not the same offense as it was under Josh. But Mack Jones, when you talk to people, they talk about how incredibly intelligent he is, how much of a phenomenal processor he is.

I just think it will take a little time. So I wouldn't jump away from this offense. Maybe the first two, three games, you're not going to go, oh, my God, wow. But don't look at those games and go, boy, they're going to be bad. they're going to end up being a good offense. It just might take a little time. No question.

And look, I was loving Mac Jones this time last year, did very well. So that proved a lot. He's going to figure it out. They'll figure it out. I do worry about the coaches there. But, yeah, not panicking. Still love Ramadre. I actually like the name of house too.

What's that? They'll figure it out, John. Yeah, I agree. I agree. I don't like the receivers for fantasy, but I like the run-in-backs. You know, then it comes down to how much they're going to throw the ball because even, even though Aguilar's having a great camp, he's probably not a true volume guy. You know, I don't think he's getting 135 targets. I was sad to see what happened with Thornton, and I don't know if he would have been a volume guy as a rookie anyway, but this offense will start to pick up.

You know, the big question is the second tight end. Ken Janu Smith, who's still there, assuming he stays there. you never know with Coach Belichick, is he going to become some kind of factor in the past game? Yeah, I think there was a lot of excitement last year. I was told he had some sort of personal issue. So we'll see about that. By the way, final thought, like, Aguilar is going to play

because they wanted speed. That's why they took Thornton. And, I mean, Agalore, maybe a little Kendrick Bourne, but, you know, you're looking for a downfield vertical threat. It's got to be Aguilar. It will be Aguilar. let's go to the Jets, and I don't have a ton, actually. I almost think we can move on.

Yeah, there's nothing to really say. We know Flacco is going to start week one. Moore did not, you know, they've not played him a lot in the preseason, and I love more, as we all do. But I think their weapons are pretty solid, but, you know, there's, I don't know what there is to say right now at this point. We've been on Tyler Conklin all along, and he's doing really well. And by the way, just a quick point on him.

Obviously, I watched a ton of Minnesota last year. And when you have Jefferson and Thielen and Osborne coming on a bit, Conklin was not getting high-volume targets. I think that kid is an ascending player. So to the Jets. Far more athletic than people might think if they haven't really studied him, as I have. He's just in a situation where their wideouts may be the high-volume target guys. We don't know that exactly how that's going to play out

because Zach Wilson's only in his second year. so we don't know how he sees the field yet and who he wants to throw the ball to. But Conklin, just in terms of athletic movement, Joe, I think he's in the top 10 in the league. That's a tight end. That's a pretty bold statement. But, yeah, you know, Flack always look pretty good at least. That's what they say.

They say, you know, you can line up and play with Joe. Yeah, he was pretty good last year. He was not bad. And I think the tight ends are very active in this offense right there, between the numbers and that's what they want. Conklin, you know, stretch the seam a little bit. Yeah, let's move on. Not much else going on with the Jets. The Ravens still not a ton. Isaiah likely. Greg, I watched him practice for two days in Mobile. When I watched the practices, the two main separators were, well, Trey McBride was separating well, but downfield separators,

it was easily Calvin Austin and Isaiah likely. It looks like likely is going to be a fact. there, man, he looks good. So very intriguing. And the tight ends are going to get a lot of play here. It's going to be very interesting to see what they do, because keep one thing in mind, Andrews is not an attached player. He's a detached player. True. Lately is not an attached player. He's a detached player. So how is that going to work in the context of an offense that will likely still start with the run game? So again, these are great. questions, we don't know the answer. I just think it's important for people to understand that based

on the way the Ravens have played, unless they're making dramatic conceptual changes, they're not going to play a lot with two tight ends of which neither one is a true blocker and neither one is an attached player. So you have to think about that. Well, how about we go with three tight ends with likely lining up basically inside and you get a little Nick Boyle in line and then you have likely Andrews and Bateman out there. You could because Andrews is, you know, he's not exactly Gaseki. I mean, he's better than Gaseki overall. But what I meant was he's not truly a split outside the numbers guy.

But Andrews is a detached player. You know, he was a slot player for the most part a year ago. So, and that's what he's, you know, that's what he's good at. I mean, you know, Andrews had the second most first down targets in the league last year, only behind Stefan Diggs because they get a ton of zone. I watched a ton of their tape on first down. And they almost get all zone on first down because of their run game and, you know, teams don't want to play man because of Lamar running the ball.

Yeah. So they did really well on first down. Andrews in particular. They're going to be very interesting. I mean, likely is one of those guys that he's blowing it up in preseason, but then you think about their offense and what it's been the last two, three years with Lamar, and you try to think of how does likely fit? And, hey, those guys are a lot smarter than I am.

