Fantasy Football Today: Rankings updates; biggest risers and fallers; Travis Etienne’s bad injury news

Did we simply witness the emergence of a brand new Fantasy Soccer star? Saints WR Marquez Callaway goes to be the discuss of the trade following his 5-104-2 efficiency towards the Jaguars in Monday’s preseason game, and it positive appears to be like like all of these stories about him rising because the workforce’s No. 1 extensive receiver with Michael Thomas out are legit.

Callaway goes to be flying up the rankings within the coming days, and that is for good motive. He is gone from WR79 within the first week of August to WR60 over the last week in ADP, and I would guess he’ll break the highest 50 earlier than lengthy

He is only one player who’s rising within the rankings these days, and right now’s e-newsletter goes to concentrate on some others who’re shifting up, in addition to a handful who’re shifting within the fallacious course as we get into the ultimate two weeks of preseason motion. You’ve got all the time acquired to train warning in the case of rankings modifications at this level in draft season, as a result of it is easy to overreact to what little we have seen thus far. Ought to Callaway go from being utterly off most Fantasy radars a month in the past to the WR4 vary in drafts due to three good quarters? Ought to Ja’Marr Chase actually be falling down boards as a result of he had bother dealing with his first three targets in a recreation since January of 2020? 

It’s important to know when to react, and simply as importantly, when to not. There’s loads of noise in coaching camp and the preseason, and shifting your place an excessive amount of concerning the fallacious news can get your season off on the fallacious foot instantly. So, primarily based on what I’ve picked up from coaching camp stories, accidents, and preseason motion, I’ve put collectively a workforce of rankings risers and fallers right here right now. And you can discover my newest PPR rankings for each place on the backside of this text — proper after a fast breakdown of Monday’s preseason recreation between the Saints and Jaguars that featured some fairly critical news. 

However first, whereas I’ve acquired you right here, a pleasant reminder that our charity auctions for St. Jude Children’s Hospital as a part of our Draft-A-Thon are nonetheless occurring, and we have added some superior prizes up to now few days — like an opportunity to draft with and play towards Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard and Heath Cummings within the 2022 Scott Fish Bowl. We’re doing this for a trigger we actually care about and we’ll be elevating cash all the way in which as much as Sept. 1, when the Fantasy Football Immediately Draft-A-Thon goes live on CBS Sports HQ and our FFT YouTube channel till midnight. So, go check it out, help the kids out, and we may also help you win your league. 

Rankings risers

• Justin Fields/Trey Lance — In fact they’re shifting up. How may they not be, with each passing day seemingly bringing them nearer to taking their respective beginning jobs. I believe Fields and Lance have comparable upside, so I will take Fields first between the 2 of them. He is a prime 15 QB for me at this level, and I really like pairing him with somebody like Cam Newton or Baker Mayfield, who may get off to a robust begin till Fields is prepared. 
• Saquon Barkley — I am nonetheless involved about Barkley’s probabilities of staying wholesome, however that is a lot better than the place I used to be a couple of weeks in the past, once I was involved about Barkley’s probabilities of being prepared for Week 1. Perhaps he’ll be restricted early on, however I might nonetheless anticipate one thing like 15 touches in Week 1. Regardless of the entire danger, Barkley is again within the dialogue for my prime six. 
• Chase Edmonds — I’ve had bother determining what to anticipate from Edmonds, who has but to prime 100 carries by means of three seasons. Did they create in James Conner to be the Kenyan Drake substitute, or is Edmonds the true lead again? The preseason utilization suggests it might be the latter. I’ve moved Edmonds into my prime 24 at operating again, and there is upside past that. 
• Corey Davis — Davis is likely one of the biggest winners from the first two preseason games, and the connection he has with Zach Wilson is clear. I’ve moved him inside my prime 30 at extensive receiver.  
• Jaylen Waddle — If everyone seems to be wholesome, Waddle goes to have loads of competitors for targets, and each Will Fuller and DeVante Parker are anticipated to be wholesome by Week 1. Nonetheless, whereas a few of his rookie friends have misplaced beneficial time to accidents or have in any other case struggles, Waddle has been Miami’s prime receiver principally for the reason that begin of coaching camp. He is getting beneficial reps and looks as if a great guess for a much bigger position than I initially anticipated. Waddle remains to be a WR4 for me, however I believe he is a fantastic goal within the center rounds at this level. 
• Marquez Callaway — By two preseason video games, Callaway is as much as eight catches for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns whereas working completely with the first-team offense. Perhaps issues might be completely different when Tre’Quan Smith comes again from his harm, however Callaway positive appears to be like just like the clear prime possibility in Michael Thomas‘ absence. I’ve moved him into the Waddle/Mike Williams/DeVonta Smith vary, simply outdoors of my prime 50. 
• Jonnu Smith —  Smith returned Monday from an ankle harm, whereas Hunter Henry stays sidelined by a shoulder harm. Henry could also be obtainable for Week 1, however at this level that’s no assure, and we must always in all probability anticipate Smith to have a bigger position than Henry at this level. 
• Rondale Moore — Moore has now performed 45 snaps by means of two preseason video games, 40 of which have come out of the slot, and he is obtained 9 targets and three carries. Clearly, that type of utilization in all probability will not occur when DeAndre Hopkins is lively, but it surely’s clear the Cardinals wish to discover methods to get the ball into Moore’s palms, and it looks as if he may need locked up the beginning slot position. Moore is inside my prime 48 at this level, truly barely forward of Waddle and Callaway. 

