NFL

Third-year wide receiver sleepers to watch for fantasy football in 2022

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2 years ago

August 6, 2022

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Early in my fantasy football career, a wide receiver’s third season was when he typically broke out. In more recent years, it’s been a receiver’s second season where that leap occurs. As a result, third-year wide receivers sometimes get overlooked. Here are a couple of sleeper wide receivers entering their third NFL season worth keeping an eye on.

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It’s a bit of a challenge to find third-year WR sleepers. This is mostly because this wide receiver class was so good.

Of the first eight wide receivers selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, only one of them can be considered a sleeper. The good: Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Pittman Jr., and Tee Higgins all go within the first three rounds of fantasy football drafts. Jerry Jeudy goes too early as well and absolutely no one is sleeping on fourth-rounder Gabriel Davis this season. Even fifth-rounder Darnell Mooney is too good to call a sleeper.

The not-so-good: Jalen Reagor goes undrafted, and I don’t want to even mention the guy who wound up being the first wide receiver selected.

Even with so many talented receivers not qualifying as sleepers, this class was deep enough that we still have options.

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Brandon Aiyuk is the “least sleeper-y” of the names on this list. He broke out as a rookie in 2020, averaging 15.4 PPR fantasy points per game. His ADP entering the 2022 season plummeted due to his lackluster 2021 season where he averaged just 10 ppg.

With the 49ers moving to Trey Lance, their passing volume is likely to decrease even more. Fantasy managers are rightly concerned about whether Lance can run 8-10 times a game and also support three fantasy-relevant pass catchers. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are not about to see their target shares decrease. Thus, if Lance is throwing less than Jimmy Garoppolo, it will likely come at Aiyuk’s expense.

With that said, Aiyuk is good at football. He was able to command a 24.5% target share as a rookie. Although that fell to 18.5% last season, Aiyuk wasn’t really a full-time player until Week 8 after starting the season in Kyle Shanahan’s “dog house.”

Aiyuk enters the 2022 season without any baggage and will start opposite Samuel immediately. He averaged 13.2 ppg over his final 11 games. If fantasy managers can get those numbers from a guy they don’t have to draft top 36 at the position, that would be an excellent value.

Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

I’m including Chase Claypool here because he qualifies — not because I necessarily agree with drafting him.

After posting an impressive 13.4 ppg as a rookie, Claypool seemingly regressed to 11.1 ppg as a sophomore. He really didn’t, though. Claypool just scored seven fewer touchdowns. His output was nearly identical, catching three fewer passes for 13 fewer yards.

The problem with Claypool’s consistency from Year 1 to Year 2 is that’s not what we want from a young player. We want to see growth, improvement, progression, etc. Instead, we got stagnation.

The reason Claypool is still considered a third-year sleeper at the wide receiver position is his ADP. Last year, Claypool was a fifth or sixth-round pick. Whereas, this year, you can get him in the ninth round or later.

If you’re a believer in Claypool’s talent, perhaps the move to Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett — both of whom can’t possibly be worse downfield passers than 2021 Ben Roethlisberger — will unlock Claypool’s upside. At a WR4 price, Claypool is all upside.

Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens

Given the Ravens’ gaping hole at WR2, I have to include Devin Duvernay. But I’m not happy about it. We typically want rookie wide receivers to surpass 500 receiving yards as a harbinger of future success. Duvernay still doesn’t have 500 receiving yards total.

With that said, there’s a chance he opens the season as Baltimore’s starting WR2 opposite Rashod Bateman. If that happens, there’s at least a chance he can command targets from Lamar Jackson. I wouldn’t bank on it, though.

Even with an ADP of free (he goes undrafted in standard-sized leagues), there are better darts to throw at than Duvernay. Nevertheless, his status as a potential NFL starter in two-receiver sets for an elite quarterback renders him a potential third-year wide receiver sleeper.

K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings

In terms of being a true third-year WR sleeper, K.J. Osborn fits the criteria the best. He’s also my favorite one.

Osborn won the Vikings’ WR3 job in 2021. He averaged 9.3 PPR fantasy points per game, finishing as a fantasy WR4. But he flashed far more upside than that. Osborn recorded seven games of at least 14 fantasy points. After Adam Thielen went down in Week 13, Osborn averaged 13.8 fantasy points over the remainder of the fantasy season.

It’s a coin flip as to whether Osborn will even be drafted in standard-sized leagues. You can have him as the final wide receiver on your roster. This a player that should have standalone WR4 value with legitimate WR2 upside should something happen to Thielen again (or, and I don’t want to even put this out there, Justin Jefferson).

With a new head coach in Kevin O’Connell likely to implement a more pass-heavy attack, Kirk Cousins should be able to support three fantasy-relevant receivers. Osborn is one of my favorite last-round sleeper picks at wide receiver.

Some other third-year wide receivers to file away

Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Like many, I’ve written Laviska Shenault Jr. off, but there’s at least a puncher’s chance a new coaching staff can unlock some untapped potential.

Bryan Edwards, Atlanta Falcons

Analytics Twitter’s favorite wide receiver couldn’t find a way to matter on a barren Raiders’ depth chart last season. Bryan Edwards now finds himself on an equally barren Falcons’ depth chart. Maybe? But probably not.

Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams

Van Jefferson will have moments of fantasy relevance as long as this knee injury isn’t anything serious…but it sounds like it is.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns

With Deshaun Watson only missing six games, Cleveland’s ancillary receivers are suddenly more interesting. But someone else can have DPJ, as I just don’t see him as anything more than a deep threat.

James Proche, Baltimore Ravens

If not Duvernay, then maybe James Proche?

KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos

Tim Patrick’s injury opens the door for KJ Hamler to start in three-receiver sets.

Jason Katz is a Fantasy Analyst at Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter: @jasonkatz13 and find more of his work here.

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

Published

2 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

2 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

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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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+.