Greg Roman, James Urban, they're with those guys every day. They'll figure it out. I just don't know right now how that's going to look. You know, likely is listed at 6'4. I guess so. I stood next to him at the combine. I thought he was a little short. He doesn't look like that on tape.

I was surprised when I did him coming out of coastal, and I saw the fact that he was six four at the combine. Maybe it's the way he's built, but I agree with you, John. He looked to me like he was six two on tape. That's exactly what I thought. I'm six two. I stood right next to the guy.

I'm like, this dude's six two. I'm sorry, but I guess they, I guess they measured them, but good player, though. And look, he's not going to, he'll probably catch 20 balls, but he might average 15 yards of catch, which is a big number. Right. For the tight end position. We'll move on.

Cincinnati, not much going on here. I think we could absolutely skip them. There's nothing of no. I got nothing of great import there. And Cleveland, you know, I do like Jerome Ford. I was talking with Nathan Zagura, the new color commentator for the Cleveland Browns Radio Network. and boy, he was going on and on about Ford. You know, he played wide receiver, as you likely know.

And, of course, you comp them that Kareem Hunt. I like Ford a lot. The question is snaps. I mean, what's, you know, he was a fifth round pick. They still have Chubb, who's top three back in the league as a runner, and they still have Hunt, who's a combo back, very good receiver. I don't know if Ford really gets snaps unless someone gets hurt. Or, you know, it would be a surprise, I guess, but Kareem Hunt,

it wouldn't be a shock if something happened there, maybe a trade that did resign De Earnest. He did tell me that Anthony Schwartz is running really well. I mean, they don't have a bad trio. Actually, they don't have a bad for some with Cooper, DPJ, Bell, and Short. Well, they've got unproven players. That's the issue. Because it's going to have to sort out. We know Cooper's proven.

People's Jones is long, can run, has ability, unproven. Bell is a rookie. He's a certain kind of receiver. if he were to reach what people might think he could be, then he becomes one of those real solid, catch the ball, tough, physical, not a burner. And Anthony Schwartz is a 4-25 guy who can run, obviously. What can he become?

Or is he just one of those vertical guys? So there's unproven players other than Cooper. Yeah, and even Harrison Bryant still unproven. But, you know, David and Joku, the chief, It looks like he's still going to be, you know, very involved. And you have to factor in Jacoby Brissette, who tends not to see the field with the speed that's required and does not push the ball down the field. You know this, John. When Brissette's been a starter, he has a lot of games who he completes 17 balls for 120 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers. And I know it's the bane of your existence watching preseason football, but have you seen any Kenny Pickett? Yeah, I mean, I watch certain guys. I don't watch everybody, John. I'm just being honest, you know. Yeah. Well, my opinion, I've always said, I feel like with these guys, you can tell early, even in the preseason, you know, the speed of the game, the poise. I feel like it's all looking really good for Kenny Pickett.

I mean, everything we said, look, I'm no scout, but from where I'm sitting, I'm like, this guy's good. You're not going to stud. I went Matt Hasselbeck as a comp. You know, I'm sure he made, he made a couple pro bowls. So what are you seeing from Pickett so far? Let me, without getting into like hardcore X-No detail, I think he has the look and feel of an NFL quarterback. And I think that he will be the starter,

whether that's week one, none of us can say. But look, you have to understand one thing. They drafted him in the first round, okay, after they had signed Mitchell Trubisky. I think that kind of tells you a lot. Yeah. You know, and, you know, I've heard, some commentators on TV say, well, they don't have to start Pickett early. And I'm thinking to myself,

coaches don't think like that, John. If Kenny Pickett is clearly the best quarterback, you know, as they go through camp, Mike Tomlin's going to start him. Mike Tomlin isn't thinking about, well, we don't have to start him. If he's the best quarterback in the minds of the coaching staff, you know what? Kenny Pickett's going to start. And I guess we'll find out, but he's looked very comfortable. As you said, sometimes you can tell early. You know, when you see a guy, some guys look like they're playing really fast. Like Malik

Willis looks like he's playing at 100 miles an hour. Yeah. Kenny Pickett looks like he's still playing at Pitt. Yep. Yep. And also too, maybe if it's a terrible line in offense, you hold a quarterback out for a little while. And their own line does have questions, by the way.

But you also have to figure that they're going to run the ball with great volume. Okay. So, you know, they do have that to fall back on. It's not as if. And they have a very good defense. So if they were to start, can he pick it? The likelihood is he's not going to have to drop back 45 times a week. And when he does drop back, though, he's got good ball distributor attributes and plenty of guys to distribute it too.

Without question. That's the other factor is they've got wide outs and they've got a, you know, a really solid tight end in Fryer moves. Yeah, he's looking good. feel better about him with Pickett showing well. Moving on here, the Fantasy Points. Preseason podcast number three with Greg Kosell over in Houston. Damien Pierce continues to show well. Obviously, we've been all over this.