Rankings fallers

• Ben Roethlisberger — We cannot know what to totally make of any of the new-look offenses till the season truly begins, however I’ve to be sincere, I wasn’t significantly impressed with Ben Roethlisberger in his preseason debut this week. He was 8 for 10 for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns, so it is onerous to knock his play an excessive amount of, however there was nonetheless an excessive amount of of final season’s conservative play there — solely 4 of his 10 makes an attempt traveled greater than 5 yards down the sphere, and his two chunk performs got here on a brief catch and run by Najee Harris and a fairly badly underthrown ball to Diontae Johnson. He has the weapons — Pat Freiermuth particularly impressed in hauling in each of Roethlisberger’s touchdowns — and may have the amount, however I nonetheless suppose Roethlisberger is only a No. 2 QB at this level in his profession. 
• Zack Moss — By all accounts, Moss was working because the No.1 again by means of most of camp, so perhaps Saturday’s bizarre utilization — Devin Singletary performed the primary 18 snaps — was only a results of Moss getting back from an harm. Nonetheless, on condition that this is not a very beneficial backfield, if it is something near a good cut up, neither player is prone to be far more than a fringe bench possibility. 
• Michael Carter — Carter remains to be the again to focus on for the Jets, however after watching him principally play because the No. 3 again behind Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson thus far, it is clear you are going to need to be affected person with him. If I can get him within the seventh or eighth spherical, there’s nonetheless rather a lot to love about Carter, however you possibly can’t go into Week 1 anticipating him to be a starter at this level. 
• JuJu Smith-Schuster — Tied to Roethlisberger, I needed to see Smith-Schuster in a extra beneficial position this season after he was relegated to only a short-area goal in 2020, however 5 of his six targets in Week 2 of the preseason traveled lower than 5 yards within the air. I believe he can nonetheless be a bit more practical in that position than he was in 2020 if the offense as a complete is healthier. 
• Ja’Marr Chase — I have never moved Chase down a lot — from WR23 to WR25 — so I do not suppose I am overreacting to his dangerous preseason or stories about struggles in camp. I nonetheless suppose he is a really excessive upside player with an enormous alternative as a rookie, however I am a bit extra fearful about his probabilities of hitting the bottom operating in Week 1. Should you can draft him as your WR3, you must nonetheless really feel actually good about that. 
• Kenny Golladay — It appears to be like like Golladay might be prepared for Week 1, however I’ve needed to transfer him down after seeing his coaching camp principally get worn out as he recovers from his hamstring harm. I’ve little to no religion in Daniel Jones at this level, so Golladay heading into the season with restricted reps actually would not make me really feel nice. I will nonetheless pull the set off on Golladay as a No. 3 WR, however I’ve moved him right down to WR30. 
• Dallas Goedert — If the Eagles are nonetheless in search of a commerce accomplice for Zach Ertz, then the entire hand-wringing about Goedert will look mighty foolish. However proper now, it positive appears to be like like Ertz nonetheless has a major position within the Eagles offense, and that is dangerous news for Goedert, clearly. We have seen each end as top-12 tight ends collectively as soon as earlier than, however that was in a really completely different context, with Carson Wentz throwing 600-plus passes and even much less WR expertise than the Eagles presently have. Goedert remains to be in my prime 12 at TE, however that is nearly by default. 
• James Conner — If Edmonds is shifting up, it solely is smart that his backfield mate is shifting down. Conner nonetheless has some attraction as a possible Kenyan Drake substitute, however my assumption now could be they’re going to let Edmonds get the primary crack at being a lead again, with Conner round as a complementary piece and insurance coverage coverage. Within the second preseason recreation, Conner performed simply three snaps within the three drives with the first-team offense, all of which got here on the third drive, and he truly shared the sphere with Edmonds for a type of snaps. That is too small a pattern dimension to say something definitive, however on condition that Conner is a form of low-upside player — he wants an harm to Edmonds to actually be a must-start Fantasy possibility — I am OK shifting the extra dynamic pass-catching again up at Conner’s expense. 

