NFL Player News

Freeland was a four-year starter for BYU, starting 15 games at right tackle to begin his career in Provo and finishing his last 26 games at left tackle. He earned All-Independent 1st team honors from multiple outlets for his performances in 2021 and 2022. PFF graded him as the 2nd-best OT in the country in 2022. This produced an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Unlike many BYU players, and more broadly those from the LDS tradition, Freeland comes into the NFL at a normal age as he did not serve on a two-year mission. He dominated in both phases during his collegiate career, recording a 90.7 PFF pass block grade and an 87.9 run block grade, albeit against mid to low levels of competition. The hope is that the fundamentals that he demonstrates at those levels provide the basis for his transition to the professional standard. The long OT has a lot of room to add mass to his frame. At his current dimensions, he lacks a sufficient anchor and doesn’t have the strength to be a proficient contributor in the run game. That being said, it’s easy to see why scouts fell in love with Freeland’s potential at the Combine and BYU pro day. He posted verifiably elite testing numbers across the board, recording 95th percentile+ running splits, 99th% jumps, and an absurd 9.89 RAS.

Raymond also took an end around for a 12-yard loss in this one. The veteran receiver has seen just three targets in his last two games and has a 3-36-1 line to show for it. What little fantasy upside Raymond had will fade back into the ether as Jameson Williams is set to return from his two-game suspension on Monday.

Krafts’ six targets tied with Jayden Reed for the second-most on the team. The second-year tight end had a pedestrian day through the air as the Packers struggled to extend drives and converted just three of their 12 attempts on third down. With the Packers now headed for their Week 10 bye, Kraft will resume his role as a fringe TE1 in Week 11 against the Texans.

Conner briefly exited to get checked for a concussion but was quickly cleared and got back to dominating the Bears’ defense. While no field-tilting plays were made, Conner routinely knifed through the Bears’ defense on runs up the middle, accurately reflected in his 5.9 yards per carry average. Week 10 sledding will be tougher against the Jets but Conner remains a talent- and volume-based RB1/2.

Wilson was a non-factor in the run-heavy win. The Cardinals’ No. 3 pass catcher is largely a matchup-based flex option and the situation simply did not call for his services. He is a WR5/6 against the Jets in Week 10.

McBride nearly scored on a long gain down the middle, eventually being tackled on the Bears’ two-yard line. Jonathan Gannon made sure to give McBride another opportunity, sending McBride in motion from left to right, and back again before Murray handed the ball off to McBride on the way back. A foot race between the tight end and Bears S Kevin Byard III ensued, which ended in a successful stiff arm and a score just before they reached the pylon. The athletic tight end is a high-end TE1 against the Jets in Week 10.

Doubs has seen five or more targets in each of his last three games. His five targets were good for fourth-most in this one, but his 28 receiving yards marked his lowest total since Week 3. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be counting on Doubs as anything more than a WR3/WR4. He and the Packers now enter their bye week and will return for Week 11 against the Bears.

Harrison’s biggest impact on the game occurred in the second quarter when UDFA CB Reddy Steward punched the ball out of Harrison’s hands. Game script then rendered Harrison obsolete, pushing the volatile rookie wide receiver out of OC Drew Petzing’s mind. Harrison is a WR4 against the Jets in Week 10.

Travis Etienne, returning from a hamstring injury, logged three carries. Bigsby ran a pass route on about 40 percent of Trevor Lawrence’s drop backs but was not targeted. Week 9 showed just how game script sensitive Bigsby can be, especially with Etienne back in the fold. The Jaguars abandoned the run in the second quarter, leaving Bigsby almost no way to rack up the touches he would need to be a reliable fantasy option. In Week 10, Bigsby will be a touchdown-dependent RB3 play against Minnesota.

Much of Engram’s production came on a 24-yard reception in the third quarter in tight coverage. He also caught a two point conversion in the second half. Engram, with 14 receptions over the past three games, easily led all Jacksonville pass catchers in targets as Trevor Lawrence’s primary check down option. Engram should continue functioning as a reliable PPR option in Week 10 against the Vikings.

The Cardinals’ ground game dominated the Bears’ banged-up defense, reducing Murray to a managerial role. Fantasy managers were also dealt a pair of brutal hands. Murray connected with Trey McBride for a big gain and he was eventually brought down inside the Bears’ five-yard line. McBride scored a rushing touchdown on the following play after being sent in motion pre-snap and taking the handoff from Murray on his way back from the right side of the formation. Murray is also credited with having lost a fumble in this one but equal (or more) blame should be placed on RB Emari Demercado, who bobbled the fumbled handoff. Murray is a low-end QB1 against the Jets in Week 10.