NFL

Fantasy Impact on Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown, and Others

Published

11 months ago

May 26, 2023

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The Arizona Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins on May 26, ending a three-year tenure that began with enormous promise before prematurely ending with a whimper. How does his departure impact the fantasy football values of Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, and other Arizona skill players?

DeAndre Hopkins Released: Fantasy Impact for Arizona Cardinals Players

Kyler Murray

An ACL tear knocked Murray out for the season last year. His Week 1 return remains doubtful. An October return is more realistic. And candidly, if Arizona begins the season in a heap of trouble, we might expect this team to be especially cautious with their franchise QB.

MORE: 2023 Dynasty Superflex Rankings

Whenever he does return, the loss of Hopkins will be felt immediately. Despite the buzz of his supposed regression, Hopkins posted a cool 64-717-3 receiving line in only nine games. He was the WR10 in fantasy points per contest. In five of those outings, his quarterback was Colt McCoy or Trace McSorley.

Even when Marquise Brown was healthy, Hopkins remained Murray’s No. 1 target. He should be knocked down several more spots in QB rankings — not only because Hopkins is gone but also because it signals that Arizona will be in no rush to get Murray back on the field.

Colt McCoy

While Murray’s out, McCoy will be expected to helm this offense. Entering his age-37 campaign, McCoy is serviceable at best. Surrounded by Hopkins, Brown, and a strong tertiary corps, he could be better than serviceable. But that’s no longer a good bet.

Instead, in two-QB leagues, McCoy should be viewed as a bottom-six fantasy option while starting. And we shouldn’t be surprised if Arizona gives the ball to fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune instead.

There’s nothing to gain at this point with McCoy unless this team is pursuing the postseason — not likely. While Tune remains a longshot to earn starts, a strong showing in camp by the 24-year-old might force Arizona’s hand.

Marquise Brown

The biggest fantasy winner is Brown. With Hopkins suspended for the first six games last year, Brown looked like a difference-maker out of the gate, racking up a 43-485-3 receiving line in those six contests on a commendable 67% catch rate.

MORE: Fantasy League Names | Fantasy Team Names

This was Brown at his best, as his reunion with his college quarterback looked like a boon for a franchise still bullish about its postseason chances. We know how things turned out. But heading into 2023, Brown is now positioned as the alpha. And while fantasy managers must wait patiently for Murray’s return, when it does happen, Brown should be a weekly fantasy starter. Given how things looked as recently as this morning, this is a marked improvement.

Rondale Moore

Rondale Moore was placed on injured reserve last December with a groin injury after playing in only eight games. Still, he collected 41 catches for 414 yards during that stretch. The Hopkins news pushes Moore — a former second-round draft pick — into the fantasy must-draft realm.

The speedy wideout realistically could finish with the team’s second-most receiving yards in 2023. And while the murky QB situation should concern everyone, Moore doesn’t need an accurate deep-ball passer to get his yards. 85% of his NFL yards have come after the catch.

Essentially, he can generate his own production. That should help him in fantasy, regardless of who’s throwing to him.

Greg Dortch

One of the biggest WR surprises of 2022 was Greg Dortch, a former undrafted free agent who broke out with blisteringly efficient usage. While he probably would have begun this season as the No. 4 WR, he can now be safely elevated to “draftable in deep leagues.” In other words, if you have a lot of bench spots and can afford to stash a fringe WR streamer, there are worse guys to load up on.

Zach Ertz

See the above regarding Murray’s projected return. Because Hopkins’ release isn’t just about the release; it’s about what this might mean for an organization that could be throwing in the towel in 2023.

Ertz is now expendable. Entering his age-33 season, he’s still a potential top-10 fantasy TE when healthy, even if Murray misses half the season. However, this team invested in Trey McBride last year, and Ertz is under contract for three more years (although the Cards can easily get out of it after two).

MORE: 2023 Dynasty Player Profiles

Could we see Ertz on the trade block? If so, his value could fluctuate between “waiver fodder” and “must-draft.” He’s the true wild card of this trade because Arizona might find a team with a strong TE that needs Ertz for two-TE sets on a Super Bowl run. Or the Cardinals might find a playoff contender in desperate need of a starter (like Arizona faced in 2021 when they traded for him).

As a result, Ertz is now a risky fantasy investment, with a lower floor and higher ceiling than he had before Hopkins was cut.

Trey McBride

If Hopkins’ release does signal an impending trade of Ertz, then McBride could catapult into the top-12 fantasy TE tier. The 2022 second-round pick has all the makings of a long-term NFL starter. While this year could be up and down, perhaps no one gets a bigger bump in dynasty, as the odds of Ertz not being in Arizona in 2024 just skyrocketed.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.