Latest NFL News and Fantasy Football Implications: Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Brian Robinson Jr. and More

The NFL regular season is still a couple weeks off, but there's still plenty of headlines happening daily.

Let's recap some of the more notable happenings recently in this article.

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Colts Name Starting Quarterback

Indianapolis named its starting quarterback on Tuesday, giving Daniel Jones the nod over Anthony Richardson Sr.

Jones was brought in during free agency as competition for Richardson, who has struggled with both injuries and on-field performance since getting into the NFL. Jones has looked a bit better during the preseason, so the Colts are rolling with him to open the season.

That will obviously increase the draft stock of Jones, while hurting Richardson's stock. Right now, Richardson is going around pick 220, while Jones is around pick 315.

Jones is still not worth drafting in standard redraft leagues. He'll be a streaming option for as long as he remains the starter, and the same could be said for Richardson if he ever gets starts this season.

Jones is a slightly better redraft option in deeper leagues, but he's no more than a third fantasy QB, not someone you want to be trusting every week. We'll see if he ever develops into a better fantasy asset, but I am doubting that happens.

Richardson's fantasy value is dwindling quickly, and his dynasty/keeper value took a massive hit with today's news. He might need a change of scenery to get a real boost to his long-term value, and time is running out for him to get things going.

Richardson is more of a runner than Jones, and while Richardson has more throwing power, Jones is probably the better Indy QB for the rest of the offensive players.

Jonathan Taylor will be the workhorse for the offense, and that will be the case regardless of the starting quarterback. Michael Pittman Jr. is the top wideout, and gets a tiny boost with this news. He's a bit underrated, actually going behind Josh Downs on average so far.

Downs, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell are some other fantasy wideouts in Indy worth tracking. Downs and Pittman are late-round draftable fantasy wideouts, while Pierce and Mitchell are deep leaguers who could turn into waiver wire/streaming options.

I think rookie tight end Tyler Warren could flourish in this offense, as the tight end is usually a good checkdown option. He should get most of the snaps at the position, and with no elite wideout on the team, there's a chance Warren could star as a rookie. His ADP has been on the rise, and he's going near pick 100 now.

Really, neither quarterback is a great option, and Indy will be relying more on the backs, wideouts and tight ends to get the job done every week. The Colts' defense will need to be really good for this team to have a chance to make some noise and get into the playoffs.

Flacco Wins Browns' Starting Job

Unsurprisingly, Joe Flacco has been named the Cleveland starting quarterback, beating out Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders had been the top-drafted Cleveland QB, going around pick 252 on average, so that will drop now that he's not the starter. Flacco is going around pick 284, and that will rise after this news.

Flacco struggled last year in Indy, but was good in five games with Cleveland in 2023. He's got a little gas left in the tank, but isn't a very good fantasy asset anymore.

He's a third fantasy QB in deeper setups and will only be a streaming option in standard leagues most likely. Cleveland doesn't have a ton of offensive playmakers, which will make it difficult for any quarterback to be all that successful.

Jerome Ford and rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson will lead the team's ground game. That trio should be pretty heavily involved, regardless of who is starting at quarterback. Judkins should get a nice boost after he was cleared for takeoff this season - I expect him to lead this backfield eventually.

Jerry Jeudy leads the wideout room and gets a boost from this news. Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash are the other projected starting wideouts, so that's not exactly an imposing group.

David Njoku will factor into the passing game a bunch, and likely be the No. 2 pass catcher after Jeudy. I also wouldn't be surprised to see rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. carve out a role in time.

I think Flacco starting is a boost for this offense, but it's still not a very good offense, and a lot of the team's fantasy production could come in garbage time as the team is trailing by a bunch.

I have a feeling we'll be discussing the Browns' offense a ton this season.

Commanders Looking to Move Robinson

Brian Robinson Jr. is reportedly on the trade block, and is sitting out until something is resolved.

I'm quite surprised that Washington is looking to move the running back, as the offense is pretty devoid of talent outside Terry McLaurin, who is seeking a new contract still.

Austin Ekeler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt figure to lead the backfield if Robinson is moved, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols are a couple other options. I simply don't understand wanting to move Robinson, because he's the best option in that RB room right now.

Deebo Samuel Sr. could also factor into the run game if Robinson is moved, so that move would be a boost to his fantasy value. McLaurin would be even more involved if Robinson is moved, granted he's actually on the field for the start of the regular season.

Noah Brown, Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane are some other wideouts who could benefit from a lack of a running game in Washington. You can also expect quarterback Jayden Daniels to run more if Robinson is moved.

Even if Robinson sticks on the roster, he's likely to not be super involved anymore. His draft stock should plummet now - he's at pick 77 on average at this moment.

I'd be a bit more skeptical on taking Daniels (31.75 ADP) just because this offense is lacking playmakers. Ekeler (125) and Croskey-Merritt (259) should see their figures increase.

We can cover things a bit more thoroughly if a move is ever made. You definitely should be altering your thoughts on the Commanders' offense because of this possibility though.

Injuries and Fantasy Repercussions 

Matthew Stafford and Justin Jefferson are among the notable fantasy players who are back at practice after dealing with injuries previously.

Stafford's ADP is at 201.75, and he should get a bump if he sticks on the practice field and is over his back injury.

Jefferson is going at pick five on average, and he should stick near that spot if he doesn't deal with any more issues with his hamstring.

Jordan Love is back at practice after dealing with a left thumb injury. It shouldn't affect his regular season availability, but it's something to monitor, and could keep him out of most standard leagues.

De'Von Achane has a calf injury and likely won't practice this week. His ADP is 12.5, so fantasy owners will want to see him back at practice before feeling great about using an early pick on him.

Tetairoa McMillan has a minor hamstring injury he's working through. He's going around pick 57 on average, but that could drop if he misses some more practice time as the season closes in.

Darren Waller still hasn't returned from the physically unable to perform list, and that should keep him out of all standard league fantasy drafts. His ADP is 216.5 right now, and I'd expect that to drop as he continues to miss practice.