Yesterday was cutdown day, so we know the NFL fates of big names like Jonathan Taylor -- for the next four weeks, anyway. Here are some of the biggest news items to be aware of, for those drafting in the next few days.
NFL journalism is always amusing this time of year. The most common report is that "Team X is fielding offers on..." or "Team Y has received calls about...." More often than not, such reports are followed by Team X or Team Y releasing the player they're supposedly fielding offers on. This is because the source for those reports is the team itself, hoping to generate some trade interest before they have to get down to 53 players. I understand it, I just don't like the breathless enthusiasm of media types who seem oblivious to the fact they're being used.
- Jonathan Taylor remains in Indianapolis, and has been left on the PUP list, so he's out for the first four games. (Even if traded.) That's annoying to those who drafted him, obviously, and I'm sure those people don't want to hear my Pollyanna-esque silver lining talk. But the positive I'll take from it is potential suitors have a few games to look at what they do or don't have at the position in some game action, figuring out how badly they need to acquire him. I tend to think he'll be traded somewhere before Week 5 -- it's over in Indy. Where to draft him? I don't think I'd take him before the 7th round. With Alvin Kamara, we know he'll be starting when he comes back. With Taylor we don't; this could conceivably linger past Week 5. Great player, but a range of outcomes for 2023 which include the possibility of it being a wasted pick.
For the Colts the next four weeks, Deon Jackson and Evan Hull should operate in a committee at the start of the season. I drafted Zack Moss in a late round last night, but he's probably a couple of weeks away from game action after breaking his arm a month ago. I view all three as late-round fliers, not targets. Moss has the best chance of emerging as a featured guy.
- Giants wide receivers. Wan'Dale Robinson was activated from the PUP list. He's not necessarily playing in Week 1 (probably not), but the Giants evidently believe he'll be ready within the first four games. They released both Jamison Crowder and Cole Beasley, further clarifying the depth chart. Sterling Shepard was the veteran who stuck around. The top 3 should be Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton and Parris Campbell, at least initially, with third-rounder Jalin Hyatt and Shepard factoring in.
- Jerry Jeudy avoided IR to start the season. He's one of just 4 wide receivers on Denver's roster: Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Brandon Johnson. This can be taken as good news for Jeudy's expected recovery time, but also good news if you drafted Sutton or Mims. Denver will likely bring someone else back before Week 1, either Marquez Callaway or Lil'Jordan Humphrey perhaps. Greg Dulcich will perhaps be busy as a big wide receiver, essentially. And Jeudy should be ready before Week 4.
- Demetric Felton, Craig Reynolds. The Browns cut Felton, foreshadowed by their trade for Pierre Strong. Jerome Ford will apparently be healthy enough to serve as Nick Chubb's backup, with Strong perhaps getting some work in the passing game (but Ford is the proper No. 2). The Lions cut Reynolds, ticketed for the No. 3 job. Detroit has only two running backs and a fullback on the roster at present.
- Dolphins veterans. Miami released Myles Gaskin, as expected. Less expected, by me anyway, was that they also released Robbie Chosen Anderson Robby. The guy whose name I always spell wrong will not be around on their roster this year.
- Mac Jones. There was some speculation early in the offseason that Bailey Zappe might push Jones to start in New England. Well, no. Jones is the only quarterback on New England's roster right now. They'll add a backup from somewhere, but there's no threat to Jones, for those who want a modest No. 2 quarterback on their fantasy roster.
- Melvin Gordon, Trey Sermon, etc. People who aren't paying attention to the preseason always react with surprise when "name" players -- either veterans who were someone once or players who were drafted in the 3rd round -- are released. There is nothing remotely surprising about Gordon, Sermon, and some other running backs or wide receivers you've heard of being released. Playing in the second halves of preseason games, or playing when all the clear starters were held out, was the tipoff. It's over. Also released yesterday were the veteran D.Williams running backs, Damien and Darrel.
- Albert Okwuegbunam. The Broncos were going to release him, but instead managed to pry a late-round pick out of the Eagles. Good for both sides. Philly gets to take a cheap flier on an athletic tight end, who's now one of four on their roster. I don't think he'll be fantasy relevant anytime soon, but at least he gets a fresh start.
- DeWayne McBride, Deneric Prince. There was some dynasty intrigue in Minnesota's seventh-round pick, given the team's uncertain depth chart. But McBride didn't show much in the exhibitions and was released. Maybe he returns via the practice squad, but there's no doubt that Ty Chandler is the Alexander Mattison backup to roster. Similarly with Prince, released by Kansas City, this makes Clyde Edwards-Helaire the clear back to roster if you want to protect your Isiah Pacheco pick (with Jerick McKinnon the passing downs guy).
- Jets running backs. The Jets released Zonovan Knight, leaving them with just four running backs: Dalvin Cook, Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Israel Abanikanda. This is not surprising, but pleasantly confirms that Cook and Hall are relatively healthy.
- Patriots running backs. New England cut Ty Montgomery, Kevin Harris and J.J. Taylor. Right now they only have 2 running backs on the roster, Rhamondre and Zeke.
The next 24 hours will no doubt include some more roster shuffling, but I believe these are the big ones for now. If I've missed anyone you're wondering about, feel free to comment below.
--Andy Richardson