⭐ The Prodigal RB Returns Home?
A reunion is brewing...
I need D.J. Burns in the NFL, too…
In today’s Fantasy Life Newsletter presented by Poker Now:
A reunion in Dallas?
Interesting quotes from Brandon Aiyuk & Sean Payton
Rookie Profile: Bo Nix
It’s 4/1. Take it away, Peter Overzet…
They say if you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it was meant to be.
That’s clearly Jerry Jones’ mantra when it comes to Ezekiel Elliott, because ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported over the weekend that both Zeke and the Cowboys “have mutual interest in a reunion.”
Zeke, of course, spent the first seven years of his career in Dallas before shipping up to Boston for a one-year fling.
It would be tempting to write this off as a nothing burger, but Dallas remains one of the juiciest fantasy landing spots for an RB.
They let Tony Pollard walk in free agency and somehow managed not to throw a truckload of Jerry bucks at a premium back like Josh Jacobs or Derrick Henry.
They did re-sign Rico Dowdle, and if you squint hard enough you might be able to spot Deuce Vaughn on the roster, but this is a backfield that demands our attention due to the massive amounts of opportunity up for grabs.
Regardless of what happens with Zeke—who, let’s not forget, turns 29 in July—the Cowboys are fully expected to spend a Top 100 pick on an RB in this draft.
Many have already penciled in Texas standout Jonathon Brooks to Dallas. The dot connectors are quick to remind us that the doctor who performed the procedure on Brooks’ knee (he tore his ACL in November) is the Cowboys’ head physician.
Say the Cowboys do in fact select Brooks, it will likely take him a chunk of the season to ramp up to full speed.
In that scenario, both Dowdle, and potentially Zeke, would lead the backfield in touches.
Dowdle currently has a 14th-round ADP right now in drafts, but Zeke is essentially free (19th round).
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but he’s worth mixing in right now at the end of Big Board drafts.
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📺 An incoming class of elite QBs. Ian breaks down their fantasy football outlook.
🐬 The Dolphins solidify their backfield for 2024. He’s probably too cheap in drafts.
📣 Some tough love for Jim Harbaugh. He needed to hear this.
👪️ We need more Nacuas in the NFL. Let’s make it happen.
💰️ An update on the Brandon Aiuyk negotiations. Interesting quotes.
🤔 Weird comment from Sean Payton. Who is he coaxing out of retirement to play QB?
🤝 Dream landing spots for the rookie WRs. And a perfect fit for Brock Bowers, too.
The Draft is less than a month away, so it’s time to cram on these rookies. Today, Ian breaks down an intriguing QB prospect…
📝 Bo Nix Scouting Report
Underdog ADP: 234.7 overall (QB35), rookie QB6
Bo Nix is a former five-star recruit and was the No. 1 dual-threat QB in the 2019 class … one spot ahead of reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
Like Daniels, Nix’s career didn’t start and end in the same place. While Nix became Auburn’s first freshman starting QB since 1946, the Tigers ranked just 28th, 90th and 68th in scoring alongside underwhelming 9-4, 6-5 and 6-7 records during his three years as their starter.
Of course, context helps explain the slow career start a bit better. Nix’s offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham left for Florida State after just one season at Auburn, and a fractured ankle certainly didn’t help matters down the stretch of 2021.
Nix among 89 Power Five QBs with 300-plus dropbacks 2022-23:
PFF pass grade: 91.3 (tied for No. 2)
Passer rating: 126.1 (No. 1)
Yards per attempt: 9.2 (No. 7)
Adjusted completion rate: 84% (No. 1)
Overall, no Power 5 QB scored more total TDs than Nix (94) over the last two seasons. Hell, Caleb Williams (93) was the only other signal-caller within 15 scores of him.
Now for the elephant in the room: Nix is old. He turned 24 back in February, making him just 142 days younger than rising fourth-year pro Trevor Lawrence.
There’s also the reality that Nix played in one of the coziest offensive environments in continental America.
Best/worst Power-5 2023 supporting casts in terms of average team PFF rush, receiving, pass blocking and run blocking grades (everything except passing):
1. Oregon (86.6)
2. LSU (84)
5. Washington (81.3)
...
12. Michigan (79.5)
15. USC (78.3)
...
31. North Carolina (72.8)
How much of what we saw was him being great, and how much was more so due to his playmakers and scheme?
Good questions – let’s try to figure them the f*ck out.
What I don’t think some of yall are understanding is…. if Caleb can paint his nails with his non-dominant hand, that man has hands as steady as a rock 🪨
