🏈 Marquez Callaway Time
Another Saints UDFA, the Rookie Report, and a Darrell Henderson injury.
Welcome back to another edition of the Morning Huddle - where I ignore my girlfriend while reviewing fantasy football news to create a mildly comedic newsletter for you. Enjoy!
Two Saints
The two Saints I’m actually referring to are Marquez Callaway and Juwan Johnson. Juwan Johnson came to the Saints as an undrafted free agent with Callaway, a fellow UDFA. Both are lighting up Saints camp and have clear paths to volume.
Michael Thomas is on the PUP list, meaning he’ll be out until at least Week 7. In the meantime, Callaway is the clear Saints WR1 and a screaming value at WR57 in most drafts. Marquez Callaway, in the 1st quarter yesterday: 5 catches, 104 yards, 2 TDs. Michael who?
I watch the preseason games so you don’t have to. Last night, Saints TE Adam Trautman was carted off the field after suffering a lower leg injury. A popular sleeper this season, Trautman was expected to replace Jared Cook (500+ yards and 7 TDs in 2020). Now it’s Juwan Johnson’s time to shine. The former WR had 2 catches for 71 yards in the Saints first preseason game and is worth a pickup in any deep leagues where you need a TE.
Did we mention Juwan Johnson juggles?
Rookie Report
Ja’Marr Chase isn’t living up to the hype… yet. The Athletic's Paul Dehner, Jr. reports WR Ja'Marr Chase could lose some regular season snaps to WR Auden Tate. At this point, Chase probably couldn’t even catch Covid if he tried.
But I think that report is a load of BS. Chase was the first unanimous WR1 in a poll of NFL evaluators since Calvin Johnson in 2007. Megatron, remember him? Now’s your chance to buy-low while Chase adjusts to the pace of the NFL.
A little Justin Fields hype:
As was the case in his first preseason game, Trey Lance showed why the 49ers took him with the No. 3 pick while completing 8-of-14 passes for 102 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the 49ers' second preseason game against the Chargers. Lance will be an instant top-5 QB once Kyle Shanahan anoints him the starter.
Terrace Marshall, the Panthers rookie WR, should fill the role left by Curtis Samuel’s departure. 100 targets is in the cards for the LSU product who was hand-picked by Panthers OC Joe Brady.
Taunting Rules Suck
The way it should be:
The way it is:
John Mara's explanation of the NFLs taunting policy shows how out of touch the league's competition committee is. I wonder how many NFL fans watched the NFL last year and thought “wow the taunting is out of control, I wish they were nicer to each other.”
We want to see the players express themselves on the field. After all, they are the best athletes in the world and sprinting full speed at each other. Players suffer life-long injuries and the NFL is drawing the line at taunting?
Be better NFL.
Quick hits
Darrell Henderson slightly sprained his thumb in Monday’s practice. Xavier Jones is next up on the Rams’ depth chart and worth grabbing where you can.
Cowboys placed WR CeeDee Lamb on the reserve/COVID-list. He’ll be fine for Week 1.
Cam Newton won't be allowed in the Patriots facility until Thursday after a COVID-19 test "misunderstanding." Newton is unvaccinated and can't re-enter a team building for five days upon his return. Mac Jones will look to cement his status as the Pats QB.
In related news, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did not rule out a quarterback platoon strategy. Great.
The FFHustle Draft Plan show airs Tuesday at 4pm EST - it’s a must for me every year. These guys get it.
That’s all for today folks - thanks for joining us this morning. Go crush your day!
One question for you:
Who should be the Saints QB?
Hill can only take them so far. If they want to actually contend and be a threat in the NFC South, they need Winston to be the starter (and play well).
You should hope that Winston is the Saints QB, especially if you have Kamara. Check out Kamara's stats with Hill as the starting QB last year. Brutal.