NFL Player News

Bell (6'2/241) is arguably the most unique tight end prospect in the class. He began his career at South Carolina and broke out in his second season with 30 catches for 497 yards and five scores. Then, in 2022, the Gamecocks split his reps evenly between running back and tight end, slashing his receiving output to 231 yards and two scores. He added 261 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. After transferring to Florida State for his final season, Bell picked up where he left off as a tight end, totaling 503 yards and two touchdowns on 39 grabs. He posted an 8.43 RAS at the combine, highlighted by a 4.61-second 40. Bell doesn’t have the size take on defensive linemen as a blocker and even improvements in his technique can’t change that simple fact. His uncanny ability to turn short catches into long gains makes him a great weapon out of the slot and he is a Swiss Army Knife out of the backfield. The Patriots will need to be creative if they want to get the most out of him.

Chandler got out-touched 26-4 by Aaron Jones even with the Vikings racing out to a 28-0 lead. The Vikes were obviously trying to get Jones a little something extra in a “revenge game,” but Chandler now has just 11 total touches over the past two weeks after he reached that mark in each of his first two games. He’s a contingency-only option headed into Week 5 against the Jets.

It wasn’t the 100-yard outing McLaurin enjoyed in Week 3, but it was another strong fantasy day for the Commanders WR1. McLaurin led the team with 10 targets on the day and hauled in a 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to help the Commanders put the game out of reach. McLaurin’s 10 targets were the most he’s seen in any game this season. We’ll see if he can make it three straight weeks with a touchdown next week when the Commanders host the Browns. He’ll be a high-upside WR2 play.

Kittle beat triple coverage, winning a jump ball in the end zone late in the first half. The 49ers announced Kittle as questionable to return at half-time but he was able to return for the 49ers’ first offensive possession in the third quarter. The broadcast speculated he may have simply landed on the ball after his high-flying score. Kittle is a TE1 against the Cardinals in Week 5.

With Jordan Addison (ankle) back on the field, Nailor’s scoring streak was halted at three games. He got out-targeted just 4-2 by Addison, but Addison scored twice on five touches. He is comfortably ahead of Nailor for No. 2 duties. Nailor isn’t going to see enough work to crack the top 60 as long as both Addison and Justin Jefferson are healthy.

McNichols was surprisingly filling in for Austin Ekeler. The seventh-year journeyman made the Commanders’ roster out of camp and wound up rushing for a career-high 68 yards in Sunday’s win. McNichols turned some heads in the second quarter when he broke off a 27-yard touchdown down the left sideline to put the Commanders up 14-7, and found the end zone again on a seven-yard score late in the fourth quarter. McNichols makes for an interesting fantasy stash behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler, but we wouldn’t advise using a top waiver priority on him with Ekeler (concussion) likely back for Week 5 against the Browns.

Aiyuk flashed some of his 2023 mojo with a beautiful diving snag in the second half. Patriots S Jabrill Peppers stole a poorly-aimed, 23-yard end zone pass intended for Aiyuk late in the game. Aiyuk’s buy-low window remains intact for now. He should be started as a WR2 against the Cardinals in Week 5.

The eight targets were a new season high, and three more than Doubs drew combined during Jordan Love’s two-game absence. It is worth noting Christian Watson departed with an ugly second quarter ankle injury. Doubs was also tackled at the Vikings’ one-yard line late in the second quarter. Even were Watson to miss extended time, Doubs isn’t looking like a legitimate WR3 at the moment.

Kyle Shanahan showed confidence in Samuel’s calf-strain rehabilitation, calling a run play for the veteran wide receiver on the 49ers’ first play from scrimmage. Samuel’s seven intended touches paced the wide receiver corps but the comparatively moderate volume for an NFL No. 1 wide receiver prevented him from finding his ceiling. Samuel is a WR1 against the Cardinals in Week 5.

Purdy played aggressively on Sunday, frequently targeting passes downfield while producing explosive pass plays with five different pass catchers. The 49ers’ first 13 points were scored via field goals and a Fred Warner pick-six, which limited Purdy’s overall passing volume though. A touchdown pass thrown to Jordan Mason was also overturned on a holding penalty. Purdy is a QB1 against the Cardinals next week.

The Commanders totaled 216 rushing yards and four scores on the ground on Sunday, with Robinson leading the way in carries and yards. Robinson had two runs of 15-plus yards on the day and punched in a six-yard score in the first quarter. Robinson has now found the end zone in three of his four games played this season and has rushed for 100-plus yards twice. He continues to be the hammer in Kliff Kingsbury’s run-heavy scheme, and should see another busy outing in Week 5 against the Browns.