You know, we like Nico Collins. Brevin Jordan is a guy, Greg, that I think is a real diamond in the rough. I think, boy, he's got to be the third option in this passing attack. And I'm not sure if we talked about him last week. Well, who were the first two options? Cooks and Collins Yeah I'm

trending up a little bit because I've watched them on tape this preseason and just from what I saw a little last year as well I'm trending up on Nico Collins I think he's a very intriguing player He looks the part

I mean he's big and he can run a little bit Yeah I mean I And I think they're going to throw it You know I think that I like Davis Mills I spent this summer watching a lot of Davis Mills from a year ago. And given that he was on a poor team overall with a poor O line and almost no run game,

I think you'd almost have to say he played really, really well. He's incredibly poised. He's composed. He's calm. He throws a good ball. He's firm in the pocket. You know, this receiving court to me is a little better than people might be giving it credit for. Well, it's a shame about John Metchy, though.

Oh, I know. It really is. It really is. I would agree with that. thousand percent yeah but you see the Nico Collins you see the physical tools six four out there last year probably playing a little too early swimming a little bit but he made a couple of play you could just see the progression you could just see that he's getting better and feel a little bit more comfortable and a lot to work with physically there

indianapolis pretty quiet our guy alec pierce doing well we all know it's going to be pitman we all know neheim hines is getting back in the mix there with Maddie Isso. Not much going on there. Jacksonville. What did you think of ETIN? I worry a little bit about their running game or their O line in the running game

because that didn't look great. But I thought ETN looked pretty explosive. He does. The big question, and this is again what we don't know, is what's his volume going to be? Because one of the things, too, we know with Doug Peterson is he, you know, if you go back to the Super Bowl year,

and back then when they had, you know, complimentary backs, when they had Ajay and Gerard Blunt, you know, I don't think that ATN, and I'm sure you have this in your projections, I don't think he'll be a true foundation back in terms of volume carries. No, no, but they are thin behind them. I mean, James Robinson looks like- I like Snoop Conner a lot. I mean, that dude, you know, totally in your profile on the fantasy points prospect guy,

like, no mystery, no frills, but the guy brings it right. runs hard. Yeah, I mean, it wouldn't surprise me. And Robinson's, you know, still fighting injuries and who knows what his status is. The backs could end up being Cooper on ETN. I mean, Cooper Connor. Conn's over 220 pounds. Oh, totally, totally. ETN, I only haven't went 200 carries, by the way, Greg. So yeah, to your point. I feel like 200's a good number for it. And it might not even be that much depending on, you know, if Connor can be a factor, you know, as a early down runner. You know, I'm not saying

Connor's going to get 250 carries. He won't. But I'm just trying to make the point, John, that don't sleep on Connor, people listening. He could well be a significant part of this. Absolutely.

You could certainly see 10 carries a game at least there potentially. Tennessee, bad vibes overall. You thought Malik Willis looked a little raw, obviously, but you know, the physical. tools are pretty evident.

In an ideal world, he doesn't take a snap. What's that? In an ideal world, he doesn't take a snap. Yeah, yeah. Unless they're winning big and it's victory formation, you know, but... Yeah. The guy I'm most intrigued by in their past game is Kyle Phillips. Me too.

Yeah. Me too. I mean, I already wrote, Greg, that as sad as it sounds, I bet Kyle Phillips and Austin Hooper finished top three in receptions this year on the Titans. I mean, that's a bold statement, but. Yeah, could well be the case. Yeah, because the kids got, I mean, again, he's your typical, decisive inside dude who plays with a lot of toughness.

He understands how to run routes. He understands how to set up corners. He understands how to get corners off their spot. He's going to be open. And from everything I've heard, Tana Hill has developed a good rapport with them already. I think Phillips is going to be a really meaningful piece of their past game. I think you and I might be the only ones in America outside of Tennessee, by the way, we're saying.

I mean, I got him catching 50 balls. I mean, I think. He could end up catching more. I know. But that's a, I mean, that's a very proactive projection for a guy that literally know. I mean, it's a fifth round pick. You know, again, you know how it is, John, when you compare people to players to players who are in the NFL and who play at a really high level in the NFL.

But Kyle Phillips, when I watched his UCLA tape, I thought of Cooper Cup at Eastern Washington. I don't mean the Cooper Cup from last year, because that's the way people are going to hear it. They're going to think, oh, you know, you're an idiot. You know, don't forget, Cooper Cup caught 46 balls his rookie season. So, you know, he struck me as a guy that could roll out of bed and be a good slot receiver. That's my point.

I actually saw a little Julian Edelman there. And I could see that to some degree as well. I think he's a little shorter, right? Maybe just a little bit, but, you know, he's not 150 pounds or anything. I think he, I think he was 189, 190 at the combine, so he's not, he's not tiny. Right. Yep, yep. Out of UCLA, got to be a factor.

