Team news: New England Patriots | Page 13

Former Packers and Saints hybrid player Montgomery on the right side of the roster bubble with James White beginning the season on the PUP list.

Related Players: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong

The article would go on to mention, "He’s listed as a wide receiver but has seen just as many reps in the backfield this summer, if not more, looking like a strong candidate to handle third-down back duties if White can’t recover from hip surgery in time for the season." It may be time to cool the hype train on Rhamondre Stevenson, as this would severely hinder his fantasy upside as it was believed he may be the one operating as the receiving back on the New England carousel.

Osborn's continual playmaking in Vikings training camp may see him earn an even bigger role ahead of the 2022 season.

Related Players: Olabisi Johnson, Albert Wilson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette

With the names behind him on the depth chart, I don't think Osborn has anything to worry about as long as he keeps performing; the WR3 spot is all his. New head coach Kevin O'Connell is sure to increase the team's passing rates, and he had warming praise for the receiver here in camp, remarking, "He's been really, really good...There's no other way to describe it early on in camp." With TE Irv Smith still dealing with a thumb issue, Osborn could end up as a consistent third option for Kirk Cousins.

Jakobi Meyers, the team's leading receiver in each of the past two seasons, caught three of Mac Jones' first seven passes in team drills and "impressed during opening 1-on-1s".

Related Players: DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne

The New England skill position group remains one of, if not the most, frustrating corps to pin down, but one would think that one of their receivers will have to ascend if Mac Jones is going to continue to grow as a quarterback. Meyers seems like a safe bet to handle the majority of the underneath work for fantasy managers looking to accrue a weekly floor for their WR room in the double-digit rounds.

There's still no clear timetable for RB James White's return from hip surgery, per source.

Related players: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr., J.J. Taylor, Ty Montgomery, Kevin Harris

It's possible he remains on PUP to start the season, but the Patriots still have a few more weeks to evaluate his recovery and decide if he's ready to practice before the end of preseason, the tweet went on to say. Stevenson, at least early on in camp, had been the target of a lot of passes, according to reports, so he could potentially take over White's role. The Patriots, just this week, complimented Montgomery, as a player who can do a little bit of everything.

No surprise that K.J. Osborn locked into the No. 3 WR spot for Vikings.

Related players: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Olabisi Johnson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Irv Smith Jr.

Levitan said those who cover the team are expecting a bump in both pass rate and 3-WR sets with Kevin O'Connell in charge. So Osborn could end up having some fantasy value. However he'll have to battle target monsters Jefferson and Thielen, and perhaps also the return of Smith Jr. at tight end. The post also indicated Smith-Marsette is the WR4 right now.

While discussing Antonio Gibson's lingering hamstring injury, Washington beat reporter Ben Standig mentioned, "at a minimum, Robinson is expected to handle short-yardage work", which would give the rookie a floor as a goal-line back.

Related Players: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

Standig also mentions, "Washington plans to find ways to get Gibson the ball in space rather than force him inside.". That sounds fine on paper, but the Commanders made sure that they brought back J.D. McKissic to repeat his third-down role, creating a logjam in the backfield with no real upside for any of the three pieces.

Patriots beat reporter Andrew Callahan has Stevenson down for six catches on seven targets, tied with wide receiver DeVante Parker (5-of-7).

Related Players: Damien Harris, James White

It's obviously early, but the drum beat continues for Stevenson, who could not only usurp the third down role but also still some early round work from Damien Harris if everything falls right. Of 50 qualifying running backs (min. 100 carries) in 2021, Stevenson ranked sixth in yards after contact/attempt (3.1) and seventh in broken-plus-missed tackles (18.8%), while Harris ranked 30th and 25th respectively in those two categories.

Washington plans to find ways to get Antonio Gibson the ball in space rather than force him inside. Part of the logic involves limiting wear and tear. The presence of rookie Brian Robinson affords that shift.

The Commanders, having already retained pass catching specialist J.D. McKissic, selected the Alabama standout known for power and ball security in the third round. At a minimum, Robinson is expected to handle short-yardage work, duties given to Gibson last season following the release of Peyton Barber.

Rivera called Robinson "a big, strong, powerful downhill runner, more so than anything else.” The story said Robinson popped some solid runs while primarily holding down first-team duties Wednesday. He’ll receive ample work with the starters as long as this cautious approach with Gibson remains, it went on to say.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski clarifies the QB depth chart, after the addition of Josh Rosen: “Jacoby Brissett is our backup quarterback. If Deshaun Watson is unavailable, Jacoby’s our starter.”

Brissett will likely only have value in deeper leagues if he's forced into action, and the Browns plan to get him first-team reps to get him ready - assuming Watson is suspended. Brissett under center will decrease the value of the entire passing game as the Browns will be forced to become run-heavy.

Damien Harris opened with the ones but was rotated out with Rhamondre Stevenson as practice went on.

Related players: Damien Harris

The tweet added Damien Harris is playing with the 2s behind Hoyer. Obviously it's early, but there has been rumblings of Stevenson getting more involved this year. The tweet went on to say there were lots of check downs to Stevenson and that he was looking good, fast and bulked. Any kind of role in the passing game could give Stevenson an edge, but for now we have Harris ahead of him in our rankings.