NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/17)
Alex Christenson
It can be hard to prep for fantasy football during training camp and the preseason. Things happen every day that might be a huge deal for fantasy … or might be no deal at all. Sometimes we can figure it out, but sometimes it’s just a matter of paying attention to what happens to know what might matter just so things don’t slip through the cracks.
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 2022 NFL regular season.
RB Najee Harris has a Lisfranc injury
Najee Harris’ mystery foot ailment turned out to be more serious than initially let on. He’s dealing with a Lisfranc injury for four weeks — the majority of training camp. He played in Week 3 and had seven total touches, so his Week 1 availability doesn’t seem to be in question, but these injuries do sometimes linger, so it’s something to keep an eye on. Harris is still worth a late first-round fantasy pick.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo lands a new deal with the 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo has signed a new deal to stay with the 49ers to remain their backup QB. Trey Lance is the starter, but the pressure certainly seems to be on. Lance’s fantasy upside is immense, but the downside may be that he’s just not NFL caliber.
RB Kenyan Drake potentially signing with the Ravens
Gus Edwards is on the PUP list and will miss at least four weeks, while J.K. Dobbins remains questionable for Week 1. Enter Kenyan Drake.
We knew Drake would throw a wrench into a fantasy backfield somewhere. The Ravens are a fitting landing spot, as their backfield was already a giant question mark. This does not help the fantasy value of Dobbins, Edwards, or Drake long-term. RBBC on tap.
WR Laviska Shenault traded to the Carolina Panthers
Laviska Shenault, a former top-50 overall pick, is out in Jacksonville after the team reloaded its WR corps with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones joining Marvin Jones.
Shenault flashed as a rookie but fell flat in 2021. New life in Carolina makes him interesting again from a dynasty perspective, but he should remain off your 2022 redraft radar on draft day.
RB Sony Michel released by the Dolphins
In a move that only helps solidify Chase Edmonds atop the depth chart, the Dolphins elected to move on from Sony Michel. They have plenty of depth with Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin.
Michel was solid playing for the Rams last season, and he averaged 90 rushing yards per game over the final 6 games of the season. He’s still good enough to earn touches somewhere, so Michel becomes the latest free agent landmine for mediocre backfields. With that said, wherever he lands, it will be as a backup.
Chiefs WRs get healthy
Marquez Valdes-Scantling exited the concussion protocol Monday, and JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) returned to practice after missing two weeks.
WR Drake London still hasn’t practiced
The rookie WR hasn’t practiced since Aug. 12, and his Week 1 status is officially in the air.
