Connect with us

NFL

Can Dee Eskridge Make an Impact in a Crowded Seahawks WR Room?

Published

on


As loaded as the Seattle Seahawks are in the wide receiver room, is former second-rounder Dee Eskridge already the odd man out?

The Seahawks already have 1,000-yard options in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, then added PFN’s No. 1 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft — which points to Eskridge falling off on the options front. Quarterback Geno Smith, however, thinks otherwise.

Geno Smith on Dee Eskridge: ‘Dee is Going To Do Some Things’

Since his arrival out of Western Michigan, Eskridge has managed to play in 20 games but has zero starts and only 17 career receptions. Injuries from a concussion to last season’s broken hand have hindered the 5’9″, 190-pound wideout.

Smith, however, confidently stated that Eskridge is bound to become a big emphasis on the Seahawks’ offense moving forward.

“Dee is going to do some things,” Smith said, via Curtis Crabtree of FOX 13 Seattle. “He’s getting ready to do many things. I know things have started slow for him but doesn’t matter.”

Eskridge is now fully healthy and was participating in drills on Day 1 of OTAs. Smith dove into what he’s really witnessed out of the incoming third-year wideout.

“I really see the growth in his mindset and his mentality. He wants it,” Smith said. “He’s always wanted it, and he’s always had that ability, but obviously, he’s had some setbacks. But I can see just in his mental makeup that he’s ready to take that next step, and it’s my job to help him, and that’s why I want to be there with him.”

MORE: Seattle Seahawks OTAs Preview — Injuries and Rookies Dominate the Show

Smith adds he’s witnessed a relentless work ethic from Eskridge, even in what’s expected to be a highly competitive WR room in the Pacific Northwest.

“He’s working his butt off. He’s super explosive out here on the field. He’s one of the more explosive guys I’ve ever seen. If we can get him where I think he’ll be, I think it will help us out a lot,” Smith said.

How Eskridge Can Further Open Seahawks Offense

Seattle fans and Seahawk opponents already know how much of a mismatch Metcalf and Lockett are on the field together.

The former is the physically imposing size/speed option, while the latter is a textbook route runner with sudden releases to get defensive backs on their heels. JSN, meanwhile, comes in as a zone attacker and slot option.

MORE: Where Does the Seahawks’ Offense Rank Heading Into 2023?

But even with three wideouts all considered a WR1, there’s still room for Eskridge to operate and take pressure off Smith and the others in the wideout arena.

When healthy, Eskridge brings his own quick-footed element to the Seahawks. He has a past history from his WMU days of hitting a second burst that leaves defensive backs playing catch up to him.

Even with his diminutive stature, Eskridge showed he’s unafraid to adjust to an errant throw and contorts himself into securing the reception. He’s shown a knack for coming back to the ball and having enough speed to track it down.

Eskridge will do so much better working with space, given the fact he’s a smaller speed option.

But Smith-Njigba’s presence on the opposite side, plus the inevitability of the Ohio State star likely commanding more attention among the slot options, bodes very well for Eskridge — as his speed can get him to blow the top off defenses and have the necessary field cushion to work with.

Of course, Metcalf and Lockett bring their field-stretching element…further eating up space for a healthy Eskridge.

The 2021 second-rounder has had a slow start to his career. But Smith’s bold statements indicate a potential breakthrough performer in the Pacific Northwest, plus one who’s hellbent on erasing his injury history to open up Seattle’s offense further.





Source link

NFL

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and His Girlfriend Announce Pregnancy

Published

on

By


Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and his girlfriend Sarah Jane Ramos are expecting a baby girl.

Prescott’s Girl Dad Era Incoming

The news broke when Ramos posted maternity pictures on her Instagram with the caption, “A little bit of heaven sent down to earth. Our immeasurable blessing. I cannot wait to raise a strong, confident, beautiful baby girl with you, Dak.”

Prescott commented on the post, “How thankful I am to do this with you can’t be explained! God makes no mistakes and nothing is coincidental and for that, I thank Him daily! I love you, and y’all can always count on me. Let’s do this Mama!”

The quarterback then reposted Ramos’ announcement on his Instagram story with the caption, “Girl dad incoming.”

There is no word yet on when the baby is due, but this will be Prescott and Ramos’ first child together.

Prescott and Ramos launched their relationship on Instagram last week when she posted a carousel of pictures from her 30th birthday, and there was a picture of both of them.

MORE: PFN Life — Off-the-Field Content

Ramos has also posted pictures of her attending a Cowboys game in the same post with the caption, “Entering a new decade with so much gratitude. Blessed and thankful for my family and friends that celebrated with me in my new home. I truly have everything I could wish for and have a feeling this next chapter will be the best one yet. #30.”

The next chapter will be a big one for the two as they enter their first-time parent era together.

Listen to the PFN Cowboys Podcast

Listen to the PFN Cowboys Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Cowboys Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Cowboys Podcast on our NFL YouTube channel.





Source link

Continue Reading

NFL

Fantasy Impact on Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson

Published

on

By


Injuries continue to wreak havoc on fantasy football lineups. With just three weeks left in the fantasy regular season, managers need their players on the field.

