Fantasy Football

The Colts’ starters played a big chunk of the game in Philly, but Pierce wasn’t the recipient on any of Anthony Richardson’s six completions. Frustrating, though the duo has seemed to have good chemistry in practice. The best fit for Richardson’s impressive deep ball in what is probably going to be a run-based offense, Pierce is a decent bet to build on last season’s 41/593/2 line even though Indy’s passing volume is likely to be unimpressive.

The box score doesn’t pop, but Richardson’s full physical arsenal was on display. He used his size and elusiveness to evade sacks, showed off his cannon arm, and successfully scrambled. On the negative side, he got away with several would-be turnovers. The Colts didn’t really open up the playbook this summer, but it also stands to reason it will be a simple system to begin Richardson’s career. The road to fantasy QB1 status begins and ends with his legs as he learns to navigate the passing game at the NFL level after a short college career.

Warren was part of a perfect first-team Steelers offensive performance, albeit against the Falcons’ second string. Najee Harris’ ascending backup found the end zone for the second straight game when he used an impressive second effort to make it eight yards to the goal line. It came after Harris scored to cap the Steelers’ opening drive. An insurance back who will have standalone value if he can earn the majority of the Steelers’ third-down snaps, Warren is one of the more exciting later-round running backs in fantasy.

Facing the Falcons’ second-team defense, Pickett led his fifth touchdown drive in five preseason attempts. The highlight was a 39-yard strike to a single-covered George Pickens that set the Steelers up at the one-yard line. For the summer, Pickett finishes 13-of-15 for 199 yards (13.2 YPA) and two scores. That comes out to a perfect quarterback rating. It was against the Falcons and Bucs’ second-team defenses with a Bills drive mixed in, but it is still highly impressive. Pickett has drawn praise all summer long for his practice performance.

Reed’s report is via “league sources.” Reed also reports the team is not considering rescinding Jacobs’ franchise tag or making an enhanced one-year offer, a la Saquon Barkley in New York. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported last Saturday that Jacobs intends to report before Week 1. It remains his only real option unless he wants to begin missing game checks.

Burks is in a race against time after being carted from the field eight days ago. With only 17 more deals to heal up, it is a bit difficult to believe he will be ready for the opener against the Saints, though teams routinely push the envelope in these situations. Our first real clue as to Burks’ Week 1 status may not come until the Titans issue their initial injury report on Wednesday Sept. 6.

Barry Jackson reports the ‘Fins “continue to engage the Colts in negotiations.” Jackson also confirms the Colts are seeking a first-round pick or something commensurate. Jackson reports “at least one other team also believed to have made a serious offer.” It is beginning to sound like this might actually happen. The Dolphins make all the sense in the world as a landing spot.

The Cardinals have now made three trades in less than 12 hours. Dobbs, who was announced as the Browns’ QB2 by Kevin Stefanski just hours before the trade, will now head to the Cardinals to compete for a starting job with Colt McCoy and Clayton Tune with less than three weeks to go until their Week 1 matchup against the Commanders. Dobbs played under Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing during his first stint in Cleveland and could benefit from that familiarity. Regardless of who wins the starting job for the Cardinals, they’ll only be worth a fantasy spot for the most desperate of teams — which is putting it nicely. In other news, Browns rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson looks like the new backup to Deshaun Watson, and Kellen Mond, who was waived earlier in the day, has been removed from waivers and will remain with the Browns.

Rapoport reports Jeudy’s injury as a “moderate hamstring injury” that puts his Week 1 status in jeopardy. However, he also said there’s “optimism it’s nothing long term” in regards to any season-long concerns over his injury. With Jeudy now sidelined for the foreseeable future, Courtland Sutton and rookie receiver Marvin Mims have a chance to step up to fill the void left by Denver’s WR1. Mims and Sutton will most likely serve as the Broncos’ two outside receivers, while legendary COVID-QB. Kendall Hinton replaces Jeudy in the slot. Jeudy’s status will be one to monitor in the coming weeks.

McLaurin’s sprained toe is “typically a multiple-week injury,” as Schefter points out. By the time Week 1 rolls around, McLaurin will have been 19 days removed from his injury, which puts him at the back end for the two to three-week timetable that was suggested earlier this week. If McLaurin is unable to go in Week 1, Jahan Dotson would have some high-end WR2 upside against a Cardinals defense that figures to rank near the bottom of the league.