2013 NFL Rookies

[BINGO]

Keenan Allen - WR - Chargers

Chargers third-round WR Keenan Allen caught two passes for eight yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals.

With Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal sidelined, Allen started opposite Vincent Brown and was moved into the slot in three-wide sets. He added a 44 yard punt return that he nearly broke for a touchdown, but was otherwise held in check by the Cardinals. Allen now has six receptions for 48 yards through three preseason games.

Aug 25 - 1:49 AM

 

[BINGO]

E.J. Manuel - QB - Bills

Coach Doug Marrone is "hoping" E.J. Manuel (knee) will be ready Week 1.

"That’s what I’m hoping for," said Marrone. "He had the procedure done and he was with us on the field the other day just watching and observing. I think we just have to wait until that period where the doctor looks at him." The Bills' quarterback situation is in a state of flux after Kevin Kolb went down with a possible concussion Saturday afternoon. Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel is the only healthy quarterback on the roster, and the team is bringing in underwhelming veterans Matt Leinart and John Beck in for workouts Sunday. Marrone mentioned Brad Smith and Fred Jackson as potential emergency quarterbacks.
Source: buffalobills.com

Aug 25 - 11:42 AM

 

[BINGO]

Jonathan Cooper - G - Cardinals

Cardinals rookie LG Jonathan Cooper suffered a fractured left fibula in Saturday night's preseason game.

Cooper is very likely looking at a season-ending injury, but hasn't been ruled out as a candidate for injured reserve/designated for return. Regardless, it's a massive downgrade to an already weak offensive line, and means the Cardinals will be forced to start Chilo Rachal or move one of Levi Brown or Bobby Massie to left guard. Cooper was the seventh overall pick in April's draft.
Source: Darren Urban on Twitter

Aug 25 - 1:39 AM

 

[BINGO]

Gavin Escobar - TE - Cowboys

Cowboys second-round TE Gavin Escobar wasn't targeted in Saturday's fourth preseason game.

Escobar's only notable moment came when he missed a motion call from Tony Romo, and forced the Cowboys to burn a timeout. That earned him a lecture from Romo, and benching from coach Jason Garrett. Bumbling through a terrible camp, Escobar heads into Thursday's preseason finale with six catches for 35 yards and a score. He's off the fantasy radar.

Aug 25 - 12:44 AM

 

[BINGO]

Terrance Williams - WR - Cowboys

Terrance Williams caught one pass for 11 yards in Saturday's fourth preseason game against the Bengals.

It was just Williams' second exhibition grab heading into Thursday's finale, but he appears to have done enough to supplant Dwayne Harris as the Cowboys' No. 3 receiver. That's been a valuable fantasy position in the past in Big D, but Williams isn't worth a flier in redraft leagues for the time being.

Aug 25 - 12:41 AM

 

[BINGO]

Travis Kelce - TE - Chiefs

Chiefs third-round TE Travis Kelce missed Saturday's third preseason game against the Steelers with an undisclosed injury.

Kelce's injury appears minor, but it's the exclamation point on a disappointing camp and preseason. Kelce will finish with just one exhibition grab for 17 yards if he sits out Thursday's finale. Although still a fine Dynasty-league prospect, Kelce is well off the radar in redraft leagues.

Aug 25 - 12:35 AM

 

[BINGO]

Knile Davis - RB - Chiefs

Chiefs RB Knile Davis rushed five times for 12 yards in Saturday's third preseason game, and also lost a fumble.

Davis' fumble was soft, but he redeemed himself just moments later with a 109-yard kick-return touchdown. Nevertheless, the cough up was an ominous sign for the KnownFumbler™ heading into the regular season. Locked in as Jamaal Charles' backup, the talented but inconsistent rookie has 20 carries for only 56 yards (2.8 YPC) through three preseason games.

Aug 25 - 12:22 AM

 

[BINGO]

Markus Wheaton - WR - Steelers

Steelers rookie WR Markus Wheaton caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's third preseason game against the Chiefs.

Wheaton didn't start, but got some run with Ben Roethlisberger before hooking up with backup QB Bruce Gradkowski for a 34-yard touchdown. Although he has "just" 4.45 wheels, Wheaton has much quicker "game speed," and he used it as he slipped behind the entire Chiefs secondary on his TD. He enters Thursday's preseason finale with seven catches for 114 yards and two scores. Uncommonly well rounded for a rookie, Wheaton should be a big part of the Steelers offense. He's only a WR5 for now, but could climb higher as the season progresses.

Aug 24 - 11:57 PM

 

[BINGO]

Zac Stacy - RB - Rams

Rams rookie RB Zac Stacy rushed for just eight yards on five carries in Saturday night's preseason game against the Broncos.

Stacy worked with the twos and threes in the regular season dress rehearsal. He's unlikely to see much meaningful action early in his rookie season. Through three preseason games, Stacy has rushed for just 31 yards on 12 carries (2.6 YPC). He's not on the re-draft fantasy radar at the moment.

Aug 24 - 11:10 PM

 

[BINGO]

Da'Rick Rogers - WR - Free Agent

Bills waived WR Da'Rick Rogers, WR DeMarco Sampson, C Ryan Turnley, CB Jumal Rolle, and DB Dominique Ellis.

Although Rogers demonstrated big-time talent on college tape -- he was a stud in the SEC as a sophomore before getting kicked out of Tennessee -- he didn't show well in Bills minicamp, OTAs, or training camp and was running with the fourth-team offense in preseason games. Because Rogers fell entirely out of the draft due to character concerns, he may very well go unclaimed on waivers.

