NFL Player News

The Falcons backfield dominated the Panthers’ defense today with both Allgeier and Bijan Robinson exceeding 100 total yards. Allgeier had one more touch, three more yards, and one less touchdown than Robinson in what was a near-even split for the running backs. Early red zone carries did not amount to much for Allgeier, but he was able to score the last touchdown on the day at the goal line while rushing for his third-career 100-yard game. Against better defenses, Robinson is likely still the preferred back for the Falcons, but the team can use both backs to gash weaker defenses. Facing a struggling Seahawks defense in Week 7, Allgeier is a FLEX play.

Estime forced a missed tackle on Sunday and is now up to two explosive run plays on four carries this season. He is a worthwhile bench stash in re-draft leagues and could ultimately take over the lead role. Estime cannot be started against the Saints in Week 7 but depending on his deployment, he could be deep-league viable against the Panthers in Week 8.

McLaughlin is largely functioning as a limiting factor for Javonte Williams. Fantasy managers cannot currently start McLaughlin, who is currently averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and 0.44 yards per route run.

Williams remains involved as a pass-catcher but his rushing volume is jeopardized both by the Broncos’ frequent trailing game scripts and Audric Estime’s return to the active roster. Williams is a shaky RB3/4 against the Saints.

Mims was targeted on the third play from scrimmage but tipped a Bo Nix pass to Chargers DB Elijah Molden. Mims failed to secure his remaining two targets, though he did return a punt for 10 yards. With Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin rising, Mims can be safely dropped in re-draft leagues.

Franklin saw a sharp increase in offensive snaps this week, finishing second among Broncos wide receivers with 37. He’s generated two explosive pass plays on three receptions during that span, and today’s touchdown came via an end zone target. Sean Payton appears to be giving Franklin a chance to earn the No. 2 WR role, albeit quietly. Fantasy managers with bench space to spare should stash him ahead of the Broncos’ Week 7 date with the Saints.

ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes, “Pittman did not divulge exact details of his injury, but he acknowledged that dealing with it will be a week-to-week situation and that his status could change.” Fantasy managers should expect to have Pittman available, at least in the short term, though monitoring practice reports will be key.

The rookie Coker has seen more opportunities with Adam Thielen out, seeing three targets in the Panthers’ loss to the Falcons. He was the No. 3 wideout in targets, behind Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette, though in the subpar Panthers offense, Coker is no more than a deep league stash. The other receivers mixing in for the Panthers were David Moore, who caught both of his targets for 17 yards, and Jonathan Mingo, who caught his sole target for one yard. Neither of the three should be in fantasy lineups as of now.

Vele’s Weeks 2-5 healthy scratch statuses are inexplicable. He led the team in receptions in Week 1 (eight) and led the team in receiving yards in Week 6, by a 25-yard margin. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound WR is not an elite talent but he brings reliability and big-play ability to a pass-catching corps in need of both traits. He is a WR5 candidate against the Saints in Week 7.

Legette was cleared from a shoulder injury to play against the Falcons and wound up the second-most targeted wideout, albeit with just four targets. Andy Dalton found Legette in the back of the end zone where he high-pointed the jump ball for the second-quarter score. The rookie is a useful big target, though he isn’t the separator Diontae Johnson is. He will be in the fantasy WR4 mix against the bad Commanders secondary for Week 7.

Mike McCarthy entered the season on the hot seat after the team mulled firing him following last season’s playoff loss to the Packers. With one year left on his current deal, 2024 is a true make-or-break season for the veteran coach, whose seat undoubtedly got hotter after Sunday’s shellacking. McCarthy and and the Cowboys have a lot to correct on both sides of the ball during their Week 7 bye, and face a tough test coming out when the face the 49ers in Week 8.