Ezekiel Elliott's holdout just won't end -- are you tired of hearing about it yet? Fantasy football owners must like good news better, so they were probably happy to see Demaryius Thomas look healthy in his return to the field last night. In a crowded Patriots' depth chart, maybe Thomas can be a sleeper. Carlos Hyde looks likely to bust (and maybe be cut) in Kansas City, while Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter in Miami and might help other portions of that roster matter. The season kicks off in less than a week, so make sure your rankings and lineups are adjusted accordingly.
For more updates and the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ezekiel Elliott holdout update
On Thursday, Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones said that he expects Ezekiel Elliott to miss games. Jones added, "He can't and won't miss them all." It's just the latest public comments Jones has made about Elliott this summer.
Everything that's happened with Dallas and 'Zeke this summer feels a bit like a bunch of mind games. The Cowboys play a football game in nine days, though, and Elliott still hasn't shown up. Labor Day, next Monday, is a classic report day, so if Elliott still is missing then, draft Tony Pollard in the early middle rounds. The rookie has looked good in the preseason running behind one of the NFL's best offensive lines.
2019 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200
Ryan Fitzpatrick named starter
After Miami's Week 4 preseason game, Dolphins head coach Brian Flores confirmed that Ryan Fitzpatrick would open the season as their starting quarterback. That means Josh Rosen will begin the year as Miami's backup.
Considering how Rosen played last season, Fitzpatrick probably has the best chance at making one or two Dolphins offensive players valuable. Whether that's Kenyan Drake or Kalen Ballage, Preston Williams, Kenny Stills, or DeVante Parker is less certain. But if you were choosing to be contrarian and invest in the Miami offense, this is the best you could've hoped for. After all, albeit in a different offensive scheme, Fitzpatrick threw for 400-plus yards four times in 2018.
2019 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Top 200
Carlos Hyde likely to be cut
In the Chiefs' fourth preseason game, Hyde received eight carries. Not seen on the field at any point were RBs Damien Williams, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson. That suggests that Hyde is no better than fourth among Kansas City's running back options.
This usage suggests that Hyde is all but a certain cut. He'll certainly latch on with an RB-needy team -- maybe Houston -- but Hyde's burst hasn't been present for the last couple of seasons. He could matter from a volume standpoint if he landed in the right spot, but it won't be pretty.
DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST
Demaryius Thomas fantasy outlook
Thomas returned from an Achilles' injury to make his Patriots debut in Week 4 of the preseason. Playing against mostly backups, Thomas dominated, catching seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Veteran Demaryius Thomas has caught two TDs tonight. #Patriots #NYGvsNE pic.twitter.com/PxoNYa1Xxt https://t.co/my6oh1baUQ
— Sporting News Fantasy (@sn_fantasy) August 30, 2019
Thomas is the type of player who goes to New England on his last legs and somehow becomes useful. It's a crowded, uncertain WR depth chart behind Julian Edelman with the Pats. If Thomas were to find a role, it would be as a red-zone threat who could have fantasy value because of touchdowns. That's far from a sure thing, though.