Accidents, news and notes

• Travis Etienne has a mid-foot sprain — Etienne left Monday’s recreation with the harm, and whereas he would require extra testing to find out the severity of the harm, Adam Schefter reported Etienne is out “indefinitely” whereas they anticipate extra news. That is an enormous bummer, as a result of Etienne has celebrity potential for Fantasy. Perhaps not in this offense this season — the Jaguars continued to look horrible on this recreation — however his talents as a move catcher make him a wonderful prospect. Now, nonetheless, it appears like there is a respectable likelihood he’ll be delayed in making his common season debut, and we already know James Robinson is a dynamic playmaker in his personal proper. You had been all the time going to need to be affected person as Etienne labored his approach into a major position, however with this harm, now it is attainable that will get pushed again extra towards the center of the season. We’ll anticipate extra data to lock in rankings, however for now, I am viewing Robinson as a must-start again to open the season and for nonetheless lengthy Etienne is out, and I might take him as a top-25 again now. As for Etienne, he is nonetheless within the RB3 dialogue for me due to his upside, however now you recognize you will not be capable to depend on him to begin the season. 
• Jameis Winston seemed just like the Saints No. 1 QB — It actually wasn’t shut. Winston began the sport towards the Jaguars after Taysom Hill began final week’s, and Winston was great, going 9 for 10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns — each to Callaway, and each on balls that traveled greater than 40 yards within the air. That is the ingredient Winston can carry to this offense that Hill cannot, and I am betting this recreation was sufficient to earn Winston the job, even when Sean Payton would not admit it after the sport. Winston is a pleasant upside play in a 2QB league as a possible starter you will not need to pay a lot for, and I believe you would moderately take into account him a top-20 QB as soon as he’s confirmed because the starter. 
• Adam Trautman additionally left with a foot harm — Trautman needed to be carted off after his harm, however we do not know any extra about his standing at this level. It is a disappointment for the Fantasy sleeper, although it is value noting that Juwan Johnson was pushing Trautman for taking part in time already, and he is likely to be the deep-league sleeper value maintaining a tally of now. 
• The Bears are sticking with Andy Dalton as the starter for Week 1 — Fields continues to look a lot, far more efficient than Dalton, although Dalton was at the very least just a little higher on this one than he was within the preseason opener. At this level, Dalton’s job safety needs to be fairly restricted, so even a nasty first half within the opener would possibly open the door. I am drafting Fields in every single place I can, as a result of he has the look  of a possible Fantasy celebrity, and I am anticipating him to be beginning sooner fairly than later. 
• Dak Prescott threw 45-50 passes earlier than Saturday’s recreation — Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones advised reporters if it was Week 1, Prescott would have been on the market. In fact, that is the identical factor we heard from everybody when he first suffered the harm weeks in the past, however at the very least this time it appears to be like prefer it may not simply be sizzling air. With just a little greater than two weeks till the opener, Prescott appears to be like firmly on schedule. 
• Carson Wentz (foot) practiced Monday — By all accounts, Wentz has been on the quick finish of the 5-12 week timetable, and that is his newest constructive step. There isn’t any assure he’ll be again for Week 1, but it surely’s beginning to look as doubtless as not. It will be onerous to belief anybody on this offense apart from Jonathan Taylor till we see them in motion, but when Wentz can rediscover his pre-2020 type, there’s room for upside right here. 
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire left with an ankle sprain — Andy Reid stated after the sport it was minor, and clearly groups will pull gamers from preseason video games with accidents they could in any other case play by means of, so I am not too involved right here. Edwards-Helaire performed the primary 5 snaps earlier than the harm, and continues to appear like the clear No. 1 RB in Kansas Metropolis, making him a borderline No. 1 RB for Fantasy. 
