NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)
Kenneth Le
The 2022 season is just six days away, which means training camp is essentially over. We did get a ton of news Wednesday, but there are still a few things to keep an eye on as you prepare for your fantasy drafts this weekend.
O.J. Howard signs with the Houston Texans
After being released by the Buffalo Bills, O.J. Howard visited with the Cincinnati Bengals, and it initially appeared he would sign with the team. However, he ultimately ended up in Houston. Howard reportedly had a rough camp in Buffalo, so I don’t think he immediately impacts the playing time of breakout tight end Brevin Jordan, who has been operating as the clear starter during the preseason. In the three seasons Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton was in Indianapolis, tight ends accounted for 19, 21 and 25% of the team’s targets. And that was with the team lacking a top-tier tight end, but instead having Coby Fleener, Jack Doyle and Dwayne Allen all involved. Meanwhile, back when he was the offensive coordinator at Stanford in 2011 and 2012, tight ends accounted for 40 and 45% of the team’s receptions.
Isaiah McKenzie has not practiced since Saturday
Isaiah McKenzie has been dealing with an undisclosed injury and has not been practicing. It doesn’t sound like anything too serious and general manager Brandon Beane stated it would be difficult to hold McKenzie out of Buffalo’s game against the Rams on Thursday. McKenzie has clearly operated as the team’s starting slot wide receiver during training camp but if he is ultimately unavailable to play, veteran Jamison Crowder will become a lot more relevant in PPR formats. After all, Cole Beasley has posted a target share right around 20% as Buffalo’s starting slot wide receiver over the last two seasons.
Miles Sanders (hamstring) has returned to practice
Miles Sanders had missed over two weeks with the injury, but his return Thursday is obviously a good sign that he’ll be ready to go for Week 1. The question now, however, is if Sanders will get the short-yardage work this season, which is huge considering Kenneth Gainwell is going to play on most of the passing downs and two-minute situations.
The Eagles added Trey Sermon, but the move doesn’t do much for me. The team likes to have depth at running back and had a roster spot available after the Jalen Reagor trade.
Dolphins are confident Jaylen Waddle will be available for Week 1
Jaylen Waddle has been dealing with a lower body injury for weeks, which really wasn’t mentioned much until lately. It has kept him out of practice, but Miami head coach Mike McDaniel is very confident that Waddle will be ready in time for next Sunday’s game against the Patriots. It is certainly something to keep an eye on over the course of the next week.