Aug 26 - 10:29 AM

 

[BINGO]

Sharrif Floyd - DL - Vikings

USA Today's Tom Pelissero reports Vikings DT Sharrif Floyd (knee scope) is "100 percent fine," and could play were it the regular season.

Floyd is just one week removed from going under the knife, but has 13 more days to heal up. His health has taken on increased importance after DT Kevin Williams injured his knee in Sunday's preseason game. Floyd would be thrust into the starting lineup if Williams' MRI turned up something serious. Related: Kevin WilliamsSource: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

Aug 26 - 10:02 AM

 

[BINGO]

Joe McKnight - RB - Free Agent

Jets waived RB Joe McKnight.

McKnight entered the summer firmly on the roster bubble, but seemed to be saved by Chris Ivory's injury woes and Mike Goodson's legal troubles. That was not the case, as McKnight barely practiced in camp thanks to injury issues of his own, including a concussion and migraines. McKnight is a solid kick returner, but rushed the ball just 112 times in three years in New York, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He's had durability issues. His special-teams prowess should land him a new job in relatively short order.
Source: Manish Mehta on Twitter

Aug 26 - 8:21 AM

 

[BINGO]

Tavon Austin - WR - Rams

Tavon Austin caught one pass for 12 yards in the Rams' third preseason game.

Austin was targeted just once, but he was electrifying on his two punt returns. He had an 81-yard return to set the offense up at the three-yard line, then brought the other return back 23 yards. Both could have easily ended in touchdowns. After three preseason games, Austin has five catches for 40 yards. We'd rather have Chris Givens in fantasy drafts, but Austin is on the WR3/4 map and has added value in return-yardage leagues.

Aug 24 - 10:38 PM

 

[BINGO]

Robert Woods - WR - Bills

Bills rookie WR Robert Woods caught three passes for 21 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Washington.

With Stevie Johnson back in the lineup, Woods was the second option in the passing game on Saturday. Johnson had seven targets to Woods' three. The second-round receiver will likely see some action in the preseason finale next week. After three exhibition contests, Woods has eight catches for 75 yards. Look for him to see most of his action at Z receiver this season, but he's a WR5.

Aug 24 - 8:24 PM

 

[BINGO]

Chris Thompson - RB - Redskins

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan called out rookie RB Chris Thompson after he lost his second fumble in as many preseason games Saturday.

"No matter how good you are, if you fumble you can’t play," Shanahan said. The gaffe likely sealed Thompson's fate as a practice squader as the Redskins attempt to sort out a crowded running back corps.
Source: Washington Times

Aug 26 - 9:52 AM

 

[BINGO]

Jesse Williams - DL - Seahawks

Seahawks placed rookie DT Jesse Williams on injured reserve, ending his season.

This appears to be a "stash" move, as Williams battled nagging knee injuries throughout camp after worry about those same problems killed his draft stock, spiraling a projected first-round prospect into round five. Williams may need another surgery. He'll return to battle for a roster spot in 2014.

Aug 26 - 1:14 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jeff Tuel - QB - Bills

Coach Doug Marrone told reporters Monday the Bills are currently planning to start UDFA QB Jeff Tuel in Week 1 against the Patriots.

Tuel would be the first undrafted rookie quarterback to ever start a season opener. Ever. Marrone is still "hoping" E.J. Manuel (knee scope) will play, but the Bills would be smart to avoid rushing their franchise-quarterback hopeful's recovery. A Washington State product, Tuel played in Mike Leach's pass-happy spread offense and showed "very little arm strength" on college film, according to ex-NFL scout Russ Lande. Expect C.J. Spiller to pile up carries against New England, even if when Buffalo falls behind.
Source: Tim Graham on Twitter

Aug 26 - 12:33 PM

 

[BINGO]

Montee Ball - RB - Broncos

At Monday's practice, rookie Montee Ball was promoted onto the first-team offense with Peyton Manning.

Denver's starter to this point in camp, Ronnie Hillman "was carrying a football around everywhere" after fumbling for the third time this preseason Saturday night. Coach John Fox cautioned to "not read too much into" the depth chart change, but it's been foreseeable. Ball is the best fit for Broncos' offense as a runner, and he didn't miss any pass-pro assignments in the third exhibition game. He's a value pick in the fifth and sixth rounds of fantasy drafts. Knowshon Moreno has the backfield's second most value, with Hillman falling to third.
Source: Mike Klis on Twitter

Aug 26 - 3:22 PM

 

[BINGO]

Montee Ball - RB - Broncos

Coach John Fox said Montee Ball was moved to the first-team offense at Monday's practice because the Broncos want to give him a longer look with the starters.

Ball has taken 25 percent of the first-team reps since OTAs, but on Monday -- Denver's first practice after Ronnie Hillman's third preseason fumble -- Ball was the go-to back with Peyton Manning's group. "We're evaluating everybody regardless of who gets what reps at what number," said Fox. "So, (Ball) is a guy that we want to get some touches and we'll go from there." Ball is on track to get the nominal "start" and handle 15-plus touches in Week 1 against the Ravens.
Source: Denver Post

Aug 26 - 8:30 PM

 

[BINGO]

Ray Graham - RB - Free Agent

Texans waived RB Ray Graham, QB Stephen McGee, LB Elliot Coffey, FB Zach Boren, OG Bryan Collins, OT Nick Mondek, DE Earl Okine, CB Travis Howard, P Andrew Shapiro, LB Ja'Gared Davis, and TE Adam Schiltz.
Graham was one of the three big-name undrafted free agent backs -- along with Cierre Wood and Dennis Johnson -- to sign on with the Texans. He's the first to be shown the door. McGee was a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2009.
Source: John McClain on Twitter

Aug 26 - 7:47 PM