• Saquon Barkley (knee) will take part in joint practices with the Patriots this week — Barkley continues to methodically work his approach again to full power in his restoration from ACL surgical procedure, however at this level, he appears to be like effectively on observe to play in Week 1. The expectation is his reps could also be restricted early on, however he ought to proceed to be considered as a top-12 RB with top-two upside. 
• Jalen Hurts (sickness) was again at observe Sunday — Hurts missed the workforce’s preseason recreation Friday with a abdomen sickness that briefly required a visit to the hospital, so it is good to see him again at it. 
• Curtis Samuel (groin) nonetheless hasn’t participated in team drills — Samuel is making progress, and the workforce would nonetheless like him to make it into the ultimate preseason recreation this weekend, however that appears unlikely if he cannot get into workforce drills. The great news is, Samuel is aware of the offense from his time with Ron Rivera in Carolina, and there is nonetheless almost three weeks till the opener, which is loads of time for him to stand up to hurry. However Samuel is switching groups for the primary time, so that you’d actually like to see him get some aggressive reps quickly. 
• The Dolphins expect Will Fuller to be ready for the start of the season — We’ve not gotten many particulars on Fuller’s harm thus far, simply that it is a decrease physique harm that has saved him out of form. That is regarding for a man with a historical past of accidents like Fuller, however bear in mind, he is acquired an additional week to get wholesome as a result of he’s suspended for Week 1, which might be a blessing in disguise. I really like Fuller’s potential this season and he is one in all my favourite targets within the WR4 vary. He has top-20 potential. 
• Trey Sermon missed Sunday’s recreation with an ankle harm — There isn’t any signal the harm is an particularly critical one, but it surely’s value noting right here. Sermon figures to play a 1b position to Raheem Mostert’s 1a, and is a stable RB3 goal with upside. 
• Courtland Sutton (knee) did not find yourself taking part in within the preseason recreation as anticipated — He is nonetheless planning on taking part in within the preseason finale, it appears like, however both approach, this should not be seen as a setback of any variety. He is totally cleared and figures to be proper there in Week 1 alongside Jerry Jeudy on the surface for the Broncos, and he has WR2 potential at a presently discounted worth, making him a stable pickup in drafts.  
• Quez Watkins has doubtless worked his way into a starting spot — That may doubtless be within the slot, with Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith beginning on the surface, although you must anticipate to see all three of them biking by means of every spot now and again. That is rather a lot of velocity on the sphere with Jalen Hurts, and whereas I am unsure I might belief any of them to be starters at first, Watkins definitely belongs in your late-round radar, particularly in deeper leagues. 
• N’Keal Harry (shoulder) is anticipated to overlook 4 weeks — It’s important to marvel if this places Harry’s probabilities of making the roster for Week 1 unsure. He is apparently had his finest coaching camp to this point, however he was trying just like the No. 4 WR for the Patriots earlier than this harm at finest. Now, it may not make sense for the Patriots to hold on to him. 
• Rashod Bateman (core) was cleared to run routes — Bateman is recovering from core muscle surgical procedure and remains to be hoping to be clear for Week 1, although that looks as if a fairly lengthy shot at this level. Bateman stays value drafting within the later rounds, however you will doubtless need to be affected person with him after his coaching camp was derailed.
• Jonnu Smith returned to observe Monday — Smith had missed a couple of days because of an ankle harm, however he is again at it now, and nonetheless a methods forward of Henry, which bodes effectively for his probabilities of rising as presumably the No. 1 possibility on this passing recreation. 

Up to date rankings

Quarterback

1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Kyler Murray
3. Lamar Jackson
4. Josh Allen
5. Russell Wilson
6. Dak Prescott
7. Aaron Rodgers
8. Jalen Hurts
9. Ryan Tannehill
10. Tom Brady
11. Justin Herbert
12. Joe Burrow
13. Matthew Stafford
14. Tua Tagovailoa
15. Justin Fields
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick
17. Trevor Lawrence
18. Kirk Cousins
19. Cam Newton
20. Tyrod Taylor
21. Trey Lance
22. Jameis Winston
23. Carson Wentz
24. Daniel Jones
25. Ben Roethlisberger
26. Matt Ryan
27. Derek Carr
28. Baker Mayfield
29. Teddy Bridgewater
30. Jared Goff
31. Zach Wilson
32. Taysom Hill
33. Sam Darnold
34. Drew Lock
35. Jimmy Garoppolo
36. Andy Dalton
37. Mac Jones

