This article is part of our 2020 NFL Breakout Watch series.
With no preseason games this summer, the news cycle on the weekends may be on the light side, and today is no exception, but we do have a few nuggets that have potential fantasy impact.
· Since Damien Williams opted out of the season, the ADP of Clyde Edwards-Helaire continues to rise, and he's now going as the RB6. Although the hype and the ADP may be merited, Nate Taylor of The Athletic is reporting that DeAndre Washington could split snaps with Edwards-Helaire early in the season. Although Washington signed as a free agent this offseason, he played on the same team with Patrick Mahomes in college and the two talked before Washington signed with the team, making it possible that the two may have some chemistry that gives the QB an instant level of comfort with his new RB. In 2017 and 2019 with the Raiders, Washington averaged 35 receptions for 245 yards, so he has established success as a receiver. In recent drafts, he's being selected as the RB58, so fantasy managers interested in rostering him will likely need to do so before the end of drafts.
· After spending a third-round pick in this year's draft on Ke'Shawn Vaughn, the rookie will finally look to enter the competition in the Bucs' backfield for touches after he was activated from the reserve-COVID-19 list. With the lack of preseason games and overall lack of continuity this offseason, Vaughn will have to make a big impact in a hurry
With no preseason games this summer, the news cycle on the weekends may be on the light side, and today is no exception, but we do have a few nuggets that have potential fantasy impact.
· Since Damien Williams opted out of the season, the ADP of Clyde Edwards-Helaire continues to rise, and he's now going as the RB6. Although the hype and the ADP may be merited, Nate Taylor of The Athletic is reporting that DeAndre Washington could split snaps with Edwards-Helaire early in the season. Although Washington signed as a free agent this offseason, he played on the same team with Patrick Mahomes in college and the two talked before Washington signed with the team, making it possible that the two may have some chemistry that gives the QB an instant level of comfort with his new RB. In 2017 and 2019 with the Raiders, Washington averaged 35 receptions for 245 yards, so he has established success as a receiver. In recent drafts, he's being selected as the RB58, so fantasy managers interested in rostering him will likely need to do so before the end of drafts.
· After spending a third-round pick in this year's draft on Ke'Shawn Vaughn, the rookie will finally look to enter the competition in the Bucs' backfield for touches after he was activated from the reserve-COVID-19 list. With the lack of preseason games and overall lack of continuity this offseason, Vaughn will have to make a big impact in a hurry to overtake presumed starter Ronald Jones, receiving back Dare Ogunbowale and recently-signed LeSean McCoy. With an ADP of RB46, he makes for a reasonable gamble in fantasy drafts in the hopes that he'll eventually take over a significant role in the offense.
· As part of the fallout of Derrius Guice being released, that caused him being placed on waivers, which he passed through unclaimed, making him a free agent. In terms of fantasy, it's expected that the legal system will need to go through their process before the league hands down potential discipline, but the odds of Guice being a factor this year are quite low.
· Apparently an eternal optimist, Miami running backs coach Eric Studesville said that he's not giving up on Kalen Ballage, who will compete with Jordan Howard and Matt Breida for playing time. Regardless of the rhetoric, Ballage was one of the least efficient RBs in recent NFL history last year, as he ranked in the first percentile in yards after contact, third percentile in positive run rate and 10th percentile in broken tackle percentage last year. The odds of Ballage overcoming Howard and Breida seem minute.
· Staying in Miami, the Dolphins signed Chester Rogers to a one-year contract, which will add depth to the roster after Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson opted out of the season. Playing frequently in the slot, which is where Albert Wilson was expected to play, Rogers posted 485 yards and two TDs with the Colts in 2018, and he has a realistic chance of earning a regular role in that capacity. However, the fact he's entering camp just about a month before the season, it's also possible that he struggles to make a big jump up the depth chart to start the season. He may be a player to monitor on the waiver wire once the regular season begins.
· Without a clear leader at receiving TE, the Washington Football Team activated Logan Thomas from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Although Thomas, who was drafted in 2014, has at least 78th percentile speed, agility and explosiveness, his career numbers of 35-317-2 make it seem unlikely that the 29-year-old is primed for a breakout in 2020.
