NFL

Impact on Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2022

darragh

The Browns released Jarvis Landry after acquiring Amari Cooper, but prior to the start of free agency. The free agent flurry came and went, and Landry remained unsigned. He was biding his time, looking for the right spot. Landry was heavily linked to both the Saints and Ravens. On May 13, Landry finally made his decision to sign with the Saints. Let’s go over the fantasy football impact of Landry joining the Saints on Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave.

Fantasy impact of Jarvis Landry joining the Saints

Landry is obviously not the player he was early in his career. Fantasy managers should have no expectations of him putting up WR1 or even WR2 numbers ever again. He’s 29 years old and coming off the worst season of his career.

Last year, Landry was inefficient and battled a lingering knee injury stemming from a Week 2 MCL sprain. His 60% catch rate was a career-low, and his 47.5 receiving yards per game matched his career-low from his rookie season.

With all that said, I still think there’s a useful player here. Despite his struggles, Landry did command a near-25% target share last season. His low catch rate was more of a product of Baker Mayfield’s inaccurate passes.

Jameis Winston was a low-volume passer last season, but he also lacked weapons. While it’s a stretch to call Landry a “weapon” at this point in his career, he is a reliable set of hands underneath. I expect him to be fantasy-relevant as a floor-based WR3/4.

Fantasy impact of Landry on Michael Thomas

First and foremost, Michael Thomas is the Saints WR1. Well, when he’s on the field, at least. Thomas hasn’t played since the middle of the 2020 season. More concerning are recent reports that he’s still not fully recovered from his ankle injury. It’s been over 500 days. This is a non-zero chance Thomas isn’t healthy to start the 2022 season.

Assuming Thomas is ready to go, he will be the primary X receiver. Expect him to command close to a 30% target share and be the most valuable fantasy asset on this team. Thomas is a proven commodity and will get his no matter who the team signs. He is unaffected by Landry’s presence (but Landry would benefit if Thomas were unable to play).

Fantasy impact of Landry on Chris Olave

On the other hand, rookie Chris Olave will be impacted by Landry. In fact, immediately after news dropped of Landry’s signing, I placed Landry ahead of Olave in my 2022 redraft rankings.

I’m not the biggest fan of Olave as a prospect. I view him as a solid but unspectacular wide receiver. He will be in the NFL for a long time, and he will be a useful player. I just don’t see him ever being a star.

Olave is a complete zero after the catch. However, he does run excellent routes and can get open. But he’s a rookie. Landry has been doing this for nearly a decade. I’m expecting Landry to be the WR2 ahead of Olave.

Now, this doesn’t mean Olave can’t improve and become a productive WR2 going forward. There’s also a chance Landry’s body is breaking down as he pushes 30 years old. An injury to Landry would thrust Olave into a more significant role.

However, as it stands now, Winston’s top three wide receivers are all players he’s never played with. Yes, even Thomas. None of these three WRs played a single snap for the Saints last season.

Landry averaged 11.1 PPR fantasy points per game last season. I would put his floor at around 10 ppg and his ceiling around 13. If Landry and Thomas stay healthy, I believe Olave will struggle to maintain fantasy relevance.

The Saints were one of just three teams to run the ball more than 50% of the time last season. We know Winston can air it out and support several fantasy-relevant pass catchers, but the Saints also know from Winston’s time with the Bucs that letting him throw the ball 600 times isn’t a recipe for winning football games. Olave should be able to crest the 500-yard threshold for rookie wide receivers, but I would be surprised if he averaged more than 8 ppg this season.

Fantasy impact of Landry on the rest of the Saints’ wide receivers

Heading into last season, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty were under-the-radar dart throws. With Thomas out, they were the two best receivers on the team.

Now, they’re buried. Neither was able to maintain fantasy value last season (Callaway 8.9 ppg, Harty 8.7). The new low-volume Winston cannot maintain more than two fantasy-relevant pass catchers. Callaway and Harty are now fourth and fifth on the depth chart. While they both had their moments in 2021, there’s no plausible path to either of them mattering this season.

Final thoughts on the fantasy values of Saints’ players

Of course, all of our thoughts and opinions can and will change over the coming months. Landry only just signed, so consider this very preliminary.

Currently, I’m slotting in Landry as a low WR4 in my rankings. Olave is a high WR5. I will presume Thomas is healthy for now and pencil him as a high WR3. And Winston is well off the 1QB redraft fantasy radar.

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NFL

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

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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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NFL

What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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

NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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+.