Operating again

1. Christian McCaffrey
2. Alvin Kamara
3. Dalvin Cook dinner
4. Austin Ekeler
5. Ezekiel Elliott
6. Joe Mixon
7. Aaron Jones
8. Saquon Barkley
9. Najee Harris
10. Derrick Henry
11. Jonathan Taylor
12. Nick Chubb
13. David Montgomery
14. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
15. Antonio Gibson
16. D’Andre Swift
17. Chris Carson
18. Darrell Henderson
19. Miles Sanders
20. J.Ok. Dobbins
21. Josh Jacobs
22. Chase Edmonds
23. Mike Davis
24. Myles Gaskin
25. James Robinson
26. Kareem Hunt
27. Raheem Mostert
28. Kenyan Drake
29. Javonte Williams
30. Melvin Gordon
31. James Conner
32. Jamaal Williams
33. Travis Etienne
34. A.J. Dillon
35. Michael Carter
36. Trey Sermon
37. Devin Singletary
38. Malcolm Brown
39. Tevin Coleman
40. James White
41. Nyheim Hines
42. J.D. McKissic
43. Ronald Jones
44. Leonard Fournette
45. Damien Harris
46. Zack Moss
47. Tony Pollard
48. Gus Edwards
49. Giovani Bernard
50. Phillip Lindsay
51. David Johnson
52. Rashaad Penny
53. Darrynton Evans
54. Xavier Jones
55. Darrel Williams
56. Kenneth Gainwell
57. Mark Ingram
58. Alexander Mattison
59. Sony Michel
60. Latavius Murray

Extensive receiver

1. Davante Adams
2. Stefon Diggs
3. DeAndre Hopkins
4. Tyreek Hill
5. Calvin Ridley
6. Allen Robinson
7. A.J. Brown
8. Justin Jefferson
9. Keenan Allen
10. Robert Woods
11. D.Ok. Metcalf
12. Terry McLaurin
13. Amari Cooper
14. CeeDee Lamb
15. Julio Jones
16. Tyler Lockett
17. Cooper Kupp
18. D.J. Moore
19. Mike Evans
20. Chris Godwin
21. Diontae Johnson
22. Tee Higgins
23. Adam Thielen
24. Ja’Marr Chase
25. Michael Thomas
26. Brandon Aiyuk
27. Corey Davis
28. Will Fuller
29. Kenny Golladay
30. Chase Claypool
31. Jerry Jeudy
32. Curtis Samuel
33. Deebo Samuel
34. Robby Anderson
35. Brandin Cooks
36. Courtland Sutton
37. Odell Beckham
38. JuJu Smith-Schuster
39. D.J. Chark
40. Laviska Shenault
41. Tyler Boyd
42. Antonio Brown
43. Emmanuel Sanders
44. Rondale Moore
45. Jaylen Waddle
46. Sterling Shepard
47. Mike Williams
48. Jarvis Landry
49. T.Y. Hilton
50. Marvin Jones
51. DeVonta Smith
52. Marquise Brown
53. Elijah Moore
54. Mecole Hardman
55. Marques Callaway
56. Michael Pittman
57. DeVante Parker
58. Michael Gallup
59. Darnell Mooney
60. Jalen Reagor
61. Rashod Bateman
62. Jakobi Meyers
63. Bryan Edwards
64. Russell Gage
65. Tyrell Williams

Tight finish 

1. Travis Kelce
2. George Kittle
3. Darren Waller
4. Mark Andrews
5. T.J. Hockenson
6. Kyle Pitts
7. Logan Thomas
8. Noah Fant
9. Jonnu Smith
10. Irv Smith
11. Hunter Henry
12. Dallas Goedert
13. Tyler Higbee
14. Blake Jarwin
15. Jared Cook dinner
16. Mike Gesicki
17. Austin Hooper
18. Rob Gronkowski
19. Zach Ertz
20. Gerald Everett 
21. Evan Engram
22. Robert Tonyan
23. Eric Ebron
24. Anthony Firkser
25. Cole Kmet
26. Dalton Schultz
27. Dawson Knox
28. C.J. Uzomah
29. Adam Trautman
30. Dan Arnold
31. Mo Alie-Cox
32. Will Dissly