Moving on over in the AFC West in Denver, Alberta. Albert O having a quiet camp. Sutton emerged as expected. Hard to know there because Wilson hasn't played. We don't know how he's going to see, you know, who the guys he feels good throwing it to. To me, they're impossible to know. Well, I think we're looking at,

I feel better about Judy now with the Tim Patrick injury and with Alberto O a little slow off the mark. I think it's very Judy and Sutton eccentric, obviously and they'll run with and I mean those are the two main go-to guys here I believe KC again your thoughts I know you didn't see Isaiah Pacheco I guess you can't give thoughts because you haven't seen them but have you seen I did why by the way I did watch Casey's offense this week with Mahomes and Pacheco didn't you know wasn't even playing really right so I mean I don't know again I don't know when the regular season starts there's a great example

they played the first team. I was more intrigued with Fortson. Yeah, well, they are too, apparently. It looks like a big whiteout out out there. Well, he was a wideout. Yeah. Yeah. Apparently, they like Jody Fortson out there.

Yeah, I mean, yeah, because I've watched their tape. And like I said, Pacheco wasn't playing with those first group. And Fortson was, obviously. Well, I guess some people are speculating. Oh, they're already giving Pacheco like, I don't know, starter treatment, right? I mean, he did play somewhat for Chekko. I don't want to say he didn't play at all.

You know, he did play because he, the one thing that did strike me, though, is he was detached as a receiver at times. So they see him that way. Did catch a flat route out of the backfield as well. Looks like he can catch the ball. I mean, I think he'll be a part of it. You know, that's where you just don't know.

Yeah, no, we don't. I'm waiting on the Ronald Jones status. Like, if Ronald Jones makes the team, I am not so sure about Pacheco. The other factor is Justin Watson. Yeah, he's coming on. The question is, does he in a sense become, you know, their new Pringle? Yeah.

Well, I thought maybe that was Juju. Could be. Yeah. Well, I personally think they're hiding Sky more a little bit, but they did take a couple shots to him. Yeah, he wasn't really a factor when Mahomes was in the game. Yeah. I could be wrong.

I could be wrong. but I think they're hiding sky more a little bit. I mean, let's be honest. Justin Watson couldn't make it in Tampa. MVS is a certain type of player, not a lot of volume. He's been fine. Juju's got the chronic knee. Mikol's been down with the groin.

I, again, I think they're hiding sky more, but we'll see if he doesn't do it early. I still think he'll do it late in KC. Raiders. Now, I don't know what is going on with Darren Waller. So that is where he's, I mean, how much of a buzzkill would it be for their fortunes if they did not have Waller? I mean, Foster Moreau is a pretty good backup, but he's not Waller.

Well, what's the situation with Waller? Well, Josh McDaniels, I mean, it's, well, it's Josh McDaniels. So he stated yesterday that, you know, he wasn't exactly sure about his week one status because he hasn't been practicing. We don't even know what exactly is wrong with him. Well, he's going to play. I mean, maybe he doesn't play week one, but it's not like he's not going to play. Right, right. But, you know, it's a bad, it's an ominous start, I guess, after last year.

Right. But how impactful would that be if they didn't have Waller? Well, it would be, it would really be impactful because Moreau is a nice player, but Waller is special as a tight end. It's how you can line up and do things from a formation standpoint. I mean, just think of Waller and Adams. Remphro is really good, but he's essentially, well, I shouldn't say that, because Josh is there now. He could move people all around. They've got three really good receivers.

And in Adams, arguably the best in the NFL. And Josh is a master of formations. So that's, they'd be really difficult to defend. You know, I hate to say it. But God forbid Waller's out of the mix. They may need Mack Hollins out there because, you know, it looks like a tight end out there. Well, we'll see.

I mean, I hope Waller plays. but, you know, they're being very secretive about it. Yeah, very, a little bit of a concern. The LA Chargers, not a ton going on here. Spiller are still behind the eight ball. We have wax poetic about Josh Palmer since last year at this time, and he's bawling and kicking ass. Let's head on over on the Fantasy Points podcast of the NFC.

You're listening to it with me, John Hanson and Greg Cosell, promo code Hansen 22, save 10% off your subscription to fantasy points.com. Greg, I have never been more ahead of the trends than this year. I am dead serious. I am not needing to update much because we were on it in May. I'm talking George Pickens. I'm talking Romeo Dobbs. I'm talking Jahan Dotsett, like all over it here, Greg.

Unbelievable. And, you know, it's a collaborative. effort but see i'm really good i just take all the information put in a mixer and come up with fantasy goodness well in dallas oh boy this tyrant smith injury gregg i'm already kind of in panic mode i mean gallop probably not going to play week one james washington on the shelf i like tollbert he's doing well we like lamb zeke and pollard okay but man it's already starting gregg with this old line in tyrant smith that that is bad news It's been.