Chicago Bears RB D’Onta Foreman left last week’s game early with an ankle injury. What is the latest on his status for Week 12, and how does it impact the fantasy football values of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson?

Latest Injury Update on D’Onta Foreman

Last week, Foreman left the game in the first half with an ankle injury. He first hurt the ankle the week prior but was able to return to the game. Evidently, he aggravated the injury to the point where he was unable to continue.

Foreman’s inability to return did not bode well for his chances to play this week. And things got off to a rough start when he didn’t practice on Thursday. Foreman did return to a limited session on Friday, but according to Sean Hammond, Foreman left practice early with a trainer.

MORE: Fantasy News Tracker

Foreman was able to get in a limited practice on Saturday, but the Bears listed him as doubtful. It’s always frustrating when a player draws a doubtful tag, as that prevents fantasy managers from being able to put him on IR. I guess it’s better than questionable, though, because at least fantasy managers don’t need to hold out hope that Foreman will play.

I cannot remember the last time a player played through a doubtful tag. I’m pretty sure Terrell Owens did it once — to give you an idea of the last time it might have happened. I can’t say Foreman is 100 percent out until he is officially ruled out, but fantasy managers should operate as if he is.

Fantasy Impact on Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson?

After Foreman left the game last week, Herbert was back in the lead-back role he occupied prior to getting hurt himself. He played 43% of the snaps, with Johnson at 33%.

This week, the Bears are likely to use a pure two-man rotation. They had previously incorporated some Darrynton Evans, but he is now on the Dolphins. A 70-30 split between Herbert and Johnson, with the rookie operating mostly on passing downs, seems most likely.

Herbert was quite ineffective against the Lions’ stout run defense last week, carrying the ball 16 times for an abysmal 35 yards. Unfortunately, things aren’t likely to get much better against an equally imposing Vikings run defense that allows 3.8 yards per carry and 72 yards per game to running backs.

Herbert is still worth starting, if necessary, due to volume alone. Plus, if either of these backs is going to find the end zone, it will probably be Herbert. I wouldn’t bank on the Bears scoring a ton of points, and Justin Fields is liable to take short-yardage opportunities anyway, but Herbert does carry more upside than Johnson.

Herbert remains inside the top 36 running backs in our PFN Consensus Rankings. I have him personally at RB31 on the week. Johnson is a desperation RB4 — one fantasy managers should not need with no teams on bye this week.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





Source link

Continue Reading

NFL

Should Miami Dolphins Adjust Tyreek Hill’s Usage After Latest Injury?

Published

on

By


In the last month, Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill has suffered injuries to his hip, hand, and — most recently — ankle.

And while Hill has still been among the league’s most productive receivers in the five games since injuries started being an issue, there has been a drop-off in his production over that time.

In the Dolphins’ first six games of the season, Hill averaged 135.7 receiving yards and one touchdown per game, with a 19.4 yards-per-catch average.

In the last five, those numbers dipped to 102, .8, and 11.1.

Hill — whose 120 targets lead the NFL — ranks second league-wide with eight drops and let a touchdown slip through his injured hands Friday against the Jets.

Which raises the question: Are the Dolphins using Hill too much? And is there a concern that he might wear down late in the season when the Dolphins need him the most?

Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel on Tyreek Hill’s Usage

We asked Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel about that dynamic during his day-after news conference Saturday.

In response, McDaniel rightly pointed out that “targets are not the same as playtime percentage.” And while Hill’s playtime percentage (67.6%) leads all Dolphins wide receivers, it is strategically outside the top 10 at his position. The team manages his snaps with sustainability in mind.

Still, McDaniel added, “He’s a football player that wants the ball. And I’m not gonna be like, ‘Hey man, you might get hit.’”

MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart

Hill got ankle rolled during a D.J. Reed tackle on his first catch of the Jets game. And while the ailment clearly bothered him moving forward, Hill still caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in 44 snaps.

And based on McDaniel’s comments Saturday, expect Hill in the lineup when the Dolphins visit the Washington Commanders next weekend. That shouldn’t be a surprise. He’s played in all but six games since entering the league in 2016.

“He is a guy that knows how to protect himself on the field. You guys saw probably on the TV replay how it got rolled up early, which was just unfortunate.

“But he’s at a really, really good juncture in his career. I think his teammates have expressed it. I think you guys can kind of tell by his energy. He’s at, he’s at another level of [professionalism].

“He’s gonna make sure that if there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m very confident he’ll take care of himself. We have a good working relationship, such a trusting relationship with the players and Kyle [Johnston, the Dolphins’ head athletic trainer], where we’re not gonna press things too early.

“He’ll always be involved.”

  • McDaniel said that Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead is “week-to-week” with a quadriceps injury suffered Friday. Kendall Lamm, if healthy, will presumably start at left tackle during Armstead’s absence.

Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more! 

Listen to the PFN Dolphins Podcast

Listen to the PFN Dolphins Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Dolphins Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Dolphins Podcast on our NFL YouTube channel.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending