Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information will now begin to flood our social media timelines, leaving us to determine the subsequent fantasy impact. It’s a matter of knowing which information matters, and which should be ignored.
So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2024 NFL regular season.
Today, let’s review the major news as we start from Thursday into Friday.
49ers Sign Brandon Aiyuk to 4-year, $120 Million Extension
The Aiyuk saga is finally over, as the two sides agreed on a deal that was reportedly offered to the star wide receiver weeks ago. Aiyuk essentially skipped work for a month and received the contract he was seeking all along. Now he has a little over a week to get ready for the season opener against the New York Jets.
Aiyuk’s $30M per season puts him tied for the fifth most at the wide receiver position. He led the 49ers with 105 targets, 75 catches, 1,342 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns last year. His 17.9 yards per catch ranked second in the NFL. If you’ve been drafting Aiyuk in the fourth round throughout August, consider that a big win because he’s a low-end WR1/ high-end WR2. This is also great news for Brock Purdy, who has fallen to QB14 in recent weeks. Next up for the 49ers would be to sign Trent Williams, and you can argue he’s more important to San Francisco than anyone else.
Ja’Marr Chase Continues Hold-In
While Aiyuk received the bag, we’re still waiting on a deal for Chase. It may not happen for him before the season starts, as the Bengals’ wide receiver has two years left on his contract. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Chase would play Week 1 when asked by a reporter earlier in the week, before backpedaling the next day. Taylor said he spoke too soon and called Chase day-to-day. With Aiyuk and CeeDee Lamb signed, Chase is now the riskiest pick in the first round. However, he remains a top-five wide receiver in our fantasy football rankings. I took him ninth overall in one of my drafts Thursday night, and I would again should he fall that far.
Puka Nacua ‘Ready to Roll’ Week 1
Nacua suffered a knee injury earlier in training camp, but he returned to practice this week, and he’s expected to play Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. Nacua shocked the world when he racked up 105 grabs, 1,486 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season. He’s been firmly drafted as a WR1 all offseason.
Brock Bowers Is Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Raiders HC Antonio Pierce was asked if the rookie tight end would play in the season opener, and he said, “Yeah, I feel really good about that, to be honest.” That’s great news for Bowers, who has been sidelined with a foot injury for a couple of weeks. Bowers was the best tight end in college football over the past two seasons.
Mike Williams Expected to Be Available in Week 1
Jets HC Robert Saleh said Williams had a great day at practice Thursday and he would be available Week 1. Saleh said it wouldn’t be fair to expect Williams to be 100%, so there’s a good chance he’ll be on a snap count. Williams is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 last season. There were talks in the offseason about him behind ahead of schedule, and this confirms that report. Williams has had multiple injuries throughout his professional football career, but he has WR2 upside when healthy and you can get him outside of WR60 at the position. I know because I took him in the 11th round in Thursday’s Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio Host Draft. There’s zero risk in taking him that late and he could turn out to be a strong asset for you.
Rashee Rice Remains Eligible to Play This Season
Rice may eventually receive a suspension from the NFL, but it may not come this season, and he’s fully expected to play Week 1 when the Chiefs open up against the Ravens. Many have been hesitant to draft Rice because of a possible suspension or they’ve simply crossed him off their list considering his off-the-field actions (acceptable). Either way, his ADP has jumped almost two rounds over the past 10-15 days.
Eagles Lose James Bradberry for 6-8 Weeks
Bradberry took a step back last season, but he had a strong camp according to new DC Vic Fangio. The Eagles will have to adjust without him over the next couple of months as he recovers from a lower leg injury. Philadelphia promoted LB Oren Burks to the active roster.