It looks like he's done for the year. I think you'll see Tony Pollard playing a lot with Zeke. I think Pollard will be, he's going to be a bigger factor in the past game. They're going to need it. Yeah, because he can detach. So I think he's going to play a lot more snaps, and he will be a split receiver more than we've seen him in the past. You know what?

I'm going to give him a couple more grabs, given this situation. I just, man, it's, oh, boy, this is bad. And then, of course, Tyler Smith, the rookie, I mean, that kid's, there's no way he's ready to play week one, is he? He's certainly not ready to play left tackle. I can tell you that. Well, that's for sure. Wow.

We'll see what happens. Bad vibes there. I don't think the vibes are very good with the Giants. They just lost Colin Johnson. Kenny Gallaudet looks terrible. Cadarius is still banged up. I mean, my guy, Daniel Bellinger, doing some things here. But this is another one, Greg, where I had a good vibe all year.

We got Stirling Shepard back, but this is going to be slow out of the gate here, Greg. It would appear. Yeah, and they just lost Colin Johnson for the season, and I kind of liked what I saw from him. And I've always liked him to some degree. And I thought he had a legitimate chance to be, you know, in the mix when it all sorted out. And he's now gone for the year. Not good. I know Daniel Jones looked a little bit better. So that's something. They may need my guy David Sills. I think that's another case, John, where that's going to take a little time, brand new offense. Not a lot of people who've been practicing on a regular basis.

So I think that's going to take some time. For sure. So be careful. People are taking Sequin Barclay very early, and I am not in on that. Philadelphia Eagles, very good vibes. Boy, it does seem like they should trade Jalen Raker, doesn't it? Well, they may have to cut him. I don't know.

I don't know who's, you know, what they're going to get for him. That's a hard question to answer, but I don't think he's going to be in the mix of the top four or five receivers. Yeah. Yeah, because I guess Dion Kane making some noise, along with Brown, Smith, and Kwez. So, I mean, what are we doing with Jalen Regger? And they still have Zach Pascoe, who is a really good sort of third, fourth type receiver. So he's going to make the team.

Because he came from Indy where Siriani was from, and Siriani really likes him. And he has a lot of value. You know, he's one of those guys. I mean, I guess every year he's been in the league, he's caught like 45 balls. But that's meaningful when a guy's a third or fourth receiver. Oh, is rock solid? You need them inside? Sure.

Outside? Okay. Can do it. You know? By the way, the one, it's not even a buzzkill, but potential, if Dallas Goddard goes down, I don't know what we have at tight end in Philly. Well, I mean, they really like Jack Stahl a lot. I mean, look, he's not Goddard.

Goddard is a really talented guy. I think he's going to be featured this year. So you're right. I mean, let's hope he doesn't go down. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I'm skeptical, but I'm not dumb. I had to move him up because it does look pretty darn good here on paper in terms of a feature role to your point there.

The commanders, McLaurin looking fine, more than fine. we love Dotson ridiculously so and i mean again brian robinson is trending in the right direction and gibbs in the wrong i mean that's it and and mcissick's gonna have a role you know they did get logan thomas off the pupy which could be somewhat impactful here in theory they could be pretty damn good if wence is okay but a little little rocky start for him but not much to talk about otherwise gregg as we move along Chicago. Man, Darnell Mooney is good.

You worry about the other receivers because there's very little left. I was just talking this morning with a Bears insider. A guy's been there 20 years. And he's with me on Cole Commet. Like they need Cole Commit. I feel like Cole Commet, Greg, is I know he doesn't run all that well. But I feel like he's a breakout. Basically, I feel like he's a breakout player.

And look, second option in the passing game, I think, for Fields. Uh, yeah, probably. I mean, they don't have a lot of weapons. I mean, that's the issue. You know, guys are hurt right now, so we don't know how this is going to play out. Um, I don't know. The big issue here is Fields could end up putting up numbers because I don't know how good their defense is going to be.

And he may have to drop back an awful lot. Hmm, that's scary behind this line. He's not thrown the ball exceptionally well this summer. No, Fields has a ways to go. Phil, he still doesn't see it real well. He's under duress a lot, which is not helping his development. So he's starting to get into bad habits. He drops his eyes.

You know, it's hard. You always want your quarterback to be fundamentally sound. That's how you coach it. But when you pretty much are under duress consistently, you start to anticipate that you'll be under duress and you start to drop your eyes and you just don't want to get hit. So it's, this could be a tough go. Yeah, could be a tough go.

