🌟 Will The Niners Trade Jimmy G?

Warning: mature audiences only...this newsletter features images of AJ Dillon's quads...

In today’s Fantasy Life Newsletter:

The NFC West is a happening place these days.

Yesterday the Rams and Cooper Kupp agreed to a three-year, $80 million extension that includes $75 million guaranteed.

WRs have dominated the headlines all offseason and this Kupp deal puts an exclamation point on the changing meta in the NFL.

While the Rams are spending money like there's no tomorrow, things aren't as joyous a couple hundred miles north where the Niners continue to sort out a messy QB situation.

Every day we get more and more reports about how great Trey Lance looks, while simultaneously hearing about the widening gulf between the team and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Yesterday, reporter Adam Copeland said on Sirius XM Fantasy that the "Panthers and Texans are at the top of the list of teams that could trade for Jimmy."

He followed up on Twitter that the Browns could also potentially be in the mix depending on how the Deshaun Watson situation shakes out.

Underdog drafters certainly agree. Lance is going in the 8th round of drafts, while Jimmy has been going mostly undrafted. I imagine Lance's ADP will creep up another round or so once we get finality on the Jimmy situation so pack your bags now.

In this new series, our contributors will disclose their favorite players and tell us why they can't stop drafting them. Today, we have Cooterdoodle disclosing her love for AJ Dillon...

My Guy: AJ Dillon

Underdog Fantasy ADP: 75

Why: I like drafting RBs, but I really like drafting RBS: Running Back Stockpiles. Running back is a position riddled with injuries and I can’t stop myself from sweeping them off the board after the first 5 rounds in preparation for the season ahead. So which player in this range has the potential to be used in an emergency, but also provides stand-alone value? None other than Green Bay’s AJ Dillon. Now let me be clear: This is not a handcuffing situation. (If you want handcuffs, draft Chuba Hubbard or break the law, I guess.)

While Aaron Jones is the clear RB1 for Green Bay, Dillon put up a total of 1,116 yards and 7 TDs on his own during his sophomore year in 2021. Although Jones and Dillon rarely shared the field together last season, Green Bay’s new offensive coordinator has reported that he would like to see Dillon in more two-back packages alongside Jones in 2022. 

It’s hard to say how the Packers offense is likely to develop now that Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are no longer around. But Dillon has a lot going for him. He's cheap with an average draft position of 75, he has the potential for multiple touchdowns on the ground or in the air, and the possibility of a larger role moving forward.

Disclosures: It should be noted that Cooterdoodle is an extreme supporter of the Quad Squad. Her opinions have been and will continue to be influenced by thicc thighs and images such as this:

Have someone that you CAN'T stop drafting? Reply to this email and let us know who your guy is!

🐏 How will Allen Robinson fit in with the Rams? Stafford likes what he is seeing, although we know who the top dog is here.

🚑 Barkley ready to go? He doesn't have trust issues anymore.

🤯 The rookie turning heads in New England. A legitimate deep threat has eluded the Patriots since the Randy Moss era, could they have something with the rook?

🧀 Don't sleep on this veteran WR. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice and, ya, I'll prolly draft Sammy Watkins again.

🐦Last call for our Yeti giveaway. Yes, a water cooler giveaway in the watercooler section. Two winners will be announced Friday. RT & follow Fantasy Life to be entered.

Fantasy Life's Community Lead & dynasty guru, Sam Wallace, is back to share a couple players to target in dynasty and keeper leagues. Take it away, Sam…

Darnell Mooney (WR)

DLF’s May 2022 Superflex Dynasty ADP - WR31, Round 8, Pick 3

Mooney is a trendy breakout candidate and there’s ample evidence to support that case. Last year, he was:

• WR10 in targets

• WR11 in air yards

• WR18 in receptions

• WR18 in expected points/game

He finished as the WR24 overall and boasted a 27% target share. The Bears’ offense is thin at the wide receiver position after the departure of Allen Robinson. If positive TD regression hits, Mooney could finish as a top-15 option for Justin Fields.

Sam’s Recommendation - Buy

Russell Gage (WR)

DLF’s May 2022 Superflex Dynasty ADP - WR59, Round 14, Pick 7

Wide receivers changing teams don’t always project well but the opportunity for Gage to produce strong fantasy numbers for the Buccaneers is too great to ignore. Chris Godwin could miss the beginning of the season as he recovers from his ACL injury, which leaves Gage and Mike Evans as the primary options.

From Weeks 1-6 of last season, Tom Brady supported three WRs who all averaged at least 15.5 points/game.

Gage is capable of handling a large workload. He’s averaged over 100 targets in consecutive seasons and, over the final 8 weeks of last season, here’s how he ranked among WRs:

• WR8 in targets

• WR7 in receptions

• WR6 in receiving yards

• WR5 in target share

• WR12 in air yards

Sam’s Recommendation - Buy

The season is fast approaching, which means it is time for us to get to know all of these NFL teams and who we should be drafting and fading after a busy offseason. In today's team preview, our ranker extraordinaire, Waz, previews the Buffalo Bills.

After a (painfully) infamous “13-second” overtime loss to the Chiefs in the 2021 AFC Divisional playoff game, the Bills are primed for a Super Bowl berth this season. They share the highest projected win total of 11.5 games with the Buccaneers and are favorites on all major sportsbooks to win Super Bowl 57.

⚙️ Offseason changes

• The NFL Futures betting market shifted unanimously in the Bills favor after general manager Brandon Beane signed 33-year-old OLB Von Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract in March, filling an elite pass-rushing need that the team has been lacking.

• Brian Daboll, the offensive coordinator from 2018-2021, was hired as the Head Coach of the Giants. Ken Dorsey, passing game coordinator and QBs coach was promoted to replace Daboll.

• WR Stefon Diggs agreed to terms on a four-year, $104 million extension.

• Signed QB Case Keenum, QB Matt Barkley, RB Duke Johnson, WR Jamison Crowder, WR Tavon Austin, and TE O.J. Howard to 1-year contracts.

• Released QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Cole Beasley, and WR Emmanuel Sanders.

• Drafted CB Kaiir Elam (1.23), RB James Cook (2.31), LB Terrel Bernard (3.25), WR Khalil Shakir (5.05), Punt God Matt Araiza (6.01), CB Christian Benford (6.06), OT Luke Tenuta (6.31), and LB Baylon Spector (7.10).

✨ Team vibes

For the second offseason in a row, the Bills are welcoming back most of the previous-season's roster. That said, they haven’t hesitated to make the necessary moves to add depth at weaker positions.

Signing Miller as a disruptive pass-rusher, moving up in the first round of the draft to lock in Elam as a physical scheme- and coverage-flexible CB, while acquiring backfield pass-catchers Johnson and Cook to add another dimension for Allen’s offense, all showcase the Bills’ desire to improve.

The new overtime rule change is quite a vibe also. It states that if a playoff game goes into overtime both teams will receive an opportunity to possess the football. Too little too late for the Bills, but this is great news for fans.

🎯Draft targets

• Dawson Knox (Underdog Fantasy ADP 101.6)

• Devin Singletary (Underdog Fantasy ADP 106.2)

👋Draft fades

• Gabriel Davis (Underdog Fantasy ADP 51.2)

• James Cook (Underdog Fantasy ADP 108.4)