Between camp tidbits and what’s been witnessed in the preseason,
the Pickett-Pickens connection could be set for a banner year.
Quietly the Niners gave up the 6th most fantasy points to receivers
last year as they were susceptible to the big play, which Pickens
has proven to display as he was 8th in the NFL in yards per reception
(15.4). The P-to-P stack might be something to target this season.
With the departure of two starters and the injury to Kadarius
Toney, Moore is going to need to step up Thursday night against
Detroit. With the week’s highest over/under at 54, Vegas expects
fireworks in this game. Look for the Lions to do everything possible
to neutralize Kelce (if he goes), leaving Moore with plenty of
1-1 match-ups he needs to win. The work he’s done with Mahomes
in the offseason pays off, as Moore has a coming out party Thursday
night.
Dotson had a solid rookie season in 2022 and looks to make a
2nd year leap as the No.1 target for Sam Howell in Week 1. With
Terry McLaurin (toe) iffy, look for Dotson to be the focal point
of the passing game. The Cardinals were solid against fantasy
receivers a year ago, but this team is in full-on tank mode, and
Washington should have some juice as the Josh Harris administration
begins for the Commanders.
Grab a Headset
Rookie Tight Ends
I’ve never singled out a specific position group across
multiple teams in this spot before, but I’ve heard so much
about the potential of rookie tight ends to be fantasy assets
this year, mainly Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta, and Luke Musgrave.
I’m sure one, or more of them find their way to fantasy
relevance at some point this season, but trusting them Week 1
requires true bravery (or desperation). Kincaid is down in the
pecking order for targets, and Musgrave is on a young offensive
developing an inexperienced QB. LaPorta has the cleanest path
to targets, but I need to see it come to fruition first.
Because of a franchise implosion, Pittman’s 2022 breakout
never materialized. Despite entering 2023 as the clear alpha receiver
in this passing attack, Pittman will be subject to the scattershot
play of dynamic, but raw rookie passer Anthony Richardson. I do
like Pittman as a season long WR2 that should have some productive
weeks, but this is a tough spot for the Colt offense, and not
the place to trust Pittman as more than a mid-tier WR3.
This is more of an indictment of Baker Mayfield and the Buc offense
than the talent of Evans, but at some point, this 1,000-yard season
streak is going to come to an end. With Brady unable to unload
many deep balls last season Evans was a touchdown dependent player.
Most of his production was in a 10-207-3 game in Week 17 where
he was force fed the ball. Now it's who Mayfield works behind
a poor offensive line, and the Evans contract issues also muddy
the waters. I’m out on Evans in PPR leagues and only vaguely
interested in standard leagues.