And this person also told me that he does not expect them to resign David Montgomery. The thought is that Khalil Herbert might be a little bit of a better fit for their scheme there. I think I told you that a long time ago. He's a much better zone runner. Yeah. And they may want to take a look at him late in the season if they're out of it, which they will be. Yeah. So I'm not in on David Montgomery.

I haven't been all year. Never have been, actually. Detroit Lions. I love Dan Campbell on hard knocks. I'm in on that. But that Aden Hutchinson, though, is a pretty special kid, Greg. Do you see his first two plays in the opener? Yeah, I did.

Yeah, no, I mean, he'll be a good player. You know, their defense is not bad, believe it or not. You know, it'll be interesting to see offensively how the wide receiver position sorts out. Amon Ra's been the man, Charks your outside guy, you rotate Reynolds when I guess you're in 11, and that's it, right? I mean, Hawkinson is...

I kind of like Quintas Cephasie. I know he's been hurt, but, you know, he got some snaps last year and he showed up well. He's not a burner, but he's a big kid, catches the ball, has some run after catch. I'm curious how he fits into this when it sorts itself out.

You're not a Khalil Pimpleton guy? I love the name. Yeah, I do. That's why I said it. I actually saw him in college, and I wasn't studying him, but I forget where he went to college. Central Michigan. Oh, so he was there with the quarterback who came out, Elaby. That's why I saw him.

I guess a local favorite. Yeah. I did notice him on Hard Knocks, Pimpleton. So just to get back real quick on the Cowboys, apparently, Smith's hands. hamstring tore and came off the bone. So that's, that's going to be a season ender. Or months,

like three months. They say the earliest, the earliest would be December. Yeah. I mean, that is apt. I mean, they could go full on implosion. And by the way, Mike McCarthy is not making it out. I mean, that's probably your first quarter,

or your first head coach, or relieves of his duties. If you're looking to bet on that, that's what I would bet. FYI. head on over to Green Bay. I mean, we've talked about Romeo Dobbs. I mean, you compared him to Devante Adams and May.

So we've been all over it. I liked them myself at the Senior Bowl. I saw your report. Added 2 plus 2, came up with 4, and now we've been giving Dobbs love, and now he's almost overvalued, for God's sakes. Yeah, and I mean, and it's so hard to know how it'll all shake out

because Rogers hasn't played a snap, and he won't until week one. but Rogers has said that it's a different plane as a rookie compared to pretty much anyone else. Like he, Rogers already is not treating him like a rookie. So he's going to play. There's no doubt about it. But Doug's going to play without question. Because they don't have people.

He's going to play. I'm told people need people, you know? People who need people are the luckiest people in the world, John. That's what I'm told. That's what I've heard. Moving along here in Minnesota, again, we're just looking at what's popping off the screen after another week of the preseason. K.J. Osborne still ascending. So he'll be out there a little bit more, 11 personnel. Irv Smith, apparently ready on track to be ready for week number one. I don't really have much. They didn't do much last week. So we can move on over to Atlanta.

I did talk with my guy Roddy White this morning, Greg. I saw it. I didn't hear it, but I saw that you did. Yeah. And he's been at practice. And I asked him point blank, Drake London, is he creating separation against NFL DBs on the outside? He said, absolutely no question. So I thought that was a good, good point.

Well, that's, let's hope that's the case. I mean, you know, they've got, look, pits is pits. I tell you, I'm really curious. Mario is going to be the starter. There's no question. And, you know, if he does well, he's obviously going to start all year. Ritter's looked very, very comfortable in the preseason. And again, it's not a matter of who he's playing against.

It's the way in which he is playing. He looks like he did in college. He looks comfortable. And that's always something you look for to see if a guy plays kind of in a similar way he does in college. And I think that Ritter looks like that. Yeah. And I also talk with D. Orlando. who said, look, Marriott is off to a good start, but we are probably trending towards

Ritter by season's end. He brought up the bigger arm and the more aggressive inclination, I guess. I mean, Ritter is more aggressive throw over the football, and they probably dig that. Yes. Well, particularly when you have a 6-4 wide out and a 6-6 receiver, I don't want to call Pits a tight end. He's a receiver. Yeah. So yes, you want your quarterback to turn it loose. Yeah, Brian Edwards, by the way, I mean, he's going to be in the mix, probably not draftworthy. He's also another big receiver. So, you know, again, we don't know how that's all going to shake out. You know, we know that Arthur Smith would like to run the ball as well. I'm not sure.

Who's going to be the starting running back when they line up week one? It'll probably be Cordell. But Tyler Algear's been fine. if not a little bit better than fine, showing some receiving chops, if need be. Damien Williams will make the team. So we are going to slowly, I believe, evolve into a place

where Algiers is getting, you know, half the carries, I would think. And Damien Williams in the mix on third down. Yeah, I think Algear will end up being the feature back as we move along. I think they've got some O line issues to sort out, though. Of course. And by the way, it hasn't been much better.

