Mike Trout hates commissioning fantasy leagues just as much as you do...
In today’s Fantasy Life Newsletter:
- The Travis Etienne hype machine is purring
- Too many mouths to feed in the Jets backfield?
- Linda previews the Philadelphia Eagles
- It’s 6/2. Take it away, Peter Overzet…
The steady drumbeat. That's the term Football Guys' Sigmund Bloom coined years back to describe the players we continue to hear about over and over throughout the offseason.
It's often tough to separate signal from noise during the offseason (Marquez Callaway was the belle of the ball last August, for reference), but there's generally some directionally accurate info if we hear similar reports on repeat.
And again, I realize it's only June 2, but the drumbeat has been pretty persistent on Jags RB Travis Etienne, who is now fully recovered from a Lisfranc injury that deleted his rookie year.
Reporter Jonathan Jones was at the Jags facility yesterday and "couldn't stop watching" Etienne. Jones said Etienne exclusively caught passes in the two-hour practice.
It gets juicer, though. Check this quote out from Etienne himself:
Travis Etienne: “Football is all about matchups, if I could be like Deebo Samuel, I would love that”. Etienne had 102 rec for 1,155 yards and 8 tds at Clemson. He’s got great hands and route running for an RB I’m excited to see how Doug uses him. #Jaguars
Let's be honest, it's unlikely Etienne will actually be used in a similar fashion to Deebo Samuel. Hell, even Deebo doesn't want to be used like Deebo anymore. But the takeaway for me is that there is a clear desire to get him heavily involved in the passing game.
In fantasy, we want our RBs to catch as many passes as possible. Not only do we get that sweet, sweet half point or full PPR scoring, but it also ensures they stay on the field in all situations. Everything is lining up perfectly for Etienne right now.
Apologies in advance for the mush...
⚾ Tommy Pham is now tweeting through it. Just log off, bro. As to whether Joc actually violated the rules of the fantasy league? Commissioner Mike Trout does not care to answer.
🍕 How big is the Jets RB pie? Michael Carter say it's a large pizza pie.
🧐 An overlooked TE. I'm not going to lie, I rarely think to draft Austin Hooper, but maybe I should?
🐃 The rookie sleeper in Buffalo. Devin Singletary isn't disappearing, but James Cook is going to be a problem.
👷 Pass catchers impressing in Pittsburgh. Everything is coming together nicely for rookie QB, Kenny Pickett.
The season is fast-approaching, which means it is time for us to get to know all of these NFL teams and who we should be drafting and fading after a busy offseason. In today's team preview, Linda takes a look at the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles closed the 2021 season with a 9-8 record and a trip to Tampa Bay for the Wild Card matchup, where they were promptly sent to the offseason. While Philadelphia making it to the postseason should be celebrated, it should also be noted that the Eagles record against teams that finished the season .500 or better was 1-7.
They have continuity on their side with the return of their HC, OC, and DC but there were plenty of changes this offseason, too
⚙️ Offseason changes
- Traded for WR A.J. Brown, who commanded over 100 targets the last two years with the Titans.
- Signed WR Zach Pascal as a solid WR4 for their offense
✨ Team vibes
The Eagles put in work on the defensive side of the ball as well, drafting 6-foot-6 DT Jordan Davis and taking a chance on LB Nakobe Dean after his draft day tumble due to possible injury.
Philadelphia finished last season with the 2nd most rushing attempts per game (31.5) and the 4th fewest passing attempts per game (29.8) but they put effort into beefing up their WR corps. Pairing AJ Brown with WR DeVonta Smith and TE Dallas Goedert should lead to more pass attempts in 2022.
🎯Draft targets
- Jalen Hurts (Round 5)
- AJ Brown (Round 2)
- DeVonta Smith (Round 6)
👋Draft fades
- Dallas Goedert (Round 7)
The key to winning fantasy football is drafting players with two first names.
Josh Allen
Justin Herbert
Lamar Jackson
Tom Brady
Jonathan Taylor
Derrick Henry
Ja'Marr Chase
Deebo Samuel
Justin Jefferson
Davante Adams
Mike Evans
Mark AndrewsIt's not rocket science people
