First Down Blog: The Buzz Barometer on the latest news

Without a preseason to visually verify assumptions, eyewitness accounts from beat writers are all the more imperative for fantasy players voracious to consume any and all information. We’re insatiable creatures after all, the type who fiend for a run to the border craving a big beef Meximelt and a dozen Coors Lights in during the midnight hour. To satisfy fantasy fanatics’ hunger, Brad Evans weighs newsbyte hype on a 1-10 scale (1-Mild; 10-Muy Caliente) with his patented Buzz Barometer:

Michael Pittman, according to The Athletic, is quickly becoming a Philip Rivers red-zone favorite

Feelings regarding the rookie from USC are well known. His high-point skills, skyscraper frame (6-foot-4, 223 pounds), refined routes and success versus steep competition at the FBS level make the heart go pitter pat. Without much competition for targets outside T.Y. Hilton, it’s unsurprising to hear he’s drawn rave reviews from Frank Reich and the rest of the Colts’ coaching staff. To reiterate, he’s a dark-horse ROY candidate at 40/1 on DraftKings.

Pittman is being molded to play the role of Rivers’ newest Mike Williams or Hunter Henry. His length and athleticism are sure to appeal to his QB on corner fades when Indy is within striking distance. His elite ball-tracking skills could also lead to sizable air yards. If he cashes in on those opportunities a 60-875-6 inaugural season is attainable. Yes, Indy will again be close to 50-50 in run-to-pass split, but Pittman, hiding out in the shadows late in drafts (ADP: WR64, 158.5), is a hidden gem for spelunkers seeking value.

Buzz Barometer: 7

Dan Orlovsky tells MLIVE.COM D’Andre Swift could be utilized in Alvin Kamara-like role for the Lions

Similar to Knowshon Moreno and Todd Gurley before him, Swift is another former Georgia back fully prepared to take a bite out of the competition. The Kamara comp rushes endorphins. This, of course, doesn’t mean he’s going to immediately deliver 80-plus catches, 1,300-plus yards and abundant scores. The parallel, however, does reveal his potential if and when Kerryon Johnson’s lower extremities disintegrate.

While in Athens, the 5-foot-8, 212-pound Swift was a slightly above-average rusher (evidenced by his RB37 total yards after contact and RB40 total missed tackles forced last season), but his contact balance, ability to shed arm tackles and patience stood out on tape. Most impressively, he was a highly reliable receiver equipped with an expanded route tree and creativity after the catch. He racked 95 receptions in three seasons with UGA dropping just three passes on 76 catchable balls.

The Lions coaching staff recently remarked the rookie’s role was still undefined, a cagey statement. It seems pretty clear based on his skill set, he’ll be a Kareem Hunt-type, deployed primarily as a receiver with occasional rushes mixed in. Projecting roughly 11-13 touches per game, at least initially, is appropriate. Detroit RBs averaged 26.8 touches per game in 2019.

In the end, 50-55 receptions, over 1,100 combined yards with 5-6 TDs is a fair estimate. That’s a profitable line for a back typically going in the RB24-RB26 range (50.1 ADP).

Buzz Barometer: 9

The Athletic states “it’s clear” Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter Week 1 for Miami

Fitzpatrick’s gig as a sea captain on “The Deadliest Catch” or pitchman for Gorton’s fish sticks will have to wait. He’s set to start in the opener at New England and probably for several games beyond. Tua Tagovailoa, though by all accounts healthy and moving fluidly, will be coddled. If the wheels come off for Fitzpatrick early, a possibility given the numerous landmines Miami is scheduled to encounter Weeks 1-7 (at New England, Buffalo, at Jacksonville, Seattle, at San Francisco, at Denver, Chargers), the rookie will be pressed into action, but until then bank on the journeyman to play with his usual glorious recklessness.

Remember, over his final nine games from 2019, FitzMagic showed an uncanny sleight of hand. Over that span he ranked No. 3 in total fantasy output, trailing only Lamar Jackson and Jameis Winston. During that span, he averaged a blistering 291.3 pass yards per game and 21.6 rush yards per game and totaled 17 touchdowns (3 rushing). Also respectable in adjusted completion percentage (75.1%) and average depth of target (9.2), the passer made fantasy box score deficits disappear.

Again, his leash isn’t long, but at the helm of an upgraded team, particularly along the offensive line, Fitzpatrick and his wonderfully bushy beard could be one of the bigger early season surprises at QB. Go the extra dollar, SuperFlexer.

Buzz Barometer: 6

Multiple reports describe Damien Harris is receiving tons of work in camp with the first team

In its treachery, New England ranks up there with Facebook propaganda masquerading as credible reporting. Your conspiracy theorist uncle, who believes Denver International Airport is built upon an underground city housing the New World Order, would probably pass off every Patriots related development as fact. To him, it’s all believable.

Take the news above with a GIANT grain of salt. Here are the facts: 1) The vagueness tied to Sony Michel’s recovery from foot surgery is alarming and raises doubt about his availability Week 1 vs. Miami, 2) Lamar Miller has entered the mix, though off major knee surgery, 3) James White is fixed as the pass-catching back in this offense. Yes, if Michel is inactive Week 1, Harris would carve out an early-down role, precisely how much work he would receive is anyone’s best guess. Remember, Rex Burkhead is still lurking and this is Bill Belichick after all, a master in the art of deception.

Quickness and creativity are not Harris’ strongest traits, but rugged downhill running is. He’s a classic power back capable of shouldering sizable loads if called upon. Working behind a top-10 projected run-blocking line and presumably with a dual-threat QB as a battery mate, he could see upward of 11-12 carries out of the gate. There’s certainly some flex appeal here for deep leaguers, but, as always, tread lightly. His RB56 ADP (168.5 overall) is an appropriate cost.

Buzz Barometer: 6

Dallas HC calls Michael Gallup “a No. 1 WR” in his view

While Amari Cooper demoralized backers with his maddening inconsistency last fall, Gallup steadily added highlight receptions to the reel. He ranked inside the to-22 in contested catch rate, total air yards, YAC per reception, average depth of target (12.2) and yards per catch (16.8). His final 66-1,107-6 line squeezed into the position’s WR2 class in 12-team 0.5 PPR production. And that was achieved sporting a sour 58.9% catch percentage.

Written off by many fantasy gamers, Gallup isn’t getting the respect he deserves. Rookie hotshot CeeDee Lamb will be deployed all over the place, but the Cowboys, who tossed it 37.2 times per game last season, will employ abundant three-WR sets under OC Kellen Moore (66% in ‘19). Toss in an already vulnerable defense which lost key D-line cog Gerald McCoy and Gallup giddies up for another 60-1,000-6.