It's the same darn story. It's the same story. Yeah. Just lack of physicality, basically, for a lack of a better term. Carolina Panthers. Baker's the guy. We figured that. DJ Moore is clicking with him big time.

Shy Smith is doing some good things. Greg. I don't know if you studied Shy Smith, but I liked him. South Carolina. Tough, tough, super competitive. He was an interesting. receiver coming out of college. So we'll see.

You know, obviously we know their offense wants to start with the run game, but you got to throw it. So I wonder, you know, because Terrace Marshall seems to be in and out of the lineup as much as I like him as a player. And I think they like him as a player as well. You've got to be on the field. So who knows, Smith could be that guy, that third guy. Yeah, Kaplan was just there.

And he said that Marshall, like, he can play inside, but they're kind of viewing him as an outside guy. So maybe replacing Robbie Anderson after this year, but they could play shy Smith in 11 personnel gives him a different look too. Without question. And he can play inside. He's a very tough kid. I kind of looked at him last year and thought he could be Sam Darnold's like James and Crowder. Yeah, he might have a little more, well, I don't know if he has more juice than Crowder, but I think he's, he can work inside. He's tough. he catches the ball. You know, I think he has an edge to him, as I recall, when I watched his tape.

Yeah, he does have an edge. He does. He does. Actually, you know what? I don't think I knew who the hell he was until I saw your profile. Then I went and looked at him and I kind of liked him. I think that's now it's coming back. I liked his tape coming out of college.

New Orleans, Roddy, likes a lave, by the way. I asked him about the physicality element, you know, playing through contact. and he didn't disagree, but he said, you know what, that's not how he's going to be used, which I thought, yeah, fair point, right? He's kind of going to be like a shot play guy. Who's going to be a shot play guy? Alave. That's what he's going to be without question.

No, but I mean that when you're scouting him out, I think if there is a concern, maybe play strength, playing through contact, which is a problem and, you know, potentially, but maybe not right away because of that role. Like he's not going to have a lot of body. bodies around them. Yeah, we don't know how it's going to play out, but they've got two alpha dogs in Landry and Michael Thomas, who apparently's had a very good camp. You know, I guess he's got a minor hamstring injury.

So they'll sit him out as long as need be. But my guess is he'll be ready week one, which is still a couple of weeks away. So Alave is not going to be the guy that you look to all the time. Alave will be the shot play guy. He'll be the, you know, intermediate vertical guy when they design certain kind of route concepts. but I don't think Olave will be a high volume guy. Like Jahan Dodson's getting more targets this year than a lot. I would agree with that.

Yeah. And nothing on the Camara front still. And then the backup is not great behind him. Moving on to Tampa continuing to get more and more bad vibes. We've got another injury up front. So that's scary. The O-Ratian situation is a little bit of an issue right now. Yeah.

Roddy does like Julio simply for the fact that he's going to get a better matchup. So that would be an intriguing point. Let's say it's week seven and Julio's still hanging in there. You got Evans, Godwin, and Julio out there. Like, Julio more often than not, is probably getting a better matchup. Probably. So you think Julio will still be down by the schoolyard, week seven? No.

I didn't say that to Roddy because that's his boy. No, I don't. Well, look, you know, I think that Julio probably, assuming they can protect well, it's obviously a very high-level pass game with a great quarterback, so he's going to get the ball thrown to him. You know, Godwin, it looks like he'll be ready week one. I mean, I don't know what they're saying publicly, but I know we started to practice a bit, so I don't know the answer to that.

Yeah. You know, obviously Mike Evans, so. And Gage has been out, correct? Yes, he has, and that's another bad vibe. Yeah, that's the other factor, yeah. Yeah, I'm not feeling it. But one guy I am feeling, and I have from day one, is Rashad White. And again, this is what's great about our little connection here.

So I go down to Mobile. I don't know who the hell Rashad White is. I start looking him up. I'm like, okay, kid looks good. I watch him in practice. I'm like, I like, I like this guy. I thought he had pretty good contact balance. he seemed to have decent vision, a little shiftingness, you know, decent natural power,

unbelievable hands. I know he fumbled, but I just watched last night, Greg, all his highlights. I love it. I love what I see. He seems like he's got, he's running away from dudes. He's making guys miss. He's fighting through contact, Greg. I don't know how much have you seen of him, but I think he's looking great.

