Team news: Philadelphia Eagles | Page 55

Through the first week of practices, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been the star of the show and shown no ill effects of a shattered right ankle that ended his season in Week 5 of 2017, whether he has lined up outside or in the slot.

Related players: Eli Manning, Saquon Barkley

The story added the additions on the O-line seem to have given Manning a boost at this stage in his career. Overall, the Giants offense looks to have a lot of fantasy potential this season.

Speedy receiver John Ross from Washington expected to show his big-play ability during his first season in Cincinnati. Instead, he missed most of camp while recovering from shoulder surgery and wound up playing in only three games.

He didn’t catch a pass and fumbled on a reverse—the only time he got the ball—before another shoulder injury ended his season.

Ross has made some big plays in camp on deep balls from QB Andy Dalton, and the Bengals are hoping that continues right into the regular season. The Bengals had one of their worst seasons offensively in franchise history, finishing last in yards, the story said.

For all of the talk about the improved arsenal around Giants quarterback Eli Manning, there has yet to be a practice where the full potential of the offense was on display.

That changed on Sunday.

During what was arguably his strongest performance of the offseason, Manning put on a show and hit every target as wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, tight end Evan Engram, and running back Saquon Barkley all benefited from Manning's accuracy and, at times, his arm strength on the deep ball.

As the story said, it was only one practice, but Manning seemed dialed in and more than ready to maximize the talent that the Giants put around him this offseason.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert has been stellar at times, securing a diving catch from Carson Wentz on Friday and Saturday, converting one catch that had him turning around and falling on his back in tight coverage. He made the catch and held onto it.

If Zach Ertz wasn't around, I'm increasingly convinced Goedert would acquit himself just fine as a team's No. 1 tight end.

Related players: Richard Rodgers

His athleticism is impressive, as are his hands, according to the author of the story. Goedert is in a battle with Rodgers for the Eagles' No. 2 TE spot behind Ertz. Last year, all three Eagles TEs saw significant action but Ertz is the clear top option at the position and one of our top TEs overall.

"Entering his second NFL season, Wayne Gallman has the inside track for the job as a change of pace complement to Saquon Barkley, who will rarely come off the field. Gallman has some burst and elusiveness in the open-field, but it is his ability to make plays as a receiver that will give him the leg-up on spelling Barkley over the likes of Jonathan Stewart and Robert Martin," wrote Matt Lombardo recently on NJ.com.

The story went on to say Stewart has "looked more like a plodding veteran running back trying to hang on," and the author questions how much he has left in the tank. The thought seems to be Stewart is more of a veteran presence in the locker room at this point as opposed to a back who can carry a significant workload. For those drafting Barkley, this may be a tidbit to remember.

The Eagles clinch the No. 1 seed if the Vikings lose to the Packers on Saturday tonight. If the Vikings win, the Eagles will still be playing for something on Monday night when they host the Raiders.

Either way, the Eagles won’t change their plans for Christmas night.

That’s the word straight from Eagles coach Doug Pederson, who was asked by reporters if there’s a dual plan for whether the Vikings lose or the Vikings win. And it was literally the word. As in one word.

“No,” Pederson said.

"I think it's important that they continue to play," Pederson said. "If we're in that position, if we're fortunate to be in that position to rest, I'll make that decision at that time. I think it's important that we continue to play."

Related players: Nick Foles, Jay Ajayi, Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Zach Ertz, Jake Elliott

This is good news for fantasy owners. Even if the Eagles were to clinch home field advantage Saturday, it appears safe to start your Eagles on Monday night. As always, check our latest rankings updates before lineup lock for your players.