Garoppolo on track to play, Carr to throw down field & more fantasy hot-takes
Garoppolo on track to play in Week 1
NEWS: Jimmy Garoppolo told reporters, "We really, knock on wood, haven't had any setbacks and been on schedule the whole time. Things are really coming together."
ANALYSIS: Crazy to think where we were a year ago with all the lofty expectations following Jimmy G and this offense. This Week 1 matchup is a cupcake against Tampa's porous pass defense. A big first game might reopen the hype floodgates and present a great opportunity to sell high. The 49ers' collective fantasy draft stock can't get much lower than it is now.
Carr being asked to throw the ball down the field more often
NEWS: Raiders HC Jon Gruden expects Derek Carr to throw the ball down the field more often due to lenient pass interference penalties on tap for the 2019 season. Gruden said, "We got to throw the ball down the field and if it’s incomplete or we get the catch, we can always challenge (Al) Riveron (the senior vice president of officiating) in New York and see what he thinks," Gruden continued. "It’s going to be a very, very subjective call this year, but we are trying to be more aggressive."
ANALYSIS: Carr averaged career-lows in average depth of targets (7.1 yards) & and just 51 pass attempts longer than 20+ yards downfield. Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams can both stretch the field so this team definitely wants to open it up in the passing game. Side note: It'll be interesting to see what RB Josh Jacobs is capable of with Antonio Brown drawing so much attention from defenses and safety help likely necessary on every play.
Quick Fantasy Hot-Takes
Update on Melvin Gordon possibly ending holdout: The beat writer responsible for yesterday's Gordon speculation clarified he was just saying he had a hunch. Yet another reason why offseason and preseason news is close to a total waste of time.
DK Metcalf still day-to-day with knee injury: Metcalf needed a scope on his knee recently. He is basically questionable for Week 1 in Seattle's game against Cincinnati.
Bucs will use "hot hand" approach: This is another beat writer speculative report. Flip a coin between Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones, then flip another coin for Dare Ogunbowale.
Jerick McKinnon has setback with knee injury: McKinnon has attempted to practice twice now this preseason and both times re-aggravated this injury. Cut your losses now and move on. This guy is toast.
