Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 15

DeWayne McBride was always going to need time to learn the offense — protection responsibilities, the lengthy play calls, and even how to read certain runs. For that reason, he fell to the seventh round. The Vikings like his downhill running style, and it’s possible that the bevy of running backs on the market makes it easier for the Vikings to give him time to develop on the practice squad.

Related Players: Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler

It seems as though Kene Nwangwu has locked up the RB3 slot in Minnesota, with his ability to return kicks adding some flexibility to the roster spot. After Ty Chandler's fantastic showing through the preseason, Alexander Mattison is the only body in the way of extended playing time for Chandler.

T.J. Hockenson missed the majority of camp drills during the previous three weeks because of an ear infection that he said affected his equilibrium. That condition has resolved itself, coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday, but Hockenson "very recently" reported his back symptoms to the Vikings' medical staff. O'Connell classified Hockenson's absence as "day-to-day," and did not rule out a return to the field as early as Thursday's joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals, but such a quick return seems unlikely.

Related Players: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt

The article goes on to mention that these ailments could have something to do with the fact that Hockenson is still on his rookie deal and there has been "little progress in talks". If that's the case, we shouldn't push the TE any further down draft boards than he is currently going, as the threat of an actual holdout seems unlikely. If he's back on the field during joint practices on Thursday, this will ultimately feel like an overreaction.

The San Francisco 49ers have named their backup to starting quarterback Brock Purdy -- and it's not the player they once paid a fortune to trade up for. Sam Darnold will be named the 49ers' QB2 following a strong showing this offseason, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. That means that Trey Lance is currently running third on the depth chart -- and what it means for his future with the team remains to be seen.

No potential teams have been named yet, but there were rumors that the team was involved in trade discussions before the NFL Draft. The 49ers could obviously just keep Lance, but if they can receive any draft compensation for their third-string quarterback, it's a no-brainer, regardless of what draft capital they once spent on him.

Kyle Shanahan said the competition between Trey Lance and Sam Darnold to be the San Francisco 49ers’ No. 2 quarterback could continue during the regular season.

Shanahan said he’d likely announce the pecking order prior to the team’s Week 1 game in Pittsburgh. After all, the so-called “third quarterback” rule allows teams to dress three passers on game days but they still have to designate which are the first two.

The story went on to say Shanahan indicated the quarterback order “definitely” could change during the season and that Darnold could run the scout team one week — which is typically the purview of the No. 2 quarterback — and Lance could run it in the next.

T.J. Hockenson has not been doing any team work since the start of camp and he said last week that his equilibrium has been off because of an ear infection. Hockenson said the condition was improving and he said on Monday that he’s still “taking it day by day” and wants to be out there as a full participant.

The story said there has been speculation that Hockenson’s contract might also factor into his workload. Hockenson is in the final year of his rookie deal but he said he wasn't concerned about a future deal. Hockenson is our third-ranked TE.

A year ago, Chandler won a roster spot after leading the Vikings in preseason rushing yards; if he could show a broader set of skills in 2023, he might be able to win the team's No. 2 running back job.

Related Players: Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride

Alexander Mattison is for sure slated for the RB1 job but it's a stretch to expect him to garner the type of workload Dalvin Cook held on to for years. Chandler could sneak into a third down role and start popping more on fantasy radars

Bills WR Gabe Davis said he felt like he “lost a step” when he suffered a high ankle sprain early in the 2022 season, and that impacted his whole year. Said it messes with your head. He added he feels fully back to normal and healthy now.

Related Players: Trent Sherfield, Justin Shorter, Khalil Shakir

Davis certainly had some off-weeks last season, much to the chagrin of those of us who were certain he would produce opposite Stefon Diggs. In 10 of his 16 games last year, he had three-or-fewer receptions and only bested 100 yards once (a monster 3-171-2 game in Week 5). Davis was more of a focal point in the Bills two playoff games (8-147-1 on 13 targets) and is back in the mix as a WR3 for fantasy purposes.

Gabe Davis projects as a very reasonable 2023 post-hype sleeper.

Bears and TE Cole Kmet reached an agreement on a four-year, $50 million extension, including $32.8 million guaranteed and $20 million in new first-year cash.

Related Players: Robert Tonyan

Chicago locks in Kmet, who has become a favorite target of QB Justin Fields. This quells any consternation about veteran TE Tonyan taking a ton of snaps away from him in 2023, but that still doesn't make Kmet a reliable fantasy option, as he had three or fewer receptions in 10/17 games last season despite having a career year with a 50-544-7 line. Kmet was among the most "over-performing" touchdown scorer last season, and we're projecting him for much less this season. He will be a streaming option in plus matchups yet he is going off boards as an overpay at the TE10.

49ers GM John Lynch says Brock Purdy (elbow) has been cleared to practice. "The great news is Brock has worked his tail off and he's ready to go."

Kyle Shanahan says Purdy will throw two out of every three days initially, and he'll take the first rep the days he's out there.

Related Players: Trey Lance, Sam Darnold

This is incredible news, as a full-year QB option will be a giant positive to both himself and the skill position players in fantasy. This doesn't ensure that he is the Week 1 starter but it's clearly a step in the right direction.

Including the postseason, Purdy played 82% of the snaps in eight games. In those games, he averaged 232 yards, 8.43 yards per attempt, 2.0 touchdowns, and 0.38 interceptions. He added 0.25 rushing touchdown per game. The resulting 18.8 fantasy points per game would have been the seventh-highest last season.

Vikings rookie WR Jordan Addison was cited just after 3 a.m. today for speed and reckless driving in St. Paul. He was driving 140 MPH in a 55, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Related Players: K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Jalen Nailor

This is a *very* tough look for the rookie, particularly with the sort of outcome that happened with a young former NFL player just a couple of years ago. As of now, it looks like maybe no one was hurt but that doesn't rule out league discipline. For fantasy purposes, Osborn has proven to be a reliable target when given the opportunity. We will watch for more news updates.