I have seen him. Well, he's the guy I really liked, as you know, John. I mean, if you read my report, I thought that he's a three down. back. There's a place for those guys in the NFL. He's 2.15, so, you know, he can carry the ball as well. He's not a little scat back. You know, I think for them, I think that's a really good pickup because, look, Fournette's been the guy and he's been a big-time receiver as well for them. But, you know, I think white is, it fits what they want to do. When you look at his skill set and you advance it two years, let's say,

starting man what could this guy do with 300 plus touches because i think he would warrant that yeah well he's he is a true runner receiver kind of back i mean that's that's what he is so um you know he's in a good spot i don't think four net's going to be there for a long time obviously neither is brady but um but there's no question i would expect white to get some meaningful touches of this season oh yeah i mean i think I think Gio is done. He's hurt already, by the way. I know he's hurt again.

So, yeah, that's a big factor. Big factor. Big factor. I think there's like 500 touches in this damn backfield. Or opportunities when you include targets and carries. We'll see how they decide to go about playing. When your offensive line is decimated and Brady is obviously great, that's not the point. But he is a pocket quarterback.

And, you know, they're going to have to do some sorting out now with an old line. they're going to be playing backup players. Who knows, they might even have to get a street-free agent. You just don't know. White was off to a, you know, maybe had a little couple flubs in Passpro, but I was told that he's making measurable improvement throughout camp and Passpro. And he is a big kid, so that helps. So let's move on to Arizona.

And it's been quiet. I do love that Trey McBride. I haven't heard much about it. But, man, I cannot believe. how much insight I gained watch and practice in Mobile, Greg. I feel like such an idiot for not going there before, but I mean I didn't know much about it. I'm like

this guy is open every time. Like how good is Trayny's Trayette? I thought he was the best tight end prospect of the class. I liked him more than others. You know, I think, you know, people are saying, oh, he's a fourth round tight pick. I thought he was better than that.

Yeah, me too. I think he's a number one type tight end. I mean, he's not Travis Kelsey, but that's okay. You know, he's not Kyle Pitts, but no one is. But I think he's a number one type, tight end. I really like Trey McBride a lot. Yeah, he's going to be good. In San Fran, vibes are pretty good on Trey Lance.

I mean, it's going to be a work in progress, but Danny Gray looking good. Iyuk blowing up. You got Kittle. I mean, it's looking pretty good. Davis Price is an intriguing guy. Keep your eye on him. I've added him to the list, man.

Because Tray Sherman is. He's a smaller back. You know, they're going to run the ball. he's obviously their number one back based on what he did as a rookie year ago, but I don't know if he can hold up the whole season, and they probably know that as well. There's like a 90% chance that Ty Davis Price is a player that fantasy managers are picking up and considering. It's like 90%.

He's an NFL back. Yeah. Oh, Greg, I read your evaluation of him on the radio this morning, actually. I don't know if your ears were ringing. No, they were not, but thank you. Yeah. Yeah. Over in Seattle, I got nothing here. I'm out. Yeah, I mean, I don't know what you say about Seattle.

I do like that DJ Dallas a little bit. He's pretty good. Yeah, well, you know, Gino will end up being a starter and they're going to try to run the ball. I mean, they got Penny. They got Kenneth Walker, who will be back off whatever injury that was that they haven't really told us. So he'll be back. You know, that's what they're going to try to do. I'm not even sure no offense snaps are going to be like acceptable by the way. I mean, they might put Will Disley out there and Kobe Parker, Parkinson, and they might actually limit no offense snapage, which is ugly. And then last but not least, the L.A. Rams, you probably don't know about Lance McCutcheon

out of Montana State. No, I don't know him, but I've heard that actually our buddy Kaplan told me that he's been blowing it up in camp. Yep, yep. I am feeling it with Tyler Higbee this year because I just think common sense that they're going to need them. But I don't have anything else, Greg. So I think we're good to go in 57 minutes. Very quick, concise. I mean, brevity was prevalent here.

We didn't harp on too much. So we're good. And then Greg, we'll reconvene one more time. And I guess at this point, we'll probably wait. to the final cuts maybe or? I think we should, to be honest with you, because otherwise, you know, we could be talking about guys that don't make a team

or that end up somewhere else. Yeah, so we'll try and squeeze one more in. Yeah. And then the, and then it's go. Go time here. Week number one, we'll do the, well, week one matchup podcast is going to be a tough one because obviously, but.

It's always a tough one, John. You just don't know. But you know what? I believe it or not, I'm actually, week one is usually in my most accurate week because fewer injuries, honestly. So I actually do like week one. But that'll wrap it up here, Greg.

Again, get your subscription of fantasy points. Use the promo code Hanson 22 and add on the prospect guide profiles from Greg CoSell, best in the business, all over it. I mean, literally predicting the future, basically, in the guide. If you want to know what team's going to draft the player, see if Greg comped him to somebody. And if he did, that person's team will probably be the team that drafts him. But for Greg, I'm John. good luck in your fantasy drafts this weekend.

We'll catch you next time here at fantasy points.com. Thanks for tuning in to this edition of the Fantasy Points Podcast. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite platform. And come join the roster at FantasyPoints.com.