NFL training season is here, ladies and gentlemen. Prepare yourself for the onslaught of information, rumors and exaggerated articles. But Fantasy Football coaches shouldn’t worry about the flow of information – Scott Pianowski offers one important piece of information for every team. Next up is the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
Jake Ferguson had a breakout year in 2023, leading the tight end position on red zone targets and graphics as TE8 until week 17. But perhaps there is room for improvement – despite Ferguson’s exposure around goal, he scored a modest five touchdowns. Part of this positive regression began during the playoffs, when Ferguson hit three times (part of an afternoon of 10 catches) against the Packers.
The Cowboys haven’t improved their receiving space, so Ferguson’s target seems safe. At the very least, Ferguson is a good bet to fulfill his TE9 ADP in the Yahoo drafts, along with some upside potential entering his third season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley won’t miss working with the undermanned Giants, but the move to Philadelphia might not be all sunshine and lollipops either. Jalen Hurts has become an unstoppable force at the goal line through “push” and it is unlikely the Eagles will stop featuring this play; this obviously hurts Barkley’s touchdown stock.
Barkley hasn’t had a full season since 2018, his rookie year, and your efficiency metrics in the passing game are going in the wrong direction. Yahoo’s early draft market pushed Barkley to 12-13, and that’s a price I’m unlikely to pay.
Washington commanders
Jahan Dotson was a bust in his second year, averaging just 30.5 yards per game and managing a meager 6.2 yards per target. But like success, failure has many fathers — and perhaps that lost season was yet another commentary on the late QB Sam Howell and OC Eric Bieniemy, who didn’t know how to best utilize Dotson.
While the estimable Terry McLaurin is drafted as the WR3 in most leagues, Dotson positions himself as a back bench piece – if he is drafted at all. Given that Dotson and McLaurin had similar production late in the 2022 season, I won’t overlook Dotson as a potential late-round javelin throw. Maybe Washington’s revamped offense will be good for him.
New York Giants
Devin Singletary was a top-20 fantasy prospect in the 2021 season, working with Brian Daboll in Buffalo. Now that Singletary and Daboll are reunited, a return to the top 20 is possible.
Singletary’s usefulness in Houston last season went largely unnoticed. He took over as the team’s starter in Week 9 and placed in the top 12 in the cumulative score of half a point for the remainder of the year. If you prefer a per-game ranking during this period, Singletary checks in as RB20.
Chasing durability can be a fool’s errand at the running back position; all are at risk of injury – but we should note that Singletary has been reliable, recording a full season in four consecutive years. The Giants have fringe pieces behind him; Eric Gray didn’t do much as a rookie, and Tyrone Tracy was mostly a receiver in college. Singletary has an excellent chance of beating his current RB30 tag in the Yahoo drafts.
