Fantasy Football: Latest Preseason Player News from the NFC North

NFL fall camps are finally set to kick off, and we’re starting to get a feel for the players who are getting primed for a big year – as well as the guys who may not be so involved in their teams’ game plans once the regular season comes around. Here’s a rundown of what’s been happening with potential fantasy players in the NFC North:

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Chicago Bears

Newly acquired WR Eddie Royal is being talked up as a potential safety valve for Jay Cutler. Royal has shown sporadic flashes of fantasy worth over the past several years, but was never considered a consistent part of an offense until now. Royal could be extremely valuable in PPR leagues.

Fellow WR Kevin White has been running with the second team thus far, which doesn’t bode well for his chances of having a huge rookie season. Coach John Fox has always been hesitant to start rookies, and he’s already made his love known for incumbent Marquess Wilson. I think we can expect moderate inconsistency from both White and Wilson as it stands.

Bears OC Adam Gase has been lauding the efforts of QB Jimmy Clausen in what I can only surmise is an effort to light a fire under Jay Cutler. Gase must not have been paying attention to football over the past several years, because we all know that absolutely nothing is capable of motivating Jay Cutler.

Detroit

The Lions are saying they hope RBs Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah can be a 1-2 punch, but Abdullah, a member of the 2015 RW All-Senior Bowl Roster, is playing out of his mind right now and could very well end the season as the Lion’s lead back. There are few rookie backs that could have the impact Abdullah is primed to have this season.

Someone who hasn’t been impressing is fellow rookie RB Zach Zenner. He could be practice squad fodder after being a pre-draft favorite of many.

QB Matt Stafford has improved his accuracy from last season according to coach Caldwell, which he attributes to Stafford having a better feel for the system. Stafford had fewer turnovers last year than ever, but he still underwhelmed at times. Here’s hoping he can keep the errors down while improving his other measurables.

The Lions WR corps appears locked and loaded to go, as Calvin Johnson is the healthiest he’s been in years and Golden Tate is even more acclimated to the offense following in first season in Motown. Only two players had more yards after the catch than Tate last year, so don’t be afraid to draft and start him, even with a healthy Johnson on the other side of the field. In fact, the added coverage to Megatron should free up Tate to do more damage.

Green Bay

WR Jeff Janis is impressing in his second year, which is nice but means little considering that Davante Adams has been the “MVP of OTA’s” thus far. With Jordy Nelson (who’s on schedule to be ready for week 1), Randall Cobb, and Adams in the way, I don’t see Janis doing much this season at all and should only be in consideration for deep dynasty purposes until we know otherwise. Adams could be the best value of them all on the league’s best passing offense. WR Jared Abbrederis has done an “abracadabra” disappearing act and is an afterthought at this point.

RB John Crockett might be someone to target in dynasty leagues. No.2 back John Starks is in a contract year, and the Packers aren’t afraid to play UDFAs.

We liked Richard Rogers at TE coming into this season, but things are looking even better for him now that Andrew Quarless is almost certain to be suspended during the season for his July 4th gun firing fiasco.

Minnesota

WR Charles Johnson is looking to improve on his breakout season last year by working on his footwork Rischad “The Footwork King” Whitfield in Houston this offseason. Already a RW favorite, Johnson is a mid-round steal in all formats.

Another player who is improving is RB Jerrick McKinnon, who is getting better in pass coverage according to coaches. Unfortunately, he’s on the same team as Adrian Peterson, so that doesn’t mean much outside of dynasty leagues and as a late-round handcuff to AP in redraft. Though, the Vikings do swear they’re going to limit AP’s snap count. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Don’t look now, but WR Cordarrelle Patterson is working his way back to starter consideration. Patterson is too talented to keep off the field for long, and though he’s penciled in behind Jarius Wright, he’ll be in 3-wide sets before long. Already the primary kick returner for the Vikings, things are looking up for Patterson.

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