Keaton Mitchell
Mitchell is super elusive but unfortunately his late season ACL tear is going to severely compromise his 2024 season. He’s starting training camp on the PUP and likely will miss the first 4-8 weeks of the season. Late round smash with IR potential or just wait for someone to drop him when byes start or trade for him early in the season.
Ricky Pearsall
The rookie 49ers WR is starting training camp on the NFI list due to an unknown reason/injury. Something to monitor.
Theo Johnson
The rookie Giants TE is starting training camp on the NFI list due to an unknown reason/injury. Something to monitor.
Daniel Jones
Jones is active for training camp and not going on the NFI or PUP list. This was to be expected as he’s progressing appropriately from his ACL reconstruction. Jones has big upside with his rushing ability as well as his new stud WR in Malik Nabers but I’m having a tough time trusting him. His O-line is still in the bottom 5, and I expect his rushing to drop 30-40% from his average. Leave him for someone else to worry about.
Xavier Worthy
The speedster was dealing with a hamstring injury recently, but thankfully able to avoid the NFI list. Andy Reid is known to put the clamp on his rookie WRs, but with Worthy’s speed he can be a game-changer. I have increased concern regarding soft tissue injuries for Worthy, and at his ADP of WR38, I’d rather have someone slightly safer than him in Chris Godwin a couple picks before or someone with massive upside but huge injury concerns in Christian Watson.
Nico Collins
Reportedly recovering from shoulder surgery. This is new news to us, as we never heard of any shoulder issues throughout the 2023 season. So either this injury occurred after the season or something he admirably played through. Hopefully we get clarity soon but I’m expecting him to have had labral repair surgery, which is slightly concerning and might be enough for me to fade him at his ADP. Stay tuned to this one.
Tucker Kraft
Recovering from pec tendon repair surgery. He should be ready to start Week 1 but this will give Luke Musgrave the competitive advantage early in the season.
Chris Olave
Dealing with some back issues, which is mildly concerning since its late July and minor things should lead to someone landing on the NFI. Something to monitor closely over next few weeks. If still lingering by mid-August then he will start to drop down draft boards. No ADP changes yet.
Ryan Ramczyk
The Saints OT is still recovering from knee surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. The Saints Oline already ranked as the worst Oline in the league (32 of 32 per PFF), so it couldn’t have gotten worse, but with this news it just did. Not good news for Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave.
Mike Williams
The Jets have placed Mike Williams on the NFI, which is to be expected as he makes his way back from ACL reconstruction surgery. He had his surgery in late October, so he will be just over 10 months out by Week 1. Unless he suffers a setback, I expect him to start Week 1 as Aaron Rodgers’ WR2 behind Garrett Wilson, competing with Allen Lazard and rookie Malachi Corley. He has sneaky flex potential with his ADP of WR62.
Nick Chubb
Chubb is still recovering from his ACL reconstruction surgery. Despite him recently squatting over 500 lbs recently, he is still expected to start training camp on the PUP list. That doesn’t necessarily mean he will start the season on the PUP but it gives us an idea where he is at. Remember, this is Chubb’s second major knee injury to this same (left) knee. This was a complicated two-stage surgery and he’s only 8.5 months out now. I think it’s realistic for him to either start of the season slow or even on the PUP. I’m personally fading him at RB43 and targeting Jerome Ford at RB35. I want to see him aggressively start cutting on his knee before I’m comfortable saying he’s ready to return. He’s not quite past his prime, he’s 28, but he’s right there.
MarShawn Lloyd
The Packers rookie RB is expected to have an early season role. I expect him to slot in as the 2A or maybe even 1B to Josh Jacobs. He’s currently at the RB44, which is the same area as Nick Chubb, Kimani Vidal and Jaleel McLaughlin. I love Lloyd’s potential as a strong RB off the bench and possibly a flex spot.
Written by: Dr. Morse
