Watson Running, Thornton Climbing, and Jeanty Cooling

Welcome to Week 2️⃣ of FFin60!

• Close your eyes if you’ve been drafting a lot of Ashton Jeanty. Tashan Reed opines: “Jeanty is the clear-cut lead back, but the Raiders want to avoid running him into the ground. Mostert will be the primary third-down back and help spell Jeanty on early downs alongside McCormick” [The Athletic].

  My take: Yikes. My biggest Jeanty concern has always been whether he’d get a workhorse or at least the pass-catching role. If he doesn’t, this offense is unlikely to support his cost. It’s just one report, but I’m staying underweight and favoring CMC and the elite WRs in that range.

• The drumbeat on Dont’e Thornton continues. Last week, he was said to be running with the 1’s, and now Raiders beat reporter Levi Edwards notes Thornton “has already become a top target for Geno Smith, not only using his speed to get vertical down the field, but towering over smaller defenders in the middle of the field and using his acceleration to create separation consistently” [Raiders.com].

  My take: Thornton has a 9.80 RAS, 4.30 speed, and led the NCAA in 50+ yard receptions. Despite being drafted two rounds after Jack Bech, he fits this WR room well. I’m buying the hype. A solid last-round best ball pick, especially if you’re stacking Geno.

• Might be time to pump the brakes on Calvin Austin III. Mike DeFabo hints that the Steelers are still hunting for a WR2 via trade or free agency [The Athletic].

  My take: I actually think Austin could work well with Rodgers, but drafting on speculative volume this far out is risky, especially when the team itself is clearly unsure. Even if Austin starts as WR2, that role looks shaky.

• Christian Watson posting a video of him running routes on Twitter is not something I’d normally react to. But the fact he’s doing this less than six months after tearing his ACL is rather impressive [Book of Eli].

  My take: ACL recovery timelines have gotten insane, but with a January 5th tear, I’d be shocked if Watson is back before the end of the season. I’m not drafting him, but I’ll keep watching the situation.

📅 NFL Countdown

• 23 days until training camp begins (July 16)

• 38 days until the first NFL preseason game (July 31)

• 73 days until the NFL season kicks off (September 4)

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